If you like lamination, you will be interested to know that it can be used in so many creative applications. Here are some super ideas on how to apply it in some unconventional ways in your home. It is of course important to ensure that you incorporate it into your cleaning schedule that you have arranged with a Domestic Cleaner Frome company like https://www.baytreecleaning.com/ to help protect the flooring from permanent stains and damage. Continue reading How to get creative with laminate flooring in your home →

The Royal Family

The Queen’s close family are the ones responsible for undertaking royal duties, Prince Phillip her children; Charles, Ann, Andrew and Edward. Her grandchildren – William, Harry, Peter, Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise and James, and their spouses as well as the Queen’s cousins also undertake official royal duties.

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In the financial year 2018/19 the royal family undertook over 3,200 official engagements across the UK and overseas, according to the Royal website.

The living costs of the members of the royal family who carry out official duties, are usually met through income from the Duchy of Lancaster, other costs are met through the Sovereign Grant.

Duchy of Lancaster

The Duchy of Lancaster is the private estate of Queen Elizabeth II, the British Sovereign, it comprises land holdings and other assets. The revenue profits of the Duchy of Lancaster are presented to the Sovereign annually and form part of the Privy Purse, providing income for the official and private expenses of the monarch.

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Sovereign Grant

The Sovereign Grant pays towards travel, communications and the maintenance of royal palaces. The money lets the Queen and other members of the family carry out official duties with the biggest outlay being security.

The Sovereign Grant is funded by the Treasury and this is where taxpayer’s money comes in. In 2018/19 it was worth £82.2m, with around 15% of the income originating from the profits of the Crown Estate. If there is any unused money at the end of the year, it is moved into a reserve fund, which is also used to help pay for the upkeep of the palaces.

The Government pays out £47m from the Sovereign Grant for major events, for attending official duties, etc., but not the £70m for security. It has been estimated that the cost of royal security to the taxpayer per year is £106 million. Security such as close protection London which companies like https://www.valorousgroup.co.uk/ can provide.

In 2019 the Royal Family incurred a £67 million bill paid for by the UK taxpayer, which roughly translates as 69 pence per person.

It’s not all spending though; the Royal family also bring in money through tourism, and as one of the country’s biggest landowners, through the Crown Estate. In 2017 the monarchy contributed £1.8 billion to the UK economy.

If you’re considering new tarmac for your property, it is really a job for professionals. The level of skill involved is quite large, coupled with the expense of getting all the right machinery and equipment and knowing how to use them all. Here’s how to get a good job for all your tarmac needs: Continue reading How is tarmac laid? →

A burglary occurs every 40 seconds in the UK so it is a crime that affects many people. Burglary is a forced entry into a residence for the purpose of committing a crime of theft. This can be a very emotional experience and annoying to find that you have been robbed. It’s not just that you might have lost valuable property but also that your private, personal space has been violated. The thought of someone in your home can be very distressing and feel like you’ve had a security breach. Some people blame themselves if they forgot to secure a door or window, or if they have been deceived by a distraction burglary but it is important to remember that it’s not your fault. Continue reading Don’t give thieves an easy time! →

It’s always a dilemma what to wear as a wedding guest. What will get you noticed but not upstage the bride or wedding party? Do you go traditional or for something totally different? Colour, floral, pastels, bold – the choice is endless! Continue reading Alternative Wedding Guest Dresses →

Anyone can experience loneliness; However, the elderly are particularly vulnerable to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This feeling can also have a huge impact on the health of older people. Many older people find it difficult to get out and about but it’s not all doom and gloom, because there are ways to tackle this social problem. Continue reading Combating loneliness in the elderly →

Recent research conducted by a leading firm specialising in reviews and ratings on a B2B basis has revealed that almost a third of all small businesses are currently operating without their own website. Some small business owners have even gone as far as to state that they don’t intend to ever invest in their own websites. Continue reading Are the benefits of online marketing still eluding the smallest businesses? →

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Have you ever questioned what it is about diamonds that makes them so valuable and expensive? Here are some interesting misconceptions about diamonds and their price, so we can work out the truth behind their value: Continue reading Why are diamonds expensive? →

Racing is not restricted to the roads or racetrack as there is plenty of action to be found out on the water. Powerboat racing is a type of racing on the ocean using super fast boats. The sport goes back surprisingly far with it’s origins being in 1903 when the Automobile Club of Great Britain and it’s sister club, the Marine Motor Association decided to organise a race of auto-boats. The sport was officially recognised the following year when a race took place from the English coast to Calais, France. The United States soon followed suit with their first race occurring in 1911. Continue reading Make a splash →