Driving a lorry carries a big responsibility, both for the driver and other road users. Safe driving and correct positioning on the road is also vital to help traffic flow correctly.

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Watch out for pedestrians

At all times, maintain awareness of the kerb, not getting too close, particularly in pedestrianised areas. Correct use of signals and mirrors will help to protect the safety of others.

Hold correct position

Ensure you maintain correct positioning on the road. Don’t drive in the hard shoulder of a motorway, and don’t mount the kerb or enter cycle or bus lanes during operational times. Constantly scan the road ahead to be aware of need to change lanes using correct procedures (mirror, signal manoeuvre) and identify hazards as soon as possible. This will also help other road users to adapt their position ahead of the potential obstacle.

Also ensure awareness of lane markings. Not only will this help to choose the correct lane for your journey, it will also ensure the best possible flow of traffic, particularly at busy times.

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Understand the logistics of your vehicle

Larger vehicles will require prior planning, for example wide vehicles will occasionally need to straddle lanes and routes will need to be planned if driving under height-restricted tunnels or bridges.

When driving round bends, consider the sharpness of the bend, the speed you need to travel so you maintain control and the visibility before and through the bend. Also ensure close attention to weather conditions and act appropriately. Check forecasts ahead of starting your journey Uneven, slippery or icy conditions can have a huge impact on judging the best speed to safely navigate the bend.

Correct livery

Driving a lorry requires a bit of help from signage, using chapter 8 chevrons and other livery, for example. Always use a trusted and approved supplier such as https://www.vehiclechevrons.com/.

Overtaking other vehicles

When overtaking, you will inevitably move your lorry closer to oncoming traffic. The added risk of this means you need to ensure enough space to safely overtake and then return to the correct lane position. Ensure you have enough speed in your vehicle to overtake quickly, yet within the speed limit. You will also need to recognise that you need more space than you would in a car or van.

Whether you are planning a full renovation project or are simply looking to refresh aspects of your home, here is a glimpse into some of this year’s most prominent interior trends.

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Embrace opulence

Introducing touches of sumptuous velvet into your home is an excellent way to up the opulence factor. Velvet features heavily in the interiors of many of the Parisian hotel bars that Vogue has proclaimed as some of the most beautiful places to be seen in 2019.

The velvets of today are much softer and far more stain resistant, which makes this beautiful material a more practical choice than it was even just a handful years ago. You could start small with throw pillows and cushions; alternatively, if you are committed to the velvet trend, a plush velvet sofa will make an attention-grabbing style statement and become a luxurious focal point in any living room.

Dance with drama

Another key area to play with drama and ambience in 2019 is the kitchen. It is time to ditch the blinding white kitchen cupboards and instead refresh one of your home’s most-used spaces with a deeper and more mysterious hue. Matte navy or black cupboards will do all the talking, especially when contrasted with crisp white walls and metallic lighting fixtures.

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If your kitchen is more on the bijou side, introducing richer hues in smaller areas will give you the same aesthetic without creating the illusion of a smaller, more cramped space. Incorporating light-reflecting accessories will also help to offset the space-reducing qualities of dark colours. Shiny brass and copper ceiling lights will contrast wonderfully with dark tones – just make sure that your fixtures are consistent with each ceiling rose to create a striking design feature.

Light the way

Statement lighting is uniquely placed to complement every design trend. Whether you are looking to make a feature out of an ornate ceiling rose or favour a more contemporary aesthetic, refreshing your lighting fixtures is a simple way to transform the look and feel of a room. Porcelain fixtures are ideal additions to classic spaces, wood and painted ceramic are the perfect match for shabby chic interiors, and sleek metals finish minimal modern spaces beautifully.

2019 is the year to dip into dramatic design and follow through with the ideas you have not yet dared to make a reality.

We all know the saying that ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ but how exactly is our money made. UK Coin dealers like GM Coins and elsewhere in the world know all too well the value of money and how long we have been creating these currencies. Not only do most countries have some form of metal coins that many Coin Dealers UK will be collecting but there will also be the larger value banknotes. Let’s take a look to see how these banknotes are made.

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Banknotes can be made from a form of paper or in the case of UK banknotes from a polymer style material. The paper that is used in some notes is actually a form of cotton and linen mixed usually at a ratio of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen. By making a blend of these two materials they can ensure that banknotes are tough and durable and, in some instances, can even withstand being run through the washing machine – although I wouldn’t recommend trying it!

Polymer notes like those produced in the United Kingdom are made to be more durable than paper notes and are also counterfeit-proof. The polymer used is a form of a thin film of plastic. This makes them less susceptible to the effects of dirt and moisture and also means that the design can include clear areas making them virtually impossible to fake. Polymer is what all UK banknotes will eventually be made from and the older paper notes will be taken out of circulation.

