Tom Stoppard Dies So We Go Out To Lunch At The Nevill Arms

A wonderful local hostelry I am sure he would have appreciated

Fred Moss

2025-11-30T16:38:00.0000000 2025-11-30T17:54:43.0400000

It was announced today the British playwright Tom Stoppard has died aged 88. I was a fan. I grimaced when I saw the Sky News headline “co writer of the film Indiana Jones and the last crusade dies” or something like that. I am sure I was not the only one who thought whoever wrote that was completely clueless and should perhaps rethink their writing career.

It made me think of the famous Tom Stoppard quote, actress Cynthia Nixon reminded me of today as she reminisced being cast in her first Stoppard play “The Real Thing” along side her stage parents Christine Baranski and Jeremy Irons. Aged 17. It made me think how social media and the snippets of information shared do indeed shape perspectives and change lives.

"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little or make a poem which children will speak for you when you're dead." Tom Stoppard.

It was why I decided to join Poopsnoop in the first place when my friend, Shirley asked if I would muse periodically about the things I like and don’t. When something strikes you and you want to help or conversely when something winds you up. She said, just snap a few pictures. If people like it, vote it up, you’ll be rewarded she said. So I started snapping a few pictures and here we are. I didn’t take all these snaps at the same time. Like I said we go to the Nevill. We like it.

The truth is I go to the Nevill Arms quite a lot in Medbourne, not quite my local but not far to drive. I like propping up the bar. It’s a gorgeous old building. Anyone would appreciate the stone work outside, the small babling brook running outside and the bridge that crosses from the car park towards the front door.

You can definitely imagine days of old, horses and carriages pulling up and weary travellers taking refuge here.

The pub in the front is fantastic, the draft beer, or the ale as I’d imagine Tom calling it, delicious and the fires and chat available for anyone on their own. I take the family for lunch too particularly on a Sunday where the Fayre is hearty and filling. The portions are generous and home cooked food made with love, way better than your average carvery.

In the summer the courtyard outside is available for sunny afternoons spent boozing or hosting your event or party. The staff are wine and food buffs and the service is up there with the best gastro pubs in the area.

Main courses run between £15 and £24 depending on what you order, starters £6 to £10, desserts the same and the wine list whilst not extensive is well thought out and even a connoisseur which I am not I’ve been told can find something drinkable. I’ve taken a wine snob friend of mine and he said it was pretty good. In the week when I am grabbing a biscuit or cuppa soup in the staff room I am assured you can get a magnificent 2 course lunch for a mere £20 which if it’s anything like the portions they give you at the weekend it sounds like the deal of all deals. A joy to behold.

I also think you can stay there. You certainly used to be able to book rooms, but don’t quote me.

All in all a wonderful choice for lunch or dinner I would be happy to take Tom Stoppard had I had the occasion. Well thought out and delivering enjoyment with great skill and aplomb.

So in my love of a great playwright I raise a glass to my friends at the Nevill Arms and hope my words in this case nudge you all to book in and receive some holiday cheer from everyone who works hard to make this a special place.

See you in the bar. Mine’s a pint of bitter.

The Soup And The Warm And Fuzzies Have Gone Cold at Pret A Manger Market Harborough

How One Experience Can Change your Whole View Of A Business You Love

Fred Moss

2025-10-14T11:36:00.0000000 2025-10-16T08:27:33.2530000

This rant is not really about Pret A Manger in Market Harborough, a business I actually LOVE and a store I am in at least once a week if not twice sometimes three times.

Certainly often enough for the staff to recognise me and make jokes about how I always order the same thing.

So I love the souper tomato soup, even in the summer I buy it £4.95 and was pretty gutted when the Pret A Manger in Leicester closed down, I've even got Nottingham 10 High Street, Nottingham, GB NG1 2ET, on my radar, I like the business, I like the ethos and I completely respect what founder Julian Metcalfe did back in the 1980's to help the homeless and ex offenders back into work. When i got a new job at a school close to Market Harborough, this shop became my go to at lunch time, taking orders for other members of staff too.

Prets now a francise model with individual owners running every store but i have to say the warm vibes and exceptional customer service have continued to permeate and have kept me coming back...... a lot.

Until on my last but one visit I waited for about 20 minutes for the three soups I always buy, my choice, they'd had a rush on. When it was handed to me it felt cold. The member of staff I know who'd done the honours of preparing it for us assured me it was piping inside, she said it just went into a cold container. Oh, OK I said, paid and went on my way.

When we all opened the soup, in the car parked 10 minutes away, it was freezing, undrinkable. I could have returned it, but there wasn't time. I was on a tight lunch break. I just made a mental note to mention it next time I was in.

