Grahame N's Web Pages

USEFUL TRIVIA AND QUOTES

Did you know that you may not need to actually visit your doctor for certain health advice etc? You can dial the National Health Service Direct (in the UK) on:- 0845 4647 (this will be at local call rates anywhere in the UK).

There is also an NHS Direct Online web site:- www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Tired of all that 'junk mail' pouring through your letter box every morning? Write to: Mailing Preference Service, MPS, Freepost 29, Lon 20771, London, W1E 0ZT. Tel: 0207 291 3310 Web-site: www.mpsonline.org.uk . Mind how you complete the form though - it appears they are really in the business of supplying names to the direct mail organisations! It does work though - I can speak from personal experience. (Address updated Dec2006)

But the Royal Mail also delivers un-addressed 'junk mail' items - for customers wanting to stop unaddressed mailings delivered through Royal Mail contact Royal Mail Door to Door - Telephone helpline: 08457 950 950.
To register write to: Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX.

While we're talking about unwanted intrusion, you can also help to cut down on unwanted telephone calls by contacting the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707.

In fact it is likely under European law that it is a criminal offence to 'cold-contact' individuals by letter, phone or E-mail. Certainly there have been successful prosecutions in the USA regarding E-mail 'spamming'. It only needs a successful test case in the UK (and subsequent fining/closure of an ISP!) to stamp on this practice before it gets too much of a hold. I can't think many sales can result from this type of selling anyway!

The Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 do ban the sending of direct marketing faxes. The Fax Preference Service (FPS) enables corporate (or individuals) to register for extra protection - telephone 0845 070 0702. If you still receive unsolicited faxes, then complain to The Office of Data Protection, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF (Tel: 01625 545700, Fax: 01625 524510; e-mail: mail@dataprotection.gov.uk)

The UK can claim all the inventions that make-up the modern toilet cistern and waste pipework, although a cruder form of flushing toilet was used in Roman civilizations. The valve cistern with a base that could be opened and closed was invented by John Harrington, godson of Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1596. With the introduction of the ball valve in 1748, it was re-introduced and patented by Alexander Cummings in 1775. This design included the U-bend which formed a water lock to keep out smells. Joseph Bramah (1748-1815) improved the design in 1778 providing the action currently used in the UK today. In 1889 Daniel (not David or Davis - I have his grandson to thank for this correction!) Thomas Bostel, of Bostel Bros. sanitary engineers of London & Brighton, patented the ballcock system used to refill the flushing cistern.

By the use of a syphonic action for flushing, the flush is rapid and controlled with no leakage into the toilet pan between flushes. What a pity then that the European Commissioners in their wisdom have decided to make the crude French toilet system an EU standard. These continental toilets just use a simple 'plug' which is raised by a knob to release whatever water has collected in the cistern. Unfortunately this design results in poor flushing and leads to continual water dribble into the pan causing staining of the toilet pan and considerable water leakage. So much for progress!

Snoring affects around four million Britons says Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition. Seems that the first problem may be narrow nasal passages which requires curative surgery. However free radical damage caused by cigarettes reduces the elasticity of the tissues in the throat, which become flappy and vibrate when the sleeper breathes at night. Meat and dairy products high in protein increase the amount of mucus generated by the body - this can accumulate, narrowing the airways. Snoring may also linked to heart disease, hypertension and strokes. Obesity (collar sizes over 17inch) can also contribute to snoring problems.

So if you or your partner snores - stop smoking, cut down on proteins, blow your nose before bed and don't lie on your back to sleep! Vitamin E or a good antioxidant supplement may also help stop snoring. There is also a natural product Higher Nature's Never Snore, a herbal and enzyme remedy. Thirty tablets are £10.90 inc. postage. Ring 01435 882880. Snoreeze, made by Passion for Life is £12.95 for a month's supply from Superdrug or Holland & Barrett. Finally check out these web-sites: www.snorban,co,uk ; www.snoreeze.co.uk ; www.passionforlife.com ; and the British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association, Castle Court, 41 London Road, Reigate, RH2 9RJ - Tel: 01737 245638 Fax: 0870 052 9212 e-mail: info @ britishsnoring.co.uk Website: www.britishsnoring.co.uk

"Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?"
 - Charlie McCarthy (Edgar Bergen, 1903 - 1978)

George Bernard Shaw, the famous playright, was seated next to a society lady at an upmarket dinner; when he asked the lady if she would sleep with a man for £1000, she replied, flirtily, that it would depend how handsome the man was. He then asked if she would sleep with a man for five shillings (25p nowadays, plus inflation!) - she went puce and asked Shaw exactly what sort of woman he took her for. "We've already established that " he replied, "it's just the price we're haggling over now!"

"A monstrous carbuncle on the face of a well-loved friend." - Prince Charles's criticism of the new extension to the National Gallery, speech to the Royal Institute of British Architects, 31 May 1984

If each before his own door swept, the village would be clean.

Oscar Wilde: "How I wish I'd said that." - Whistler: "You will, Oscar, you will."

Clare Boothe Luce: "Age before beauty." - Dorothy Parker: "Pearls before swine."

Another Dorothy Parker quote:   I like to have a martini
                                                  Two at the very most
                                                                 After three I'm under the table
                                                               After four I'm under my host!
 

"The "t" is silent, as in Harlow." - Margot Asquith to the film star Jean Harlow who had been mispronouncing her first name.

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception." - Groucho Marx

"Of course, America had often been discovered before Columbus, but it had always been hushed up."
- Oscar Wilde

Bessie Braddock (whilst sat next to an inebriated Winston Churchill at a dinner party) "Winston, you are drunk, horribly drunk." to which the great leader responded: "And Madam, you are ugly, terribly ugly, but in the morning I shall be sober!"

"All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies." - John Arbuthnot: Richard Garnett, 'Life Of Emerson'

"Of all noxious animals, too, the most noxious is a tourist. And of all tourists the most vulgar, ill-bred, offensive and loathsome is the British tourist." - Rev. Francis Kilvert, Diary, 5 April 1876

"As brief as a husband's kiss." - Spanish saying

The soul would have no rainbows, if the eyes held no tears

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened

A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to move house. - Frank Lloyd Wright

If you can see the light at the end of the tunnel you are looking the wrong way - Tom Scott

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Last updated 05 June 2009 ................ etrivia.htm ................................. Copyright © G.L. Newnham MM