Tag Archives: Britain

BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2009 shortlist unveiled

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Ten sportsmen and women from across the United Kingdom and from nine very different sports, make up the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2009, BBC One, Sunday 13 December, 7.00-9.00pm.
The live event will be held at the Sheffield Arena for the first time and is a sell-out with around 11,000 people attending, making it the biggest Sports Personality ever.
The shortlist (in alphabetical order) is:
Jenson Button
Mark Cavendish
Tom Daley
Jessica Ennis
Ryan Giggs
David Haye
Phillips Idowu
Andy Murray
Andrew Strauss
Beth Tweddle
These 10 sporting celebrities (2009 highlights below) will now compete for the public vote on the night of the live show.
The public will be able to vote for their BBC Sports Personality Of The Year by telephone; details of the numbers to vote on will be given out during the programme.
The shortlist of 10 contenders was put together by a panel of 26 sports editors from (national and regional) newspapers and magazines.
Details of the sports editors’ votes can be seen on the website at bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality at 7.30pm on 30 November.
The live show will be presented by Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey.
In addition to the main award of Sports Personality Of The Year there will also be awards for:
Team of the Year
Coach of the Year
Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
Lifetime Achievement
Helen Rollason Award
Young Sports Personality of the Year
Sports Unsung Hero
For voting criteria on all the Awards, further information and updates please visit bbc.co.uk/sportspersonality.
Notes to Editors
Contenders’ highlights:
Jenson Button
Jenson Button will never forget 2009. Just weeks before the season started in March, he didn’t have a car to drive – but by October he was Formula One World Champion. He started out in pole position winning an incredible six out of the first seven Grands Prix, building up an unassailable lead thanks to a combination of brains and a Brawn car that was just too good for the competition. Jenson – who was 100-l to win the title in January – had only won one Grand Prix before this season and is now the 10th Formula One world champion Britain has produced.
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish was simply the fastest man on two wheels in 2009. The Manxman won a history-making six stages in the Tour de France and his final victory in Paris was extra special as he became the first Briton to win on the Champs-Elysees. During the Tour, the Team Columbia rider wore the prestigious Green Jersey and in the early stages of the Giro d’Italia he wore the leader’s Maglia Rosa jersey. Mark won many stages in many races throughout the season – with another highlight being his victory in the Milan-San Remo Classic earlier in the year.
Tom Daley
Tom Daley sensationally became a world champion this year – at the tender age of 15 years and 61 days. When most teens would be studying at school, Tom was ruling the world thanks to an incredible display of dives in the 10-metre platform event in Rome. The 2007 Young Sports Personality of the Year beat a top class field which included Olympic champion Matt Mitcham and he saved the best for last thanks to a flawless final dive which moved him up from third to first.
Jessica Ennis
Jessica Ennis showed all of her Sheffield steel this year with a golden performance at the World Athletics Championships. Just a year after cruelly missing out on the Beijing Olympics with injury, the Yorkshire star shone during the heptathlon, leading from start to finish in Berlin to take gold. The ’tadpole’ – as she’s affectionately known – posted seven sensational performances in the 100 metre hurdles, the high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. And her score of 6,731 points was a personal best.
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs just gets better with age. The 36-year-old Manchester United playmaker is the most decorated player in English football history and in May this year, he won a record 11th Premier League winners’ medal. He’s been in outstanding form all year – and was instrumental in helping United reach the Champions League final. He is one of the most respected players in the game and in April this year he won the prestigious PFA Player of the Year award for the first time. In the same month he made his 800th appearance for United – the only club he’s played for in a professional career spanning 19 years. In 2009 he scored his 150th goal for United.
David Haye
David Haye realised a dream in 2009 by becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. Despite conceding nearly a foot in height and seven stones in weight against giant rival Nikolai Valuev, the 29-year-old scored a dramatic majority points victory thanks to a boxing masterclass. Haye used all his speed and skill to make up those deficiencies in the much anticipated ’David v Goliath’ battle in Nuremberg, Germany, to become Britain’s sixth world heavyweight champion in history. The ’Hayemaker’ now has his sights set on adding more belts to his WBA version in 2010.
Phillips Idowu
Phillips Idowu became Britain’s second gold medallist at the World Athletics Championships thanks to a brilliant performance in the triple jump. The Belgrave Harrier from Hackney leapt to 17 metres and 73 centimetres in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, which was also a personal best. The victory was consolation for 30-year-old Phillips after he missed out on Olympic gold last year. And it was fitting too, as he was presented with his medal by former world and Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards – who was also BBC Sports Personality Of The Year in 1995.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray once again flew the flag for British tennis in 2009. The 22-year-old had an outstanding year, winning six tournaments (correct at 9/11/09) including two top tier Masters events at Miami and Montreal. Those wins helped propel him to a career high world number two – the highest ever ranking by a British player. Andy also won a first tournament on home soil at Queen’s just before Wimbledon – but his dream of glory at SW19 was ended by Andy Roddick in the semi-finals. That was his best ever performance at Wimbledon – and he also enjoyed his best run in the French Open, reaching the quarter finals.
Andrew Strauss
Andrew Strauss had a wonderful summer. England’s cricket captain masterminded the Ashes victory over Australia – and he did it in style by being named player of the series. Strauss always looked cool and he led from the front as England reclaimed the famous old urn by winning two Tests to one. The opening batsman topped the run-scoring charts with 474 – at an average of 52. And with an innings of 161 at Lord’s, he also hit the highest score of the five-Test series. Always in control, always in charge, Andrew was captain fantastic.
Beth Tweddle
Beth Tweddle had a year she will never forget. Britain’s greatest-ever gymnast won gold after a glorious routine on the floor at the World Championships. What made Beth’s achievement all the better was that it was in front of a huge home crowd at London’s O2 Arena, and it came just days after she suffered a fall during her signature event on the bars. But like all top class athletes, Beth dusted herself down and came back to perform a brilliant flawless routine which was full of high risk and technical difficulty.