Fast forward to my next visit, when I did mention the cold soup to the member of staff serving, someone I didn't recognise, which also could be relevant. Maybe she thought I was just some shmuck trying to get a free soup.

She didn't seem remotely interested in my cold soup story, she said she'd mention it to the kitchen and proceded to charge me the £30 plus quid I always spend.

It was probably because I am so used to such exceptional customer service in this particular shop I was shocked. I told her I thought she'd at least have comped one soup, after I'd paid for everything.

She said if I'd expected it to be sorted I should have brought it back, which I guess is fair enough.

The problem for me is expectation. Pret A manger had set the bar so high, they made me feel so valued as a customer, remembering me, joking with me, being seemingly really happy to see me and grateful for my support, when I felt comfortable to share my disappointment with them, I got well nothing, almost a slap in the face which actually didn't stop me enjoying my hot soup that day but left me pondering was all the fluff actually real.

I of course will return to Pret A manger, I've been a loyal fan for over 20 years and I am sure if the original hardworking  girl I know had served me the response would have been completely different. Lunch at Pret doesn't end because of two cold soups. I just wanted to vent my frustration a little bit as to how my legitmate issue wasn't really addressed and how that made me feel, especially because I do spend a lot in there and it's my number one choice for lunch on the go.

Brilliant customer service has to be consistent to be BRILLIANT. It has been so good, I guess that's why I was shocked by this. Maybe business isn't as good as it once was. I certainly won't be mentioning anything again should things not come up to there usually exceptionally high standards.

Guide to Identifying Fake 8th Street Samba Sneakers by Ronnie Fieg for Adidas and Clarks

Identify Genuine 8th Street Samba: Key Features to Spot Counterfeits

Fred Moss

2025-10-06T08:08:00.0000000 2025-10-06T09:23:19.0170000

Spotting the Fakes: 10 Tell-Tale Signs of Counterfeit 8th Street Samba by Ronnie Fieg for Adidas and Clarks Originals

The sneaker world buzzed with excitement when Ronnie Fieg, the famed New York City shoe designer, announced his latest collaboration with Adidas and Clarks Originals. The 8th Street Samba, released on Christmas Day 2023, encapsulates the essence of street style combined with high-end fashion, making it an instant hit and a highly sought-after collectible. Fieg, well-known for his previous collaborations and close ties with NYC sports teams, brings a touch of local sports culture to his designs, further elevating their status in the collector's market.

As a skate boarder who's never given up the joy, a pair of 8th Street Samba By Ronnie Fieg For Adidas and Clarks Originals have been on my radar for a while. It's one collaboration globally that makes British shoemaker Clarks super cool.

However, with popularity comes the inevitable rise of counterfeits. Discerning the genuine from the fake is crucial, especially for collectors and fashion enthusiasts aiming to get their hands on this iconic piece. I found mine on a secondhand market place, Ebay in this case. The seller had great feedback and communicated with me no problem. They were a good deal, which should have been the first red flag but they didn't have the collectible box and the explanation seemed very plausible. I wanted the sneakers so I over looked the fact that when other people were selling the same shoes for double the price they were probably too good to be true.

Here are ten tell-tale signs to help you identify a counterfeit 8th Street Samba:

1. Colour of the Crepe Sole

The authentic 8th Street Samba features a distinctive crepe sole known for its muted, natural tan color. Counterfeits often miss the mark with a crepe sole that appears too yellow, indicating a lack of attention to the specific materials used by Adidas and Clarks Originals.

2. Shape of the Toe

The toe shape of the genuine 8th Street Samba is crafted with precision, offering a sleek and slightly elongated appearance. Fake versions tend to have a toe shape that is too rounded, disrupting the shoe's profile and aesthetic balance.

3. Material Quality

Ronnie Fieg is known for his meticulous selection of high-quality materials. The upper part of the authentic sneakers should feel premium, be it suede or leather, and should exhibit a fine texture and robust colour depth. Counterfeits usually have cheaper materials that feel rough, stiff, or overly glossy. My countefeit sneakers the suede wasn't sturdy, it was soft, kind of floppy and felt thin.

4. Stitching Quality

Examine the stitching closely. Authentic 8th Street Samba shoes will feature uniform and flawless stitching, with each thread perfectly aligned and secured. Poor stitching, loose threads, or uneven lines are common in fake products.

5. Brand Logos and Imprints

Both Adidas and Clarks Originals logos should be crisp, properly aligned, and correctly spelled. Fakes often have misprints, fuzzy lines, or incorrect logo designs, which are dead giveaways. I was told to look out for depth in the embossing on the Samba logo in the suede. My fakes were pretty impressive and you honestly couldn't tell here on mine.

