MAY ISSUE

Welcome to this special interim publication of the 'Bulletin', issued specifically to tell our  readers not only about the issue of the Spring Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter, but also the great money saving offers from

UTILITY WAREHOUSE.

And an account of when Beatrix Potter paid a visit to a local school!    You will find the NW Newsletter on Page 8 and the other articles on this page, immediately after the article on 'SKYPE'.

Page 4 still carries the  award winning tale of seasonal 'horror', coupled with a 'Christmassy' story for our younger readers and the latest Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, which you will find on page 8.

 So Happy reading to all!

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TALK REALLY IS CHEAP!

If I told you that for a minimum outlay you could make free calls to friends and relatives throughout the world, you would probably think I was talking through my hat. But let me assure you that it is perfectly possible.

How? I hear you ask - Well if you own or have access to a PC (Personal Computer) your half way there. The communication system I am referring to is called 'SKYPE' and all you will need to get connected is the software, which you can download FREE and a headset or web cam with microphone, which you can purchase for under a 'tenner'.

The web cam of course allows you to see as well as talk to the person you are calling. You then download the said software required by logging onto www.skype.com; clicking on 'Download' and following the simple instructions.

The web cam can be purchased from most electronic or PC outlets and W H Smiths are currently selling a super little model for the princely sum of £8.74, which is dead easy to set up and operate. So now you have everything you need and your ready to talk.

The first minor limitation of the 'free' system is that you can only link up with people who also have the SKYPE system installed. However, and again at very little cost, you can sign up to make unlimited calls to landlines. Again, all the information you require for land line connections can be found on www.skype.com.

So what sort of savings are we talking about? Well communicating with our grandson at Lincoln University was initially adding about £15 a month to our telephone bill. Since we both went 'SKYPE' we are chatting on a daily basis for as long as we like and with the added bonus of being able to see each other - All for the crazy price of 'zilch'.

Now if any of you out there want to take the plunge, I can promise you it is well worth it. And when you do, or perhaps you are already connected, then give me a buzz on my call name of derek.james.rogerson.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

NEWSFLASH

One of our readers has pointed out that as well as the 'SKYPE' communication system, there is also a protocol called 'VOIP' which performs a similar function. 

It permits free calls to any landline (01 and 02 std codes) and also allows the user to make free calls abroad. 

Unfortunately there is not the advantage of being able to use a webcam with 'VOIP'. However the recipient of the
calls does not have to be on VOIP, although you can send calls VOIP  to VOIP.

For further information there are many sites on the internet that you can visit. Just 'google' in 'VOIP' and will be directed to a variety of sites from the simplistic to the complex.

So which ever system you choose you can guarantee that your calls will work out much cheaper than more conventional forms of one-to-one communications. 

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Earlier this month, the 'Bard', our resident Poet and Teller of Tales, took a very famous children's author to a local school. To find out what happened next then I urge you to read on !

Beatrix Potter Visits St Aidan's School?

Imagine the scene - A sea of excited young faces, all turned in my direction; all eager to hear about one of their favourite authors and her connection with one of their school friends.  Yes, I agree! A daunting sight for the most experienced of speakers, let alone a seventy-something guy who would be more at home with an audience that you could count on the fingers of one hand.

What ever have I let myself in for, I mused as I nervously shuffled my notes. The earlier telephone call from Sandra Evans, the head teacher at St Aidan's school in Bamber Bridge had caught me somewhat unawares and before I had time to digest the full implications, there I was, cheerfully agreeing to talk to my granddaughter's classmates about Beatrix Potter and her connection with my paternal grandmother, Mary Rogerson.

Still, never being one to turn down a challenge, I bravely faced what turned out to be a very knowledgeable audience of 'Potter' aficionados. Oh yes! Most had read a selection of those little white books published by Frederick Warne & Co, bespoke made to fit into tiny hands, but how many, I wondered, knew of the person behind the homely stories and charming water-colour sketches?

So then! Was I to be the one to tell them? Well in some way I suppose that was my designated task for the day - but of course it was to be a double act, aided by the filmed reminisces of my paternal grandmother, who had been Beatrix Potter's housekeeper for the best part of thirty years, coupled with my one meeting with the great lady in early 1943. 

Joan Bakewell, for the BBC, had interviewed Mary Rogerson in 1973 when she was 89 years old. This interview had been turned into a short film as part of a series called 'Below Stairs' featuring individuals who had been employed in the service of various celebrities. I was fortunate to have obtained a DVD of this interview from the BBC, which that day I was happy to share with the children of St Aidan's Junior School.

 Although only about 15 minutes long, it contained a wealth of personal memories that grandma had of her employer that you would never find in any other book or film. All the children were duly impressed by the content and when I was able to compliment it with my account of meeting her as an overawed 7 year-old, it was as if the musty old history books had come to life that memorable afternoon at St Aidan's school.

