Firemen were called to a home in Sheffield at 4:30am yesterday to
tackle a house fire apparently caused by the family's cat, Smog, walking
over the cooker and accidentally switching it on.
A plastic toolbox which had been left on top of the cooker had caught fire, leading to further damage.
The
family and Smog fortunately managed to escape to safety, the fire
service reported, and Smog is reported to be doing fine after a check-up
at the vets.
If this genuine incident seems strangely familiar,
it may be because it was remarkably close to the story of the children's
book 'Mog's Christmas Calamity' by Judith Kerr, featuring a cat with a
very similar name.
You may have seen the story brought to life on
television recently as Sainsbury's made it into an animated/live action
short film for its Christmas advert this year.
The book version of
the story is currently being sold by Sainsbury's and all the related
profits are being donated to Save the Children. So far nearly £900,000
has been raised for the charity's UK child literacy campaign.
Find out more about Trust A Trader with the Trust A Trader Wikipedia Page.
Monday, 27 June 2016
Monday, 20 June 2016
Wireless internet through your lights
A new wireless internet access technology called li-fi has been
announced, which transmits data through light via standard LED bulbs.
This method of wireless transmission doesn't suffer from the interference of traditional wi-fi and offers speeds 100 times faster, up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second) which is 1000 Mbps (megabits per second). However, lab tests have shown theoretical speeds of up to 224Gbps.
The technology was tested this week by Estonian company Velmenni, in an office environment, allowing workers to access the internet.
The technology works by using a controller to vary the current to an LED bulb (or bulbs) at very high speed, varying the intensity of the light output enough to be detected by a photodetector device connected to a computer, but not enough to be noticed by the human eye.
Any LED lightbulb could be controlled in this way to offer the very high speed internet connection, but there are some downsides. The technology doesn't work outside in daylight for example, because of the presence of the sun. Plus of course, you need to have the lights on for li-fi to work.
The fact that li-fi doesn't cause or suffer from the radio interference of traditional wi-fi is a big plus though, allowing it to be used on aircraft, in hospitals and other such sensitive environments.
Velmenni chief executive Deepak Solanki has stated that the technology could reach consumers within three to four years.
For more information about Trust A Trader Insurance, visit us at www.trustatraderinsurance.com
This method of wireless transmission doesn't suffer from the interference of traditional wi-fi and offers speeds 100 times faster, up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second) which is 1000 Mbps (megabits per second). However, lab tests have shown theoretical speeds of up to 224Gbps.
The technology was tested this week by Estonian company Velmenni, in an office environment, allowing workers to access the internet.
The technology works by using a controller to vary the current to an LED bulb (or bulbs) at very high speed, varying the intensity of the light output enough to be detected by a photodetector device connected to a computer, but not enough to be noticed by the human eye.
Any LED lightbulb could be controlled in this way to offer the very high speed internet connection, but there are some downsides. The technology doesn't work outside in daylight for example, because of the presence of the sun. Plus of course, you need to have the lights on for li-fi to work.
The fact that li-fi doesn't cause or suffer from the radio interference of traditional wi-fi is a big plus though, allowing it to be used on aircraft, in hospitals and other such sensitive environments.
Velmenni chief executive Deepak Solanki has stated that the technology could reach consumers within three to four years.
For more information about Trust A Trader Insurance, visit us at www.trustatraderinsurance.com
Monday, 13 June 2016
Queen reopens New Street station in Birmingham
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have officially reopened New
Street Station in Birmingham, following its five year, £750m,
redevelopment.
The royal couple unveiled a plaque at the impressive new station and paid their respects to railway staff killed in action in the First World War.
They also named a tram while visiting the recently completed Midland Metro Tram Extension at Bull Street, and visited the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry on the former BBC site at Pebble Mill.
Security for the Queen's visit was higher than usual, following the attacks in Paris last weekend, with armed police clearly visible and additional officers on patrol. The central concourse of the station was also sealed off while the Queen unveiled the plaque.
However, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann said that the measures were only a precaution and no intelligence had been received relating to a threat.