6. Insole Details

The insoles of the authentic shoes often have branding details that are sharp and accurately placed. Counterfeit versions might have blurry or incomplete branding, or even completely miss these subtle details. My insoles were floppy and cheap looking. On the real thing the insoles are sturdy and the ergonomics distinct.

7. Lacing System

Check the laces and their pattern. Genuine 8th Street Samba sneakers will have high-quality laces that match the colour and finish of the overall design. Fakes often use cheap laces that are either too shiny or dull.

8. Packaging

Originals come in high-quality packaging that includes branding elements consistent with Adidas and Clarks Originals standards. The 8th Street samba box is very artistic, distinct and collectible. Mine didn't have the box, purchased on a secondhand market place the seller explained this was one of the reasons for the cheaper price. I haven't actually seen a pair of fakes with a box although counterfeit boxes might be flimsy, poorly constructed, or have incorrect branding information.

9. Barcode and Serial Numbers

Every authentic pair will have a unique barcode and serial number that link back to a legitimate manufacturing batch. Counterfeits may have non-existent or duplicate numbers that do not verify in the brands’ official databases. I was alerted so I scanned the QR code in the sneakers and this took me to Adidas website (although not actually the Ronnie Fieg Samba). It was the actual product code that gave my sneakers away completely as fakes. The product code, which on authentic trainers is different for the left and right shoe, if they are the same this is a big red flag.

10. Price Point

If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Authentic Ronnie Fieg sneakers are generally priced higher due to their quality and exclusivity. Extremely low prices can often indicate a counterfeit product.

In my experience the sneakers didn't look that obvious as fakes although the red flags were when I first put them on they were too big, even though I'd done my research found out from You Tube reviews the sneakers fit true to size and I'd bought the correct size 6.5, which even on the US sizing system is the same in the UK. The product code on my sneakers took me to a women's adidas football boot not to the 8th Street Adidas Ronnie Fieg Samba Sneaker.

Collecting sneakers, especially those as iconic as the 8th Street Samba by Ronnie Fieg, is not just a passion but an investment. Ensuring the authenticity of your purchase protects this investment and supports the genuine artistry behind these creations. Some people don't mind but I cannot stand fakes. And I hate being duped not just by the people that make these copies but by the people that sell them too.

My advice is always buy from reputable sources if you can and use these tips to spot any fakes that might come your way.

For me, I am saving up for the real thing. When the 8th Street samba was released 2 years ago it sold out on pre order. Now a pair if you can find them is going to cost you at least £200. If you find a pair for less than this they are probably going to end up being counterfeit.

The Phoenix Arts Centre and Community Hub Leicester

An area of regeneration for all ages

Fred Moss

2025-07-01T07:59:00.0000000 2025-07-06T11:36:42.5070000

For anyone who loves independent films this spot is the jewel in the crown for creatives in Leicester and for anyone visiting Leicester as well. It has screening rooms, smaller cinemas akin to film schools and hotels that boast in house screening facilities and the releases are not the blockbusters you find at the big release cinemas. It much more niche. And affordable with loads of programs and discounts so a great resource for teachers, educators and community volunteers.

The building is pretty new, only about 15 years since it opened in November 2009 and forms the heart of Leicester's center for independent cinema, art, and digital culture. The building was part of a larger arts-led regeneration project in the city's Cultural Quarter.

Well worth a visit. There’s a lot going on and worth checking out the notice board whilst you are there too. I was inspired to get kids building their own websites a few years back when I discovered a free government led program GBBO, get British business online with free web hosting (no longer available) it was a great opportunity for students to build and host their own websites, something we wouldn’t ordinarily have had budget for.

A great place to learn, network, lots of things going on, many free, discounts on cinema tickets and films curated you just wouldn’t ordinarily get to see so like I said if like me you love independent cinema and getting to Sundance is a pipe dream, Phoenix Arts centre is the next best thing for folks based in and around Leicester UK.

And there’s plenty on on street parking around there and a large NCP car park on Halford St close by.

They operate as a charity so all profits go back into developing creative programs and serving the community, something they do really really well.

It’s licensed too so you can grab a drink or snack in the cafe bar. A hub for a business meeting or a

cool place to relax whilst attending a festival or event. Always an interesting mix of people whenever I go. Surprisingly I’ve met a few directors and producers there.

I’d recommend anyone go support and check out what’s on.

The Swan At Braybrooke and The Ibiza Garden

A tale of two halves

Fred Moss

2025-05-16T08:19:00.0000000 2025-12-03T08:46:28.5000000

My wife likes breakfast in the garden at the Swan at Braybrooke on a sunny day.

In search of the perfect outdoor breakfast lunch spot around Market Harborough the Swan at Braybrooke has a lot to offer.

