Martha Brook x Matilda: Personalised Stationery. A Christmas 'must have'

To celebrate the release of brand-new movie Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, The Roald Dahl Story Company is collaborating with Martha Brook, the online home of uplifting, inspiring personalised stationery.

The Martha Brook x Matilda collaboration allows grown-ups to enjoy a range of splendid stationery inspired by the power and possibility of everyone’s favourite book-loving heroine.  And That's Christmas firmly believes they will make most excellent Christmas presents.

The Martha Brook x Matilda collection includes personalised book journals, diaries, notebooks, life planners, gift sets and desk pads, each featuring quotes from the iconic story.  

Martha says: “As an adult, and now mum to a little girl, Matilda still reminds me that we can all be brave, bold and brilliant. As Miss Honey says to Matilda ‘there is some kind of magic in you’. That’s exactly how I want people to feel when they use items from the Martha Brook x Matilda collection.”

Natalie Hopkins, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Roald Dahl Story Company, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Martha Brook on this beautiful range of personalised stationery. Their company ethos to empower and uplift is the perfect fit for our extraordinary and inspirational hero, Matilda."

Standout items from the collection include:

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Book Journal, £25.95

Book lovers of all ages will love capturing their favourite novels in this beautiful book journal, with a cover featuring famous quote from the iconic story: ‘The books transported her into new worlds’. The Book Journal is packed with useful contents to inspire readers of all ages and can also be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. 

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Magic in You Life Planner, £37.95

Anyone can move through the year feeling bold, brave and brilliant thanks to this refillable planner and personal organiser, inspired by Matilda’s magical mind. The cover features the words ‘There is a kind of magic in you’ proudly displayed and will be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. Available in a variety of colours.

Martha Brook x Matilda Personalised Fireworks Softback Notebook, £13.95

This wonderful softback A5 notebook is sure to be a hit with readers and writers alike, with the goosebump inducing quote from Roald Dahl’s Matilda, ‘Words went off like fireworks’. It can also be embossed with the name of your choice in gold foil. Available in a variety of colours

To explore the full Martha Brook range, which includes diaries, notebooks, memory books, photo albums, notecard and writing sets, desk accessories, vegan leather collection, wedding planners, life planners and much more, visit www.marthabrook.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. 

Fantastic Festive Fun at the Bucket & Spade Café This Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Bucket & Spade Café in Shaldon, with a host of festive live music events to delight and entertain. A delicious Christmas Afternoon Tea will also be available throughout December, a perfect option to share with a friend or a loved one, to celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Eat, drink and be merry at one of the many Christmas celebration live music events scheduled with some of the best musicians in the South West. 

Join the Bucket & Spade for a festive 3-course feast with incredible folk singer 'Matt Sellers' on Friday 16th December, and for uplifting, melodic and soulful music join 'Go Tell Alice' on Saturday 17th December. 

The final event of the month is on Friday 23rd December with the 'The Waves Collection', an international, modular band who play an eclectic mix of songs from the 1950's to current popular hits, guaranteed to get you on the dance floor!  At £30 per person, these events are great value with gluten and vegan options available. Make sure you book tickets in advance by calling 01626 818450 or visit www.bucketandspade.com for further information.

Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Bucket & Spade. Available Monday to Saturday 12-3pm throughout December, arrive with an empty tummy to indulge in a selection of tasty finger sandwiches, savoury or sweet fluffy scones and a trio of festive sweet treats served with a range of tea or freshly brewed coffee (£15.95 per person). Upgrade to a glass of prosecco for some added Christmas sparkle! (£19.95 per person) Gluten and vegan options are available.

Recently winning Gold in the Best Café category, and two Silvers in the Best Bar and Best Restaurant categories at the Food Drink Devon Awards, The Bucket & Spade is is a popular choice for locals and visitors to the area. With spectacular views across the Jurassic coastline, it's renowned for its friendly service and locally sourced food.

Based at Coast View Holiday Park in Shaldon, The Bucket & Spade Cafe is open to on-site lodge owners and members of the public.  Open seven days a week, Coast View Holiday Park leisure members can enjoy the beautifully warm indoor swimming pool or if feeling a little more active use the state-of-the-art gymnasium to work up a sweat before dining in The Bucket & Spade Café.  New for this year is the 'Be Well' beauty treatment rooms for those who are in need of some well-deserved pampering.

For more information about the Bucket & Spade cafe visit: www.thebucketandspade.com  Follow 'The Bucket & Spade Shaldon' on Facebook and 'bucketandspadeshaldon' on Instagram.

For more information about South West Holiday Parks visit: www.southwestholidayparks.co.uk

Follow 'South West Holiday Parks' on Facebook and 'southwestholidayparks' on Instagram.

New Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin for Christmas warming

A classic winter warmer, Salcombe Distilling Co.'s new Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin is an exceptional, small batch cask aged sloe and damson gin crafted using locally foraged sloes.  

With its gorgeous, beautiful ruby hue, this unique seasonal release from multi-award winning Salcombe Distilling Co., is available in a 50cl bottle, RRP £40, ABV 38% from salcombegin.com and Salcombe Distilling Co.'s Victuallers flagship stores in Salcombe and Dartmouth.

No ordinary sloe gin, 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin has been months in the making.  Produced at their stunning waterside home in South Devon, one of the world's only distilleries directly accessible by boat, this intense fruit liqueur takes its name from Snapes Point, near Salcombe -  where many of the sloes were hand picked from nearby coastal footpaths overlooking Kingsbridge Estuary.  

Distilled with unrivalled passion, care and with exacting attention to detail, head distiller, Jason Nickels, first crafted a unique gin which he cask aged for nine months, to bring through vanilla notes and a subtle warmth.  

Once picked, sloe berries and damsons were steeped separately for two months, before further distilling the damson spirit on 60 litre copper pot stills to amplify the flavours.  Finally, the spirits were carefully blended together with Dartmoor water and a touch of honey, from bees kept by a member of Salcombe Distilling Co.'s team, to provide a delicate additional sweetness.     

Serving suggestion - Perfect now the weather has turned nippier, Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin injects some winter warmth when sipped neat.  As with all Salcombe Distilling Co.'s gins, it's also excellent served with plenty of ice, a premium Indian tonic water and garnished with a slice of orange. 

Victuallers Special Edition 'Snapes Point' Sloe Gin joins Salcombe Distilling Co.'s award-winning line-up of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point', Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie', the Voyager Series, Salcombe Rum 'Island Street' and New London Light non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs. 

For further information about Salcombe Distilling Co. and Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombedistilling.com, follow SalcombeGin on Instagram and Facebook and Salcombe Distilling Co on Twitter.

Iceland to give staff extended break with Boxing Day closure

To give their staff members an extended break over the busy Christmas period, Iceland stores and Food Warehouse outlets will not open on Boxing Day, Monday 26th December.

Iceland Foods have announced they will not be open for trading on Boxing Day this year.

Closing store doors on Christmas Eve and re-opening on December 27th, the retailer is prioritising their hard-working staff, giving them the welcome chance to enjoy an extended festive break and make the most of time with friends and family.

All of Iceland’s 1000+ stores will remain closed on Boxing Day across the UK, with it being officially assigned as a bank holiday for staff. The same applies to The Food Warehouse. In Scotland, Iceland will also be closed on New Year’s Day as usual. Opening hours for the wider festive period will vary based on location, with specific store timings announced locally.

Richard Walker, the MD of Iceland Foods, said: “This year has taken its toll on everyone, so officially closing our doors on Boxing Day is just a small token of appreciation to our employees. As we move into the winter months the cost-of-living burden will unfortunately only intensify, and as we work relentlessly to pass on savings and support to our customers, we must also look after our teams who are at the forefront of this crisis everyday across the UK.”

He added: "Iceland and The Food Warehouse shoppers will have plenty of time in the run up to Christmas to get their hands on festive bargains with the brand-new range of festive food available online and instore from 14th November. A dedicated Christmas page has also returned to the website, offering customers, a one stop shop for frozen Christmas products, enabling them to plan ahead with email notifications when their favourite products become available.

"Customers can also take advantage of our unique 3 for £10 deal across a range of lines, where they can save up to a fiver on everyday essentials."

To keep up to date with local store’s opening hours visit: https://www.iceland.co.uk/storefinder.

White Christmas? Drive carefully, say the experts

While many of us may be dreaming of a white Christmas this December, when it comes to driving in snowy conditions, there are a lot of hazards for drivers to consider that aren’t usually there at other times of the year. 

One study claims over the course of the last five years, there has been on average a 25% increase in the number of car insurance claims made in wintery November, compared to sunny April.

However, data from gov.uk suggests while the majority of UK drivers have been more careful during wintertime, with the months of November to January showing a decrease in traffic and casualties - there are still as many as 7,000 monthly accidents during this time.

Graham Conway, the MD of Select Car Leasing, is sharing the top tips everyone should consider when driving in snowy and icy conditions, to avoid hazards and drive safely. 

Drive with a slow speed and wide berth

“In icy conditions, wheel slip is the least likely at a slow speed in a high gear. Make sure to get your speed just right, carefully tapping the accelerator pedal and keeping a close eye on speed. 

