Wednesday 16 December 2009

MPs Have Let Us Down. We Need To Vote For Change NOW!!!

I'm posting this again because the campaign ends on Friday 18th December and so you really need to vote now if you think it's time for change. You only need to give your postcode and email address which won't be used for marketing, and it will take you less than a minute. Every vote counts.

We've all heard about the Ration Books and Duck Islands. The only way we're going to make politicans understand their responsibilities to the people they represent is to make them more accountable at elections. It's time to kick out the antiquated First-Past-the-Post voting system that has allowed them to get away with so much and bring in a new style of elections where every single vote counts.

The way we vote has set the rules for politics. It's left our MPs free to enjoy jobs for life in safe seats. It's handed our governments massive majorities without any real mandate. And it's left us, the voters, weak.

We've all seen what happens when you leave politicians to their own devices (false expense claims - ring any bells?). Real change is needed, but just like the bankers, we can't expect MPs to deliver when the old rules suit them so well.

At the next election we need the chance to cast our vote not just for a new parliament, but for a new kind of politics. We should demand a referendum on a new voting system that really put voters back in the driving seat.

Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.

Support a referendum - sign the petition now. Click to sign (don't worry, you only need to give your email address and postcode).
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Wednesday 2 December 2009

Politicians have let us down. It's time for a change.

We've all heard about the Ration Books and Duck Islands. The only way we're going to make politicans understand their responsibilities to the people they represent is to make them more accountable at elections. It's time to kick out the antiquated First-Past-the-Post voting system that has allowed them to get away with so much and bring in a new style of elections where every single vote counts.

The way we vote has set the rules for politics. It's left our MPs free to enjoy jobs for life in safe seats. It's handed our governments massive majorities without any real mandate. And it's left us, the voters, weak.

We've all seen what happens when you leave politicians to their own devices (false expense claims - ring any bells?). Real change is needed, but just like the bankers, we can't expect MPs to deliver when the old rules suit them so well.

At the next election we need the chance to cast our vote not just for a new parliament, but for a new kind of politics. We should demand a referendum on a new voting system that really put voters back in the driving seat.

Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.

Support a referendum - sign the petition now. Click to sign (don't worry, you only need to give your email address and postcode).
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Tuesday 1 December 2009

Come Play Against Me At Paddy Power Poker - I Challenge You!

Following the launch of the new Paddy Power Poker VIP program which allows you to cash in your points for a bonus any time you like, and as many times as you like, I have started playing poker more at Paddy Power than Virgin (where I still play, but now not as much), I would like to challenge the brave to come and play against me either in a single table Sit and Go or in a game or two of Heads Up. This challenge is laid down for you at Paddy Power Poker where I play under the user name ric161220. Either search for me on the site or get in touch and we'll arrange a time of mutual interest. This is a challenge set out for the brave only and all those worried about losing should probably stay away. The challenge is on. I dare you!

For those who don't already have a Paddy Power account there's also a 150% welcome bonus on offer so here's a link to the site, and I hope to see you there...


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Sunday 29 November 2009

Join my new website design group at Yahoo Groups...

Website Design and the Small Business is a networking group for all website designers offering fair and complete websites for the "smaller" business to promote their design work, and for small businesses to showcase their websites and ask designers for advise and quotations relating to their web presence. I set this up today (29 November 2009) over at Yahoo Groups and believe this could be a valuable resource to both website designers and small business owners. I hope to see you there...

Website Design for the Small Business
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Wednesday 25 November 2009

Supreme Court Ruling On Bank Overdraught Charges Is Complete Bollocks!

"High Street banks have won their appeal over unauthorised overdraft charges.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the seven major banks and a building society, which had challenged High Court and Court of Appeal decisions that the charges come under "unfair contract" rules and are therefore subject to regulation by the Office of Fair Trading.

The result was awaited by tens of thousands of customers whose refund claims have been frozen while the test case went through the courts.

Handing down the unanimous ruling Lord Phillips, president of the Supreme Court, said: "It may be open to the Office of Fair Trading to assess the charge under other criteria."

Customers who go into unauthorised overdraft or breach their agreed limit can be charged as much as £35 or more for a single bounced payment. Campaigners claim the actual cost to the banks could be as little as £2.50.

If the banks had lost the test case, it could have cost them £2.6 billion a year in lost revenue and led to their having to make refunds of up to £1 billion.

Before refund claims were frozen, banks had already paid out more than £559 million to customers who complained about "rip-off" overdraft charges.