I haven’t spent much time inside the pub, we always go in the summer months and enjoy the outdoor area which has been very creatively transformed into an Ibiza style party garden with raised platforms, different levels, undercover shaded dining and really comfy lounging.

In the evening it does get quite busy and there’s a bit of a scene.

During the day they offer breakfast and lunch. The menu is not massive but they do a tasty full English and the snack plates pizza bites, garlic bread are available if you’re hungry.

The staff have always been friendly and the service good.

It feels like maybe it’s had a refurbishment in the last couple of years, pale pink umbrellas and stripey cushions really give it a better than average edge when you arrive.

Situated in the village of Braybrooke outside Market Harborough its tucked away and not super easy to find, even though we’ve been a few times I always just use the sat nav.

It’s a lovely spot on a sunny day if you are in the mood for a nice leisurely drive and lunch or looking for a bit of a chilled party vibe in the evening.

Inside they host parties and events in the large restaurant adjacent to the bar.

And did I mention I like a pint of bitter well the Braybrooke Beer company are the master brewers behind the The Swan at Braybrooke, sort of what came first the pub or the beer except in this case it’s the other way around.

Dutch Barn Vodka and Ricky Gervais

Always remember why they started

Fred Moss

2025-04-17T08:31:00.0000000 2025-04-17T09:35:14.4470000

I retweeted a tweet on X yesterday for Ricky Gervais, I am a fan. I love to laugh more than anything else and there’s just something about Ricky. I couldn’t get enough of the Office, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant together, could be as funny as James Corden. You know when all you have to do is look at someone and it makes you laugh. For me that’s Ricky Gervais. Extras I own on DVD and still have the DVD player to play them.

I even watched a few episodes of Steve Carell trying to emulate the magic in the American version of The Office. For me nothing beats Ricky Gervais’s characterisation of the boss everyone has met and absolutely hated at some time in their life David Brent. Comedy equals tragedy plus time and David Brent is the ultimate creative expression of this equation for me a high school maths teacher.

I am a Yorkshireman. I love Cricket and Snooker. And like Dutch Barn Vodka’s founder Chris Fraser says I agree “ “SUSTAINABILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE TO MY HEART - FOR IF WE DON'T TAKE POSITIVE STEPS, THERE WON'T BE A PLANET TO DRINK GOOD VODKA ON. SO I SET OUT TO MAKE BLOODY GOOD VODKA AS SUSTAINABLY AS POSSIBLE.”

Ricky Gervais has bought into a sustainable drinks brand Dutch Barn Vodka, a name for some reason I cannot remember ans well as Ricky’s and he is now using his celebrity to tell everyone about it.

I am sure he is finding marketing and selling a product is more challenging than making people laugh. So I thought I’d give a little back to Ricky Gervais and his venture by writing this snoop.

When a small group of us began writing snoops for Poopsnoop 14 years ago we never imagined it would turn into this, a whole social review platform and community. The idea was to help small brands and businesses rank higher on Google by all coming together in one place. We didn’t know if it would work.

It has and snoopers can now help their favourite brands, services and people gain exposure and search engine positions based on Keywords they would never achieve on their own and certainly not for free.

I haven’t bought a bottle of the Dutch Barn Vodka myself. I very rarely drink alcohol myself although I know a few people who keep a bottle of Stoly Stolichnaya on the cheap end, Belvedere on the pricy end in the freezer. The vodka boasts loads of sustainability credentials so I can see myself buying a few bottles of Dutch Barn Vodka for my friends at the holidays.

Just my way of saying thanks for all the laughs Ricky.

Dutch barn vodka is available for £30 70cl, £27 if you subscribe to 4 bottles a year and is available from Fortnum and Mason and on the Dutch Barn website.

I took the image off Ricky Gervais’s X account.

£10 Breakfast Black Iron Restaurant

best value breakfast in Leicester

Fred Moss

2025-03-28T12:26:00.0000000 2025-03-29T07:53:09.9370000

I just took a small group of special education students for trip out to Braunstone Park and they were so good and so keen to take a look at Winstanley House I got permission to reward them with a breakfast out.

I was completely blown away by not only the historical experience for children, more importantly what we got included for £10 per person. The greasy spoon I go to at the bottom of the Narborough road costs more for a full english. We also got tea or coffee and a choice of white or brown toast included.

Winstanley House built in 1775 by Clement Winstanley stands in Braunstone park in Leicestershire. The house previously named Braunstone Hall, is a building of historical significance and is Grade II listed on the English Heritage Register. It remained in the Winstanley family for the next 150 years before being sold in 1925 to Leicester City Council, the current owner.

Now it operates as a hotel and restaurant, popular as a wedding venue however thwarted as a popular destination for tourists as it is situated in the middle of notorious Braunstone estate where ironically a few of my kids are from.

