HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO SPOT! LET THE BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS BEGIN IN 2010
Celebrate Spot’s 30th anniversary with the new limited edition ‘Spot’ bumper DVD ready to be un-leashed on 25 January 2009

“Happy Birthday Dear Spot, Happy Birthday to you!” – Join in the chorus and earmark the start of a new decade with Spot! 2010 is the year of children’s classic, Spot’s 30th anniversary and to kick start the celebrations Spot is releasing a brand new limited edition bumper DVD. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, you can get your paws on this new DVD from 25 January 2010 and enjoy this national treasure in action to really bring the magic of Spot to life.

With over 50 million books of ‘Where’s Spot?’ under his collar in over 100 countries and in 60 languages, this globe-trotting puppy and his pawprint continues to mark his territory with families and children all over the world. Spot makes a wonderful friend and learning companion - whether starting school, going on a trip or visiting the fair, Spot embarks on new experiences that children can identify and learn with. Spot’s 30th anniversary special edition DVD is packed full of fun and adventure with 18 episodes featuring Spot and his friends Helen the hippo, Tom the crocodile and Steve the monkey.

So don’t miss out on this big birthday bonanza with the new great value limited edition 30th anniversary DVD, available to own from all good DVD stockists and www.abbeykids.co.uk. With 90 minutes to keep the little ones entertained, the charm and innocence of Spot makes him a firm family favourite as he continues to capture the hearts of preschoolers and their parents. Adopt this timeless classic from 25 January 2010 to treasure for years to come.

And keep your eyes peeled for more exciting events to come throughout 2010 including an anniversary edition of the original book, ‘Where’s Spot?’!

(Here at Hot Brands we love celebrating childhood favourites and we find it hard to believe that Spot is 30 years old! Loved by our junior reviewers, the DVD is a wonderful collection that will delight children of all ages! Happy Birthday Spot from everyone at Hot Brands Cool Places!)

MAKE A DATE WITH CAFÉ ROUGE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY AND HELP ‘KISS IT BETTER’ FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL CHILDREN’S CHARITY
Café Rouge will be launching a special menu over Valentine’s weekend to help raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity’s Kiss it Better appeal.

For every three course set menu sold from 12 to 14 February, Café Rouge will donate £1 to the appeal to help research the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

With a brunch, lunch and dinner option to choose from throughout the weekend, the nation’s lovebirds will have plenty of time to celebrate whilst supporting a worthy cause.

Star crossed lovers can start Valentine’s weekend with the special Champagne Brunch (£12.95) which includes options such as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon as well as a traditional English – all topped off with a fresh juice, choice of hot drink and a breakfast cocktail.

The three course lunch and evening menu (£24.95) is a taste sensation guaranteed to get guests in the mood for romance. Choose from starters including duck and Champagne paté and mains such as fillet steak frites and slowly braised lamb shank. And with passion fruit crème brulée and warm chocolate and walnut brownie on the menu for pudding, guests won’t be skipping dessert!

To help raise even more cash for Kiss it Better appeal, people buying one main meal throughout February can purchase a second dish for just £1 which will go directly to the charity appeal. Take advantage of this offer by downloading your voucher from 01/02/2010 at www.caferougeoffers.co.uk

Helen Thompson, Marketing Manager at Café Rouge, said; “Valentine’s only comes once a year, so we’re dedicating an entire weekend to serving up our best-loved dishes and raising as much money as we can for the brilliant Kiss it Better appeal. And with the roll out of our fantastic February £1 meal offer, everyone can help make a difference.”

Emma Bibizadeh, Corporate Account Manager from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, added: “Every pound raised by Café Rouge will make a real difference to the work we do, so it’ll be a happy Valentine’s Day for everyone.”

For more information on the Valentine’s Day menu or to book a table visit www.caferougeoffers.co.uk.

Top Kiss it Better Kissing facts…
• Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss
• A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face
• A sixty second kiss burns 26 calories
• The average person spends 336 hours - the equivalent of 14 days kissing
• The record for the world's longest kiss was set by a UK couple back in 2005 - 31 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds

RADLEY GIVE OLD HANDBAGS A NEW LIFE FOR THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
This February, Radley support the British Heart Foundation in National Heart Month by launching their Handbag Amnesty across all of their UK stores and online at www.radley.co.uk. The ‘Give and Be Given’ campaign to raise awareness for National Heart Month sees Radley asking customers to donate an unwanted handbag and in exchange will reward them with a £30 discount off a new handbag of their choice, priced £150 or more.