Some royal fans traveled a long way to see the Queen, with one, Margaret Kittle, coming all the way from Canada.
For more information about Trust a trader, visit our website: www.trustatrader.com
The royal couple unveiled a plaque at the impressive new station and paid their respects to railway staff killed in action in the First World War.
They also named a tram while visiting the recently completed Midland Metro Tram Extension at Bull Street, and visited the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry on the former BBC site at Pebble Mill.
Security for the Queen's visit was higher than usual, following the attacks in Paris last weekend, with armed police clearly visible and additional officers on patrol. The central concourse of the station was also sealed off while the Queen unveiled the plaque.
However, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann said that the measures were only a precaution and no intelligence had been received relating to a threat.
Some royal fans traveled a long way to see the Queen, with one, Margaret Kittle, coming all the way from Canada.
For more information about Trust a trader, visit our website: www.trustatrader.com
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Star Wars fan turns home into shrine to films and offers B&B
Dave Oldbury, a postman from Southampton, has turned his
semi-detached house into a shrine to the Star Wars franchise, and is
also offering a B&B service in the run up to the release of the new
film.
Dave says he has spent around £150,000 on the transformation, which includes masses of memorabilia such as action figures, film posters, books, toy spaceships and even life-size Storm Troopers.
Other Star Wars fans are going to be allowed to stay the night at a guest room in the house, named the Solo Suite, for £35 per night.
Dave is 46 and has been collecting Star Wars items since he was 8 years old. He has around 3,000 items in total, which fill the house, and so around 500 pieces have had to take their place in the garage instead.
Dave said that he is looking forward to showcasing his collection to fellow Star Wars fans, but that they shouldn't use the side passage, as that path leads to the dark side...
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Dave says he has spent around £150,000 on the transformation, which includes masses of memorabilia such as action figures, film posters, books, toy spaceships and even life-size Storm Troopers.
Other Star Wars fans are going to be allowed to stay the night at a guest room in the house, named the Solo Suite, for £35 per night.
Dave is 46 and has been collecting Star Wars items since he was 8 years old. He has around 3,000 items in total, which fill the house, and so around 500 pieces have had to take their place in the garage instead.
Dave said that he is looking forward to showcasing his collection to fellow Star Wars fans, but that they shouldn't use the side passage, as that path leads to the dark side...
Give us a like and follow at our official trustatrader Facebook and trustatrader Twitter accounts! We would love to hear from you.
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Ultra-hard glass developed
Scientists in Japan have created a new type of ultra-hard glass,
which is also thin, by using alumina which is an oxide of aluminium.
There could be many commercial applications once the glass can be made available, from very strong window panes for buildings to car windows and much stronger mobile phone screens.
The glass is a type of 'oxide glass' which is made mainly from silicon dioxide but with greater strength provided by the inclusion of alumina.
There have been problems creating glass with increased amounts of alumina in the past because the mixture would crystallise when meeting the sides of the container, stopping the development of useful glass.
However, scientists from the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo have managed to use oxygen gas to raise the elements into the air before using a laser to melt them into glass.
The glass produced is colourless and transparent like normal glass, but extremely hard - when tested, the stiffness was greater than some metals, and not far off the performance of steel.
The team are looking to establish a method to mass-produce the glass as soon as possible, with the aim of making it commercially available within five years.
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There could be many commercial applications once the glass can be made available, from very strong window panes for buildings to car windows and much stronger mobile phone screens.
The glass is a type of 'oxide glass' which is made mainly from silicon dioxide but with greater strength provided by the inclusion of alumina.
There have been problems creating glass with increased amounts of alumina in the past because the mixture would crystallise when meeting the sides of the container, stopping the development of useful glass.
However, scientists from the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo have managed to use oxygen gas to raise the elements into the air before using a laser to melt them into glass.
The glass produced is colourless and transparent like normal glass, but extremely hard - when tested, the stiffness was greater than some metals, and not far off the performance of steel.
The team are looking to establish a method to mass-produce the glass as soon as possible, with the aim of making it commercially available within five years.