They couldn't believe it when I said we were going for breakfast in the big house, what many call it, having never thought they would ever step inside.

The restaurant is absolutely beautiful inside with a grand sweeping staircase, draped in flowers as you enter, to the right a pretty spectacular looking cocktail bar to the left the restaurant.

Fortunately for me (unfortunately for the business) we were the only booking for Breakfast, the waitress told us hotel guests had already been and gone by 9am when we sat down. The breakfast menu wasn't massive although they did offer a vegetarian breakfast as well.

The service was amazing, that could have been because it was only us and the kids devoured everything, full English breakfasts all around with tea and toast. There was a discretionary service charge added to the bill as we were a larger group which was fine.

The food wasn't gourmet, there again no way could anyone complain for the price. Not sure how they are making money but the kids absolutely loved it. And who knows they might have actually learned something. I got them all working out based on 12.5% how much service charge was added to the bill, not easy mental arithmetic, two people got right. Result.

Oathill Pub Little Bowden Market Harborough

Interesting village inn

Fred Moss

2025-03-12T15:37:00.0000000 2025-03-23T16:00:40.2200000

This pub is not my local. I’ve been once after work for a bite to eat and it was an experience in two halves.

The pub is in an unusual location in a sort of housing estate and it has had a makeover. It looks great from the outside.

It’s your typical old fashioned boozer. An eclectic mix of furniture some looked like it had been there since the 1960s and 1970s, the light fixtures reminded me of the working men’s clubs and conservative clubs around the UK, from a day gone by, think stale beer and squelchy carpets.

Added to that large ornate mirrors and retro wallpapers, bringing the space into the 21st century.

The service was excellent. The landlady very friendly and personal even though she only had a few customers. The beer was excellent no complaints there and then we enjoyed a couple of cocktails expertly mixed.

Very enjoyable time spent at the bar.

When it came time to sit down for the food this was another story entirely. Again you could not fault the service warm and friendly but so slow. We waited over an hour for two salads and two burgers and when it finally arrived we couldn’t believe what could have been the problem or how it could have taken so long.

Like I mentioned it wasn’t busy.

This a great old fashioned pub with super staff and I bet when it’s packed and they’ve got the music on, everyone’s having a sing song.

The menu was basic and the food was disappointing for us, mainly because it took so blooming long to arrive.

I got the feeling in hindsight most customers don’t order food.

Ramada Encore By Wyndham Hotel Leicester

Affordable meeting rooms for training presentation event

Fred Moss

2025-02-20T15:09:00.0000000 2025-03-23T16:10:39.7630000

There aren’t many hotels in the City Centre of Leicester for a start. You’ve got the Grand Hotel, I’ve not been inside for years, The Belmont, which is a 3 star independent property closer to Newalk and the university and this one, the Ramada Encore which is your typical city centre business offering, better than a Travelodge or Holiday Inn express but still the kind of business hotel where if the room costs more than £100 you feel like you’ve been ripped off.

I just checked the room rate and it’s £63 per night (no breakfast) compared to £139 at the Marriott at Fosse Park, Leicester which sounds about right.

I was tasked with finding a City Centre space for an education team building event for an audience of about 50.

We hired a meeting room from 5.30pm to 7.30pm tea and coffee and water was provided and it cost about £300 which was the cheapest option for what we needed.

The event coordinator, was helpful and very easy to deal with. And our event went off without a hitch.

They do have quite a nice bar area where everyone went afterwards for a drink and a chat. The staff were really helpful and nice.

For what we needed it was a perfect venue and our event went off without issue.

The Harborough Handyman Stuart Beard

He can do pretty much anything

Fred Moss

2025-01-04T09:52:00.0000000 2025-01-04T10:08:58.3570000

Stuart Beard is the person the school office call whenever anything goes wrong on the property or if we need a handyman basically.

He is well known in Market Harborough and surrounding area. He can be trusted with your keys and can be left alone to get on with things. His work has always been 1st class and everything he does, is with a smile nothing usually too much trouble and if you give Stuart something challenging or something he hasn’t tackled before you can bet your cotton socks he’ll find a way.

A keen quizzer when he’s not fixing a leaky sink, painting your ceiling, or grouting tiles in the toilets watch out as you might just switch on your TV and see him sitting next to Jeremy Vine on Eggheads.

Give Stuart a call he can help with any handy man task.

And most importantly for builders he won’t start and disappear, he’ll finish on time and he won’t overcharge you.