Source: WEBWIRE

A world class Digital Economy for Britain

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Published jointly by the Department for Business and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Bill aims to support growth in the creative and digital sectors and includes measures aimed at tackling widespread online infringement of creative copyright, such as peer-to-peer file-sharing.

Other key proposals look to strengthen the UKs communications infrastructure, such as superfast broadband, via the introduction of new Ofcom duties to encourage investment.

The Bill also puts in place measures to protect the creation of a range of engaging public service content, from multiple providers, on multiple platforms. Specifically, it addresses the urgent need for action to secure provision of news in the nations, locally and in the regions.

Lord Mandelson said:

On current definitions our digital economy accounts for nearly 1 in every 10 that the whole British economy produces each year so our creative and digital industries are key to Britains future economic success. This Bill will give them the framework to develop competitively and make the UK a global creative leader.

Better protecting our creative communities from the threat of online infringement will ensure existing and emerging talent is rewarded and will bring new choices for online consumers.

Creating the right conditions for investment in our communications infrastructure will bring benefits for households and businesses in all parts of the country.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said:

Our digital economy is worth around 8% of GDP.

Britains creative industries have become number one in the world as a proportion of our economy.

This Bill is a key part of the Governments active industrial strategy and will maintain and build on Britains leading position. It includes measures to ensure universal broadband, the protection of music, film and other creative content and the future of quality local and regional news. The market will not provide these things, only Government action can.

Key measures in the Digital Economy Bill

Online infringement of copyright

Take action on unlawful peer-to-peer filesharing by obliging individual ISPs to take action against infringers.

An update to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act so that if, in future, new communications technologies allow creative content to be unlawfully copied in new ways, remedies can be developed and implemented more quickly and flexibly than might otherwise be possible.

Extended Collective Licensing

Modernise the copyright licensing system to make it simpler and quicker for licensing societies to make content available online to consumers and to support innovative commercial services that rely on copyright material.

Orphan works

Unlock large volumes of previously unusable cultural content or orphan works where the rights holder cannot be identified or found, for public and commercial use.

Independent and high quality news

Support the plurality of regional and local news, giving Ofcom powers to appoint and fund Independently Funded News Consortia and future proof Channel 3 and Channel 5 licensees, including adjusting requirements of Channel 3 licence holders to produce or broadcast Gaelic programming.

Public Lending Rights

Extend public lending rights to include digital material such as audio and e-books. This will mean producers and artists who have created this content will be rewarded when material is lent out from public libraries.

Digital infrastructure and content

Give Ofcom new duties to promote investment in communications infrastructure where this is needed and to make a formal assessment of the UKs communications infrastructure every two years. Alongside this a new duty for Ofcom to encourage investment in public service content where this is needed.

Internet domain names

Ensure the efficient allocating and registering of internet domain names in the UK by taking reserve powers.

Digital radio

Update the regulatory framework to prepare for moves to digital switchover for radio by 2015.

Channel 4 Corporation

Update its functions to encompass public service content on all media platforms – online as well as television to make it fit for the digital age.

Mobile and wireless broadband

Enable development of next generation mobile broadband services by allowing for the charging of periodic payments such as Adminstered Incentive Pricing on auctioned spectrum licences and allowing OFCOM to levy monetary penalties for failure to meet certain licence conditions.

Video games

Protect children by making age ratings compulsory for all boxed games designed for those aged 12 or above.

Notes to editors:

The Digital Economy Bill is a joint Bill between the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It was published today, 20 November 2009.For youtube clips, FAQs and other digital media information, visit: http://www.bis.gov.uk/digitaleconomybill

The Bill is the legislative programme that realises many of the recommendations made in the Governments Digital Britain White Paper, published on 16 June 2009. A copy can be found at: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/digitaleconomy.html

Department for Business Innovation < Skills press enquiries: 020 7215 6403 www.bis.gov.uk and Department for Culture, Media and Sport press enquiries: 020 7211 6267 www.culture.gov.uk

Department for Business, Innovation < Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS – Investing in our future.

A stitch in time to save painting of Welsh knitters

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The Ministers ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The Committee recommended that the export decision be deferred on the grounds that the painting is closely connected with UK history and national life, that it is of outstanding aesthetic importance, and that it is significant for the study of Pre-Raphaelite landscape painting and of the representation of Welsh landscape and culture in the nineteenth century. The Committee awarded a starred rating to the painting meaning that every possible effort should be made to raise enough money to keep it in the country.

William Dyce (1806-1865) was a Scottish artist who played an important role in the formation of public art education in Britain. His early career was spent in Edinburgh as a portrait painter. In 1837 he moved to London where he became head of the newly established School of Design, and also worked extensively at the Palace of Westminster and on the decoration of high Anglican churches. He supported the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood in their mission to revive British art, and adopted their practice of painting on location. Today he is best known for his Pre-Raphaelite landscapes, most of which were set in Scotland.

In the summer of 1860, late in his career, Dyce visited North Wales, where he was deeply affected by both the landscape and the way of life of the people. Welsh landscape with two women knitting is rare in being his only known finished oil painting of the Welsh landscape. The painting depicts two figures, an elderly woman seated and a younger one standing, on a carefully observed landscape in Snowdonia. The young woman is wearing Welsh national dress of red cloak, apron and tall black hat, and both are engaged in the traditional pastime of knitting. The painting reflects the conventional representation at that time of the people of North Wales as still untouched by progress.

Catherine Johns, Reviewing Committee member, said: This painting is not just another pretty landscape, but an image which works on many levels. It is a moving meditation on the passage of time. It is an important depiction of Welsh culture, recording a traditional way of life which was in danger of dying out. And it is a physical manifestation of Dyces attempts to reconcile his deep religious beliefs with the implications of the scientific discoveries which were being made at that time.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 19 February 2010 inclusive. This period may be extended until 19 May inclusive if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the painting at the recommended price of 557,218 (including VAT) is expressed.

Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the painting should contact the owners agent through:

The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Wellcome Wolfson Building
165 Queens Gate
South Kensington
London SW7 5HD
Telephone 020 7273 8270

Notes to Editors

1. For all media enquiries please contact Senior Media Relations Adviser, Sunita Sharma,on 020 7273 8299, email: [email protected].