The process for making banknotes is essentially the same regardless of the materials that are being used. As printing money is an incredibly sensitive process the production is undertaken by a trustworthy company and is subject to extreme high security at all levels.

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The first stage is to design the note with whatever features are set to be include. This can be the image of a famous person or scene and will always include the denomination of the money. Once the design has been verified and signed off plates are made for use int eh printing process. These plates are checked in lots of detail to make sure that there are no errors and that the design has been translated across properly to the plates. Following on from the production of the mother-plates printing can begin. This is where the paper mix or polymer will be selected and placed in the printing machine ready for whatever the desired run of money is going to be produced. The banknotes are printed on both sides before being subjected to varnishing which not only helps to make them durable but is also included as another security measure. The sheets are then stacked in hundreds before being cut, counted and then sent for secure delivery.

As a landlord, you’ve calculated the current rental value of your property or properties and now want to think of ways to help increase this value. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Cover the basics

Protecting and increasing the value of your property is easier than you think. Looking after the basics is the simplest and most important action you can take, which could include regular maintenance checks with Property Maintenance Gloucester and end of tenancy cleaning. A thorough carpet clean, polish on the fixtures and full appliance checks should be part of in-between tenancy refurbs. Simple cosmetic fixes and repair jobs can be completed with little cost if they are completed regularly. For Property Maintenance Gloucester, visit Redbridge and Sons.

2. Focus on the main areas

The two most important rooms in a rental property are the kitchen and bathroom. Investing in these rooms can help increase the rental value and you don’t even need to carry out major work. There are loads of ways to spruce up a kitchen and bathroom without breaking the bank. Just make sure the furniture and fittings are contemporary and neutral. Both rooms should be clean, well-sealed and ventilated to avoid damp problems.

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3. Appeal to a wide audience

Always go for mass appeal. Whilst it might be tempting to decorate in a style you like, neutral is the best palette so tenants can feel they are able to make it their own. Also, you don’t want to put people off, who might not share your tastes. Think stylish but plain furniture and neutral paint schemes to appeal to the widest number of potential tenants.

4. Don’t overlook the garden

Even if the garden space is tiny, it can still be a useful asset for rental values. It does, however, need to be well maintained. Make it clear in the tenancy agreement who will be responsible for tending the garden, but before a tenancy begins, clear the weeds, tidy the space and leave it well-kempt and accessible.

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5. Additional attractions

In areas that are highly competitive, you might wish to consider a few added extras to make your property stand out from the crowd. High-end kitchen appliances, chic lighting and a security system can attract tenants who have a bit more to spend and provide a more luxury feel to your property. Small investments such as wood flooring or a power shower can reap the benefits in the long term.

Taking a meeting or training session off premises can help create a fresh and neutral environment. It can also save costs if you only need a bigger space a couple of times a year. For these reasons, more and more businesses are going off-site.

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However, off-site meeting rooms need to be perfect right away. There’s just no time for lengthy set-ups. A professional vibe, good IT connections, access to refreshments and lunches are all important, but what about the little details? Let’s look at five things that go into making a great off-site meeting room.

1. Sufficient space

Is it big enough? Some properties will want to sell their space no matter what, so when you search for meeting rooms Windsor for 10 people, you might get back exactly the same results as if you’d searched for 100-head spaces. It is no good assuming everyone will fit. For comfort and productivity, everyone needs a chair, possibly desk space, and enough bandwidth to carry them all, too.

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2. High ceilings

Low ceilings are just gloomy. Meeting-wise, they throw a wet towel on creativity and make attendees feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable. However, you don’t want to hold your meeting in a cave, either. Many period properties, such as the rooms at royaladelaide.com/, offer the best of both worlds with good acoustics and a comfortable atmosphere.

3. Air-conditioned rooms

In the UK, we tend to think more about heating than AC, but for meetings or training sessions in the summer, air conditioning is a big bonus. Being hot makes us tired and grumpy. It is almost as bad as being too cold.

4. Warm rooms

On the flip side, adequate heating is also a box that needs to be ticked. No one should be expected to sit in a cold meeting, and most meetings involve a lot of sitting, which makes us even colder.

5. Natural daylight

Do not forget about the lighting. All workspaces should have a plentiful supply of natural light, and the best way to ensure this is with large, high windows. While a nice view might be a distraction worry, you are more likely to find that it actually helps people concentrate. Don’t forget to look out for curtains or blinds, too.