X formerly known as Twitter

How to get suspended X account unblocked

Fred Moss

2024-11-16T14:24:00.0000000 2024-11-17T08:18:54.5500000

X formerly Twitter

I got blocked out of Twitter. X. My account was suspended. I have had the account since 2013 when we started the Poopsnoop community experiment. I use it to share snoops and promote the Poopsnoop community.

It is upsetting to have your account blocked. You feel upset, all that time and effort building a following and mine isn’t that big. When I had the same thing happen on Facebook 10 years ago, I tried and tried to get my account back up. In the end I gave up completely and have never used Facebook since. So I wasn’t hopeful for a positive outcome from X.

I went to help files believing there wasn’t any point. There were three or four suggestions of things to try to get your account back active and reinstated.

In the help files it told me I was either suspected in being a spam account or someone in the X Twitter community had complained about my posts. My posts are basic, not political, not inflammatory in any way so I knew this wasn’t the case. I followed all the steps, none of which worked.

My final option was to file an appeal to the suspension. I honestly had absolutely no faith in the process but did it anyway and then each day following checked my email to see if there had been any response.

I never received a reply.

This morning 4 or 5 days later, I tried logging in to my X account @poopsnoops and what can I tell you I am back up and running.

To sum up, it seems X like Poopsnoop don’t want fake and spam, they want real and authentic. Whatever your feelings are about the worlds first trillionaire Elon Musk, X thought I was not meeting there expectation, they blocked suspended me but gave me the opportunity to have my say and then reinstated my account.

I wanted to write this for anyone else experiencing the same thing as I did feel anxiety and frustration when I was suspended, and very happy when I was able to appeal and get my account back up.

Go through the appeals process you are NOT talking to a black hole.

Garage Bakehouse

Where the bakery aroma wafts further than the queue stretches

Fred Moss

2024-10-25T16:51:00.0000000 2024-10-25T17:10:40.5800000

Worth the drive to Market Harborough. One word to describe this hole in the wall gem, WOW.

Where do I begin? Get there early they sell out fast. Everything is different every day so your favourite muffin or danish might not be available but I can promise you they’ll be something else to tempt you. Everyone I have recommended has said they couldn’t stop shopping. The Turkish bread is indescribably delicious and the squashants a combination of left over croissant pastry reshaped in squares and then iced are well known.

They make daily delicious sandwiches to go and the coffee goes down a treat.

I did hear a rumour one of the pastry chefs used to work for the Ritz, don’t know if it’s true but the display of mouth watering delights certainly wouldn’t be out of place somwhere as fancy as that.

The prices are fair £3 for a massive loaf of bread, £3.00 for an individual pizza, the only problem

Deciding what to have.

A local bakery with near perfect product in my eyes.

Image Editing Apps

When you want to do something but don’t know which is best

Fred Moss

2024-09-21T16:50:00.0000000 2024-09-21T17:00:20.1500000

I know there are millions and gazillions of options out there and everyone has a different opinion on what they use and like. I am writing this for the clueless, where I was before I tried a few and found these work well for basic stuff and I am by no means an expert. Let’s just say that now. Here are the three I use more than any others and they are all free or have been to date.White gram is in the image but I rarely use that one at all unless I need to mount an image on a white background.

So the things I do on a regular basis are remove backgrounds, I use Pixelcut for this. It does have in app features and loads of additional functionality you can pay for but if all you want is to remove backgrounds for your website or EBay this works and is very easy.

Pixlr app is more complicated and I use this on my desk top a lot too to change image formats or bulk batch edit. The app is free for what I need and very nifty when it comes to getting your images into a format your website will like better, smaller files easier to load.

The final image editing app I use is Pic Collage. This app I use to collate pictures together, lay them out better, make invitations, posters, add text. Again it is free to use with added features and in app purchases but I have found all I need within the free offering.

I am also writing this snoop by way of saying thank you to the developers who have created these tools and allow us to use them for free. FYI if I needed the additional features I would be happy to pay.

The app I use for creating and editing movies is Power Director; it is not free, I believe I pay about £70 per year. There is a definite learning curve so don’t expect to be Steven Spielberg over night but if you are looking for an idiot proof solution you will master eventually and be pretty impressed with what you have managed to create this is a good option. I have had good results with this app.

Zhiyun Smooth Q2 Gimbal Stabliser

Bit of kit to make smart phone footage more professional looking

Fred Moss

2024-09-14T11:16:00.0000000 2024-09-14T11:27:51.4830000

I take quite a few photographs and as a teacher often get roped into filming the concerts and shows we put on. I think they assume the maths department can when it comes to things like this.

Well looking at the poor quality footage produced over the last few years I decided as a complete novice really, to try my hand with a Gimbal.

For those of you hearing this word for the first time it’s a bit of kit you can slot an iPhone or more complex set ups even a more professional 35mm camera into and they range in price from a couple of hundred quid right up to several thousand.