2. For enquiries on the operation of and casework arising from the work of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA) please contact Frances Wilson, RCEWA Secretary, on 020 7273 8270, email [email protected].

3. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by MLA, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria. Where the Committee finds that an object meets one or more of the criteria, it will normally recommend that the decision on the export licence application should be deferred for a specified period. An offer may then be made from within the United Kingdom at or above the fair market price.

4. The details of the painting are:
William Dyce (1806-1864)
Welsh landscape with two women knitting
oil on prepared board
1860
34.3 x 49.5 cm

153/09

Schillings grows family department to meet increasing client demand

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Schillings, the leading law firm protecting the rights and reputations of corporate organisations, high-profile individuals and those in the public eye, has increased its family department to meet the growing demand from its clients, particularly those who want to ensure their family and matrimonial matters are not publicised by the media.
Schillings has recently recruited Davina Hay to join its family law department alongside Keith Schilling, Rachel Atkins and David Greer. A litigator with expertise in family law, Davina advises on separation, divorce and ancillary relief, jurisdictional disputes, multi-jurisdictional divorce cases involving significant assets and enforcement issues. Before she joined Schillings, Davina trained and qualified at a City law firm where she spent six years acting for a number of well known actors, successful entrepreneurs and international clients. She brings with her extensive experience as a litigator and enhances the firm’s provision of advice to high net-worth and high profile individuals in all aspects of divorce, relationship breakdown, ancillary relief, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and private children matters.
Schillings’ family department is led by Keith Schilling, the founder and senior partner of the firm, who represented Shan Lambert in her successful appeal in 2002, achieving the first 50/50 split of assets in a big money divorce.
Working alongside Mr Schilling is Partner Rachel Atkins who earlier this year, together with Associate David Greer, acted for a celebrity father in a test case following the introduction of new rules allowing media attendance in family proceedings, and succeeded in application to exclude the media from attending court hearings concerning his child.
When speaking about the growing family department Keith Schilling said, In the last few years we have seen a significant increase in the demand for advice from high net worth and high profile individuals in connection with matters relating to divorce, often involving multiple jurisdictions, children and most notably pre- and post-nuptial agreements
Mr Schilling went on to say, High net worth individuals and those in the public eye regularly discover their privacy has been invaded or their reputation defamed when details of their personal lives or the breakdown of their relationship are leaked to the press and publicised. It is logical, therefore, to respond to the demand from our clients by strengthening our team and combining our family and matrimonial advice with the firm’s pre-eminent experience in the area of reputation protection, so that we can ensure that press interest is managed to our client’s advantage
Speaking about the press interest surrounding high net worth individuals and those in the public eye Davina Hay said, Clients, even those without a high public profile, are increasingly finding themselves the subject of intrusive press interest following relationship breakdown or in the event of disputes involving children. Aside from the unwanted emotional strain at an already stressful time, the financial consequences of the resulting reputational damage can be devastating. However, it is possible to manage such threats and give clients the space to resolve family issues free from unwanted media scrutiny
- END -
About Schillings:
Schillings is one of Britain’s top law firms dedicated to safeguarding the rights and reputations of international corporations and brands, high-profile business people and those in the public eye. The firm’s 25 year track-record in defamation, privacy law and copyright cases together with family and matrimonial and commercial dispute resolution is second to none.
Defamation, privacy law and copyright are at the heart of the firm’s work, prompting The Independent newspaper to call Schillings a spectacularly efficient media law firm.
Schillings clients include entertainer Madonna, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actress Kate Winslet, seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Potter author JK Rowling, pharmaceuticals maker GlaxoSmithKline, steel maker Arcelor Mittal, the Harrods Group and the London Stock Exchange.
Schillings PR contact:
Christopher Mills
Commercial Director
Schillings
41 Bedford Square
London
WC1B 3HX
020 7034 9000
www.schillings.co.uk

Source: WEBWIRE

Optical Express sponsors the Kirsty Clubs Angel Ball 2009

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Optical Express has donated free laser eye surgery to the Kirsty Club’s annual Angel Ball, in an effort to support the Francis House Children’s Hopsice in Manchester. Held on Saturday, November 21st at the Hallmark Hotel, the event raised funds for the Hospice, a centre which provides support and care for terminally ill children and their families. The free surgery, available to be redeemed at any of Optical Express’ clinics across the UK and Europe, was raffled off among other prizes.
The star-studded event was hosted by Mike Sweeney. Other attendees included supermodel Caprice, singer Russell Watson, actor and singer Richard Fleeshman, and actors Sue Jenkins, David Fleeshman, William Roach and Denise Welch, among others.
Held annually since 2006, the Angel Ball was originally part of the campaign Kristy’s Appeal, designed to raise £5 million for the Francis House. After meeting this goal, the charity Kristy’s Club was founded, to provide continued support for the growth and ongoing running of the Hospice.
The namesake of the campaign and charity is Kirsty Howard, a young Briton living with a rare and unnamed condition where her heart is back to front, causing her internal organs to be misaligned. This inoperable condition requires constant treatment, including a steady supply of oxygen. In 1999, at the age of 3, Kirsty was given just six weeks to live. She celebrated her 14th birthday this September. She has won numerous awards for her courage and charity work, including the 2001 Child of Courage Award, the 2002 Pride of Britain Award, and the 2004 Helen Rollason Award.
Joanna Patterson, marketing assistant for Optical Express, commented on the significance of supporting such an event: Kirsty’s Club is such a great cause, and one that we were more than happy to support. Kirsty and all of the work that she has done to raise money for Francis House is inspirational, to say the least, and we were glad for the opportunity to contribute
Francis House Children’s Hospice, the brainchild of Sister Aloysius, was opened in November 1991 by the late Princess Diana of Wales.
About Optical Express
The Optical Express Group was founded in 1991 and is now a global leader of selected healthcare services, specialising in opticians services. The group covers optical stores, refractive laser eye surgery, glasses, contact lenses as well as dental clinics.
Optical Express provides trained specialists to help patients determine which laser eye surgery treatment is best suited to their unique needs and offers the most advanced eye surgery treatments such as LASIK eye surgery and LASEK as well as Advanced CustomVue Wavefront and Intralase.
For more information, please contact:
Lindsay Taylor
Marketing & Communications
5 Deerdykes Road
Westfield Industrial Estate
Cumbernauld
Glasgow
G68 9HF
+44 (0)1236 723 300
uk.opticalexpress.com

Source: WEBWIRE

British Innovation shines at the iAWARDS

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Hosting the event, Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson said,

The iawards winners epitomise the best of British innovation that will drive the future growth of our economy and make Britain a better place to live and work. Im delighted to be part of an event celebrating British success.