When it came to kitchen design, 2018 bought us banquette seating and two-toned cabinets. What will 2019 have in store?

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We’ve listed below our top eight trends to watch, covering everything from storage options to light fittings.

1. Hidden storage

Clean lines, incorporating concealed, smart storage will continue to be a hit with those revamping or replacing their kitchen this year.

2. Gunmetal tones

When it comes to hardware, expect to see lots of pewter and gunmetal being introduced. They are softer than black, but add just the right amount of depth.

3. Keeping shelving open

Making a bold statement with glass or metal shelving in place of higher kitchen cabinets is going to really catch on in 2019. This trend has been employed by hotels and will now move into the home.

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4. Vintage views

Vintage elements will continue to be popular throughout 2019. Natural hues of stone and wood alongside rattan and wicker will dominate and go hand in hand with more modern concepts.

5. A splash of colour

The days of the pure white kitchen are numbered. 2019 is all about colour, from upholstery to cabinets. A good kitchen installation partner should be able to advise on which colours will work for your space. By searching online in your area, for example for kitchen installation Cheltenham, you should be able to find a trusted expert, such as http://pursloepropertymaintenance.co.uk/kitchen-bathroom-installations-cheltenham/. Be sure to get recommendations from friends too.

6. Natural materials

In keeping with the vintage vibe, natural materials such as wood, stone and jute will appeal. These help bring the outdoors in for a real sense of serenity and a connection to the natural world. You can create a really timeless look with these materials, as shown in Ideal Homes magazine.

7. Opposing textures

While keeping things natural will be a big trend, there will also be a push to juxtapose elements for a striking effect. For example, pairing mirrored backdrops with rougher stone, or brass taps and other hardware with textured walls.

8. Statement lighting

Nothing can add a wow effect like good lighting. Sculpted, jewelled pendant lights are a great way to make your design stand out. They can add a real touch of luxury while helping to break the room up and define the dining area.

Running a business event can be incredibly stressful, trying to find the right type of event to hold whether it is a conference, networking sessions or specialist meeting for likeminded individuals in the same business sector. But once you have chosen your Cotswolds Venue Hire location such as https://www.secret-spaces.co.uk/ everything else is just all down to methodically working your way through the list.

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Most venues will be able to help you either directly or indirectly with any catering or refreshment options that you are looking for as well as any specialist equipment that you may need such as projectors and screens.

Making sure that you have enough attendees to your event is one of the most stressful parts of hold a business conference but again if you simply work through all of the options available to you and embrace the world of social media you can easily have enough people queuing up outside. Here are some ideas that you may want to consider.

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• Hashtag your way to success – when marketing your event both in the run up to the day and during the conference use a hashtag that is bespoke to you when positing on social media and twitter in particular. This will help you to stand out amongst the crowds. You should also encourage your attendees to tweet about the event using your given hashtag. At some events people even set up photography areas where people can hold up signs with the hashtag and event title and date on it. This is a great way to make some noise about your event and instantly produce interest in any future conferences that you may hold.
• Makes the most of your ticket sales – by using a platform like Eventbrite and offer early bird discounts to try and encourage people to sign up well in time for the event. Some organisers even state that tickets sold on the door will be more expensive than those sold in advance.
• Website traffic – ensure that you have the event added as a banner to your website a link through to your chosen ticketing platform. You can also make the most of the traffic reaching your website by perhaps writing some blog articles in the run up to the event and offer a special discount for those signing up.
• Running competitions and giveaways across social media for those that sign up for tickets is another great way to get people to attend your event and to make some noise about what you are doing across social media channels.

Injection moulding is a process widely used in the manufacturing sector to produce plastic parts on a mass scale. This process is fairly self-explanatory: molten material is injected into a preformed mould to create a range of products of varying shapes and sizes. Although plastics are the most commonly used material in the injection moulding process, others can also be used, such as glass and metal. Let’s look at the main benefits of this process that make it so attractive to the manufacturing industry.

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Reduces costs

On the whole, the process is self-regulating; therefore, minimum operator intervention is required. The precision of the moulds also reduces the amount of finishing required. This can help to reduce your labour costs and has the knock-on effect of reducing the number of workplace accidents and injuries.

Precision

One of the main benefits of this process is the high level of precision and accuracy it offers. As with any process, there are one or two design limitations; however, in general, it can be used to produce any part made from plastic.

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If you are looking to introduce plastic injection moulding into your manufacturing process, speak to a specialist such as http://www.meadex.co.uk.

Speed

Another benefit of injection moulding, especially for businesses that need to mass produce high volumes, is its speed. How fast the products are produced depends largely on the complexity of the item being manufactured and the shape and size of the mould.