There are loads of different ones available, I read a few reviews and decided to opt for the Zhiyun q2 smooth 2 axis final stabiliser which is hailed as the smallest and most versatile gimbal.

I have included the You tube tutorial I followed to get going. I have to say this is not the kind of thing you will pick up and get results immediately. It’s definitely a skill and there’s a knack to it. For the first couple of attempts I really struggled even getting my phone installed properly and balanced and if you don’t achieve this you’re not shooting anything.

The second issue I encountered using my iPhone 12 max pro is moving from landscape to portrait shooting, it’s a kinda flick of the wrist but if you are not careful it can happen when you don’t want it to. The third problem is getting the phone perfectly installed so you don’t actually see the gimbal arm in the shot.

I’ve had six or seven goes now with it and I am getting better. The footage I am shooting is way way way more professional looking and the potential I can see is huge if I stick with it.

My final position would be if you are looking to have one of these, use it on the go and are expecting to have beautiful footage without any work it’s not a miracle product in that regard, however if you are the person like me who gets roped in to film stuff because there is no one else to do it and you are happy to commit some time to the learning curve, a bit like learning a new language, really tough at the beginning but gets much easier as you get the hang of it, it’s a really nifty bit of kit for a relatively small investment. Loads available 2nd hand. I guess the reason is people buy them and then don’t want to put the work in to master how to use it.

It’s still a bit of a challenge for me but after about an hour I get in the swing again.

Don Paddys Uppingham

Has had a makeover

Fred Moss

2024-08-05T14:43:00.0000000 2024-08-05T15:03:10.3200000

Has this ever happened to you? Your favourite hole in the wall, full of personality and great vibes, cool people and great (if sometimes quirky) staff, has a makeover.

Don’t get me wrong if you’ve never been definitely worth a visit. Price point airs on the more expensive for local but the service is generally really good.

The outdoor people watching area is still amazing, a mix of clientele from local farmer types to posh public school parents picking up or returning their offspring. And the loos are better, nice and warm now when before they were freezing.

I am sure loads of people will love the salmon and grey corporate decor, and the “interior designed” everything matching feel, but the corporate chain feels for me has taken away every that was amazing and made this destination dining. The food’s OK and in the summer it’s a great spot but not sure I’ll be rushing over to Uppingham with alacrity anymore.

Maybe it’s just shiny and new at the moment and when that’s rubbed off a bit it won’t feel so barren and stiff inside.

I think maybe as businesses have suffered due to the economic slow down business owners are looking for ways to improve.

If people aren’t coming we think we need to change but sometimes other factors are at play.

Sometimes things are so amazing in the first place the people around it all the time, forget.

Before and after photos. Would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this. Makeover or no makeover?

The Nici Hotel

Company Policy NO REFUNDS

Fred Moss

2024-07-07T14:28:00.0000000 2024-07-07T15:10:03.4330000

I cannot give you any insight on the facility or what they offer. Except to share what happened. I can only share my experience through booking to securing a refund as when I arrived with my partner there was a problem with the Jacuzzi and because I had been unable to book any spa treatments, massages and the like for our "DAYCATION" we decided not to stay.

I had booked two spa packages without any treatments for a total cost £170 ( a saving of £80 on the regular price) this included a two course set lunch chosen ahead which seemed a bit weird at the time but we later found out the food offering at the hotel is a separate company. Before booking online I did call the hotel twice, once to find out about gluten free food options and to book some treatments, difficult to do online and had to sit on hold for 30 minutes both times which should have maybe been a red flag. When I decided to go ahead and book, it had to be done online and the website does give you fair warning, 3 times I think, once you book there are no cancellations. Something completely understandable if you know food is being prepared ahead just for you and brought in and or there are a limited number of people who can be accommodated each day. To be honest didn't think much about it, didn't see any reason to need a refund.

We arrived at 9.00am to discover the Jacuzzi, something we were looking forward to was broken and with no available treatments we didn't just want to hang around and wait for lunch. Again I didn't think much about it, I just asked for the money to be credited back and a confirmation email letting me know it had been taken care of.

I didn't hear anything all day so I sent an email on the hotel contact form, again no one answering the phone explaining what had happened and asking someone just get back to me and let me know my refund had been processed.

That evening I got a call from the Spa manager, Olivia who projected we should not have left, there were lots of other things to enjoy and we could return when the Jacuzzi was fixed. No refunds. I explained this was a one off treat for my guest, who didn't live close by and as there were no available treatments, even trying to book 4 or 5 days in advance, a broken jacuzzi left us with nothing to do, the reason why we left.

