Archive for July, 2012

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goCarShare Sessions Laurel Collective

Close harmonies and pop hooks that you could hang a coat on… that would be Laurel Collective.

Steve Lamacq decided they were exciting enough to have them as his single of the week on Radio 1. When we heard that they were playing the main stage at Secret Garden Party, we thought we’d see if we could help them get there… and here you have it, our second goCarShare Session.

Hear how Laurel Collective met, what they think of Shakespeare and see them play in a playground, yes really…

Laurel Collective are an experimental pop outfit from London. Having signed with the Domino Records offshoot, Double Six, in their infancy, the band have since gone on to mesmerize audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with their bedazzling repertoire of off-kilter hits.

Everything You Need To Know About Temporary Car Insurance

We’ve all heard of temporary car insurance and know that it can be both useful and convenient for a whole host of situations; the only problem is, a lot of us don’t really know how it works and so tend to steer clear of it.

There are a variety of reasons that you might need temporary car insurance; if your kids are coming back from University for a weekend and need to borrow your car or you’re purchasing a new car and need insurance to drive your car home. Most policies are available to take out for 1 to 28 days and prices can differ greatly depending on which company you choose. The best advice, whatever your reasons for needing a temporary policy, is to browse the internet and look at a range of companies until you find the best price.

All temporary car insurance policies will differ depending on which company you go to, so you should always check with a company’s policies to ensure that you and your vehicle are eligible; however the rules about eligibility are fairly similar across the board so here’s a quick guide to check if you’ll be eligible for temporary insurance cover:

Are You Eligible?

Person:

- Aged between 21 and 75
- Full UK licence for minimum of 12 months
- Resident in the UK for minimum of 12 months
- Maximum of 2 insurance claims in the past 3 years
- Maximum of 6 points on driving licence
- Must not be unemployed or be employed in:
o Entertainment industry
o Courier
o Delivery
o Professional sports
Vehicle:
- MOT certificate
- Maximum of 8 seats
- Used for social purposes only (driving to and from work is included)
- Must not be a cat. A or B insurance write off
- Must not be fitted with aesthetic or performance related modifications after manufacture
So you’ve worked out that you’re eligible to take out temporary car insurance, now you need to know what’ll be covered in your policy. Again, it’s only possible to give a general guide as each policy will differ and it’s essential that you check with your chosen company before confirming your policy.

What will be covered?

- Any damage to the insured vehicle as a result of an accident
- Damage or loss caused by fire, theft or vandalism
- Third party claims- property damage or injury
- Emergency treatment costs

It’s a good idea to organise and plan thoroughly before taking out temporary car insurance; work out who will need to drive the car and for exactly how long. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating how long your insurance is needed for as you could be left stranded and unable to legally drive the vehicle.

Similarly, it’s a silly mistake to grossly overestimate how long you’ll need insurance for as you’ll be paying for a policy unnecessarily. There’s no excuse for driving uninsured with such comprehensive temporary car insurance available; now you’ve got all the information you need, you can find a policy that suits your needs. Happy Driving!

This guest blog was written by Jennifer Griffiths on behalf of Insure4aDay.co.uk; a dynamic company specialising in short term car insurance that comes with a best price guarantee.

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Shambala, so much more than a music festival

Shambala can’t really be summed up in any other way than, wow! Everything about Shambala shouts excitement, mystery and fun, from its star-studded line up to its hidden location in the Northamptonshire countryside, a well-kept secret only revealed to ticket holders.

So what makes Shambala so incredible? Could it be that in this concealed corner of the UK, the cultural arts, music, literature, theatre and fashion, mix quite unlike a traditional festival.

Perhaps what makes it special is the fact that Shambala is not only one of the friendliest festivals around, but it’s also one of the most interactive and immersive.

How many other festivals teach the crowd how to dance in styles from around the world, craft intricate objects or get involved in live science demonstrations? Shambala has it all, running what it calls ‘A World of Workshops’, with over 100 fun and random experiences to join in, such as trekking the enchanted woods, African dance and blacksmithing.

The crowd participation doesn’t end there either. If you want, you can take part in poetry competitions and music classes to really be part of the entertainment.

It might be something as simple as the surroundings that makes this festival different. Wild untamed, undamaged countryside and woodland really do serve to relax the body and mind.

At the end of the day, Shambala’s magic is something you can’t quite put your finger on. The variety of acts, the energy of the fans, the atmosphere and the way the festival-goers really are the heart of the event, all combines to give Shambala an individual and creative feel that can’t be found anywhere else.

Sounds good? It gets even better. Shambala is committed to becoming sustainable. For example this year it is trying out a new recycling deposit system, where some of the ticket price is refunded if you return a bag of recyclable rubbish.
That’s why we are so excited to be working with them in 2012. We love everything about Shambala, it’s all about giving the festival-goer the best experience while reducing the impact for everyone else, an idea that we share. So trust Shambala to deliver a truly unforgettable experience and trust us to make the journey a little more special.

So to help cut emissions released by cars traveling to festivals and share in joy of Shambala, make sure you fill your empty car seats before setting off, or find a lift yourself before driving alone.