Midlands Today were in Southam yesterday [October 13] to cover 400 in 4 when they visited Southam College.
The visit featured in the evening edition:
Southam News, of course, was also there:
A selection of stories from Southam News appears here
For ALL the stories, news and articles go to http://southamnews.org
Southam News: It's News for Southam
Some hauliers will be allowed to use longer trailers under plans to boost growth published by Roads Minister Mike Penning.
Following consultation on proposals to allow a two metre increase in the length of articulated lorries, the Department for Transport is allowing a ten-year trial of up to 900 trailers at an increased length of 2.05 metres, and 900 at an increase of one metre. The longer lorries will operate within the existing weight limit of 44 tonnes.
The trial is expected to provide a £33m boost to the haulage industry as the longer vehicles provide up to 13% more loading space – allowing fewer journeys to transport the same amount of goods - without compromising safety.
Mike Penning said: "The road haulage industry is vital to the growth of our economy. By allowing companies to use one truck where they may have previously needed to send two, we can help the sector improve efficiency and save money – which should in turn benefit consumers.
Independent research showed the potential environmental, safety and congestion benefits of longer trailers and this voluntary trial will give industry the opportunity to demonstrate how this works in practice.
The trial will be subject to rigorous annual assessments and will be closely and independently monitored throughout so that any concerns are addressed quickly."
The consultation responses indicated that haulage operators would like the option to choose between different trailer lengths depending on the type of operation they are carrying out.
The changes would make the total permitted length for articulated lorries 18.55 metres; the current maximum length for lorries using a truck and drawbar trailer is 18.75 metres. The Government has ruled out any further increase in length.
Current UK regulations limit the maximum loading length of semi-trailers to 13.6 metres. Under the trial, the Department will be permitting the limited use of semi-trailers with a maximum loading length up to 15.65 metres. This is the same loading length currently allowed for rigid truck / drawbar trailer combination vehicles.
The maximum permitted length of articulated lorries drawing the longer semi-trailers will be 18.55 metres. This compares to 18.75 metres for the rigid truck / drawbar trailer combination vehicles mentioned above.
The Government is not permitting any increase in the current maximum gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes. It has also ruled out the introduction of “gigaliners” – lorry combinations of 25 metres and above.
The Government had also consulted on the possibility of increasing the length of cabs to allow a more aerodynamic frontal design. However, it was clear from the consultation that there is unlikely to be significant commercial demand for aerodynamic frontal designs at present. The Government therefore does not intend to take this any further at this time, but will keep the situation under review.
Stop HS2 at Parliament today:
Over 200 people attended prior to the debate which took place in the House today.
For other photos, including ones featuring various MPs please visit the Stop HS2 Facebook Group.
The RAF Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are riding Coast to Coast across the breadth of Wales and England.
They are covering 400 miles in 4 days, “400 in 4”.
400 in 4 were in Southam today [October 13].
Of course, Southam News was there [as from 07:00] and caught all the action.
400 in 4 were at Southam College at 8.15 on their way from Stratford heading to Daventry.
We have a photo feed [here] with over 40 photos that you can zoom in and out of.
Dr Emma Egging is taking her husband's place as number 4 - Jon Egging was tragically killed in the summer whilst flying with the Red Arrows.
On the 11th of October 2011, a combined team of 23 cyclists from the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Red Arrows Display Team and Fly2help will cross the UK at its widest point in just 4 days. The route bagan at St. David’s Head in Wales and finishes in Lowestoft, leaving approximately 100 miles to cover each day. The project aims to raise £50,000 to support both the Royal Air Force Association and the Fly2help scheme.
After the tragic death of Flt Lt Jon Egging in August it has been decided that anything the challenge raises over £50,000 will go to The Jon Egging Trust, set up by Jon's wife, Emma, his mother Dawn, Jon's best friend James and his Red Arrows teammate Ben. The Jon Egging Trust will give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to achieve their potential through gaining access to a variety of inspirational activities and experiencing the thrill of flight.
Text CYCLE to 70099 to donate £3 and have your chance to win a VIP day with the Red Arrows or BBMF. The lucky winners will be able to meet the pilots, tour the aircraft and see what happens behind the scenes on the world famous display teams!