Co-host, business entrepreneur, James Caan said, All of the finalists have demonstrated that Britain is home to some of the best innovators in the world. Im privileged to be part of the iawards and recognise and honour all finalists for their expertise and vital contribution they make to our economy. Id like to say huge congratulations to all of the winners who have helped bring the deserved attention to these new technologies and innovations.

THE iAWARDS WINNERS

The iaward of the year and iaward for best technology start-up

Horizon Discovery Ltd, Cambridge: X-MAN Model Cancer Patient

A tool that identifies personalised cancer medications – reducing Rwww.iawards.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. All entrants had to specify the British involvement in any innovation – demonstrating that creative thinking and development came from a British organisation or team. Each entry also had to illustrate how its innovative qualities relate to at least one of the following challenges:

Addressing the healthcare needs of an ageing society;

Increasing international security from tackling global poverty to minimising the threat of terrorism;

Preserving finite natural resources in the face of population growth and climate change; and

Delivering public services which make best use of new technologies.

2. Winners of the awards will be helped by UK Trade < Investment (UKTI) to meet potential business partners at key industry events, such as the giant Medica trade fair in Germany and TechnologyWorld in Coventry. They will also receive public relations support from the iawards team. All shortlisted entries and the winners will also have exclusive access to the iawards logo.

Department for Business, Innovation < Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS – Investing in our future.

BBC Children in Need Appeal raises £20,309,747! Pudsey pounds stack up for 2009 Appeal

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The great British public has risen to the occasion once again and raised an astonishing £20,309,747 for BBC Children in Need which will go on to make a positive change thousands of young lives.
Celebrating its 30th Appeal, the show marked the crescendo of this year’s activities through a star-studded feast of family entertainment in order to help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Highlights include:
* A Motown musical sensation in Albert Square from the cast of EastEnders
* All the way from the USA, singing sensation Taylor Swift performing Love Story
* The official Children in Need single performance from the comedian and singer, Peter Kay, featuring 100 famous animated characters from children’s television singing a medley of hit songs
* JLS performed Everybody In Love
* Pixie Lott performed Girls And Boys
* Full Steam Ahead by Annie Lennox and David Gray
* A preview of the Doctor Who Christmas special
* Gary Barlow dropped in to present a cheque for £2,125,932 from the proceeds of the BBC Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall Concert
* Dragon’s Den renovating a Children in Need project building
* Messages from Pudsey’s friends Lady Gaga, Pink, Harry Potter, Zac Effron, Wallace and Gromit and Cheryl Cole
* And, of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without the Newsreaders, who performed a Bootylicious routine to bring in the money with the winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Diversity!
* A Radio 2 cheque of £1,869,394
At the helm was Children in Need veteran Terry Wogan who was joined by TV darlings Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon to present the seven-hour entertainment marathon live from London’s Television Centre, linking BBC studios from across the UK in Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow, as well as broadcasts from venues across England celebrating the efforts of fundraisers all over the country!
The Appeal Night represents an exciting culmination of fundraising activity for BBC Children in Need, but the total will continue to rise as the money pours in from the thousands of events already held, or scheduled to happen, around the UK.
From cake sales in the office to talent contests at school, from sitting in a bath of baked beans to all the bike-a-thons, hop-a-thons, skip-a-thons and the eye-watering wax-a-thons, a huge community of supporters have come together to Do Something Different for Pudsey.
And it’s not too late to get involved, either by organising a fundraising event, calling our donation line on 0345 733 2233 or visiting bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
Terry Wogan said: This year we surpassed all expectations with the amount raised and I am in awe that in these tough times, the British public has shown such tremendous support and generosity. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved and for the extraordinary lengths the country has gone to help raise money for disadvantaged children
The final On the Night total was: £20,309,747.
The regional totals are:
* Scotland £1,646,887
* Northern Ireland £623,276
* Wales £1,135,474
* North West £1,669,005
* East Yorks & Lincs £424,122
* Yorkshire £1,186,439
* North East & Cumbria £1,006,542
* West Midlands £1,486,165
* East Midlands £1,022,057
* East £1,468,099
* West £828,842
* South West £548,302
* South £1,301,219
* South East £1,053,287
* London £2,540,636
Notes to Editors
The BBC Children in Need in Appeal is a registered charity number 802052.
Last year’s BBC Children in Need television broadcast raised £20,991,216 million on the night and the 2008 Appeal total eventually topped £38 million.
BBC Children in Need’s mission is to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Every year, thanks to public donations and the amazing efforts of fundraisers, schools, businesses and our corporate partners, we are able to make a difference to thousands of young lives.
BBC Children in Need awards grants to organisations working with children aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, abuse or neglect.
The charity is supported by a number of corporate partners including Asda, Boots, Costco, Royal Mail, Greggs and our operational partner BT.
Pictures are available from bbcpictures.com.