But many of the high street banks have already changed the structure of the fees they charge people who go into the red, with or without permission.

Lord Walker, one of the five Justices of the Supreme Court who heard the case, pointed out that the outcome of the appeal "may cause disappointment and indeed dismay to a very large number of bank customers who feel that they have been subjected to unfairly high charges in respect of unauthorised overdrafts". But he said that as Lord Phillips had explained it was not the end of the matter and Parliament "may wish to consider the matter further".

The test case to decide the legal issues thrown up by the dispute was brought jointly by the OFT and Abbey, Barclays, Clydesdale, Halifax Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB - which are now part of the same group - HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Nationwide Building Society."

Sourced from Virgin Media


Everyone knows that if the government hadn't bailed the banks out and now owned them, and if the MP's hadn't robbed us with false expenses claims, and if the country hadn't been in a progressive slump financially then the Supreme Court would have ruled AGAINST the banks and thousands of customers unfairly charged around £35 a time for going over their overdraughts when it would actually only cost the banks £2.50 a time would now be getting these unfair charges paid back and the country would be in a much better place.

This is most definately not over yet. Watch this space.
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Wednesday 18 November 2009

The Man On The Line Gets No Better!

I've just finished watching France -v- Ireland in the World Cup Qualifying Playoff and before I moan about bad officials again I would just like to say well done to the Irish for a great game, and I would have much rather seen you in the World Cup than France. You outclassed the French for the most part of the game, and deserved your place so much more than the French.

Here we go...

Thierry Henry is a CHEAT! A deliberate hand ball knocks Ireland out of the World Cup - BUT (and even though the ref couldn't see) the man on the line had a clear view of the incident. FIRST he missed two French players in off-side positions when the free kick was taken, and SECOND he had clear site of Henry handball it not once, BUT TWICE!!!!

The man on the line should be suspended.

The man on the line gets it wrong all too often.

The man on the line GETS NO BETTER!

A good arguement for video goal line technology?

Much respect to the Irish.
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Tuesday 17 November 2009

Richard's Wonder Emporium. Curious?

I just wanted to introduce everyone to my Wonder Emporium - basically an online shop that exactly mirrors my auctions/sales on Ebay, but with everything in one place. At the moment I have loads of dvd's for sale - all at really good prices and with free postage.

Come take a look... Richard's Wonder Emporium
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Monday 16 November 2009

Jimmy White - I'm A Celebrity...

I've just been channel hopping (as you do) and happened to come across the new series of I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here! (not that I even knew a new series was on in the first place, or that I would have been bothered about it) and stopped in my tracks when I saw none other than Jimmy "The Whirlwind" White, the snooker legend past and crowd favourite present and thought maybe I'll watch for a bit, but he wasn't on much so I soon switched over, but then I remembered a clip of Jimmy against Kirk Stevens (some time ago), found it on You Tube, and thought I just had to share it with followers of my blog. So here it is. Enjoy!...


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Saturday 14 November 2009

50 Quid Website

For all those following It's Just A Blog! why not check out what I've been up to over at 50 Quid Website with a new look site, information on SEO (search engine optimization), and new Graphic Design, and On-Site IT pages... see you there?
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Friday 13 November 2009

Kate Beckinsale

Here's some photo's for you just to back up the claim that Kate Beckinsale really is the sexiest woman alive!







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Monday 9 November 2009

Follow me on Twitter...

Follow me on Twitter...

I go by the name "sonicnation" (an old band name)...

Follow me

See you there!
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Tuesday 3 November 2009

Free Horse Racing Tips

There's a great website that offers some of the best free horse racing tips. Instead of me trying to explain how they do it just click the banner and all will be revealed...

Free Horse Racing Tips, Click Here!
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Friday 30 October 2009

Terminator 2 - Rap!!!

The full film in a single rap - nicely worked!


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Monday 26 October 2009

New Sky Sports Premiership Widget...

I've added a new widget to the blog. Scroll down the left side and you'll find a new widget keeping you up to date with Premiership Football's latest news straight from Sky Sports.
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New Look Website

I have redesigned www.50quidwebsite.co.uk to be more "user friendly" with simple, easy to follow instructions as to how it all works, and how you can get your website designed, hosted, maintained, and promoted for just "50 quid". I work in the UK only but some of what I offer may be valid to a wider market. I am always open comments and suggestions about my site and services so feel free to take a look and pass on any feedback. Thanks in advance.

in reference to: 50 Quid Website (view on Google Sidewiki)

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Friday 9 October 2009

Fantasy Football Update

Here's the updated table. I won't say too much about it because I've dropped right down...