We have a newsfeed to follow 400 in 4: click here
Articles from Southam News which appear here may be edited
For ALL the stories, news and articles go to http://southamnews.org
Southam News: It's News for Southam
The Warwickshire Waste Partnership is working in partnership with DHL and Stratford secondary schools to encourage residents to recycle their redundant electrical items at school recycling 'bring' events.
The bring events provide convenient locations across the district for residents to easily recycle old broken electrical items. Small items will be accepted including phones, remote controls, VCRs, digiboxes, electronic toys, kettles, irons, hairdryers, Christmas lights, small DIY tools, radios and clocks.
· Today [Thursday, 13 October] there is a bring event at Southam College from 08:00 until noon
By recycling unwanted electricals and electronics residents can reduce landfill and save valuable raw materials. For example, one household iron contains enough metal to produce 13 steel cans.
Large electronic items such as TV monitors, fridges, and computers will not be accepted at the events but can be taken along to any of Warwickshire's Household Waste Recycling Centres.
To find your nearest Recycling Centre and check opening hours visit the website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/hwrc
If the unwanted electrical items are still working, some of Warwickshire's voluntary and community organisations will also gladly accept unwanted working electrical items, which are inspected, checked and resold – often with a guarantee. To find you local reuse scheme log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/reuse
A selection of stories from Southam News appears here
For ALL the stories, news and articles go to http://southamnews.org
Southam News: It's News for Southam
Mask-arade have appeared on ‘How to Win in the Den’, a Dragons’ Den catch-up special.
They went on the show to let the Dragons see what a success Mask-arade is today.
The show was on BBC 2 at 9.00pm on Wednesday 12th October.
The show is repeated on Monday October 17 [23:20 on BBC Two].
The BBC team spent four days with Mask-arade gathering footage for the programme; they first followed the Maskateers to the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington where Buddy Greco masks were handed out to every member of the audience before the legendary Rat Pack singer’s show, then the film crew visited Mask-arade’s old premises at Ford Farm in Southam as the staff worked around the clock to keep up with demand leading up to Kate and William’s wedding, when over 250,000 Royal Family masks were dispatched in just a few weeks.
Next stop was Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury for Trigger Happy TV star Dom Joly’s ‘Wherever I am’ tour, this time the Maskateers fitted a mask to every seat prior to the performance ready for a special ‘masked’ feature during the show. Dom Joly even gave an interview in praise of Mask-arade’s success since the Den. Finally the BBC team followed Chris, Dean and Ray up to Newcastle where they issued 3000 Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown masks to the travelling army of West Bromwich Albion fans, again the film crew managed to obtain another interview as ‘Bomber’ said how humbled he was by such a gesture.
Director Dean Walton said “it’s good that the Dragons have admitted that they got it wrong, and even though they didn't invest things have really worked out well” Mask-arade now employ nine staff and recently moved to a state of the art headquarters at Albion House in Southam which was opened by Paul Daniels & Debbie McGee [see here].
Mask-arade's original appearance on Dragon's Den:
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www.mask-arade.com 01926 814292
A selection of stories from Southam News appears here
For ALL the stories, news and articles go to http://southamnews.org
Southam News: It's News for Southam
The new fuel line clamp and stopper kit from, Southam based, Laser Tools (part no: 5219) is indispensable for the busy technician with a selection of different tools in a handy kit.
The tools stop fluid loss and seal off pipes and hoses while working on the engine and ancillaries. They are designed to suit a variety of pipes and hoses, including fuel lines, transmission fluid lines, brake pipes, coolant lines, vacuum pipes, etc.
· Use to seal steel, plastic and rubber lines once disconnected.
· Prevents fluid leaks and contamination during servicing.
· Use with all automotive fluids.
The tools included are:
· Extension hose clamp — useful for clamping off hoses where access is limited.
· Stoppers — used to close off hoses, vacuum pipes, etc. Six stoppers are supplied, two of each size: 3/16", 1/4", 5/16".
· Metal fuel pipe clamp — seals off the end of fuel pipe.
· Banjo clamp — seals off both sides of a banjo fuel or brake pipe fitting.
The kit also includes a handy fuel pipe separator to quickly disconnect snap-fit fuel connectors.
It is available now for a typical price of £62.24 but remember to check your local supplier for the best prices and special offers.
Prices correct at time of publication.
For further details, please contact the Marketing Department 01926 818196