Source: WEBWIRE

Orchestra Conducts International Auditions via Cisco TelePresence

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Cisco Collaboration Platform Enables Musicians Across the Globe to Try Out for Southbank Sinfonia.
LONDON, – Southbank Sinfonia, Britain’s best-known orchestra of young professional musicians and the country’s leading orchestral academy, has for the second consecutive year hosted international auditions for its ensemble using Cisco TelePresenceTM, a technology allowing for life-size, high-definition video collaboration. The auditions were held last week in the Cisco London office.
Over 300 musicians from across the world applied to take part in the auditions, from countries as diverse as Taiwan, Sweden and Canada. Traditionally, musicians would have had to fly to London for the chance to undertake the 15-minute audition at significant cost and time. However, this year, two young musicians in Australia have for the first time auditioned using Cisco TelePresence suites in their own country.
The two Australian musicians performed live, while being assessed in real time by the select panel of judges back in London. This was made possible by the quality of the wideband spatial audio and the clarity of very high-definition video delivered by the Cisco TelePresence technology. As well as reducing the travel costs incurred and time commitment required by the candidates, Cisco TelePresence technology lowered the process’s environmental impact.
Facts/Highlights:
* The judging panel consisted of Simon Over (co-founder and music director of Southbank Sinfonia), Michael Berman (chairman of Southbank Sinfonia) and Jennifer Nickson (Royal Opera House).
* This year’s Cisco TelePresence auditions took place in Sydney, Australia. Last year Cisco TelePresence auditions were held in Scotland, Spain, New Zealand and the United States.
* Cisco is committed to a high level of environmental responsibility in its business operations, culture, products and customer solutions. Cisco’s vision is for the power of technology to transform how the world manages its environmental and energy challenges.
* Cisco now has more than 300 TelePresence customers, with some global customer deployments extending beyond 100 units.
* Internally, Cisco has deployed over 650 TelePresence units in more than 200 cities across 45 countries, which has allowed it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from business travel by an estimated 186,786 metric tons.
Supporting Quotes:
* Simon Over, music director of Southbank Sinfonia
Southbank Sinfonia is committed to ensuring that the world’s most talented and promising players, destined to be the future caretakers of orchestra, are not lost from the profession in the difficult period immediately following their time at music college. Last year Cisco enabled us to bring together performers who might not have been able to audition previously, and its technology has opened up an exciting range of new possibilities. We’re delighted to be working with Cisco again this year to help us establish Southbank Sinfonia as an important contributor to musical life in Britain and beyond
* Phil Smith, Cisco vice president and chief executive for UK and Ireland
Cisco believes that technology has the power to transform how the world collaborates and manages its environmental challenges. Businesses across the world are adopting TelePresence technology to do just that, but there are benefits for organisations of all types. Last year Cisco TelePresence opened the opportunity of auditions to young musicians, and this year we are building on that success. Cisco is thrilled to continue its work with Southbank Sinfonia and allow them to overcome the barriers of time, distance and cost whilst minimising its impact on the environment

Source: WEBWIRE

Celebration as Holocaust Bill is given Royal Assent

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The Bill, introduced on 26th January this year, will give the governing bodies of national institutions named in the Bill the power to return an object from their collection to its rightful owner, as determined by the Spoliation Advisory Panel.

Andrew Dismore, proposer of the Bill, and MP for Hendon, said:

I was delighted to have the opportunity of introducing this Bill in the Commons and with all-party support seeing it through, even though it had no procedural priority whatsoever.

It shows what could be achieved by a determined backbencher: by rolling out my sleeping bag and sleeping on the floor of the Public Bill Office overnight, I was able to become the first in the queue to apply for Second Readings after the balloted Bills, and this tactic paid off.

Once it becomes an Act, the Bill will right a long-standing injustice by giving powers to museums and galleries to return pieces of art and cultural objects taken from their rightful owners during the period of the Nazi regime.

Whilst I do not envisage the Act having to be used very frequently, this is an important moral step, to ensure that we can close yet a further chapter on the appalling crimes of the Holocaust.

Before the passing of the bill, the Spoliation Panel could recommend an object from a local institution be returned to the claimant, if they were satisfied that the item had been stolen during the Nazi era (1933-1945). However, national institutions are forbidden by legislation from deaccessioning items, even if they too have been investigated and judged to have been stolen. Up until now a valuation of the object has been carried out in such cases and an ex-gratia payment made in lieu of the return of the item. Due to the success of this Bill, national institutions will now be able to return treasures to claimants if the panel so recommends and Ministers agree.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge, said:

This is a wonderful day, both for Andrew and those who will benefit from this change in legislation. For too long, families who had heirlooms stolen from them by the Nazis were unable to reclaim them, although they were the rightful owners. This new Act will restore the possibility for families who suffered so terribly during the Nazi era, to get some justice by getting back their heirlooms.

Lord Janner of Braunstone Q.C., who supported this Bill through the Lords, said:

The issue of restitution is of vital importance to me. My entire family in Lithuania and Latvia were murdered by the Nazis, the killers stole all of their property. This bill will at least give families of some holocaust victims the power to reclaim some of their family property, which is in Britain.

I am delighted that this bill has been supported by all political parties, in both houses of parliament and I give special thanks to Andrew Dismore for bringing this Bill through the Commons.
Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:

We are extremely grateful for the invaluable assistance of officials and politicians at DCMS, and in Parliament, in bringing about this piece of legislation and would like particularly to acknowledge Andrew Dismores role in the
Commons and Lord Janners in the Lords.

The Act corrects an anomaly that most people would be surprised existed, and means that common sense prevails in the case of the rightful heirs of looted artefacts being able to recover them. In some small way, it helps to ease the pain of the enormous hurt of the Holocaust by at least allowing items of sentimental and emotional value to be restored the victims or their families.

Anne Webber, Co-chair of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe, said:

This is a great step forward and confirms Britains commitment to providing justice even at this late stage. Objects taken by the Nazis have immense meaning to the families concerned and returning them provides some small measure of justice and consolation for the lives that were destroyed. We greatly appreciate the role of ministers and officials at the DCMS and particularly of Andrew Dismore MP who introduced and spearheaded this bill, and hope other countries which have not yet made restitution possible will follow Britains lead.
Scottish Government Culture Minister Michael Russell said:

The Royal Assent to the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill is a significant moment and demonstrates theimportance the Scottish Government and the UK Government place on thisissue.

