Road User Levy Exceeds the Estimated Yearly Revenue in Six Months

The Government introduced a new tax on 1^st April 2014, where foreign haluiers were charged to use UK roads.  This HGV road user levy has been put into place to ensure that foreign hauliers make a contribution towards the upkeep of UK roads.

At its intorduction, the levy was expected to generate around £20 million in taxation revenue, however during a transport question session in Parliament Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, reveiled that it has raised £23.4 million in its first six months.

The levy is structured in a series of bands based on the type of vehicle, maximum weight and axel confirguration, so the higher charges are made to heavier and more road wearing vechiles.

The funds raised by this new initiative will not be used solely for road maitenace and imporvements, but will go into the general taxtion funds. 

Chocolate in Print

Since I heard about National Chocolate week the thought has barely left me.  Well, this and the recent news of the usable chocolate tea pot has lead me to think about what can be done with this delicious medium, then it hit me – can we print with chocolate?

Anyone who knows me; will know that I have a total fascination with 3D printing; frankly the subject blows my mind.

So, several internet searches later and there it is, I’m excited to say that, yes, it can be done, and the technology is being worked on as I’m writing!

Here is a YouTube clip of the magic at work, this is a clip of the world’s first chocolate printer, but the technology has moved on since then.  I’ve recently read about an Australian company called ChocaByte has reported to have produced a limited run of 500 affordable chocolate3D printers before it is looking at mass production.  Also, the American chocolate giants Hershey’s are currently working together with 3D Systems looking into the development of this technology.

Now, here’s a thought for you, I’m certain that 3D chocolate printing will become an everyday thing.  Imagine how you would use it – would it be to create the perfect, personalised gift for a loved one or as quirky way to promote a business, what about your company logo make out of chocolate to hand out at a trade show.  The possibilities are utterly endless, which is why I think I’m so drawn to this subject.

BBC’s Ten Pieces

Creativity within children is at the forefront of the BBC’s Ten Pieces initiative.

The project is aimed at primary school children and sees the creation of a film containing 10 pieces of classical music from some of the best known names from classical music, and features a piece commissioned for this project from contemporary composer, Anna Meredith.

The style of music is out of reach for many youngsters in our modern day world, so this scheme comes as an inspirational way to introduce a new generation to classical music and acts as a focus to encourage children to use their imagination.

The scheme doesn’t end with the film, but has a programme running through the entire school year.  During the autumn term children will be asked to respond to the film creatively through either their own composition, dance, digital art or animation.

The final stage of the initiative, running between April and July, is set to see the BBC Orchestras and singers holding interactive concerts throughout the county.

The project is set to end with a major event which will showcase the work of the children.

Here is a list of the works included in the Ten Pieces, the links will take you to the BBC’s website where you can listen to each piece.

1. John Adams:  Short Ride in a Fast Machine
2. Beethoven:  Symphony No. 5 (1st movement)
3. Britten:  ‘Storm’ Interlude from ‘Peter Grimes’
4. Grieg:  In the Hall of the Mountain King
5. Handel:  Zadok the Priest
6. Holst:  ‘Mars’ from ‘The Planets’
7. Mozart:  Horn Concerto No. 4 (3rd movement)
8. Mussorgsky:  A Night on the Bare Mountain
9. Stravinsky:  The Firebird – suite (1911) (Finale)
10. Anna Meredith:  Connect It

The Ten Pieces film will be available to watch on the BBC’s iplayer throughout  October 2014, click here to view the entire film.