1 Tony Wood Inter Stella F C 271
2 Laura Richardson Laura's Lads 259
3 David Yates Yates's "kick ass" United 232
4 paul cunningham RachaelFC 211
5 Richard Uttley Uttley Allstars 180
6 wayne shortland Traveling Blade 166
7 Rob Browes Bob's All Stars 140

Time for a few transfers I think!
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Wednesday 7 October 2009

Cheap Domain Names...

As some of you may know I design websites, and websites obviously need a domain name, so I thought I'd pass on my knowledge of by far the UK's best domain name provider (and very possibly the cheapest!) just in case you need it...

I use Namesco all the time and recommend that all my clients use them too, but don't just take my word for it, see for yourself...


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Wednesday 2 September 2009

Fantasy Football (Spectrum A League) ...

Here are the current standings...

1 Laura Richardson - Laura's Lads 155
2 David Yates - Yates's "kick ass" United 116
3 Richard Uttley - Uttley Allstars 110
4 Tony Wood - Inter Stella F C 104
5 wayne shortland - Traveling Blade 80
6 paul cunningham - RachaelFC 80
7 Rob Browes - Bob's All Stars 70

Not quite the start I was hoping for but third isn't that bad and there's a long way to go. The league's PIN is 15148 if you would like to join with your existing Sky Sports fantasy football team.
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Beach Art!

I just wanted to share these photographs of Earthscape Art (beach art) by artist Andres Amador. Look out for other artwork by Andres Amador including his crazy light art.










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Tuesday 25 August 2009

Discount Football Tickets

Finding Discount Football Tickets

Introduction

The recession has affected football clubs and football fans alike, with clubs juggling their finances to stay afloat and freezing or reducing ticket prices to keep up attendances and fans facing increased prices for travel and other match day expenses in already adverse economic circumstances. Many football fans are, however, more than willing to find the cash needed to follow their favourite clubs, despite the need to tighten their belts elsewhere.

Discount Football Tickets

It is a sad fact that discount football tickets are rarely available from online ticket brokers, or from ticket touts that you may meet, in person, outside a football ground on the day of a match. Neither brokers nor touts receive any special treatment, or markdown, from principal ticket sellers and must therefore work hard to obtain tickets for the best seats. The end result is that the tickets they offer are priced significantly above their face value. Furthermore, buying football tickets from any unauthorised agent can be a risky business with counterfeit tickets or, in the worst case, no tickets at all a real possibility. Indeed, over 100 websites illegally selling tickets to Premier League football matches were recently shut down following a police operation. You may be able to find discount vouchers on the Internet, from time to time, for money off tickets offered by ticket brokers, but the discount is likely to be less than the markup on the tickets in the first place.

If you want an idea of what is and what isn`t, a good deal on football match tickets, look at the website of the football club in question. This will list the face value of match tickets and authorised agents from which they can be bought, legitimately, if necessary. One place where it may be possible to find legitimately discounted football tickets is on the online auction site, eBay, which has a large section devoted to second hand tickets, including football match tickets. If you can find the tickets you want in this way, you can also check the feedback left by other buyers to determine the integrity of the seller. Another possibility is a specialist online marketplace, where football fans can buy, sell or exchange match tickets.

Aside from saving money on the cost of match tickets, themselves, there is any number of websites that allow you to receive cashback on other costs, such as car hire, rail, air, or ferry, tickets and accommodation, that you incur as a result of travelling to and from, football matches. Individual savings may seem small, but these soon mount up over the course of a season and could make the difference between you being at that vital away game, or even at Wembley, at the end of the season, or not.
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Tuesday 4 August 2009

FANTASY FOOTBALL IS BACK!

Fantasy Football is back - and so is our league...

...and it's going to be bigger and better than ever before...

100% FREE

Play for free and win up to £10,000. Use an imaginary budget of £55m to select 11 players from Premier League clubs and score points based on their real-life performances in league matches. Compete for prizes, compete against your friends, in the quest for managerial supremacy!

This year (09/10) our league is called the "Spectrum A League"...

Visit this link... http://fantasyfootball.skysports.com/ and find the "Register Free!" button, then when you've chosen your winning team, on your "My Team" page scroll down to the bottom and find the "Enter New League" button and where it asks for a League PIN enter the following, 15148 - then I'll accept you in the league and the battle is on....

For those of you wanting to put a bet on the following season here are my tips for each of the football leagues...