Introducing this legislation alongside the rest of the UK, ensures that should any instances arise, Scotlands National Institutions will have the ability to return cultural objects that were looted during the Holocaust era to their rightful owners. I firmly believe this is the right thing to do.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 26 January and was given Royal Asset on 12 November. It is a Private Members Bill which has been supported by the Government. The Bill gives the governing bodies of the national institutions named in the Bill a power to transfer an object from their collection and return it to the claimant, provided that the Spoliation Advisory Panel recommends return and Ministers agree, thus putting them on the same footing as other museums which can make such returns. The Bill will expire on 12 November 2019. The power extends to national institutions in Scotland, following the agreement of the Scottish Parliament in a motion passed on 25 June. The power is not needed in Wales and Northern Ireland, where museums can return such items.

2. The powers in the Act, will be brought into force shortly by a commencement Order made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ben Bradshaw.

3. The then Arts Minister Alan Howarth announced the setting up of a Panel to help resolve claims on art looted during the Nazi era on 17 February 2000 and the full membership of the Panel on 13 April 2000.

4. The Declaration of Principles agreed at the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets of December 1998 states, among the other principles, that:

a. pre-War owners and their heirs should be encouraged to come forward and make known their claims to art confiscated by the Nazis and not subsequently restituted;

b. if the pre-War owners of art that is found to have been confiscated by the Nazis and not subsequently restituted, or their heirs, can be identified, steps should be taken expeditiously to achieve a just and fair solution, recognising this may vary according to the facts and circumstances surrounding a specific case.

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Sea Change ship comes in for England’s coastal towns

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Seven coastal resorts across the country from the South West to the North East are receiving a grant including, Plymouth, Barrow-in-Furness, Fleetwood, St Ives, Roker, North Tyneside and Margate. The Sea Change programme, funded by DCMS, is designed to invigorate Englands seaside towns through investment in culture and heritage.

Margaret Hodge, Culture and Tourism Minister, said:

What I love most about the Sea Change programme is the huge variety and diversity of the projects that receive funding. Whats exciting is that many of these grants will enable our seaside towns to celebrate their fantastic heritage and history whilst at the same time making the services and cultural facilities they offer completely relevant for the future.

Sea Change is all about investing in culture and heritage to stimulate regeneration in coastal towns that are struggling.

CABE Chief Executive Richard Simmons commenting on behalf of the Sea Change partnership said:

These seven projects all demonstrate how culture can be a catalyst to recapture the flair that these places enjoyed in their heyday. I especially like the plan to regenerate Dreamland in Margate, and showcase the countrys oldest rollercoaster and a listed scenic railway. It is ambitious projects like this, creating new national attractions, that can rekindle the English love affair with our seaside.

Margate has been awarded 3.7 million to help fund an ambitious project to rejuvenate the towns Dreamland Amusement Park. This includes plans to restore a collection of historic amusement rides many of which are the last surviving examples of their type. The listed scenic railway and the oldest surviving rollercoaster in the UK will be restored and the Grade II* listed Dreamland cinema will also be given a facelift.

In North Tyneside a Sea Change grant of 2 million will help transform the Grade II* listed Tynemouth station, arguably one of the finest and most important examples of a Victorian railway station in Britain. The funding will ensure the historic canopies on the building can be repaired, and the plans also include enhancing the existing exhibition space.

A 1 million grant for Roker, in Sunderland will help revive the town as a thriving historic coastal resort. Sea Change funding will be used to create a trail inspired by the areas heritage and culture and also create an illuminated exhibition space.

The historic fishing industry in St Ives will be celebrated with a Sea Change grant of 900,000 to take forward plans to redevelop and restore the 200 year old Grade II* listed Porthmeor Studios. The complex faces on to the beach and epitomises the connection between the town, fishing industry and local artists. As part of the project, new studios will be created and two of the old fishermens cellars will be refurbished.

Fleetwood, in Wyre will receive funding of 835,000 to create a performance and recreational space on the seafront at the North Parade. The scheme will reflect the viking, roman and neolithic history of the resort. A mythic trail along the coast will be developed and an observation centre for local bird and wildlife created, as well as a public art programme which will see local artists compete to design and manufacture artwork that will then be displayed in three locations along the coast.

A new visitor centre on Piel Island in Barrow-in-Furness will be created with a Sea Change grant of 280,000. The new centre housed in a refurbished building at the Grade II listed Ship Inn will also provide information about local heritage and orientation for walkers.

And a development grant of 100,000 for Plymouth will help develop plans for relocating the Plymouth Arts Centre on the Hoe. The plans are for a centre that will house two cinemas, as well as education and production spaces along with a cafe.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Sea Change programme runs for three years from 2008 to 2011, giving a range of large and small grants each year to seaside resorts. It is led by CABE working with the Regional Development Agencies, English Heritage, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. It was announced in November 2007. DCMS press notice 147 which refers to this can be found at www.culture.gov.uk

Identity card launch date announced

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Anyone with a home or work address in the Greater Manchester region can now make an appointment to register for their identity card, with the first appointments taking place at the end of this month.

The 30 cards will provide a secure and convenient way for people to prove their identity when they are undertaking individual transactions or buying age-restricted goods. The cards can also be used in place of a passport for travel throughout Europe.

Identity Minister Meg Hillier said:

This is an exciting time. Todays announcement is the final step towards issuing secure identity cards to the residents of Greater Manchester.

Identity cards will prove themselves extremely useful in daily life, from opening a bank account to entering a nightclub, and for travel to Europe.

Earlier today Home Office Minister and Minister for the North West of England, Phil Woolas, enrolled for his identity card at the Identity and Passport Service office in central Manchester.

Phil Woolas said:

Today marks a major milestone for the launch of identity cards.

From today, the people of Greater Manchester can book their identity card appointments.

Having been through the enrolment process this morning, I can vouch for the fact it is simple, secure and only takes around 15 minutes.

Notes to Editors

1.Identity Minister Meg Hillier today signed the commencement order allowing the Identity and Passport Service to begin issuing identity cards to those living or working in Greater Manchester from 30 November.