Launching in time for Valentines Day makes this campaign for the British Heart Foundation even more poignant; all unwanted handbags collected by Radley will be sent to the Charity’s shops around the UK, all of which are in much need of quality donated stock.

Radley are delighted at the opportunity to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation, once again aiding to support the charity’s valuable work in saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information about heart and circulatory disease. Last years’ highly successful Handbag Amnesty raised £36,000, proving that this collaboration has struck a chord with the nation and the belief is that this year can see the amount raised doubled!

This event will take place from 1st to 28th February in all Radley stores across the UK and online at www.radley.co.uk. Radley has four London-based stores in King’s Road, South Molton Street, White City and Covent Garden. Other stores are in the city centres of – Manchester (New Cathedral Street), Birmingham (Bullring Centre), Bristol (Quaker’s Friar, Cabot Circus), Liverpool (Peter’s Lane, Liverpool 1), Glasgow (Royal Exchange Square), Cardiff (33 The Hayes), Edinburgh (3 Frederick Street), Leeds (County Arcade) and Sheffield (Meadowhall Centre).

BECOME A MASTER-BENDER WITH BRITISH WOOD
Help the environment and make designer furniture from your local woods.
Minimising your environmental impact has become an everyday normality now. Recycling, greener fuel, locally sourced food and alternative energies have all become commonplace.

For six years the innovative and eco-friendly designer Charlie Whinney has been choosing only the finest Ashes and Oaks from Britain’s forests, and is now gaining global recognition for his steam-bent sculptures and products. These sustainable creations have been seen from Harvey Nichols to the V&A and Cambridge University and often measure in at over 30 or 40 metres. He is now preparing to share his knowledge on a slightly smaller scale, and show others how they can use timber from local woods to create their own steam-bent masterpieces using his own special processes.

Charlie Whinney is now offering share all his unique methods for bending and manipulating wood, for professionals or enthusiasts to create their own furniture, products or works of art. Not only the sourcing of the materials, but also the very efficient production methods make this maybe the most sustainable means of creating furniture, so you will be doing your bit to help the environment, and will also go home with your very own steam-bent chair. The 3-day course will be held from the 23 April in Elterwater, Cumbria.

If you would like to know more about this, please contact Alison Ireland at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.charliewhinney.com/

OSCAR WINNING BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S SCREENS AT VUE WESTFIELD THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
For couples wanting to celebrate Valentine’s Day with some nostalgic romance or singles planning a girlie night out with friends, head to Westfield London on Sunday 14 February where the soon-to-open Vue cinema will be screening Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Take a VIP seat, relax and watch one of the most romantic movies ever made this Valentine’s Day. Breakfast at Tiffany’s tells the story of two bohemians falling in love against a Manhattan backdrop, with the Oscar-winning ballad ‘Moon River’ underscoring a sublimely romantic climax.

Opening on February 12th, Vue Westfield will be the largest fully digital cinema in Europe, offering a range of brand new cinema experiences under one roof. These will include SCENE, offering three screens of premium luxury for those seeking a more indulgent cinema experience. SCENE encompasses high-end interior design, concierge service, cloak room, a private lounge and bar and three luxurious auditoriums with spacious, ultra-comfortable specially designed reclining seats. SCENE will deliver a premium, luxury experience to make this Valentine’s Day a winning performance.

Directed by Blake Edwards
Starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal
USA 1961 | 114 mins | Colour | Cert PG

For more information, visit: www.myvue.com/westfield

ROD STEWART NEW ARENA TOUR DATES ADDED TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY JANUARY 29TH
Due to overwhelming demand, Rod Stewart has added SIX extra arena dates to his eagerly anticipated summer UK and Ireland tour, bringing the tally of shows up to 24!

Tickets for Rod’s summer tour are selling out at an incredible rate, further cementing Rod’s ever-popular reputation as one of Britain’s biggest live draws.

