Pick of the Press 

 
Each month we receive a masses of information from companies about new products and events. Here is a brief summary from the latest batch; please bear in mind these are just extracts from information we have been sent and we have taken no action to verify any aspects.

THIS MONTH’S PRESS RELEASES

There are lots of things going on in December, so we decided to keep away from all the Christmas press releases and instead bring you a selection of some of the most interesting ones we received on unrelated subjects........

HIDDEN HEROES – THE GENIUS OF EVERYDAY THINGS
New Science Museum exhibition reveals the genius in our midst

The ingenuity of a group of seemingly run-of-the-mill objects that we encounter every day is highlighted in a new exhibition opening at the Science Museum this November.

Hidden Heroes – The Genius of Everyday Things examines the inspiration involved in items whose design and purpose are so well matched that they remain uncelebrated, but heavily used, in the fabric of our lives. The exhibition runs from 9 November 2011 to 5 June 2012.

Hidden Heroes is devoted to the likes of the ring binder, rawl plug, pencil, paperclip, Post-it Note, six-pack carrier, zip and ballpoint pen - examining each and giving pride of place to 36 inventions which deserve their moment in the spotlight.

The exhibition has been created by the Vitra Design Museum, Germany, in co-operation with Hi- Cone.
The featured inventions are presented alongside original sketches and drawings by their inventors - illustrating the process from idea to final object. Patent specifications and original advertisements reveal the efforts made to establish each product. The exhibition also reflects the ways in which these objects continue to provide inspiration to others.

Dr Susan Mossman, materials science specialist at the Science Museum, said, “At a time when celebrity is king, it gives all of us at the Science Museum enormous satisfaction to celebrate the truly uncelebrated and shine a light on a group of outstanding inventions and inventors, revealing the supposedly mundane to be nothing short of remarkable.”

Among the stories contained within the exhibition are:

• how a descending aeroplane may have inspired the design of bubble wrap
• how an engineer hired to install electrical fittings at the British Museum invented the rawl plug as a direct result
• how a packed coat rack could have inspired the wire coat hanger
• how a request by Napoleon for the preservation of food for his troops led to the
  eventual development of the tin can
• how the tea bag may have been discovered accidentally when customers dipped unopened packets in hot water to test quality of a tea shipment.

VISITOR INFORMATION
Hidden Heroes – The Genius of Everyday Things
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD
Exhibition dates: 9 November 2011 - 5 June 2012
Admission: Adults £6.00; Students £3.50; Children £3.50; Family £11-16
Open daily 10.00 to 18.00, except 24-26 December www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Tropical mangosteen fruit extract offers
hope to UK’s 10 million joint pain sufferers

A new advanced joint care supplement containing one of nature’s best kept secrets has launched today, offering a 100 per cent natural choice for the 10 million British adults suffering mild to moderate joint pain in the UK.

FlexiMax from Bioconcepts contains a unique high dose formulation made from dried Mangosteeen (Garcinia mangostana L) called Mangoselect®, which has been shown in initial studies to potentially reduce inflammation and promote joint health[ii].

Mangoselect® is characterized by a unique composition of polyphenols and xanthones – (a- and γ- mangosteen), well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a clinical study, patients suffering joint pain who took Mangoselect® (600 mg /day) for a five day period reported an average 37 per cent reduction in joint pain[iii].

Dr Constantin Dallas, founder of Fytexia who carried out the research said: “In a double blind study of patients suffering arthritic pain and joint inflammation, we found that senior patients experienced a 50 per cent reduction in joint pain, and those suffering sports injuries reported a 31 per cent decrease. On average, patients reported a 37 per cent reduction in joint pain overall. In a further study inflammation was shown to be significantly reduced. For this reason, we believe Mangoselect® offers a unique natural and effective treatment for joint pain[iv].”

The study could mean that for many of the 10 million people who have a daily struggle with joint pain and inflammation there may be a natural alternative to traditional medicines such as NSAIDS (Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs), which can have side effects that can include damage to the lining of the stomach and intestines when used long term[v].

FlexiMax is available exclusively available from www.chemistdirect.co.uk and priced at £24.95 for 60 capsules. Always read the label.

 
Payments Council urges older people to prepare
finances for a challenging winter

Research from the Payments Council shows that UK over-65s could save hundreds of pounds by taking advantage of money management measures that will help them prepare their finances for the winter – including simply changing the way they pay.

To help alleviate some of the additional pressures the cold season brings, the Payments Council, supported by consumer champion Esther Rantzen, has produced a leaflet as part of the Pay YOUR way campaign to help explain the many payment options available and the differences between them simply and clearly.