“If you’re going downhill, reduce to a lower gear to make the need for braking a lot less likely. 

“If you’re driving behind another vehicle, you must give the vehicle in front a wide berth. In fact, during wintry conditions, it's recommended you should leave as much as ten times more space as normal between you and the vehicle in front. 

“It's usually recommended to leave a space for another car between you and the car in front, known as the five second rule. 

However, in snowy and icy conditions, you should leave the space for around 10 cars in front, as the ice can be very unpredictable”. 

Go around the bends carefully

“If you’re approaching a bend, remember to brake before turning the steering wheel to turn the corner, to reduce the chances of your car slipping on ice. 

“If your car loses grip, stay calm, take your foot off the accelerator pedal and make sure your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go in. 

“If the vehicle’s back wheels skid, you should steer into it. For example, if the back of the car starts sliding to the right, you shouldsteer to the right, as those back wheels are pushing the weight of the car. Its resistance can overcome friction and cause tires to lose grip. This points the front wheels in the same direction as the car's momentum by pulling the front of the car into line with the skidding back end. By doing this, you can regain control and successfully move on.

“It's vital you don’t take your hands off the steering wheel and do not suddenly stamp on the brakes while this happens, as it could cause a total loss of control.” 

Stay visible

“If you’re driving in heavy snow, ensure your dipped headlights are on at all times, so you can stay visible to other road users. 

“Don't rely on daytime running lights, because they don’t always light up the back of your car, which can be dangerous in snowy conditions.

“If visibility drops below 100 metres, switch on your fog lights so you can see further ahead. But you must remember to turn them off once visibility improves”. 

Pack for the worst case scenario

“Be prepared for the worst case scenario, as breaking down in snowy conditions unprepared can be dangerous. Your car should be packed with various items to help you deal with the worst outcome. 

“Things to include in the car include: a torch, hi-vis vest to keep you visible if you break down, a blanket to keep you warm, some food, a drink, de-icer, ice scraper, blankets, shovel, phone charger, map, a warning triangle, some jump leads, and a spade. 

“Your phone should also be fully charged with a phone number of a breakdown provider saved and stored on the phone.”

We acknowledge the assistance of Graham Conway and Select Car Leasing in helping to prepare this feature.

https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of Julita and Pixabay)

Are your last mile delivery parcels at risk?

With only a few weeks left to Christmas, delivery firms are surging into overdrive to dispatch online-purchased goods to buyers.

In London alone, there were some 450,000 packages delivered during the year, with vans covering over 50% more miles than 25 years ago, with Christmas being the busiest time.

But the security of those parcels is at risk by a lack of oversight, particularly around grey fleet vans.

Jason Chamberlain, Sales Director from ATS Euromaster, explains: “Businesses with owned branded vans will often be both exemplary in appearance and maintenance. But you also see, particularly around Christmas time, unbranded Sprinters or Transit-style vans delivering parcels for the same firm to cope with the increased seasonal demand. 

“Have these vans had the same checks as the branded vans? It's possible, but sadly also unlikely. The further down the chain you move from owned and managed vehicles to grey fleet self-employed drivers, the more likely it is the same level of fit for purpose scrutiny is lacking. Which can obviously be worrying, not only from a productivity point of view but also one of safety”

Jason adds that duty of care extends from direct employees to those that are asked to drive on business for the company, including self-employed drivers.

With over 4m vans on the road, ensuring the safety of each commercial vehicle is a critical task, says ATS Euromaster. Yet many grey fleet vans are on the streets without visual safety inspections carried out before drivers get behind the wheel.

“It’s concerning for all road users,” added Jason. “From our own experiences at ATS, one in three vans requires remedial work under our Mastercare service. Many of these are dotcom fleets, regularly needing to bounce up and down kerbs to make deliveries. Now, these are properly managed fleet vans, so you can only imagine the condition those grey fleet vans may be in.”

A recent report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) found, per mile travelled, vans and light goods vehicles were involved in more deaths of other road users than any other vehicle type.

ATS Euromaster is calling for delivery firms to ensure their duty of care mandate extends across their entire fleet, including self-employed grey fleet van drivers.

“Ensuring that vans are fit for purpose and are safe is paramount. We understand the pressure on deliveries that exists, particularly around the pre-Christmas period, but basic duty of care cannot, and should not, be ignored,” said Jason.

Be prepared for Asda's latest festive drinks offer

As shoppers are stocking up on the essentials for Christmas, including booze, Asda has announced details of its latest deal on wines and fizzes. 

The neat deal means shoppers can save an absolutely stunningly huge one third or more off the price of selected bottles of luxury wines and Champagnes during December.

