Weather woes likely to deplete Barmy Army at MCG December 22, 2010 ENGLAND supporters fear their numbers will be depleted for the potentially decisive fourth Ashes Test as snow chaos prevents fans from flying out to Australia. A record crowd of more than 90,000 is anticipated for the match in Melbourne, which begins on Boxing Day and could see England retain the urn with victory. But the [...]
Banks give FTSE a boost as pre-Christmas rally continues December 22, 2010 BRITAIN’S leading share index pushed higher yesterday, supported by gains from banks as reports China is ready to buy Portuguese bonds eased European debt concerns. At the close, the FTSE 100 was up 31.69 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 5,983.49, edging ever closer towards the 6,000 level last seen in June 2008. The blue [...]
Odd jobs December 22, 2010 IT’S a busy time for us, the run up to Christmas, because we have six companies coming in for their carol concerts, big banks and law firms, and the local school also comes. Midnight mass on Christmas eve is the big one for us, and that is mostly for locals, we get about 150 or [...]
Learn to enjoy your bubbly the molecular way December 22, 2010 IT’S Christmas time again so isn’t it time you knew a thing or two about Champagne? Danny Hodrein certainly does. Or rather, he does now. Danny is a “flavourist” at taste consultancy F&F Projects (think science boffin in a white coat) who, until this latest project, spent most of his time making our crisps taste [...]
TEMPERS FLARE AT PWC CAROL SERVICE December 22, 2010 YOU might think that playing the organ at the office Christmas carol service is a pretty uncontroversial activity. Not so for a professional organist (as they’re called) engaged for PricewaterhouseCooper’s annual festive singsong. The stage was set, the decorations tweaked and the set list compiled when all went awry. Details are hard to come by, [...]
BAA chief to forego bonus amid snow chaos December 22, 2010 BAA chief executive Colin Matthews has said he will voluntarily give up his 2010 bonus as Heathrow struggles to perform in the snow and ice. BAA, which owns and runs Heathrow as well as others including Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton, said his focus was on helping the thousands of passengers stranded in freezing conditions [...]
Northern Foods receives new approach December 22, 2010 Food manufacturer Northern Foods said it received an approach from food tycoon Ranjit Boparan, boosting its shares, although it reiterated support for a planned merger with Ireland’s Greencore. Responding to a media report, Northern Foods, the biggest maker of Christmas puddings, said that Boparan Holdings approached it on December 17 requesting information. However, it has [...]
Stockholm Syndrome and Dementors rule the law December 21, 2010 A HARD year for the City’s legal market is drawing to a close, and lawyers at those firms that haven’t cancelled their Christmas parties are looking forward to a booze-filled lead up to the New Year. And giving their two cents in RollOnFriday’s annual Firm of the Year survey. There seems to be little festive [...]
Cable demotion cheers Murdoch December 21, 2010 James Murdoch, the chairman of British Sky Broadcasting, was said to be “cock-a-hoop” last night, after Vince Cable was stripped of his role in deciding whether the satellite broadcaster can be taken over by News Corp. Sources close to Murdoch, who is also chief executive of News Corp in Europe and Asia, said Cable’s demotion [...]
The case of the invincible business secretary December 21, 2010 WHEN Vince Cable told undercover reporters his departure from government would bring down the coalition, most Westminster insiders thought the famously grumpy business secretary was indulging in a little hyperbole. Few, if any, thought the audacious claim would be tested just a few hours later. In the event, the Prime Minister agreed with his business [...]