Premiership - Chelsea (outright)
Championship - Nottingham Forest (each-way)
League 1 - Charlton (each-way)
League 2 - Shrewsbury (each-way)

...and Paddy Power are offering a cash-match £10 free bet to all new customers so get your bets on now before the season kicks off...


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Sunday 21 June 2009

Absolute Classic!

From the Bristol Evening Post:

Outside Bristol Zoo is the car park, with spaces for 150 cars and 8 coaches. It has been manned 6 days a week for 23 years by the same charming and very polite car park attendant with the ticket machine. The charges are £1 per car and £5 per coach.

On Monday 1 June he did not turn up for work. Bristol Zoo management phoned Bristol City Council to ask them to send a replacement parking attendant.

The Council said "That car park is your responsibility." The Zoo said "The attendant was employed by the City Council... wasn't he?" The Council said "What attendant?"

Gone missing from his home is a man who has been taking daily the car park fees amounting to about £400 per day for the last 23 years...!

Total sum just short £2.9 million.
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Thursday 18 June 2009

Transformers...

Who's looking forward to the new Transformers film? It looks to me like it's going to be far better than the first one. Optimus Prime rocks! Ok, so we need something to keep us going right, and because I like to offer my advise on poker, casinos, and gaming, and because the kind souls behind Paddy Power just gave me £10 to try out the new official transformers slots - which also rock!... I thought I'd direct you to them so you could see for yourself. For anyone who isn't already a Paddy Power customer, if you decide to deposit any cash they will double it for you! Just click the banner...



Enjoy!
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Wednesday 10 June 2009

Petrol On The Up Again!!!

Petrol prices have been steadily on the up again and they are nearly at £1 again for Unleaded - the problem is they are expected to hit £1.15 over the next few weeks and unless you're an MP you can't get anyone else to pay for it so what can we do? Everybody needs to show their concern in their own way (because I don't want to be responsible for a riot) but hopefully they'll be strikes, blockades, protests, that sort of thing again like when the prices went out of control last time, and hopefully this time the "bent" leaders of the country will do something about it - how about paying back the expenses they've claimed?... that will keep it under £1!!!!!!!!
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Tuesday 9 June 2009

Newcastle For Promotion

Obi Martins yesterday said he wanted to stay at the club and I know he's had his injuries this year but next season, if he stays, expect Newcastle to romp back to the Premiership. If there's one bet worth having then it's Newcastle for promotion. Current odds are only around 4-1 but snap them up now - no need for an each way bet. My tip is at least 10 points clear at the top.
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Tuesday 26 May 2009

Congratulations to the Jester...

It's finally over. I didn't win, but joint 4th isn't bad for League Uttley, although next year I'll win for definate (or maybe not) but it's been good fun and the floppy multi-coloured crown with bells on to first place man (or machine) the Jester! Congratulations. Final table follows. Well played everyone (apart from Bobby Browes and Stu "218" Winder - just joking), not everyone did great but hey, it's the taking part that counts right? (right?)... well played everyone (even you two I guess!)... see you all again next year (with a prize next time I think - leave it with me and I'll see what I can come up with)...

Death Jester UltraSamp BelSamber 1161
danny joyce DANTHEMANS X11 1154
Nikolay Mihaylov Leeds Ledeburg 1111
pearse armstrong celtic united 1060
Richard Uttley Uttley Allstars 1060
glynn wilkinson postjockey 1036
michael cardwell team cardy 1024
Lee Holland BladeRunners 1021
Dave Yates Daves Dyanamo's 1014
paul cunningham Eckington Blades 1013
Rashel Miah akuar 1009
katie massey allen wowkats 1001
Joe Wareing Sufc Joe's Blades 985
alex wilkinson dronfield united 971
Ross Bannister Rossy's Giants 911
Laura Richardson Laura's Lads 904
justin larkin Fergie's Army 883
Rach Driver Spec Spongs 865
mohamed emam Hellaly FC 846
Jeremy Dennis Super Beasts 831
Rachael Driver mitchells lightning 818
Stuart Winder Stevenage Steves 814
Rob Browes Bobbys Boyz 750

Here's to a great 2009/2010 season...
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Monday 25 May 2009

It's Britain's Got Talent Time Again!