Launching next Monday, 12th December and running all the way 'til New Year’s Eve (31st December), the offer provides the perfect opportunity to make massive savings on premium wines during the festive season.

For festive fizz, bottles of Louvel Fontaine Champagne Brut, usually priced at £18.00 each, will be available for just £9.99 an amazing saving of £8.01 per bottle. Another Champagne option is the Pommery Champagne Brut Royal at £26.66, giving customers a saving of £13.34 from its usual price of £40.00.

Asda’s Extra Special Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, which pairs perfectly with strong cheeses and rich beef stews, is available for just £9.99, usually £16.00 a bottle (a saving of £6.01). Alternatively, shoppers could try the 1895 Barolo for £9.99, saving shoppers £6.51 off its usual price of £16.50.

Other bottles include but aren’t limited to:

Extra Special Selection Chablis, £11.99 (usually £18.00, a saving of £6.01)

Extra Special Grand Vin de Bordeaux Médoc, £6.33 (usually £9.50, a saving of £3.17)

Ferrari Trento Brut, £13.99 (usually £23.00, a saving of £9.01)

19 Crimes Red Wine, £5.99 (usually £9.00, a saving of £3.01)

An Asda spokesperson said: “During the most expensive time of year, we’re really thrilled to be able to provide a helping hand to our customers. With the ‘save a third’ or more offer on wine, shoppers are able to add a little bit of luxury to their festive celebrations by popping premium wines in their basket at a significantly reduced price. 

“There's a huge range of really unique wines available in the offer many of which you perhaps wouldn’t expect to find on Asda shelves – whether it’s a Louvel Fontaine Champagne Brut or Extra Special Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, there’s something for everyone.”

Shop in store and online from 12th December at www.asda.com.

Ideal Christmas gift for Coffee Negroni lovers

It's an ideal Christmas gift for the lovers of Coffee Negroni Kit because Roasting Plant Coffee have teamed up with Primo Aperitivo to launch a brand new coffee negroni cocktail kit.

The kit is the perfect gift for coffee and cocktail-lovers alike, as it provides an exciting sensory experience through the bittersweet flavours of the Negroni and the smell of the freshly roasted coffee beans. 

The set comes with a bottle of Primo Aperitivo's pre-made Negroni and two bags of Roasting Plant's coffee, ready to be mixed into a punchy twist of the classic cocktail: bitter, sweet and refreshing all at once.

It's priced at £49.90. and is available at https://primoaperitivo.com/products/coffee-negroni?variant=42291385860289

Kit includes: x1 500ml bottle of Primo Aperitivo Negroni, x2 250g bags of Roasting Plant coffee.

Instructions:

Brew an espresso with Roasting Plant's 'just-roasted' coffee

Add ice into a rock glass

Measure 2 espresso cups of Primo Aperitivo Negroni (ca.100ml) and pour into the glass

Top it off with the freshly brewed Espresso to taste (we recommend around 30ml) and stir

Traditional Christmas decorations are on trend

Traditional Christmas decorations are predicted to be the most popular interior design trend this Christmas, with shoppers looking for the classic comfort of traditional green, red and gold themes. 

In a new poll of over 2,000 people, one in five respondents (19%) said they'd most likely adopt a traditional festive decor style this Christmas, according to research undertaken by Anwyl Homes.

Traditional decor was the most popular choice from respondents who'd already decided on their theme, followed by neutral tones, vintage style, quirky ‘elfcore’, Royal family-inspired decor, a country/rural-influenced ‘cottagecore’ style and natural, sustainable decor. 

Gemma Schofield, MD of Lifestyle Interiors and Interior Designer for Anwyl Homes, said: “There's something very classic about a traditional theme for Christmas, especially during uncertain times when people crave the comfort of familiar rituals. The colour combination of bright crimson and dark fir green can create feelings of warmth, security and tranquillity, which explains why this trend is so popular year after year.

“When we’re designing the interiors of new builds, we often use a particular colour palette or tones of colours to help give a premium look and you can apply the same principles to your Christmas decor. For example, if you’re going with the popular and more traditional festive colours, you could use a neutral tone for the base like tablecloths, and then add red and green accessories, napkins and candle holders. Add some glamour and sparkle with gold metallic accents, too. You could also look beyond the festive aisles in the shops for other items in these colours.

“While many households have selected their theme already, nearly a quarter of survey respondents said they had no particular Christmas decor style in mind. We know from experience that lots of people are daunted by the prospect of decorating for Christmas and are concerned about the cost. But this needn't be the case, as making your home feel festive can be achieved on a budget, with some simple ways to turn your home into a seasonal showstopper.”

