Sunday 27 May 2012

BRING ME SUNSHINE

What beautiful weather!  How nice it is to feel warm again. After the rain, everything is looking vibrant and refreshed. The fields look like a giant patchwork quilt in a myriad of greens and yellows with tractors trundling up an down like toys on a mat. Each has a role to play in creating this hive of industry.

That's what we must look like from above. We have had a very busy week and have seen some old faces return to work with us as well as some new ones. Everyone seems to be in a perpetual state of motion, and no its not just going round in circles. We are getting to grips with TP and are more able to conclude what the customer wants. A TP trampoline that is 14 foot is a good place to start, but that is where the detective work begins. How long the customer has had it? How many springs does it have? These are all questions that help us determine the right one. That is before we work out which part is actually needed. In some cases it is quite straight forward, as in the case of a bed or a net. Other times when it is a nut and bolt it can be quite tricky. Sometimes the customer knows exactly what they have and what they need which is fantastic and a sigh of relief flutters through the office.We are all on a steep learning curve. One thing I can say with certainty is the whole team is doing there very best to get the right item out as quickly as possible. The only team member who is completely unfazed by the whole procedure is Bruce, he's usually found asleep soaking up the sunshine after a night on the tiles!

I hope you all enjoy the sunshine and that it lasts a little bit longer. Till next time, Julie

Sunday 20 May 2012

SAVE OUR MATERNITY SERVICES.

We are still sorting through the TP spares, but are finally sensing there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is  not a bright yellow ball, more a flickering candle.

The swallows have arrived and it is always a delight to see them and a relief that they have made it back in one piece.

Our local Hospital is the Friarage. Most of us had our children there or were born ourselves at its predecessor the Mount. Those were the days when maternity services were kept out of sight and Dads were only allowed to visit once the deed had been done! Now we are having to fight to keep the service from being transferred to James Cook in Middlesborough. Once the concern was whether you would be delayed by the level crossing now its whether you will make it.

Next Saturday the Save the Friarage Service Committee along with the Hambleton branch of the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) are holding a march to protest against the proposed closure. They have been asked by William Hague, Councillor John Blackie and Northallerton Town Council to arrange family events/activities on the Bullamoor Playing Fields.These activities will start some time around 3/3.30pm (there will be a march  from County Hall to Bullamoor Fields at 2pm, at an unpredictable toddler-speed...) until no later than 6.00pm. Anyone who would care to join them will be more than welcome. There will be cakes, activities, a tombola, stalls and much more.

It is easy to take things for granted, but I hope they have a fantastic day and get lots of support. This is a cause that is close to many of our hearts. Till next week, Julie




Monday 7 May 2012

REVIEW BY MUMS BABY MAGAZINE

I hope you are enjoying your bank holiday. I am keeping you on your toes, at the moment there is no guessing when the blog will be written. This may not be a good thing, but we cannot be accused of being predictable. Don't get me wrong, predictable can be very good, for instance when you go to look for a toy for a customer and you know exactly where it is.

No two weeks are ever the same at Adventure Toys and sometimes they are sprinkled with lovely surprises. This week we were featured in Mums Baby Magazine.
Outdoor play is crucial for children of all ages. Being outside enables children to access sunlight and fresh air. Recent studies show that children in the UK are significantly lacking in vitamin D, an essential vitamin sourced from the sunlight which is hugely beneficial to our health. Therefore it is vital that parents and carers promote outdoor play and activities to children.

Mums Baby Magazine also reviewed the Little Tikes 30th Anniversary Turtle Sandbox, Here is a small sample of what they had to say.

Mums Baby Magazine put the Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox 30th Anniversary Edition to the test with one of our little sunshine’s. We placed the sandpit outdoors and found that it took roughly two bags of play sand to fill the Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox (30th Anniversary Edition), we then added luke warm water (with added glitter) into the mote along with the squirty turtles and some general sand toys such as buckets, spades, rakes and such like. We ensured that the lid was securely attached to the main sand pit with the provided string. This however took up extra space and we found that removing the lid was actually better as it could then be stored upright out of the way during play to make full use of outdoor space. The Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox (30th Anniversary Edition) is an ideal sand box for small gardens or back yards and accommodates two to three small children during play.

Little Tikes Turtle 30th Anniversary

We give the Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox 30th Anniversary Edition 9/10.

If you want to read the whole article, use this link. Mums Baby Magazine. Till next time have a good week, Julie