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Author: Michael James
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Week 209 – Mar 15th – ECB safe guarding course
After getting an email from the ECB today, I looked at the ECB training and did the online ECB safe guarding course as it had been updated since I took it 3 years ago.
Looking back when I was a child and starting playing cricket, I did stuff that wouldn’t be allowed today.
How life as changed, not sure if for the better or the worse.
I completed the course successfully.
Certificate for passing the safe guarding coaches course. -
Week 209 – Mar 11th – Winter Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Study
This afternoon, I received an email from the official of national statistics thanking me for my help doing the winter the COVID19 testing as they were closing it down.
As mentioned before, I’m glad I could be a part of this to help the country move forward from this virus.
Thankfully all my tests came back negative during this study.
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Week 208 – Mar 9th – Dover
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Week 2008 – Mar 7th – Spring Budget Summary 2024
After yesterday’s budget, most likely the last one before the general election. I received a summary from my financial advisor.
These are the highlights.
a) The main rate of class 1 employee national insurance contributions (NICs) will be cut from 10% to 8% with effect from 6 April 2024 and the main rate of class 4 self-employed NICs will also be reduced from 8% to 6%.
b) The high income child benefit charge (HICBC) will be reformed, increasing the HICBC threshold to £60,000 from April 2024. The rate at which HICBC is charged will be halved so that child benefit is not fully withdrawn until individuals have an income of at least £80,000. HICBC will apply on a household rather than an individual basis by April 2026.
c) An additional UK individual savings account (ISA) will be created with a £5,000 allowance in addition to the current £20,000 ISA limit.
d) The higher rate of capital gains tax (CGT) for residential property disposals will be cut from 28% to 24% from 6 April 2024.
e) The furnished holiday lettings tax regime will be abolished from 6 April 2025.
f) The value added tax (VAT) registration threshold will rise from £85,000 to £90,000 from 1 April 2024. The deregistration threshold will rise from £83,000 to £88,000.
g) The non-UK domicile rules will be replaced, from 6 April 2025.
Considering this is the last budget before an election, it just shows the state of the country, as there is nothing really to shout home about and with the tax thresholds not changing, more people will actually be paying more tax in the next few years.
Nothing from the budget helped me at all.
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Week 207 – Mar 2nd – Paris baguette
With the weather being reasonable, we took a drive up to Battersea Park and had walk to Battersea Power Station.
Whilst we were there, we felt hungry, but didn’t want something huge.
Whilst in the Battersea Power Station, we came across Paris Baguette and looking at the food on display, it looked very appetising.
The main issue was seating, as it was very busy, we actually left the eatery, but after walking around a bit more, didn’t find anywhere else that we fancied and went back. This time, we managed to grab a table.
I have to say the baguettes and the coffee were excellent and you could order from the table and the items were brought to you.
We decided to have a desert too, and thought it was strange that the order was taking longer than the baguettes.
We were just about to go up the counter, when someone came to us and apologised that they run out of the item, that I ordered.
They showed me items at the counter and I selected something else.
Would definitely go back there.
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Week 207 – Mar 2nd – Huddersfield Town v Leeds United
Huddersfield Town 1 – Leeds United 1 – HT 1-0
Helik (45’+1) Bamford (67′)
What a run this has been since the start of 2024 and has put us in with a chance of getting one of two automatic promotion positions to return straight back to the Premiership, where we belong.
Patrick Bamford salvaged a point for Leeds United as their nine-match winning run came to an end in a feisty West Yorkshire derby against 10-man Huddersfield Town.
Bamford slid in the equaliser midway through the second half as persistent Leeds pressure finally broke stubborn Town resistance.
Crysencio Summerville hit the post in the closing stages as Daniel Farke’s side were unable to earn a victory and maintain a remarkable run which had seen them win every league game this calendar year.
The Terriers, seeking back-to back wins under new manager Andre Breitenreiter, scored in first-half injury time when top scorer Michal Helik knocked the ball home on the rebound from close range.
However, a deserved red card for captain Jonathan Hogg for a second yellow card left Town playing the entire second period a man down – and they were unable to hold firm for what would have been a fourth win in six games since Darren Moore was sacked as boss at the end of January. Two of those victories came under caretaker boss Jon Worthington.
But the draw against a Leeds side sweeping all before them felt every bit as good as those wins, judging by the jubilant scenes after an impressive performance full of grit and determination at a rainy John Smith’s Stadium.
For all their 79% possession, Leeds managed two shots on target, with the only one of the first half an early close-range effort by Summerville that was well blocked by keeper Lee Nicholls.
So 11 games left in the league, with Leicester struggling, hopefully we can carry on with this run and get promoted. Come on Leeds.
Marching On Together
League position 3rd after 35 games
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Week 207 – Feb 29th – Wasn’t expecting that
Yesterday I received a third email from the Kent cricket CEO, Simon Storey regarding the pre-season. In the email, he was thanking people that had contacted the club.
I thought, why not contact them. I was enquiring about parking at the two grounds.
This morning, not only did I get a reply from Simon, I also got a call from the Kent administration team, which I wasn’t expecting at all.
I liked that they are responding and communicating with the supporters.
Well done Kent and good luck for the season.
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Week 207 – Feb 29th – 4 years
Today is 4 years since I was made redundant, after 21 years of service.
I can’t believe 4 years have passed already and that in that time, we have had a pandemic, the Queen passed away, my mother-in-law passed away, we renewed our wedding vows, a war broke out in Europe, the cost of living is crazy.
That’s why you should try to live your life to the full, as you never know what is around the corner.
Thank you to those that have commented or left a like on my postings. It’s very much appreciated.
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Week 206 – Feb 25th – New plant
Today we had a chance to clean up the garden a bit as the weather was reasonable.
Claire had pointed this plant out before, but strangely, we only saw it at one garden centre.
It’s called a Caprea Kilmarnock. We look forward to it blooming in the garden this year.
New Caprea Kilmarnock plant 
Hope we get a good bloom from the Caprea Kilmarnock.
