Royal Mail has voiced to take more legal action against owners of dangerous dogs that attack postal staff. According to the Royal Mail more than 3,000 attacks were listed on postal workers in a year.

As a consequence of that they try to take strict concepts to refuse deliveries to addresses where tackles by dogs take place.

One aspect is that an action cannot be taken if a tackle takes place on private premises which limits legal defence to postal workers.

Donald Brydon, chairman of Royal Mail said: ‘Dog attacks cause injuries and terrible trauma to our staff. Nobody should have to endure this and our staff are at an increased risk of such attacks simply because of the job they do.´

The report called on the Government to overturn the current rules so that legal action can be taken against dog owners wherever an attack happen. New legislations have been announced in Scotland and Northern Ireland and are also planned in Wales.
‘This Government has procrastinated and steadfastly refused to act on the issue of dangerous dogs while people continue to suffer serious injuries and lose their lives in dog attacks.´ said general secretary Billy Hayes from the Communication Workers Union.

Chris Maddocks is a race walker who holds the record as the only athlete to compete for Team GB at 5 Olympic Games. Now 55, Chris has found a new use of his quick steps: a career as a Royal Mail postman.

Since joining the mail company, Chris has been given a nickname ‘the fastest postman in the UK’. The Olympian turned postie, from Tiverton, Devon, says his new colleagues are surprised by his Olympic background.

Source: Daily Mail

Chris said:”There was a mix of disbelief and amazement among colleagues when they found out about my Olympic background. I didn’t really advertise it though. But I did a stint of TV work for NBC during the London Olympics and some of the people on my round recognise me from that.”

Chris’ British records include 10km in 40 minutes and 17 seconds, a speed of 9mph, three times faster than an average person (3mph). No excuse for late delivery then Chris!

Want to wow your kids this Christmas and be different? Just get the same gift as the dad in this video. Your kids will love it.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

In the last few days downpours have caused serious flooding across the UK, especially in South West and Wales. The Met Office warned there would be more heavy rains coming up so make sure you are prepared for the weather and stay safe.

If you are or going to be affected by floods, the following tips might be helpful to you:

Preparing for a flood

• Build barriers such as levies, flood walls around your house to stop flood water from entering.
• If you have basements, seal walls and holes with waterproofing material to avoid seepage.
• Get a battery powered portable radio to listen to the latest flood updates just in case you have to turn off electricity during the flood.
• Prepare an evacuation bag with most important items just in case you need to evacuate from your home.
• Move important and valuable belongings to the higher floors in your house.
• Keep updated with latest weather forecast news.

During a flood

• Turn off all utilities in the house at the main switches if you are instructed to do so. Disconnect all electrical appliances.
• Do not walk through flood water as six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over.
• If you have to walk through flood water  bring a stick to find hidden dangers and walk slowly with cautions.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. Two feet of water can float your car easily. If flood water rises around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if possible.
• Do not touch any electrical equipment unless you are dry and not standing in water.
• Watch out for hazards such as fallen trees or power lines.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching flood water as it might contain contamination.

After a flood

• Listen to the news or ask your local government to make sure the water supply is safe to drink and use.
• Drive carefully through areas where flood water has receded as the roads might have been weakened during the flood.
• If you have evacuated from your home, only return home if your local authority says that it is safe to do so.
• Stay away from buildings and construction sites which are still surrounded by flood water.
• Clean thoroughly anything which got wet during the flood as they could contain contamination.

Green, quiet, compact, futuristic and the ultimate James Bond moment! Hirobo have showcased their one-man electric helicopter at an expo in Nagoya, Japan.

With the prototype able to travel up to 100km/h for 30 minutes, it bets the daily commute. The one-seater is currently under development for personal transportation and emergency relief. For those that can afford it and like a little adventure before work, this could be the perfect way to get around and there is no need for a helipad.

The helicopter is equipped with an electric engine that doesn’t produce any noise or pollution an upgrade from GEN H-4 the previous development, which can on noisy gasoline but was much cheaper. The new model is expected to sell for £232 000 and £77 300 for the one manned model. A two seater is also in the plan.

Winter is upon us and it can get quite snowy in many parts across the country.
Make sure you are prepared….not like this guy!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Royal Mail has prepared itself for the most high profile privatisation since the railways about 20 years ago.

It was reported that the state-owned postal service will announce its half-year profits tomorrow; a key condition to the flotation which will take place in the third quarter 2013.

Wit an estimated value of £4billion, the Government has also expressed interest to start discussions with potential investors. The privatisation could allow Royal Mail to join the FTSE 100 index of the UK’s biggest companies on the stock market.

Royal Mail’s boss Moya Green wants the shares to be available to postmen, postwomen as well as the public.