If you would like to find out a bit more about Trustatrader.com visit our social media profiles - Trustatrader Twitter, Trustatrader Facebook and Trustatrader Youtube.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Site of 'Roman villa' saved from housing development
Land in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, where the remains of a Roman
villa were discovered, has been bought by a mystery benefactor for a
seven figure amount to save it from housing development.
Signs of the Roman villa had been discovered in the 1950s when intricate mosaic tiled pavements were discovered during excavations.
The site which has been bought is alongside where the earlier remains had been discovered, and has been given to new custodian Southwell Minster. The land can now be used only for educational, conservation and cultural purposes.
Acting dean, Canon Nigel Coates said: "It's a benefaction we never anticipated and he or she has been extraordinarily generous in giving us this site.
"It's their wish to remain anonymous but we do hope that in the future the connection with Southwell and the person's identity will be made known."
The site had previously received planning permission for nine houses from Sherwood District Council, although the plans were strongly opposed by the 'Save Roman Southwell' campaign.
Plans for the long-term future of the site are yet to be decided but the area will be cleared of rubble and grass laid initially, to improve the general appearance.
Dr Will Bowden, Associate Professor in Roman Archaeology at the University of Nottingham, said the villa would have been large and impressive, commenting: "Villas were massive farm complexes with agricultural and industrial functions that could extend over a wide area.
"It features extensive mosaic pavements and some very high quality wall painting, both located when parts of the villa were excavated in the 1950s."
If you would like to get in touch with us, contact us via our official Twitter profile and Facebook Profile.
Signs of the Roman villa had been discovered in the 1950s when intricate mosaic tiled pavements were discovered during excavations.
The site which has been bought is alongside where the earlier remains had been discovered, and has been given to new custodian Southwell Minster. The land can now be used only for educational, conservation and cultural purposes.
Acting dean, Canon Nigel Coates said: "It's a benefaction we never anticipated and he or she has been extraordinarily generous in giving us this site.
"It's their wish to remain anonymous but we do hope that in the future the connection with Southwell and the person's identity will be made known."
The site had previously received planning permission for nine houses from Sherwood District Council, although the plans were strongly opposed by the 'Save Roman Southwell' campaign.
Plans for the long-term future of the site are yet to be decided but the area will be cleared of rubble and grass laid initially, to improve the general appearance.
Dr Will Bowden, Associate Professor in Roman Archaeology at the University of Nottingham, said the villa would have been large and impressive, commenting: "Villas were massive farm complexes with agricultural and industrial functions that could extend over a wide area.
"It features extensive mosaic pavements and some very high quality wall painting, both located when parts of the villa were excavated in the 1950s."
If you would like to get in touch with us, contact us via our official Twitter profile and Facebook Profile.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Opportunity for TV stardom for singing tradespeople!
Are you from London? Are you a singer? Or a group of singers? Do you
love singing and performing famous musical numbers from films?
A new TV show needs budding performers, ideally groups of work colleagues who want to do their own version of an iconic song from a classic musical – anything from Frozen’s ‘Love is an Open Door’ to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ from Wayne’s World.
You could be a team from work, a plumber, gardeners or group of mechanics. If you’d like the opportunity to be professionally filmed performing a timeless musical number then please email CLloyd@mentorn.tv with a short paragraph about who you are, what type of song you’d love to sing and a short clip of you singing if you have one.
We know there must be some great voices amongst all the traders on TrustATrader.com, so don't be shy - turn off the radio and let the whole country hear what you can do!
A new TV show needs budding performers, ideally groups of work colleagues who want to do their own version of an iconic song from a classic musical – anything from Frozen’s ‘Love is an Open Door’ to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ from Wayne’s World.
You could be a team from work, a plumber, gardeners or group of mechanics. If you’d like the opportunity to be professionally filmed performing a timeless musical number then please email CLloyd@mentorn.tv with a short paragraph about who you are, what type of song you’d love to sing and a short clip of you singing if you have one.
We know there must be some great voices amongst all the traders on TrustATrader.com, so don't be shy - turn off the radio and let the whole country hear what you can do!
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