2.The National Identity Service will deliver recognisable benefits to residents, businesses and local authorities. They include:

a universal and simple proof of identity that brings convenience for organisations and individuals and means an end to the use of photocopied bank statements, phone bills and birth certificates;

ensuring that foreign nationals living, working and studying here legally are able to easily prove their identity and prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of Britain; and

travel in Europe, using the identity card which fits in a wallet or purse.

3.Individuals can get more information or make an appointment for an identity card by calling 0300 330 0000.

4.Further information on the National Identity Service for individuals, can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/idsmart, and for businesses at www.businesslink.gov.uk/idsmart.

5.Since 20 October, staff and contractors at the Identity and Passport Service, as well as Home Office staff and ministers have been able to apply for an identity card. It is under these provisions that Phil Woolas enrolled today.

Tamil, Muslim political parties find their table in Zurich

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Widely speculated as a drama backed by ‘high-powers,’ leaders of most of the Tamil and Muslim political parties in the island of Sri Lanka are meeting for the first time in Zurich, Switzerland, between Thursday and Saturday. The move is said to be for ‘extracting’ a joint proclamation of them necessary for further power manoeuvres in the island. A couple of years ago it was such a behind-the-scene move of some powers that made most of these parties except the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to rally behind Mahinda Rajapaksa and pledge support to him in the war that brought in disaster to Tamils, writes TamilNet political commentator in Colombo.

The commentator further writes:

Rajavarothayam Sampanthan, the parliamentary group leader of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Mavai Senathirajah (TNA), Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF-S, TNA), Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam (All Ceylon Tamil Congress, TNA), Arumugam Thondaman (CWC),Muthu Sivalingam (CWC), Mano Ganesan (DPA), Douglas Devananda (EPDP), P. Chandrasekaran (UPF), Ananda Sangaree (TULF), T. Sritharan (EPRLF-P), Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan (TMVP), D. Siddharthan (PLOTE) and Rauff Hakeem (SLMC) have flown to Switzerland from Colombo.

Immediately after the war a group in London met to discuss to bring in ‘all non-LTTE political groups’ to come out with a political programme to achieve ‘minimum’ demands.

This group is now disappointed that the effort has been ‘hijacked’ by some other elements in London.

The meet in Zurich is now organised by Tamil Information Centre of London with the blessings of India, well-informed sources in Colombo say. In the meantime, sources in Chennai try to downplay the role of India, saying that it was primarily an initiation of US and Britain, with reluctant participation of India.

Timed for the Zurich meet, a BBC report by Anbarasan Ethiraj on Tuesday, said that the LTTE ‘failed’ in the political mobilisation of Tamils even in the diaspora.

A Tamil journalist, known for his leanings towards India, a few days ago came out with an article defending the Rajapaksa family along with ‘inside’ stories abusive of Sarath Fonseka.

When diaspora Tamils in Norway for the first time successfully demonstrated democratically elected polity for them upholding the independence and sovereignty of Eezham Tamils, instead of welcoming a pioneering democratic effort it was received with bias by sections of media trying to project Tamil nationalism as nothing but an LTTE agenda.

Meanwhile, a media run by a Tamil that always jumps at reacting to even slightest criticism on any US policy also now joins in discrediting Eezham Tamils organising their national politics on their own.

Quite for some time now, an esoteric section in the TNA ever since its return from New Delhi is working on some ‘formula’, which was not known even to most of its members for a long time.

When the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), upholding Tamil sovereignty, was formed a couple of months back to look after Eezham Tamil development, a key US official is said to have told the representatives of the GTF that they should think of solutions within one-state formula.

Some personalities seen as operating behind the Zurich meet are said to be contemptuous to moves re-mandating the Vaddukkoaddai Resolution that spells out independence and sovereignty of Eezham Tamils.

Certain circles are arguing for quite sometime now that political demands in the diaspora should match ‘ground realities’ and there should be a ‘joint voice.’ The hint is that the diaspora should not demand anything higher than what is possible for Tamils to open mouth about them in the island.

Efforts to shift the Tamil political focus to Switzerland have been going on for quite sometime with necessary groundwork.

Sections of Tamil media are wondering what power could be behind the Zurich Meet. They fail to understand that maintaining the ‘unity and integrity’ of the state in Sri Lanka at any cost, and however injustice it could be, seeing that Tamils are made to drop their national aspirations, are not a single-power agenda, whatever differences that may be existing among the ‘strategic partners’.

Before May, intelligence agencies of certain powers were busy with an anxious question what will be the reaction of Tamils if anything happens to LTTE leader Pirapaharan. Now they are again busy with another anxious question whether violent politics will again surface among Tamils. The anxiety raises suspicion in Tamil circles whether the powers are not confident or don’t foresee their manoeuvres bringing in satisfactory solutions to Tamil grievances.

There will be no room for anxiety if democratic politics are not hijacked and the world listens to and acts on the democratic aspirations of people.

Sinhala polity responds to the situation with its traditional intelligence by producing Rajapaksa–Fonseka equation to conveniently deny any political aspirations conceded to Tamils.

Some of the participants of the Zurich Meet couldn’t have come without consent from Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is now desperate to save his skin.

Powers stage-managing the Rajapaksa–Fonseka equation care only to score points among themselves in the geopolitical competition of dominating the island kept as a whole, and think that accommodating aspirations of Eezham Tamil nationalism is irrelevant in such an exercise.

The determined and concerted efforts of powers in nullifying historically justified cause of Eezham Tamil nationalism, when fought militarily or democratically, are surprising. But, more surprising is the attitude of some personalities among Tamils, who have no faith in the political will power of their own people.

No one can justify discrediting any unity of the political parties of the affected people in the island. But whether the aim of the sponsors who forge Tamil politics from the above is bringing in unity for the cause or unity for the surrender of the cause that has not been surrendered in the crushed militant struggle, is the question.

The Zurich meet may become a success to ‘reconciliation politics’ if it can pave way to set a political de facto situation in the island for Tamils and Muslims, for an engagement of parity with the Sri Lankan state. Otherwise it is just eyewash of helpless forces acting on behalf of Sri Lankan state and powers of vested interests, which in a highly nuanced way now try to invest the responsibility of protecting Rajapaksa regime on Tamils and Muslims.