Any process that involves molten materials and production machinery can be dangerous. The Health and Safety Executive provides comprehensive guidance on how to operate injection moulding machines safely and the legal requirements covering the safe use of such machines.

Versatility

There are many other benefits to the process that make it versatile enough for most companies and industries. Simply adding fillers can change the finished product to meet the required specification. Some change the type of material or its colour, while others alter the strength.

Finally, there are its eco credentials. Waste is kept to a bare minimum, not only due to the accuracy of the process but also because the system is set up to only inject the required amount of raw material. The end products are also very easily ground down to be recycled and reused in other products.

When you’re ready to take the plunge and dive right into driving lessons, you’ll want to give yourself the best possible chance of success by choosing the ideal instructor for you. This can prove a bit of a daunting task. Who do you ask? What to look for? Do you judge by pass rate, teaching style or simply the car they use?

Picking the right person can make the difference between a pass or a fail and how much the whole process ends up costing you. Here are some tips to help you make this tough decision:

• Understand what’s available in your area

Don’t always rely on the first search results that Google throws up for you. Or the phone book for that matter. Some of the best local driving instructors are often found through word of mouth and it would be a real shame to miss out on meeting a great instructor just because their website doesn’t rank highly on search results. Asking for recommendations in your local area on Facebook can be a good way to find names you might not have heard of. Click here for a Driving instructor Market Harborough.

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• Compare prices

Contact as many local instructors as possible and then compare what they charge. The average price for an hour-long lesson is approximately £25 but you can benefit from some discounts if you book a block of lessons in advance. Don’t always choose the cheapest as you should question why they are undercutting every other instructor.

• Testimonials

Find out what previous and current students think about their lessons and Driving instructor Market Harborough. You should also feel comfortable asking the instructor about how long they’ve been teaching, what their current pass rate is and what is their Driving Standards Agency rating. Every two years, instructors are examined by the agency and graded on their teaching ability. The grading goes from Ungraded to a Grade 6.

• What about qualifications?

Every qualified instructors must be registered with the DVSA and a fully qualified instructor will show a green badge in the vehicle window. A trainee instructor will have a pink badge. Don’t be afraid to ask about their level of qualification. Don’t automatically dismiss a trainee instructor. They are often fresh, full of current knowledge and will charge less than a fully qualified instructor. Try a taster lesson and see how it goes.

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• Is the car the right match?

Ideally, you’ll want to learn in a similar vehicle to that which you intend to drive after you’ve passed your test. Do you want automatic? Do you want to learn in a 4×4? Don’t be tempted by a flash luxury car which could be a million miles from what your typical first car is likely to be. Find out from the instructor what car they use, what the engine size is, are dual controls present and fuel type etc.

• Personality

After you’ve found out all the above points, the final decision will come down to personality. You’ll be spending a lot time together in close proximity, so it’s important you feel comfortable.

According to the most recent forecast, UK property prices in 2019 look set to increase by 2.5 per cent; what it more, they will rise by 18 per cent by 2022. The number of viewers and buyers will gradually increase, according to the latest forecast from agent Strutt & Parker.

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Difference in London

This trend differs in the prime area of central London. Transaction amounts there are still low, according to historical records; as a result, the firm has amended its prediction for the central London prime market down to two per cent for properties in 2019 as the best possible outcome and cautions that prices might drop by as much as five per cent.

Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker, comments that the considerable political and economic uncertainty present both nationally and worldwide looks likely to persist. She added that the outcome of Brexit negotiations is extremely uncertain and may well remain unsure for longer than we would like.

Ms McMahon went on to say that Strutt & Parker anticipates seeing moribund prices with additional negative growth in London in the final part of 2018, with the likelihood of further price drops into 2019. The future for the rental market in prime central London is a little more positive, with the 2019 forecast for rental price growth standing at 1.5 per cent.

It is very hard to anticipate the market beyond 2019; however, some bounce-back is predicted once stability has returned. The UK economy fundamentals stay broadly positive, cautiously speaking.

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The report also states that the buy-to-let market generally looks fairly stable, albeit with levels of fresh uptake being somewhat muted due to the impact of tax changes and recent legislation.

If you are looking for conveyancing solicitors Manchester offers some great options, such as https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/conveyancing-solicitors/conveyancing-solicitors-Manchester.

In contrast with London, the Guardian expects to see a rise in northern house prices.

Waterside living

Waterside property is expected to do well. Strutt & Parker says the growth of flexible working amongst young professionals has encouraged the popularity of waterside living, with a rise in those who want to live near the docklands to seven per cent compared with one per cent in 2017.