No point talking about it, unemployment is rising. Local Towcester business headed up by Julia Doherty is starting a series of podcasts. Listen to the first one here:
Honda, or Brackley F1
Have just spoken to press office, they are not commenting…
Flat Pack Cat
Towcester Veterinary Centre on Burcote RoadTowcester Veterinary Centre on Burcote Road
A lucky cat is being nursed back to health after getting trapped under the floorboards of his neighbour’s house without food or water – for nearly two MONTHS.
Seven-year-old Harry disappeared on December 19 and had been given up for dead by devastated owners Paulette Kennedy, 62, and her husband Rod, 63.
Unbeknown to them, the mischievous moggie had climbed under the floorboards of the house next door during building work.
He was only discovered when the Kennedy’s neighbours went to inspect the ongoing restoration work and heard scratching under their feet.
Harry – who weighed just over 6lbs and was close to death – was rushed to a veterinary clinic and put on a drip.
Vets reckon the emaciated cat survived by licking condensation from the water pipes running under the floorboards.
Now Harry, a British short-haired blue, is on his way back to full health thanks to what owner Paulette described as a ”minor miracle”.
She said: ”It is absolutely astonishing. We had given up all hope.
”No one knows how he got under the floor boards or how he could possibly have survived.”
The Kennedy’s spent weeks plastering their village of Blisworth, Northants., with missing posters but had resigned themselves to the worst by the time Harry was found.
Paulette said: ”After seven weeks of looking we had done everything we could think of.
”We were just looking for a body really so we could get some closure.
”Thanks goodness the neighbours chose to go round to the house that particular morning.
”They were in the house just talking when they heard a noise. Harry must have moved underneath the floorboards because by this time he was too weak to make any noise.
”They pulled up a board and looked down to see him underneath a pipe. It was incredible.”
After being rescued two weeks ago Harry had to stay on a drip at Towcester Vetinary Centre for seven days.
Paulette, who runs a sports shop in Northampton with her husband, said it is a mystery how Harry got under the floorboards in the first place.
”It is very perplexing,” she said. ”He must have snuck in there and gone to sleep without the builders realising.
”One of the builders said he had lifted the particular floorboard Harry was found under lots of times to store his tools so maybe he could move around under the floor.
”You’d have thought he’d have made himself heard or something while he was trapped, but he didn’t come out. Maybe he was just so traumatised.
”All the nurses were just amazed, they said in all their studies they’d never seen anything like it. It’s a very happy ending.”
Towcester Veterinary Centre head nurse Vickie Boswell said Harry was ”nearly dead” when he was brought in.
She said: ”He weighed just three kilos, he was very very dehydrated, as well as being emaciated.
”We’ve done some tests and everything is functioning as it should be.
”We think he was without food or water for somewhere in the region of about seven weeks, but we think he was probably getting some moisture or water from some soil somewhere because he had some soil in his mouth.
”We’re really pleased, everybody’s really pleased. It’s such a rare case to be involved in. This is not something you see very often.”
Honda to be Brackley F1
Very good news see this link
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090227084040.shtml
Honda, still waiting but…
No news yet, but something is in the air
Joyce Herbert RIP
Joyce Herbert right, with Councillor David Linney
The Town Council were deeply saddened to hear the sad news that Joyce Herbert, former Mayor of Towcester has passed away.
Joyce served on the Town Council for over 40 years and she was also a District Councillor.
She was awarded the Citizen of the year award in 2005 for her service to the Town and her work on behalf of the people of Towcester. (Pictured above wth then Mayor David Linney).
Her passion for getting involved in community issues and her commitment to local community groups was an example to us all.
The Town Council benefited immeasurably from the time she unstintingly gave to the Council, local bodies and individuals in the Town.
Joyce was a lovely, caring and hard working lady who will be truly missed by us all.
Her funeral will take place on Tuesday March, 3rd at St Lawrence Church 2.30p.m.
Honda F1 – is it today?
Do you know I think we are going to get some good news from the Brackley based Honda F1 team today.
I don’t know anything, not even a sniff – just got a good feeling.
Fingers crossed
If you are reading this blog and…
If you are reading this blog and think it is unstructured, not quite right, well you are indeed correct.
I am just getting to grips with it.
