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How the demise of the coal mining industry has brought about new leisure activities

June 11, 2012 by

Article by Pete

Unfortunately the demise of the coal mining industry during the 1980’s resulted in massive redundancy for many, who having not really experienced or trained in any other profession found themselves jobless, in financial struggle, and forced to re-train in another profession and start again from scratch. However after 2 decades of decay and ruin of previous coal mining operations many previous colliery sites and the railway lines connecting them have now taken on a new lease of life. With funding from local government these previously purely industrial areas have now been re-vamped into wonderful countryside trails and country parks.

This is most prominent in the area where I now live close to the border of North-East Derbyshire and West Nottinghamshire. Having lived in or close to this area most of my life I remember how about 30 years ago you couldn’t travel more than a few miles in any direction without coming across another working colliery, fortunately for the countryside lover you now cannot travel more than a few miles without happening upon another country park or countryside trail.

My heart goes out to all those men and their families who found themselves in difficult times when the pits were closed. Many of my school friends chose the colliery as a career when leaving school – a ‘job for life’ they were promised – only to find themselves unemployed only a few years later. Fortunately for me I had no desire to work down the pit and chose a different career path – I went into agriculture initially and then progressed into horticulture – so when many of my old friends found themselves without a job I was still working, albeit less pay but at least I was still in work, so for this reason I am pleased that I chose the path I did, but I sympathise deeply with those who ended up having to start again.

The coal-mining industry no doubt left behind its legacy with many houses being built around the colliery to provide homes for miners and their families, and even today many local towns and villages still show signs of the previous booming industry that was responsible for their birth in the first place. Rows and rows of terraced houses still stand although many have since been demolished and sometimes modern residences, other industrial units, or retail and leisure parks have sprung up on land previously occupied by the homes of colliery staff and their families. Miners welfare and working men• s clubs often still stand in legacy to their members previous professional status.

Gone are the days of a smoke filled sky from fires burning the local coal to keep families warm as most of the houses that were once called ‘home’ by mining families if still standing have been modernised to use alternative fuels such as gas or electricity, in almost all cases extensions have been added to the rear of these properties, attached outbuildings or a bedroom converted to create a modern indoor bathroom – no more going outside to an outbuilding to go to the toilet and no more tin baths in front of the fire. We get it much easier these days, lucky us! I myself now live with my family in one of these ex-pit houses with not one but three locations where once stood a pit-top with all the trimmings all within just one mile from my front door; three separate collieries less than a mile away, wow! Such is the legacy of coal mining.

Please forgive my ramblings; I am drifting away from my chosen aim and getting nostalgic so let me try and get back on track.My aim is to open the eyes of people to what great choice of countryside destinations are now on their own doorstep, thanks to a previous but now defunct local industry.

Within a mile of home for example we have two country parks and one industrial estate located on once pit-tops. The two country parks are connected by countryside trails that eventually lead off and link to other country parks several miles away, all of which used to be a colliery, and all linked by an amazing network of countryside trails – prior rail lines which once saw the passage of regular freight trains rather than the modern day passage of horse riders, cyclists, and of course walkers.

For example if we desire we can now ride our horse, cycle or walk from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire to Grassmoor, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire and back again without having to pass down a road, just occasionally cross one. The local country park and trail network allows us to leisurely stroll or ride between Mansfield Woodhouse (Notts), Pleasley (Notts and Derbys), Shirebrook (Derbys), Teversal (Notts), Rowthorne (Derbys), Skegby and Stanton Hill (Notts), Sutton-in-Ashfield (Notts), Huthwaite (Notts), Tibshelf (Derbys), Newton and Blackwell (Derbys), Morton (Derbys), Pilsley (Derbys)*, Holmewood and Williamthorpe (Derbys), North Wingfield (Derbys), Grassmoor (Derbys), South Normanton (Derbys), and New Houghton (Derbys) without passing along a road for more than a few metres. I’m sure there’s more but can’t think of them all at the moment.

Amazing isn’t it!

Miles upon miles of pleasant undisturbed paths to explore at your leisure.Note: *Pilsley refers to Pilsley in the Bolsover district and not Pilsley in the Derbyshire Dales.

If you think you can’t top that then check this out!

Of those 20 places mentioned above 10 of them also have country parks where once stood the local pit. Grassmoor, Tibshelf, Williamthorpe, Teversal, Shirebrook, Pleasley, and Morton have their own country parks whereas Stanton Hill, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Huthwaite are connected by one large country park known as ‘Brierly Forest Park’.

This is just the start of it; venture just a short distance from the most local area and there’s many more to check out!

I’m sure you can see my point now.

If you live in the area what I’m saying is ‘open your eyes and get out there’ leave the car at home and do some exploring from your own doorstep, there’s lots to discover! If you don’t live there then give it a visit anyway, it’s quite astounding!

About the Author

Look out for my Peak District and Derbyshire visitor eBook out next year (2012). Email me at peak-district-tours@live.co.uk to reserve your copy

peak-district-tours@live.co.uk

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UK Spa Industry Is Worth Over $1.7 Billion And Is Still Growing

June 11, 2012 by

Article by Maxi Media Matters

Spas and spa treatments are playing a significant role in our lives, and is big business. Treatments and a variety of services for the purpose of improving health, beauty and relaxation through personal care treatments such as massages and facials, helping to combat stress and addressing a general desire for well-being.

