I’m writing this post during lockdown in 2020 during the Novel Coronovirus / Covid-19 pandemic. Before the virus took hold in the UK I’d already started work on Raspberry Pi Outdoor Display (RGB LED Matrix) and Handrail Lighting (NeoPixels) Project. The idea was an extension of a light display I was planning to add to […]

I went to see the Rescue Challenge at Webbs of Wychbold, near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. This is an event where various Fire Services from around the UK compete in simulated rescue situations. The most dramatic of which is the two vehicle extraction where one car is positioned on top of another. I recorded one of […]

The First Aid Manual is the official guide from the UK leading first aid organisations: St John Ambulance, St Andrew’s First Aid and the British Red Cross and is widely considered as the definitive guide to first aid in the UK. The 10th edition released in 2014, which replaces the 9th edition which was first […]

As always I’m looking forward to Christmas. Hoping that Santa will leave a new camera in my stocking, but more importantly looking forward to having some time with my loving family. In keeping with the spirit of giving I also use it as a time to think of others that are not so fortunate, and […]

I first came across fairsharemusic.com some time ago, but dismissed it at the time as the downloads were all DRM Locked. DRM locks you into a specific player and can prevent you from using digital files that you purchase (why DRM in music, video and ebooks is bad for everyone). DRM has all but disappeared […]

Ever since I first started my blog back in 2005 I have created a Christmas message and made a donation to a worthwhile cause. A reminder that whilst it’s great to receive at Christmas it’s also a time to give; not just to give to those from whom you expect a present in return, but […]

My daughter is doing a school project on Florence Nightingale so we decided to visit the Florence Nightingale Museum in London. The museum is on the site of St Thomas’ Hospital where she founded a nurse training school. We had visited the museum before, but that was several years ago before we had children. We […]

Parkin is a traditional Yorkshire cake that is often eaten around Bonfire Night. With the help of my six year old daughter I’ve made some for this year and it is delicious. Here’s the recipe for anyone that would like to make your own.

The Red Cross have created a new web based introduction to first aid. It’s called everyday first aid and as you can probably guess is designed for teaching some first aid that may be needed as part of your normal daily life, ranging from dealing with a sprain to performing compressions on someone that is […]

As children in Redditch go back to school this week there is now a new road safety initiative outside many of the schools. New flashing 20 mph advisory speed limit signs have now been installed near the school. The sign (see image right) has a child crossing warning sign, flashing lights and the wording “Max […]