Should not take too long.
Pits at Silverstone Classic 2008
Checking this option out
I have no idea what this does, if it is published, great, if not, I have wasted a minute inputting.
Market Overview
Andy BettsAndy Betts Please do not hesitate to contact Andy Betts at Towcester Financial Planning to discuss any aspect of your financial affairs by e-mailing towcester-fp@sjpp.co.uk, or visiting http://www.towcester-fp.co.uk, or call 01327 354035. Andy Betts of local financial advisors, Towcester Financial Planning writes… This weekly Briefing Note aims to pick out some of the key financial and economic issues touched on in the press over recent days, and from time to time includes the views of some of our independent fund managers. Market Overview Global markets endured another turbulent period last week with all the major global indices showing weakness as concerns over the global financial crisis continued to weigh on investors minds. The FTSE 100 index sank to a three month low closing below the four thousand mark at 3889, having fallen by more than -3% on Friday and ending the week down more than -7%. The outlook for the economy continued to be the driver behind falling prices and the UK took its cue from Wall Street following markets closing at some of the lowest levels seen during the financial crisis. Anglo American was one of the sharpest fallers being sold down sharply following announcements to suspend its dividend, cut output sharply and axe almost twenty thousand jobs. Other mining groups also such as Rio Tinto and Xstrata saw similar losses. The banking sector continued to feature prominently. Investors fears over the length and severity of the global recession ensued leading to further concerns the Citigroup and Bank of America could be potentially nationalised by the US Government. Despite a brief rally on Thursday most major banks ended the week down on the back of further sell offs. Royal Bank of Scotland record losses of £28bn as well as plans to sell of its Asian businesses hurt shareholders. Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered all saw relatively sharp falls with Lloyds Banking Group escaping marginally with only a minor decline at the end of the week. Whilst most of the financial sectors struggled there were a few risers in the blue chip index. Prudential was buoyed by the planned sale of its local insurance business in Taiwan to China Life Insurance Company. Old Mutual also posted marginal gains despite being the target of shorting by some hedge fund managers. BAE systems issued full year results and lifted its final dividend leading to a modest rise in the share price. European bourses fell sharply on the week with the EuroStoxx 50, the DAX & the CAC all posting the sharpest daily falls on Friday. Worries about the health of central and Eastern Europe held investors sentiment last week. Growing investor nervousness about the worsening economic conditions across the region and the possible impact on European banks contributed to a decline of more than -7% in the FTSE Eurofirst 300 index. The banking sector also contributed to declines in Japan, where the broad Topix share index ended the week at its lowest level for 25 years. The shape was similar in the US as the sharp sell offs pushed the S&P 500 index below the psychologically significant 800 level. Nervous investors around the world fled for the perceived safety of gold, government bonds and the dollar. Government Bonds in the US, Germany and Gilts issued in the UK all saw their yields fall as investors plumped for a safer home in the worsening risk environment. The US Dollar was a clear winner in currency markets as the safe haven status of the Japanese Yen has been called into question. Gold rallied strongly by almost 7% during the week and touched an 11 month high of $1005.4 per troy ounce. Beware prophets of doom Scouring through the financial press is a depressing task at present as journalists with preponderance for doom, gloom and Armageddon becoming increasingly the ‘soup de jour’. It was reassuring to see The Telegraph Money section include an article bringing for the point that those commentators purveying the unremittingly bleak outlook did not see the current crisis coming and thus may not see the recovery either. History has provided us with a learning point that when all the experts are agreed it is generally time to take a differing view. Successful investors buy markets when they are oversold and sell markets when they are overbought. Estimates in the UK and in America suggest that stock markets are too cheap and the raft of comparisons with the Great Depression in the twenties don’t stack up as many would suggest. US Gross Domestic Product fell sharply in the Depression with a double digit fall of 13% in 1932. US GDP rose in 2007 by 2%, 1.5% in 2008 and the expectations for 2009 are for a fall of around -0.3%. Mortgage foreclosures and job losses are also far lower than they were in the Depression. Recent US unemployment figures indicate sharp rises but headlines showing the worst job losses since 1974 fail to explain that the US labour force is 65% larger than it was in the seventies. Cash held on the side lines by experienced investors is also important with a US survey recently reporting that experienced investors had over 40% in deposit. The last two occasions when deposits were almost as high