Valentine’s Day drinking for the City singleton February 7, 2013 No better half? No need! If you aren’t coupled up for Valentine’s Day 2013, head to one of the following clubs to celebrate courtly love’s patron saint. The Old Vic Tunnels in Leake Street is holding an avian-themed shindig named the Love Nest Valentine’s Ball. From 14-16 February the venue will be transformed into the [...]
Hit the right note this Valentine’s weekend February 6, 2013 THE concept of Valentine’s Day as a time for lovers to express their romantic desires has, contrary to the cries of the cynics, been around since at least the Middle Ages. The tradition of sending flowers and hand-written letters has been around ever since, albeit with the intervention of the ubiquitous greetings card. These days [...]
No more WAGs please: Women prefer traders January 30, 2013 GOOD news for City lotharios, especially in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Apparently more women would rather date a City trader than a footballer. The shine is slightly taken off this news by discovering that it is only true for women looking to trade their husbands for a banker part-time. The study, by IllicitEncounters.com, the [...]
Winter sales shine bright for Signet January 8, 2013 Sales at Signet’s US stores open at least a year rose 4.7 per cent in November and December, the jeweller said yesterday. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the report eased concerns over whether slumping consumer confidence in December might dent luxury sales.
Make 2013 the year for educating your children financially January 1, 2013 CREATING a New Year’s resolution is as much a tradition at this time of year as Auld Lang Syne or fireworks. Whether done in jest, or with serious commitment, setting resolutions can inspire us to be and do better in the year ahead. Unfortunately, waning willpower and seemingly insurmountable ambitions will likely conspire against our [...]
Thrill seekers put one foot in La Grave November 4, 2012 I am teetering on the edge of a cliff at the top station of Les Deux Alpes. I normally feel confident on my carving skis but this feels like no ordinary black run. Around me are some of the most spectacular views of the French Alps known to man, but all I can do is [...]
The good, the bad and the average: the best and worst films to keep you out of the sun this week May 24, 2012 FILM MEN IN BLACK III Cert PG | By Chris Ward *** Men in Black III has a major problem to overcome before the opening credits even roll: it has been a decade since the last instalment – so why exactly does it exist? This time, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are up against [...]
Clinton’s looming date with death was on the cards May 9, 2012 I’M SURPRISED about Clinton Cards. Not that it has gone into administration, you understand – I’m surprised it lasted so long. It’s a struggling retailer with a gigantic high street footprint (861 stores in the UK, including 188 Birthdays outlets) selling a disposable product with no intrinsic value that you could replace with a free [...]
Mother’s Day boosts takings at Greene King April 23, 2012 RECENT calendar highlights boosted Greene King as strong sales on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and St Patrick’s Day drove business up 4.5 per cent in the quarter. The pub operator said it sold 220,000 meals on Mothering Sunday, a 16 per cent increase on 2011 with wine sales up 18 per cent. Greene King chief [...]
EPISODE 52 – IN WHICH WE’RE LIKE CALVES TO THE SLAUGHTER April 9, 2012 We’re just off the return flight from Venice. Walking through the terminal, I’m speaking to Noel on the telephone. “Were you good for Maria?” “Yes daddy. Of course I was. But Gwennie…” The call is suddenly interrupted by a flurry of incoming messages. “Noel, I’m going to have to call you back.” “But daddy…” “A [...]