This view was further reinforced by the many searching questions that the children bombarded me with at the conclusion of the film. All were worthy of the asking including the final enquiry from a young man who with great emotion asked if he could be excused to visit the toilet!

Ah! I almost forgot about the connection of Mary Rogerson to one of St Aidan's pupils. Well it just so happens that my granddaughter attends this well-run little school and the fact that her granddad actually met and talked to Beatrix Potter has, I believe, raised her position in the popularity stakes by a good few notches.

I was rewarded for my efforts by a huge round of applause from the children, which was most gratifying and a request from Amanda Dickinson, the assistant head teacher to perhaps visit again in the near future to read from a selection of my tales from 'Thistledown Wood' - but that's another story!

If, like me, you dread the next bill from your gas and electricity provider; fearful that it may contain yet another massive increase. Well do not despair. There is a company out there who, rather than ripping us off with what are now unjustified 'hikes' in their tariffs, do appear to have our stretched financial interests at heart.

The company I am talking about is called UTILITY WAREHOUSE and already boasts over 200,000 satisfied customers on its books.

Saving 'Pounds' on your utility bills is obviously incentive enough to consider what the company has to offer, but surprisingly the potential savings do not end there. They also offer pretty well unbeatable deals on home phones; mobile phones and broadband services, and the beauty of all this is the more of these services you bundle together then the greater the savings.

If this is not enough to get you thinking, then let me tell you about their fantastic 5% 'Cashback Card', which can be used at hundreds of retail outlets including Sainsbury's; Argos; Halfords; Homebase; JJB Sports; Topman; Topshop and a host of other highstreet traders.

Purchases using this card, which also includes fuel from Sainbury's forecourts, attracts an incredible saving of 5% on all purchases, which is then deducted from your next utility bill, making in fact a most welcome double saving.

 The news of this unbelievable offer quickly circulated the offices of the BBB and within days all our discerning staff had signed up and are now enjoying the huge benefits of being members of the club. It has even been rumoured that with his first month's savings our resident poet and storyteller is treating Mrs Bard to a night out at a recently opened eatery not a million miles away - but that's another story shortly to appear in the BBB!

Interested? Well for more information regarding this fantastic opportunity and to sign up for membership, why not make contact with Ruth (07897 070548) or Simon (07894 054804), the Editor's Daughter and Son-in-Law, who are now the local agents for the company?

I promise you won't regret it and your purse or wallet will certainly benefit from the 'change'.

Ruth & Simon now have their own website on

www.telecomplus.org.uk/simonandruth

Where you can learn much more as to all the potential benefits, including a most funny and informative video starring 'French & Saunders'

A more concise video entitled 'What's It All About', which shows how you personally can become involved in making money from this exciting venture, can also be viewed on

www.watchthevideo.co.uk

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News Item 1

Thinking about buying your first scooter or motorbike? Maybe your teenage son or daughter is dropping hints about you getting them one? If this scenario sounds familiar in your family circle then before that first venture onto our ever-busy roads, may I advise you to have a look at a most informative DVD (pictured above) that is packed with sound advice for young and inexperienced riders.

The 'RideSafe BackSafe' team and the Highways Agency have joined forces to produce this educational DVD (pictured above) called 'THE FIRST DATE' for young motorcycle and scooter riders.

The free DVD takes a story of young love and romance and compares the pitfalls and mistakes made on a first date with those made by young and inexperienced bikers. Through subtle and sometimes subliminal messages, 'First Date' explains the rules of dating and biking  - showing that they are in fact very similar!

For a copy of the DVD you can contact the team either by telephone on

01772 531940

Or by e-mail at info@ridesafebacksafe.co.uk

For further information you can also visit the website on

www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk

This DVD, as well as being packed with good advice, will certainly be of interest to 'Briggers' as many of the outdoor scenes were shot in Greystock Close as two of the residents, Stuart and Shelby Isherwood, were actively involved in the making of it.

So who knows - If any of those Hollywood moguls catch site of our friendly little Close. It could one day form the backdrop for a remake of the old classic 'BRIGadoon'! 

Editor's Notes

To all those who have enquired, the Bamber Bridge Bulletin is a non-profit making publication providing information and entertainment to all who dare venture over the internet threshold. However, all the staff and I are dedicated supporters of the

DERIAN HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICE.

If you have enjoyed reading the BBB (or even if you have not), why not show your appreciation by making a donation to this very worthwhile cause.

Remember that anytime is a good time for donating to a worthy cause and although there are many demands on the old wallet and purse during the current economic climate, a donation, however small to this most deserving organization will help to lift your spirits as well as brightening the day for kids who are the innocent victims of that fickle mistress - FATE!

The address to send your donations is:-

Derian House, Chancery Road, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire. PR7 1DH Tel: 01257 271 271.

There is also a website

www.derianhouse.org.uk

where you can learn of all the good work carried out by the hospice. You can even make on-line donations!

I can assure you that all donations, no matter how small, will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.

Issue 16 of the 'Bulletin' will be published around Easter 2009