Rod Stewart’s Extra UK Dates are:

July
Tue 20th SHEFFIELD, Arena
Wed 21st LIVERPOOL, Echo Arena
Mon 26th GLASGOW, SECC
Wed 28th LONDON, O2
Fri 30th BELFAST, Odyssey
Sat 31st DUBLIN, The O2

All tickets are priced at £60 & £70
Box Office: 08444 775 775
Website: www.aeglive.co.uk / www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Tickets go on sale Friday January 29th

Rod Stewart returned in November with his new studio album ‘Soulbook’, which charted at No.4 in the U.S. and No.10 in the UK - his seventh UK Top Ten LP this decade.

'Soulbook' is now Rod’s bestselling album of the past decade in the UK, surpassing all of the Great American Songbook series, and 'Still The Same'.

Rod Stewart’s UK Tour dates:

May
Tue 11th DUBLIN, The O2
Wed 12th DUBLIN, The O2
Sat 15th BELFAST, Odyssey
Sun 16th BELFAST, Odyssey
Tue 18th NEWCASTLE, Metro Arena
Thu 20th NOTTINGHAM, Arena
Sat 22nd BIRMINGHAM, NIA
Sun 23rd BIRMINGHAM, NIA
Wed 26th MANCHESTER, MEN
Thu 27th MANCHESTER, MEN
Sat 29th LONDON, O2

June
Tue 1st LONDON, O2
Thu 3rd LONDON, O2

July
Wed 14th EDINBURGH, Castle
Thu 15th EDINBURGH, Castle
Sat 17th INVERNESS, Caledonian Stadium
*Tue 20th SHEFFIELD, Arena
*Wed 21st LIVERPOOL, Echo Arena
Fri 23rd GLASGOW, SECC
Sat 24th GLASGOW, SECC
*Mon 26th GLASGOW, SECC
*Wed 28th LONDON, O2
*Fri 30th BELFAST, Odyssey
*Sat 31st DUBLIN, The O2

* New dates added

BIG FREEZE HITS WEST CORNWALL PASTY CO
Most of us are no doubt tired of the freezing temperatures hitting the UK, but for food retailer West Cornwall Pasty Co, it’s the chillier the better.

Cornish pasty lovers are now able to buy frozen pasties from the specialist shops and kiosks, to take away, bake and enjoy at home.

Chief executive Richard Nieto said: “For some time now we have been inundated with customers asking for frozen pasties to take away and bake at home, so we’re delighted that this is now possible. And to help keep the pasties frozen for much longer, we have introduced our specially designed insulated freezer bag.”

There are 20 varieties of handmade pasties available from the leading retailer, including the traditional Steak pasty, made with tender beef skirt, potatoes, swede and onions. Other, more unusual varieties include Lamb and Mint, Steak and St Austell Ale, Pork and Apple, Salmon, and Chicken Balti. There are also several options for vegetarians, including Cheese, Tomato and Basil, Wholemeal Vegetable, and Cheese and Vegetable.

The frozen pasties come complete with full baking instructions to ensure a perfectly home-baked pasty, and are available from West Cornwall Pasty Co’s 71 outlets across the UK.

www.westcornwallpasty.co.uk

SPICE UP VALENTINE’S DAY WITH wagamama
Pan-asian restaurant chain wagamama is spicing up Valentine’s day in 2010, with a range of dishes designed to ensure romance is top of Britain’s menu on February 14th

Ginger is known to stimulate the senses and wagamama’s ginger chicken udon – teppan-fried noodles with chicken, egg and beansprouts garnished with picked ginger and coriander makes for a perfect passion to indulge in with your loved one on the big day

wagamama’s beef chilli ramen will also titillate the tastebuds of food lovers. comprised of noodles in a spicy chicken and pork soup topped with beef sirloin, and lovingly garnished with a fiery mix of spring onions, chilli, coriander and lime. with chilli being recognised for its aphrodisiac qualities, this dish is a tasty way to stoke the flames of passion on the 14th!

For an indulgent end to your meal, wagamama’s wasabi chocolate fudge cake is packed full of chocolate’s celebrated natural endorphins. with its provocative wasabi kick, this delectable dessert is sure to get you in the mood for whatever activities the evening brings your way....