was in 1991 and in 2002 which turned out to be two of the best occasions to have bought equities since 1987. Falling Prices Property Values, Equity Prices and Interest Rates have all seen sharp falls. Costs too are falling and it has become widely accepted that for the first time in almost fifty years, the UK is going to experience a deflationary environment. A little bit of deflation could spell more positivity as we pay less on food and energy and feel a little more inclined to spend which should help the ailing retail sector. Producers may also be able to widen profit margins a touch as raw materials become cheaper. However, the official statistics have a way of shrouding the real picture. Many borrowers have seen the cost of living reduce dramatically as variable rate mortgage repayments have been slashed by falling interest rates. However, many individuals who are mortgage free or perhaps in their retirement who have a greater range of fixed costs will not have felt this alleviation in the cost of living. The Times outlined some of the ways which pensioners can beat the squeeze on income including shopping around for food and energy deals. Another option is to seek advice on boosting pension provision or taking pension benefits. Historically low interest rates mean that annuity deals are quite poor but shopping around with other providers could bag you as much as 20% more income. The flexibility to remain invested and draw down income and tax free cash could also help pensioners recoup losses made in the last few years. Get out of Jail With Profit Policyholders in With Profit funds have seen bonuses withdrawn, the outlook for future returns capped and huge penalties attached for those who wish to withdraw and invest elsewhere. With Profit providers have come under fire in recent years as they applied the ‘market value adjustment/market value reduction’ clause which allows the insurer to reduce the final surrender value of policies to reflect falls in the underlying investments. The Times Money reminded investors that many of these products carry a ‘spot guarantee’, which enables investors to take their money out on a specific anniversary, commonly the 10th, without being hit by the MVA/MVR. According to exitwith-profits.co.uk, an estimated 300,000 people will have a guarantee in 2009 that allows them to withdraw their money from a With Profits fund penalty-free. Saving the Nation The Guardian reported that thousands of savers have not claimed winnings on Premium Bonds. According to N&SI, there is over £30m in unclaimed prizes where savers have failed to pass on new addresses or are unaware that parents or grandparents invested for them. Millions of pounds are also sitting unclaimed in current and savings accounts around the UK. Not knowing where your assets are located can lead to problems, particularly on death where it is important to be able to value an estate for tax purposes. Despite the good news on the unclaimed prize funds, The Telegraph highlighted that N&SI would be cutting returns on most of their variable and fixed rate savings products and, whilst the 1.8% rate used to calculate the bonus pot for Premium Bonds will be held for next month’s draw, it is likely that this too will be cut for future draws, reducing the size of the winning fund for savers and the odds of any return. Practical Options The Telegraph Money reminded readers that despite stock market shocks and plunging interest rates, you cannot opt out of growing older and thus it is just as important to make provision for the future through saving and investing. Key practical measures included using your ISA allowance to get the best possible returns on cash. The Times reinforced this message reporting that the tax efficiency and the annual maximum on cash ISAs means that banks and building societies tend to offer more attractive rates on their ISA product. Diversifying through pooled funds was also mentioned as a way of managing risk. Pension products which offer a return of up to 40% thanks to the tax relief paid by the Government. This tax relief combined with the often long term nature of pension planning reduces the risk of short term market volatility significantly. Company sponsored schemes may contribute on your behalf or match your contributions increasing the power of your savings. Investing for Income The Financial Times led with an article on investors seeking income. Investors who have seen the return on their savings dwindle as interest rates have been slashed are finding the stock and bond markets increasingly appealing as income generating vehicles. Dividend income on many blue chip companies is historically high and attractive for income seekers. The income available in the corporate bond market is equally appealing as many commentators feel that the market is still pricing in too much risk of default, particularly in the investment grade bond market. Whilst markets remain volatile, broadly diversified portfolios of equities and corporate bonds can benefit from attractive income streams. St. James’s Place has a range of funds looked after by some of the UK’s top rated income fund managers. To find out how Towcester Financial Planning can maximise your returns in a volatile market visit http://www.towcester-fp.co.uk or e-mail Andy Betts at andy.betts@sjpp.co.uk
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