The impact that spas have had on the general economy is huge, and a Global report showed that the industry is worth more than 0 billion globally and the UK market alone is worth over .7 billion and still growing.

The general perception of a health spa is relaxation, luxury, women pampering themselves, but not so, of course the images of health spas do have an element of truth, these days there are spas that are suitable for all budgets, and many do cater for men just as much as women.

There are spas in London, Paris, New York, and Rome and all over the world, but are different forms a beauty salon simply because it contains facilities like sauna, pool, steam room and whirlpool that guests can use and enjoy in addition to their various treatments.

There are different types of spa, for example a destination spa is a short term residential facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits, and in years gone by many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters.

Resort spas as would indicate by the word ‘resort’ are generally located in resorts and offer similar services via rooms with services, meals, body treatments and fitness with varying levels of expertise. A resort-spa may also function as a day spa, as most will allow access to patrons who are not guests of the hotel.

London of course sees many visitors per year for business or pleasure and peppered across the city you will find many spas. London spas have entered the mainstream over the past few years, and offer a much greater range of choices, which can only be good for the consumer, furthermore with so much competition this will inevitably raise standards and lower prices and it is most definitely on the cards that the consumer is far more likely to find somewhere that offers the services they want at a price they can afford.

Hotel spas are certainly not new, in fact hotel spas have been common in Europe for centuries, and they were originally built around the healing waters of places like Bath or Royal Tunbridge Wells in the UK, or Baden-Baden and Marienbad in Germany and of course the hotels would feature the healing spas as an attraction for guests, much the same as spas London.

Spa breaks London can make for a wonderful escape, and city centres are a popular location for hotel spas from Paris to Madrid, New York to Sydney, these spas offer all the benefits of a spa with the chance to escape to a great tourist location.

A spokesman for Dolphin Square Spa located in Westminster said “our spa London offers treatments tailored to the individual guest, and include beauty treatments, therapeutic treatments, massages, and we unleash the purifying and detoxifying secrets of regular authentic Moroccan Hammam and Rhassoul rituals, rituals are completed with a refreshing glass of Moroccan tea”.

For further information visit: http://www.dolphinsquare.co.uk/spa/spa-facilities/the-spa

About the Author

Dolphin Square is represented by online advertising consultancy, Maxi Media Matters.

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Dollar Rent A Car Big Player in Car Rental Industry

March 10, 2012 by

Article by Abel Satiku

Dollar Rent A Car began doing business in the Los Angeles area in 1965, 20 years after Avis began in the same area. At the time, many observers weren?t sure how this upstart would compete in the well-established industry. Luckily for Dollar the industry had more than enough room for them to join in. Fourty plus years later, there are more than 350 Dollar Rent A Car locations in the United States and Canada and 650 total locations across the globe.

Dollar Rent A Car has always prided itself on specifically family oriented, fantastic service as well making sure their company is the most technologically advanced in the car rental game. It has also made the most of the marketing skills of its innovative staff.

Dollar Rent A Car began business with the idea of creating a niche for itself in the travel market. They were determined to be the first choice of a new market of vacationing travelers as well as the already more established traveling business person. Again, this was 1965, and airplane flights for vacations were a new concept for many Americans. It quickly become increasingly more routine and Dollar Rent A Car was able to make the most of this new market. For families that arrived at their destination who needed a car to get around in at their chosen destination, Dollar Rent A Car was there. This unique position created a successful business model for Dollar that they followed until they were purchased by the Chrysler Corporation in 1990.

At this time, Chrysler Motors was looking to expand their own market across the world. The company rightly decided that the more people they could get into their cars when they were renting, the more people would like the car they were renting and potentially buy a similar car when they were looking to purchase one as well. When this division of Chrysler named the Pentastar Group was formed, Chrysler purchased three existing rental car companies, Thrifty Car Rental, General Car Rental and Dollar Rent A Car. Of the three companies, both Thrifty and Dollar were left with their names intact. The General Car Rental companies were in one way or another absorbed into Dollar, who was thought to have the better name recognition. Many of the General Car Rental places just had their name changed, other companies that may have been located in the same airport or block would have been moved into the Dollar group completely. Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental both now provide customers with many choices of ?fine Chrysler vehicles? as well as Dodge and Jeep, two other Chrysler owned brands.

About the Author

The author Abel Satiku is very excited about topics like car rental. You might come across his observations on murcia car hire at different sources for murcia car hire knowledge.

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Leisure Travel Helps Travel Industry Show Increase

February 11, 2012 by

Article by Larry Buhrandt

High fuel costs and economic stress are taking their toll on yet another industry…The travel industry. An industry with multiyear growth is beginning to level off at mid year. And may only have a slight chance of ending the year with an increase, thanks to leisure travel sales.

The continued rising gasoline prices have already forced some consumers to cancel their vacation plans, according to a key consumer survey. Although leisure travel is still expected to continue growing this year, even if families are forced to vacation closer to home.