Source: TamilNet

Winter is the perfect time to buy a convertible at Autoquake.com

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It may be cold and dark outside, but now is the time to buy a convertible at Autoquake. Britain’s largest online used car retailer has over 50 drop-tops in stock at prices which have plummeted by an average of £1,403 (10%) in just two months.
‘The market for convertibles always goes quiet in winter, but this year’s price drops are steeper than normal,’ said Fredrik Skantze, Autoquake’s Founder. ‘Smart buyers can take advantage of this seasonal trend to buy a car for hundreds of pounds less than they might pay in spring or summer.’
The Autoquake stock of Audi convertibles is on average £1,923 (10.7%) cheaper than two months ago. Used Peugeot convertibles are down £960 (11.5%) and used Renaults have dropped by £1307 (15.1%).
In spite of Britain’s reputation for bad weather, wet days make up less than half the year (153 days annually*), and winter is only slightly wetter than summer, so there’s no need to be put off running a convertible all-year round.
‘There are 15 wet days in December. That’s just three more than in July,’ explained Skantze. ‘Even if the weather turns, modern drop-tops are well insulated against the cold, and the latest generation of cars with folding metal hard-tops in place of a fabric roof are just like coupés with the roof raised.’
The speed at which convertible car prices are falling is outstripping the rest of the used car market. Autoquake’s stock has seen an average fall of 7.6% from September to November. While convertible prices have dropped 10%, estates have fallen by 8.3%, five-seat MPVs have dropped by 7.9%, and executive saloons have lost 6.9%.
Buyers shouldn’t expect these low prices to last forever. ‘We expect prices to stabilise or rise slightly in January, and convertible prices will pick up in the spring,’ said Skantze. ‘So now is the time to buy a bargain.’
*Annual rainfall for the London area, according to the BBC Weather website.

Source: WEBWIRE

Growing Scotland’s digital economy

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He will emphasise the Governments commitment to ensure towns, cities and remote areas of Scotland will have access to next generation networks by 2017. With the help of Government funding, high speed broadband will be delivered to areas that would not be reached by private sector investment alone.

Stephen Timms said:

Digital Britains aim is to make the UK one of the most competitive, highly skilled and technologically advanced economies in the world.

The Government will spend some 200m on improving the broadband networks of areas that have little or no service, including remote parts of Scotland.

Already the market in Scotland is delivering innovative ways of connecting people to these superfast networks. The Fibrecity initiative is already delivering 100Mbps broadband to residents in Dundee via fibre optic networks beneath the city.

It is this kind of market-led investment, supported by Government funding that I want to see rolled out more widely so that all parts of Scotland can enjoy a brighter Digital Future.

In a meeting with Peter Peacock MSP, Consumer Focus Scotland and representatives of local authority and telecoms groups, Stephen Timms will outline developments in the Digital Britain agenda and talk about the Governments plans for boosting access to broadband and digital inclusion across the UK.

Trisha McAuley, Interim Director, Consumer Focus Scotland, said:

Digital exclusion is a major issue in Scotland, particularly for those living in rural and remote areas.

The Digital Britain report makes a positive commitment to universal access to broadband in the UK, although further work is needed.

We welcome the Ministers visit as an opportunity to discuss the particular broadband needs of Scottish consumers and how improvements to universal broadband can be effectively implemented in Scotland.

Schillings announce libel claim win for Michael Essien against The People

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The Chelsea premiership footballer Michael Essien, represented by London law firm Schillings, has won his libel claim against the People newspaper.
Libel proceedings were issued against MGN Limited, the publisher of the People newspaper, following the publication of two articles. The first article, published on 25 May 2008, carried the headline Chelsea Cheat Michael Essien: I’ll Stand by my Love Child. This was followed by another article on 3 May 2009 under the headline Sex Cheat Star Essien Gets Boot.
The articles claimed that Mr Essien had cheated on his long term partner by having numerous affairs with other women and fathered a child behind his partner’s back. As a result, his partner had called off their wedding. These allegations were found to be false and grossly defamatory towards Mr Essien.
The People has accepted that these allegations are untrue, and has paid Mr Essien substantial damages as well as agreeing to pay his legal costs. The People have also undertaken not to repeat the allegations.
In its apology, the People said: On 25 May 2008 and 3 May 2009 we reported that Michael Essien had cheated on his long term girlfriend Nadia Buari by having numerous affairs behind her back including one in which he fathered a child. On 3 May we reported that as a result of his behaviour Ms Buari called their wedding off. We now accept that these allegations are untrue. We apologise to Mr Essien for any distress or embarrassment caused
A representative of Schillings who represented Michael Essien said: There has been a lot of inaccurate reporting concerning Michael and he was not prepared to allow this misreporting to continue
Schillings also said that, these allegations were not put to Michael or his representatives prior to publication and had the People done so they would have been informed of their utter falsity
Caroline McAteer of The Sports PR Company said on behalf of Michael Essien: Michael is delighted to have won his case and to have set the record straight. He would have preferred not to take action, but had no alternative in this case. Michael is pleased that this matter has now been resolved
- END -
Notes to Editors:
Case number HQ09X02164
About Schillings:
Schillings is one of Britain’s top law firms specialising in reputation management for footballers, their clubs and other sports personalities. They also help protect corporate reputations, brands, celebrities and high-profile business people. The firm’s track-record in defamation, privacy law and copyright cases, as well as commercial dispute resolution is second to none.
Defamation privacy and copyright are at the heart of the firm’s work, prompting The Independent newspaper to call Schillings a spectacularly efficient media law firm
Schillings clients include the recording artist Madonna, supermodel Naomi Campbell, seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Harry Potter author JK Rowling, pharmaceuticals maker GlaxoSmithKline, steel maker Arcelor Mittal, the Harrods Group and the London Stock Exchange.
For further enquiries please:
Christopher Mills
Commercial Director
41 Bedford Square
London
WC1B 3HX
+44(0)20 7034 9000
www.schillings.co.uk

Source: WEBWIRE