Steve Mangleshot, wagamama executive chef said: ‘Our menu is ideal for couples looking to break the mould this February – why not ditch the usual candle-lit meal in favour of a passionate explosion of wagamama flavours to provide a Valentine’s day to remember?’
http://www.wagamama.com/

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY “MELT TOGETHER” AT HÄAGEN-DAZS LEICESTER SQUARE
Romance is on the menu at the Häagen-Dazs’ shop in Leicester Square this Valentine’s Day with a special fondue and raspberry bellini offer for two.

As the creators of deliciously rich and creamy, slow melting ice cream, Häagen-Dazs has the perfect ingredient to help celebrate the most romantic night of the year and melt together with your loved one – an unique ice cream fondue.

Made especially for sharing by the clever cupids at Häagen-Dazs, the ice cream fondue is the ideal way to melt a loved one’s heart. It is served with sixteen mini scoops of four different Häagen-Dazs ice cream flavours, a colourful rainbow of sumptuous exotic fruits, chunks of dark chocolate brownie, pieces of chocolate chip cookie and a choice of crunchy toppings, all of which can be dipped into a deliciously decadent Belgian chocolate sauce.

To put some extra sparkle into your Valentine celebrations, a delicious raspberry bellini, for each guest, accompanies the fondue, and with each purchase guests will also receive a £5 gift voucher (per couple) to spend during their next visit to the Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square shop.

This special Valentine’s Day fondue offer is available for two to share at the Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square shop from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th February for £30.

• Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square Shop is located at 14 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NG

LA PLAGNE OFFERS COUPLES THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S DAY RETREAT
The alpine resort of La Plagne, situated in the heart of the French Alps, offers the perfect retreat for couples looking for an extra special weekend away. Hidden away deep in the snowy peaked mountains, are two of the resort’s best kept secrets.With cosy log fires and authentic traditional cuisine, these intimate spots promise the most memorable experience for you and your partner.

Le Sauget mountain refuge
Perfect for those looking for a secluded and intimate experience, guests can spend the night on the slopes in an authentic mountain refuge, Le Sauget.Tucked away on the slopes in Montchavin, Les Coches (part of the la Plagne ski area), Le Sauget offers the perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle – it’s a great way to recharge your batteries after a hard day on the mountain!

For the last 36 years Patricia and Gérard have invited skiers and food lovers alike to their isolated mountain refuge, which provides guests with an idyllic relaxation area complete with an outdoor wood heated hot tub and sauna. Inside you can find a library by the fire place and pool table. The restaurant is a member of the Tarentaise Tastes and Culinary Traditions Academy and all 6 charming bedrooms are decorated in a traditional mountain décor.
Le Sauget can be accessed by ski or by chairlift and prices start at 84€ a night per person.
Tel. + 33 (0)6 88 45 28 19 www.le-sauget.com

Experience the romance and magic at the Chalet des Verdons Sud
The Chalet des Verdons Sud is a high altitude restaurant built from wood and local slate, which perches on the slopes of Champagny en Vanoise. The restaurant offers exclusive, private dining experiences, perfect for Valentines breaks, which are available for reservations every Thursday evening. Accessible via a 30 minute snowmobile ride, the evening comes to life on the soft and cosy sofas around the central log fire, where slippers and furs await your arrival. Accompanied by the accordionist’s live music, this is set to be a truly unique experience for diners! A set menu costs 90€ and reservations can be made by calling + 33 (0)6 21 54 39 24

The Matafan provides a perfect fusion of traditional Savoyard specialities and gastronomic dishes
The Matafan was the first bar-restaurant to arrive in Belle-Plagne in 1980 and has been a hit with the locals and tourists ever since! The name stems from the Patois word for a potato pancake, a meal traditionally eaten by farmers in the morning before going to work in the fields and is now famously a dish designed to “keeps hunger away”. The Matafan’s menu offers a perfect fusion of traditional Savoyard specialities and gastronomic dishes. The traditional décor and delightful antiques create a refined dining experience perfect for a Valentine’s meal on the slopes.
www.la-plagne.com <http://www.la-plagne.com/>

SAVE THE DATE: POLO IN THE PARK 2010 (THE POLO WORLD SERIES)
What: Come and enjoy this glamorous, time-honoured sport with new World Polo Series rules.