Although the number of domestic trips taken this year and next are not expected to decline, it has been suggested that the spending patterns and consumer choices may change. Substituting domestic travel for international trips, trading down in hotel quality, foregoing in-trip shopping or entertainment spending, and shorter stays are all viable options that will be considered.

Leisure travel was predicted to grow by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2008, and then pick up more speed with a 1.1% increase in the third quarter. Leisure travel is predicted to greatly increase in the second half of the year as Americans spend part or all of their tax rebate on travel. Time will tell if this prediction comes true.

The travel industry growth is being hurt mainly by the decline in business travel due to corporate cost controls and increased reliance on technology-based alternatives. This is expected to carry on through into the year 2009, as well. Unless we see some sign of relief at the pump, then some of these changes may be more temporary in nature.

But on a high note for our economy, the International travel to the United States will continue to grow. Due to the fact that our foreign visitors will continue benefiting from exchange rates and other factors that have combined to create an increase of international visitation. This is following strong increases from last year as well. It has been forecasted for foreign visits to reach 62.1 million next year, which is even 4.8% higher than the current year stats.

Although some reports indicate leisure travel to weaken in 2009, if problems caused by the credit and housing crises continue to hurt the overall economy. The total number of trips could decline by 0.4%, to 1.996 million,. and leisure travel would see its first decline since 2003.

As a person that loves to travel and enjoys time away from the daily routine, I believe I speak for all of us when I say that I hope the economy starts to turn around soon. I wouldn’t want us to have to go home to our families and break the news that there will be no summer vacation next year.

About the Author

Larry Buhrandt is a Certified Travel Agent with TraVerus Travel. He has a passion to travel and a desire to help others succeed in the travel industry.

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SPA: Spa countries to experience the world differently – Aromatherapy, SPA-Beauty Salon Industry

December 25, 2011 by

Article by hi joiney

is a hot topic in autumn and winter the temperature the lower the more people yearning for the warm spring far away in the arctic iceland blue lake new zealand lord of the rings mysterious fountain of rotorua and lake geneva in switzerland the most pure there are volcanic in indonesia maybe one of you already familiar with them had in mind for some time then cherish their yearning go do not miss this beautiful season br br iceland is not ice is full of br br special geography structure makes the icelandic underground heat roll only 800 have many natural country the water temperature reached 75 degrees celsius most of the terrible heat of about 180 degrees celsius maximum temperature up to looks like a burning pot of boiling water gulp kept bubbling hands can be a bit too untouchable however do not worry every family in iceland is hot water open faucet you can wash a bath bath in iceland is a piece henshuang thing in particular to iceland 39 s largest lake blue lake feelings will know once there is also a welcome pak nai mask br br with learning to make good use of maori spa br br since the quot lord of the rings quot series has swept the world after new zealand 39 s natural beauty has been in the world enjoys popular support mysterious brings a kind of maori culture and feel the joy the new zealand rotorua volcanic health spa is the perfect combination of sightseeing with the landscape model here you can witness a temperature quot pacific wenquan qi environment quot fitch said of the various s experience maori culture rotorua has a wide variety of s a temperature above 120 waves crest hot fog of s a pool of rainbow trout clear colorful cold spring local maori have long found that this department of mud has therapeutic effect here visitors can wash a mud bath the hot mineral rich mud containing the body painted mud dry and then a block off and go so tight in the warm spring water in the skin changes have lubrication gloss maori hands after the workshop is sure to take a visit to the which has maori heritage millennium compelling sculpture techniques maori also enjoy the unique food that is wrapped in a plant leaf fish meat and vegetables in a hot stone gradually steamed aromatic cuisine br br swiss cultural fusion spa br br mineral rich hot springs switzerland within about 250 springs many of which has over 300 years of history especially the outdoor hot spring throughout the year can be a taste of the characteristics of different seasons in switzerland hot springs mountain scenery is superb secondary more people feel comfortable is a highly developed mental and physical economy of the perfect unity of civilization and nature switzerland is such a place make friends from all over the country the world 39 s smallest geneva this unique metropolis organizations gathered here to carry out cultural activities or engage in humanitarian affairs qinglie the alps mountain spring water and countless blooming flowers give people away from the hustle and bustle the real feeling of being back in nature ideal for relaxing self finishing mood and from underground hot springs and spa while still allowing you to enjoy the rich gift of nature br br bali spa spa heaven br br hot springs in the crater has a surprising effect peak to soak in the steaming volcanic hot springs is absolutely unique experience puratirtaempul holy spring temple is located in ubud north tampaksiring the temple is built around a holy spring hence the name thousand years people think that this temple in bali and here are two places for bathing and for seeking health wealth the water here was allegedly quite effective quan grand temple architecture model complete where you can see all the temples in bali features bali has the world 39 s most traditional spa approach and thus become a hedonist who loves spa rush destination spa room has a rich balinese style a variety of bali massage modalities including reflexology swedish traditional balinese style physical therapy type and aromatherapy br br

About the Author

I am Components Electronic suppliers writer, reports some information about water well drills , gas liquid separator.

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