As we approach the finishing line of the struggle between right and left, the clash of the egos and the final call to vote, how many of us will be putting our feet up during the closing stages of the forthcoming Election? Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron will most certainly not be relaxing until after May 6th when the voters of Britain decide who will form the next government. As an antidote to windbagging politicians droning on and on and on, uncork a bottle of your finest, take the weight off your legs and relax your feet on a footstool.
The 2010 General Election has just over a week to go before the decision is made about who should be given the keys to 10 Downing Street. This Election campaign
has been just about the most interesting I can remember with no single political party claiming more than about a third of poll support. The current talk is of a "hung parliament" where no one party assumes a clear majority of Members of Parliament. This brings into focus the prospect of a coalition government where "horse trading" and "back alley deals" become order of the day. Alliances are quickly established and bitter rivals are forced together by circumstances. With a reported UK debt over £160 billion, how quickly the personalities of government
come together around a table of consensus will be heavily scrutinised by all the financial markets. Funding an overdraft is never easy but one this size will exercise the great minds (and smaller minds!)of today.
The final television debate on Thursday assumes huge importance. How "presidential" will the candidates appear? Who can look into the camera with total sincerity and connect with the electorate? Which of the three Prime Ministerial candidates can persuade the voter that a tick in the box for him will result in a better Britain? All these questions will be decided on May 7th when either a Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat administration (or more likely a combination of any two of these!) will whistle off down the Mall to meet with the Queen. The successful candidate may well have some explaining to do! He will most certainly be in need of a relaxing footstool.
The author is taking a close interest in this General Election campaign as he runs a number of furniture businesses whose future prosperity depends on the right calls being made by whichever government comes to power on May 7th.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Sunday 18 April 2010
Large footstool suggestions
Such is the range on offer from various internet providers that even the largest footstool makes a welcome addition to any living room. A large footstool is a particularly valuable piece of furniture and benefits the homeowner by offering additional seating capacity during busy family get together. The size works well in a sizable room where a large footstool fills the spaces between sofas, chairs and tables. The presence of a large footstool is welcome where a roaring fire enables many people to put their feet up on what becomes "the central feature" of the room. Relaxation and bonhomie ensue.
It should always be remembered that a large footstool is an essential piece of furniture when weary limbs crave the moment to be rest. When tiredness can no longer be resisted “putting your feet up” on such a large receptacle of relaxation becomes the order of the day. Large footstools can indeed be used for dual purposes - informal seating, accent tables - in addition to their traditional, formal uses. A well designed large footstool will make a substantial decorating statement. Size matters! When you need to go large then it is a large footstool you need!
There is no point positioning your large footstool in anything but a large room. Stylish large footstools enhance the décor and what is most important is the upholstery choice. A bright, vibrant fabric selection will enhance almost any surroundings.
What further compliments the large footstool is the choice of feet and legs. The primary selection is between metal or wooden legs however within these options lay further choices. When choosing wood the discerning customer can ask for “turned” or “contemporary” legs. To enhance the choice metal or brass castors may be selected. Alternatively a fully “metallic” leg may be selected. This can include a “turned leg in metallic finish with chrome castors” or the sumptuous “tall polished metal leg”
Finally the height is an important facet of the large footstool choice. For instance a tall contemporary leg can give your footstool the presence it deserves. If the footstool is also to be used for occasional seating a minimum sitting height of 14" (36cm) is recommended. In conclusion whichever room you decide to place your large footstool it deserves to be shown in its full splendour and in the most palatial of surroundings!
It should always be remembered that a large footstool is an essential piece of furniture when weary limbs crave the moment to be rest. When tiredness can no longer be resisted “putting your feet up” on such a large receptacle of relaxation becomes the order of the day. Large footstools can indeed be used for dual purposes - informal seating, accent tables - in addition to their traditional, formal uses. A well designed large footstool will make a substantial decorating statement. Size matters! When you need to go large then it is a large footstool you need!
There is no point positioning your large footstool in anything but a large room. Stylish large footstools enhance the décor and what is most important is the upholstery choice. A bright, vibrant fabric selection will enhance almost any surroundings.
What further compliments the large footstool is the choice of feet and legs. The primary selection is between metal or wooden legs however within these options lay further choices. When choosing wood the discerning customer can ask for “turned” or “contemporary” legs. To enhance the choice metal or brass castors may be selected. Alternatively a fully “metallic” leg may be selected. This can include a “turned leg in metallic finish with chrome castors” or the sumptuous “tall polished metal leg”
Finally the height is an important facet of the large footstool choice. For instance a tall contemporary leg can give your footstool the presence it deserves. If the footstool is also to be used for occasional seating a minimum sitting height of 14" (36cm) is recommended. In conclusion whichever room you decide to place your large footstool it deserves to be shown in its full splendour and in the most palatial of surroundings!
Sunday 11 April 2010
Portsmouth FC and the Ottomans
While Portsmouth Football Club are facing up to administration and life in The Championship, researcher Oktan Keles claims the club was established by Sultan Abdülhamit II to conduct intelligence reports in Britain during the latter years of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish influence at the club was such that Portsmouth FC also adopted a "crescent" in its club badge.
The information came to light when Keles, a writer on Turkish affairs, was researching papers on Abdülhamit II on the build up to the First World War. In the early years of the Twentieth Century Great Britain was known to use sporting and cultural occasions to gather intelligence information. In an effort to redress the balance the Sultan employed some of the Portsmouth players to gather information relevant to Ottoman Empire interests.
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1914, relations between Britain and Turkey were not good. Turkey blamed Britain for stirring up incidents of unrest in the Balkans and the dominence of the Royal Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean was a persistent irritant to the Turks.
What information was forthcoming from Portsmouth appears to have had little effect on the course of history. When I put my feet up tonight on my footstool to watch the Portsmouth versus Tottenham FA Cup semi final I shall raise my glass to Sultan Abdülhamit II for his contibution to English football.
The information came to light when Keles, a writer on Turkish affairs, was researching papers on Abdülhamit II on the build up to the First World War. In the early years of the Twentieth Century Great Britain was known to use sporting and cultural occasions to gather intelligence information. In an effort to redress the balance the Sultan employed some of the Portsmouth players to gather information relevant to Ottoman Empire interests.
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1914, relations between Britain and Turkey were not good. Turkey blamed Britain for stirring up incidents of unrest in the Balkans and the dominence of the Royal Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean was a persistent irritant to the Turks.
What information was forthcoming from Portsmouth appears to have had little effect on the course of history. When I put my feet up tonight on my footstool to watch the Portsmouth versus Tottenham FA Cup semi final I shall raise my glass to Sultan Abdülhamit II for his contibution to English football.
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