...and in the tradition we all got used to last time - the judges favourite and the act the producers wanted to win through to the final performed last. You might remember last year when I correctly predicted every week that the last performing act would win through to the final, and damn, it looks like it's going to happen again. Why can't the producers just let the public decide who they want in the final? Ok, so the lady from Scotland with the big voice performed last... do I really need to say any more? I do have to say that the violinist deserves some sort of career similar to Vanessa Mai because she really was talented and the dance act at the beginning deserved a standing applause but will I write every day about the show again?... maybe, but maybe not, because it looks like it's going to be very predictable again! Britain has got talent though - you may remember a band several years ago called Meringue Opinion?
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Wednesday 13 May 2009

This, That, unt Other...

Firstly, here's the current Fantasy Football table - you may notice I have slipped down to fifth... FIFTH!!!!! OMFG, what happened there then?

1 Death Jester UltraSamp BelSamber 1102
2 danny joyce DANTHEMANS X11 1078
3 Nikolay Mihaylov Leeds Ledeburg 1077
4 pearse armstrong celtic united 1037
5 Richard Uttley Uttley Allstars 1008
6 glynn wilkinson postjockey 990
7 Lee Holland BladeRunners 977
8 Dave Yates Daves Dyanamo's 968
9 Rashel Miah akuar 966
10 michael cardwell team cardy 955

Well done Jester, you're looking good to take the crown (which this year happens to be a hat that flops over slightly with bells on it).

I'd also like to say that Chelsea were robbed of a place in this years Champions League final by a referee that doesn't even know what a f****** penalty is! Unlucky John, you're not going to get to make up for your crucial penalty slip in last years final by beating the Red Devils in this years final, and you WOULD have beat them.

One good thing to come from the semi-final against a very lucky Barcelona (with ref on side) was a sheer class goal from the returning Essien.

Changing the subject completely (because I can't be bothered to start a fresh post) I would like to say a big "well done" to comparethemarket.com for giving us some light hearted and very funny comical relief during the adverts which only usually wind me up (read on).... Meerkats rock... simples!!... just look how he mimes along to his own jingle, which happens to sound the same as the other - sheer class.... but wait,

...where have the drink manufacturers gone so wrong at the moment (Duffy)... rides bike... "I want to live...." ... YOU WANT TO SHUT UP!!!!!
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Tuesday 14 April 2009

Fantasy Football Reaching A Close...

It's been a while since I commented on the fantasy football league but it's 1.21am and I can't sleep so here's the league. I don't appear to be doing as well recently but there's still a few weeks to go and 4th isn't too bad as far as it goes. Congratulations to Nikolay Mihaylov who's team Leeds Ledeburg are currently sitting top of the pile on an impressive 974 points, 25 points clear of Death Jesters eleven, Ultra Samp Bel Samber.

1 Nikolay Mihaylov - Leeds Ledeburg 974
2 Death Jester - UltraSamp BelSamber 949
3 danny joyce - DANTHEMANS X11 945
4 Richard Uttley - Uttley Allstars 932
5 pearse armstrong - celtic united 916

So there we have it.....
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Friday 13 February 2009

Not on top anymore :(

Here's the current top 5 in the League Uttley Fantasy Football Challenge, and as you will see I'm no longer on top :(

1pearse armstrongceltic united3633785
2Richard UttleyUttley Allstars3135763
3danny joyceDANTHEMANS X113137755
4Nikolay MihaylovLeeds Ledeburg3536744
5Death JesterUltraSamp BelSamber3829733

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Tuesday 10 February 2009

I Have A New Blog!

It's general comments, chat, my opinions and thoughts about the world, music, film, my life, the weather, and the future. No banner adverts, just me and my type. What's it called? "Richard" - plain and simple. Please spare a minute to visit me here. Thanks in advance.
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Paddy Power Pay First 5 in the National!

Grand National 2009 - 5 Places!

Paddy Power is already offering an extra place in the 2009 Grand National!Now paying 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4-5 places!

They are the ONLY bookie offering this! Visit Paddy Power today for a FREE £10 bet.
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Monday 9 February 2009

Paddy Power Money Back Special

International Friendly Wednesday 11th February
Spain v England Live ITV/Setanta 9.00pm

If anyLiverpoolplayer scores the last goal, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.

  • Applies to singles placed before kick off only
  • Applies to 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast markets only.
  • Applies to win part of each-way goalscorer bets only.
  • If no Liverpool players play any part in this game, the special will revert to ' if the last goal is scored outside the box'
  • Max Refund €300/£200 per customer/bet.
  • Paddy Power football rules apply.
  • Does not apply to customers whose language of registration is Spanish.
    Worth a go, don't you think?  Visit Paddy Power here (free bet with first registration)

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Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 15 August 2008

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Richard Uttley (r.uttley@ntlworld.com).

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
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