Make do and mend

Before buying anything new, look at what you already have and consider ways to make it festive. Candles, tealights and fairy lights are one of the most effective ways to bring a Christmassy touch to your home and you’re likely to already have plenty of these in the house. Old baubles that have lost their string can make a great centrepiece when displayed in a large glass bowl, and you can add some battery-powered fairy lights to the bowl to give it an extra sparkle.  

Set a budget

Set yourself a budget for new decorations and stick to it. If your allowance is smaller this year, concentrate your efforts on making one room in the home feel extra special, choosing the space where you spend the most time. This should be the focal point for your festive decor, where you can add your tree and lighting, making sure everything follows the same theme. Be sure to check out charity shops for some festive bargains, especially earlier on in the season. 

Embrace sustainability 

Eco-friendly festive schemes have grown in popularity in recent years, with sustainable decorations offering a stylish and cost-effective way to embrace the holiday season. Natural materials such as foliage, berries, moss and wood are particularly popular for creating festive displays such as wreaths and table centres, and most of the materials can be found in your back garden and foraged for free. If you are looking elsewhere, check responsible foraging guidelines to ensure you are collecting from approved areas. Look for online tutorials on how to bring these elements together to create beautiful displays, with the added benefit of them introducing natural scents to your home this holiday season. 

Looking to book a holiday this Christmas? Meet travelplanbooker.com

A unique, all-in-one, online travel booking platform, travelplanbooker.com, has officially launched. It's a genuine, The one-of-a-kind platform that provides holidaymakers with all the tools they require to plan and book bespoke, complex, multi-destination trips and holidays with ease. Interactive maps with travel markers makes planning intricate, personalised routes effortless.

Travelling is set to be high on the list of priorities in 2023. In fact, two-thirds of consumers aim to take a holiday abroad in the next year. 

With Google searches of ‘interactive travel map’ rising by 54% and searches of ‘multi destination holidays’ increasing by 46% over the past year, the launch of travelplanbooker.com will provide holidaymakers and travellers looking to plan a trip to multiple locations with the tools they need to do so with ease.

Designed to simplify travel planning, the platform is user-friendly, adaptable and enables you to book transportation, accommodation, plus rental cars and attractions, from a variety of suppliers, all in one place. 

You can also take advantage of the various travel guides for essential information like health and safety, laws and etiquette, plus helpful tips and suggestions for local, must-see sights and attractions. travelplanbooker.com works with both low-cost and more expensive providers, with real-time pricing, making it the ideal one-stop online travel agency for booking your dream trip within your set budget.

travelplanbooker.com is a family business inspired by the desire to arrange multi-destination trips comfortably and stress-free. 

Designed to be with you every step of the way when planning a holiday, you can browse travelplanbooker.com’s trending trips for inspiration or customise your search if you already know exactly where you want to go. 

You'll then  be able to book and pay for everything from transport to accommodation and excursions in one place, plus refining your trip with travel insurance and assistance with visas.

Joshua Dunne, the CEO of travelplanbooker.com says: “Travel planning can be a time-consuming task. You can spend hours searching through numerous travel providers to then be overwhelmed with several booking confirmations and lose track of what you're spending with multiple transactions. travelplanbooker.com eliminates these problems and bugbears and we are proud to be the first all-in-one, online travel planning and booking tool. What’s more, the platform offers flexibility for travellers to tailor-make the trips of their dreams.”

What key features and benefits are available with travelplanbooker.com?

• Online travel booking platform, which provides all the tools required to plan and book bespoke, complex, multi-destination trips with ease

• Book transport (including flights, trains, buses and rental cars), accommodation, travel insurance, activities and excursions, from a variety of providers, all in one place

• Design the trip you have always dreamt of, using the interactive travel map. Create your very own favourite attractions list and plan every detail

• Flexibility to adapt flight class options for each part of the trip

• Browse trending trips for inspiration

• Find destinations, national parks, attractions and heritage sites on the map with general information and the best ways to reach them

• Essential travel guides provide further information like health and safety, laws and etiquette, helpful tips, visa requirements and local sights

• Build your own multi-destination trip from scratch with the assurance you only need to enter your data into one system. Or checkout in less than 10 clicks using a pre-planned trip template. Either way, you pay for all your travel needs in one simple transaction

• Compare prices and get the best deals from travelplanbooker.com’s partners, including Best Western, easyJet, Emirates, Hilton, ibis, JAL, Lufthansa, Marriott, Swiss, and Virgin Atlantic

• Partnered with AMEXCO, PayPal, Mastercard and VISA, for secure online payments

travelplanbooker.com