The research pointed towards many over 65s being savvier than their younger counterparts about some money management measures: with 79% knowledgeable of energy efficiency grants compared with just 57% of the overall population; and 87% having loft insulation compared with 71% of the overall population. However, there were several key areas identified where older people in particular could be saving money and hassle this winter:
- Less than a quarter of older people are using telephone banking, helping ensure they can safely manage their finances when icy conditions set in. Only 31% of current account holders over 65 use internet banking, compared with 61% of under 65s.
- 84% pay off their credit card in full (more than any other age group), however about 60% don’t clear this bill by direct debits – which can help ensure no late fees and penalties, lower interest rates and potentially avoid any interest charges at all
- 38% have not checked if they are on the best rate for their utility bills in the past year – changing tariff could save in the region of £310 per year
- Around 40% aren’t aware how to reclaim money if they have overpaid a utility company

Esther Rantzen CBE, supporting Payments Council’s drive to encourage more people aged 65 and over to prepare their finances for the winter, said:
“The winter can be a particularly difficult time for people financially. Christmas is coming, fuel bills are higher than ever this year and older people in particular are vulnerable to fuel poverty and a heightened risk of falling ill. But it doesn’t need to be a time for worry. If every single one of us is well-informed about being prepared for the winter financially, we can make choices that will help us survive the winter – and save time, money and hassle at the same time.”
Find out more about how to prepare yourself financially for the winter and about the range of payment methods available to you by visiting the Payments Council's website www.payyourway.org.uk or contact your bank to find out how to get started with telephone and internet banking.
You can pick up a Pay YOUR Way leaflet from your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

TEA AND DRIZZLE: WHAT EXPATS MISS MOST ABOUT THE UK

The British weather – it’s cold, it’s rainy, it can never make up its mind – and it’s been revealed as one of the home comforts that Brits are most likely to miss after moving abroad.

According to a new survey by Avalon Funeral Plans, almost a quarter of people who’ve moved to sunnier climes admit to pining for the occasional rain shower.

A decent cuppa topped the poll of things expatriates longed for. 27 per cent of those surveyed said they craved a well-made cup of tea and would prefer a brew to a piña colada any day.

The research, which identified the top 10 items Brits miss about their former homeland, uncovered some surprising results.

Only nine per cent of expats said they missed their family the most. The poll ranked loved ones at number four – behind the traditional Sunday roast, which came third.

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon Funeral Plans, commented: “The saying ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’ certainly seems to apply here! Who would’ve thought that people would miss a bit of rain more than their family when they move abroad?”

Eight per cent of respondents yearned for a pint in their former local, with 160 people stating that a night back in their old drinking hole would be their idea of heaven.

Ranking near the bottom of the list was the soap opera. Five per cent of expats said they missed watching their favourite British TV shows, while Heinz beans was revealed as the taste of home for nearly 100 people.

For more information, visit www.avalonfuneralplans.com

ONE IN FOUR MIDDLE CLASS FIFTYSOMETHINGS EXPECTS TO WORK PAST 70
Two thirds expect to become semi-retired

A new study by Heartwood suggests that semi-retirement among wealthier people is becoming an increasingly necessary and complex life stage, with nearly a quarter (24%) of middle class workers aged over 50 delaying retirement until they are at least seventy. Almost two thirds (63%) expect to enter semi-retirement and four in ten (41%) are planning to remain in work for an average of five years longer than they had originally planned. This is a growing trend, as in contrast only 31% of retired people said they had been semi-retired and on average they were in semi-retirement for less than two years prior to leaving work for good.

For the majority, this is not driven by a love of their job but by concerns of their ability to fund their retirement. When asked why they were delaying full retirement, a third (33%) of higher-earning semi-retirees said they couldn’t afford to while 18% blamed the higher cost of living. One in five (20%) said they needed to keep working in order to support their children and 18% cited the fall in the value of their pension.

Simon Lough, Chief Executive of Heartwood comments: “Longer periods of semi-retirement are increasingly becoming the norm amongst even wealthier people in their fifties and sixties. In many cases they are being faced with greater demands being placed on their pension pots, rises in the cost of living and unexpected financial commitments such as supporting their children for longer than they originally anticipated.

“Even compared to a year ago the number of semi-retired people has grown by 43% and we would expect this trend to continue as economic pressures force people into having to generate additional income for longer, making it more important than ever to start planning as early as possible.”

For further information on Heartwood, visit www.heartwoodgroup.co.uk.

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