Where: Hurlingham Park, Fulham

Dates: Friday 4th / Saturday 5th / Sunday 6th June 2010

Timings: Gates Open at 11.00 – 20.00

Matches & Entertainment throughout the day?Pitch-side public bars

Contact: Tickets are available through Ticketmaster 0844 277 4321

Early bird ticket prices available now.

For the second time in over 70 years, the hallowed turf of Hurlingham Park will thunder with the hooves of high-class polo ponies. Players all over the world will battle each other in a furious display of horsemanship at Polo in the Park.

London's Polo in The Park 2010 is the leading outdoor polo and equestrian entertainment event ever to arrive in the UK, and offers a mix of sport, entertainment and fine dining on offer. Public tickets start at £15, including full entry to Polo in The Park, access to the shopping village and the high end concessions and even try your hand at Polo. Grab a drink and head up to your seats in the grandstand to cheer Team London to victory.

Website: www.polointheparklondon.com

Facebook: POLO in the PARK

NESTLÉ VISITS THE DARK SIDE WITH NEW BLUE RIBAND® DARK
Nestlé has given Blue Riband®, one of the nation’s favourite tea-break treats, a makeover by coating it in rich, smooth dark chocolate. January 2010 will see the launch of Blue Riband® Dark, which joins the already much loved 99 Calorie Biscuit Range that includes the traditional milk chocolate Blue Riband.

A biscuit and a cuppa can go hand-in-hand, and with the launch of Blue Riband Dark there has never been a better time to take five minutes, relax and indulge in one of life’s little pleasures. At 99 Calories and containing no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, Blue Riband Dark is a perfectly portioned treat.

Blue Riband Dark joins Nestlé’s chocolate biscuit bar range of 99 Calorie favourites including Blue Riband Milk, Breakaway®, Drifter® and Toffee Crisp®. For those looking for a little treat with no to compromise on taste, Nestlé biscuits are great additions to the weekly shop. With the introduction of Blue Riband Dark to the range, there really is something to suit all the family.

Joanne Coxon, Assistant Brand Manager for Nestlé Biscuits says: “We are very proud to introduce Blue Riband Dark to our well-loved existing range of 99 Calorie biscuits. The new launch is part of Nestlé’s commitment to give families choice when selecting great tasting treats. The 99 Calorie biscuit range not only delivers on taste but they are perfectly portioned to be enjoyed as part of varied, balanced diets.”

(We have sampled these and they are truly delicious Ed.)

SNOW BRINGS MORE BIRDS TO GARDENS OF BRITAIN
AA Launches new book to help identify birds
The recent cold weather has taken its toll on most people. Roads have been treacherous and many schools and businesses forced to close. Thankfully, the thaw means that for most people, life is returning to normality. However it is not just people who have been affected by the cold weather, our feathered friends have been struggling to find sufficient food in the snow.

The results from the recent British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey* show huge increases in the use of gardens by birds as they come in search of an alternative food source. For some species this increase has been dramatic. The Redwing and Fieldfare, both types of thrush from Scandinavia, have shown an increase in the use of gardens for feeding by 283% and 267% respectively compared with a normal winter. Although most of the snow has now gone, flocks of these birds remain feeding in gardens. This is set to continue for some time as most of the natural foods in the countryside have already been eaten or destroyed by hard frosts.

It doesn’t stop here though. For 40 species of birds, the percentage of gardens in which they were seen increased during the recent snowy weather, with particularly large increases amongst thrushes and buntings. The Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer, both small birds belonging to the bunting family that would ordinarily find refuge in Britain’s farmland, have increased by 134% and 80% respectively.

With all these new birds visiting the gardens of Britain, many people may find it hard to identify their new visitors. There is, however, help at hand as the AA, together with the BTO, launch the new AA Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe.

This handy pocket sized guide to more than 500 species of birds is great for use at home or out and about. The striking photography and bird illustrations, together with authoritative and concise writing from leading ornithologists, including Paul Sterry, make it easy to use for both the amateur and experienced bird watcher alike.

The book has all you need to know about the birds of Britain and Europe. From user-friendly distribution maps and advice on the best times and places to view the more secretive or rarer birds to background information on bird structure and topography and details of habitat, voice, length, wingspan and behavioural characteristics.

The AA Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, published on 1st February 2010, is priced at £12.99 and is available at all good bookshops or at the theaa.com/shop.

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