It was a difficult call. In the end she did concede to the refund but it wasn't straightforward and she told me it could take 2 weeks. I have since read a bunch of reviews which are mixed at best. I am not saying had everything been working we wouldn't have had a great time, who knows maybe we would. Just heads up should anything go wrong it may be trickier than you'd imagine to get your money back.

Lady Gaga

Fred Moss

2016-09-26T15:51:17.3630000 2016-09-26T16:36:37.5800000

My girlfriend is a big fan of Lady Gaga's music so not surprisingly she is often on repeat in the car and we did queue up at the BBC a couple of weeks ago to catch a glimpse of her as she arrived to host the breakfast show with Nick Grimshaw. The reason my respect for her grows is I actually believe she cares about people and the world before herself and for her, making her music is just what she does for her job. She says she hopes to make people happy, end of and strangely I believe her. I suppose when anyone starts out working on a dream fame can get in the way and a sensible grounded person can get swallowed up

& turn into an a***hole which is why in the most part I am not so

impressed with many in the public eye.

In her music career Lady Gaga has broken so many records there is a page "gagapedia" dedicated to this information but over the last 12 months she has appeared on my radar for other things, her support of her friend and musician Keisha as she brought a lawsuit against Dr. Luke and Sony alleging ongoing sexual harassment and abuse which Lada Gaga substantiated as common place in the business. Her Oscar nominated song, "Til it Happens to You" co written with Diane Warren for a documentary film "The Hunting Ground" highlighting and tackling the threat of sexual attack, campus rape in the USA put her front and centre with VP Joe Bidden highlighting issues close to her heart as a victim of abuse herself, we stayed up to watch her perform and it was so moving and emotional I took this shot off the TV.

She has been at the forefront of the equality debate, championing anti bullying and rights for the LGBT community and puts her money where her mouth is, all the time giving to the families of the Florida shootings, then to the Italian earthquake then putting her weight behind finding resolution for the Syrian conflict and she's only 29, younger than me.

And as if that is not enough bless her heart she followed me on Twitter. I wasn't following her, I'd just retweeted her a few times and given a few likes. I absolutely could not believe it. When I checked out a few names, global super star status, she was the only massive celebrity I could find who follows way more people than follow her back. As she said she's just like everybody else and that for me is what makes her so incredibly special. (FYI I did follow her back)

The Cooperative

Fred Moss

2016-09-12T15:55:26.5900000 2016-09-12T16:45:00.8170000

I used to love my local village coop in Countesthorpe, Leicester. As you can read from the description above the brand prides itself on being well let's say more ethical than perhaps some of it's competitors.

I've been shopping in this store for years, I am on first name terms with most of the staff and have enjoyed being greeted as more of a friend than a customer when I visit. Over the years I have seen some of the things I buy regularly disappear in favour of what seems like more processed, higher profit margin options. Recently as another couple of things went by the wayside I asked in store what was happening and was told the staff have no control over the ordering even though they of course were best placed to know what their customers were buying and wanted. Whilst this conversation was occurring a few other customers chimed in and said they too were frustrated with lines being dropped and poorer quality, smaller selection fresh food options so I decided to take it upon myself and write to head office.

Firstly I discovered the Coop in the Midlands (green logo) is a different company to the Cooperative. When I finally got through to the right place and despite having a long phone chat with Jenny Burrows who seemed to empathise completely and agree the outside ordering system didn't really make sense for a village store over the phone, when I got her email reply after investigation all she could do was offer alternatives to the items I wanted reinstating. So the outcome was absolutely no joy or resolution.

I did tell her I wouldn't be back in there, unfortunately my principles don't go far enough to

boycott them completely as the only other alternative is Tesco and well, we all know they are not exactly squeaky clean (only this week 3 Tesco execs were arrested and charged in connection with their accounting black hole) I went into the Coop today to grab a drink, the Super Pink, which FYI is average, very thin in texture and tastes primarily of beetroot. The difference now is I use the coop only when it is absolutely essential and convenient instead of loyally supporting them as I have done for years.

I am giving regular business now to a small independent store in the village & I am pleased to do this as when I told the man behind the counter what I needed he ordered a whole box in specially for me.

Hand Made Burger Co Restaurant

Fred Moss

2016-07-24T14:05:00.0000000 2016-07-29T10:51:30.9730000

If you are looking for family friendly cooked fresh to order food in Leicester this is one of my go to restaurants. My girlfriend is veggie and they have loads of vegetarian, even vegan options and are always happy to swap things out and make up requests.

The food is fresh and high quality although sometimes they can be a bit slow getting it out even when not busy however the staff are warm and accommodating and make the experience.

When ordering heads up when offered extra sauces and dips, they are not FREE but aside from that only good things to say about this restaurant. Expect to spend about £30.00 for two with soft drinks.