Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Reviews, Articles, Competitions and more...
2015
Introduction
Welcome to the January edition of the What’s Good To Do monthly newsletter, the first of 2015. We would like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year! We at What’s Good To Do have had a great year and 2015 is set to be even better. December saw a record number of visitors to our website and we hope to improve on this throughout 2015. So we would like to give a very big THANK YOU to you, our readers, for making this possible by using our website and reading our product and venue reviews. The sponsorship of our extremely popular competitions page has come to end so we are currently looking for a new sponsor. This costs £200 per year (just under 55p per day!) and is a great way to advertise your business, if you are interested in sponsoring please email info@whatsgoodtodo.com. We hope that that all our readers have a happy and prosperous new year.
Would you like to advertise in our next Magazine? The next edition on our NATIONAL magazine comes out in April 2015 and we will be switching to an ONLINE only version. We are taking bookings now so if you would like to place an advert while the space is available , our advertising rates are very reasonable no matter what size your business is. For more details and pricing you can download our Media Pack from: www.whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/WGTDmediapack.pdf As well as pricing for our magazine this also has details for advertising on our website from £2 for a Standard Event Listing, from £15 for a banner or from £20 for a yearly listing in our directory. At these prices they are affordable for even the smallest of businesses. For more details visit www.whatsgoodtodo.com Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/whatsgoodtodo Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/whatsgoodtodo1
Our January newsletter is sponsored by: www.magicfairywings.com Educational toys, wooden toys, musical instruments, clothing and lots more...
Whatsgoodtodo.com is the trading name of Toys and Clothes Ltd, which is a company registered in England and Wales Registered Address: 69 Ashcroft Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9AX Company number 04638670.
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Advertisement AN RS C ADE E R D % WGT E 10 0 S AV TD1 G GW N I S U
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: DVD’s The Fall Series Two www.acorndvd.com
RRP £19.99
The Fall Series Two is a clever, gripping and gritty police drama set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Following the successful first series DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) from the Metropolitan Police in London is still in Belfast helping the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) in the hunt for serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dorman). With the police on his trail and getting closer Spector has to take more risks and enlists the help of a 16 year besotted school girl to create alibis and destroy evidence. Overall The Fall is an excellent, superbly acted by all gripping police drama. The slow build up and tension leaves you on the edge of your seat. Anderson and Dornan are once again both excellent in their roles, although Dornan, at least for me, steals the show in his portrayal of the fully functioning serial killer living out his life as killer and therapist. Rating: 4.5/5 Read our full review here: http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/the-fall-series-two-review/
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Montana www.entertainmentone.co
RRP £8.50
www.fox.co.uk
Montana is a gangster movie based in the East End of London about a Serbian ex-commando who takes 14 year old Montana under his wing and trains him in the art of assassination. Their goal is to kill the man that murdered their families. Montana is an emotional action thriller with corrupt police officers, gang violence, some great fight scenes using guns, knives and martial arts and is definitely one to watch. Rating: 4.5/5 Read our full review here: http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/montana-review/
RRP £6.99
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the sequel to the 2012 Rise of the Planet of the Apes. In the year 2026 a deadly retro virus has accidently been released into the community wiping out most of the human population worldwide. The virus has been mistakenly blamed on apes. All out war explodes between the 2 species and the leaders of each group have to fight to stop it. Overall, Dawn is an excellent and enjoyable sequel with some great special effects exploring the natural mistrust between the 2 species and their leader’s attempts to just get along. Rating: 4.5/5 Read our full review here: http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apesreview/
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Featured Review SensatioNail FUSE Gelnamel Starter Kit the 3 step procedure on each nail and by the time I was finished I had nails that looked like I’d been to a salon and unbelievably I’d done it quicker than when I usually paint my nails. After having your nail under the LED lamp for 30seconds (it’s timed so you don’t have to worry about looking at a watch) the polish is totally dry. I should point out that you can’t use the gelnamel products without the LED lamp.
Reviewed by Gemma Brunt I love nail varnish, I own at the very least 40 bottles and though I love having my nails painted I can guarantee that within a day it will have chipped even the ones that claim a week’s wear won’t hold up, which is beyond annoying, especially when you notice just before you go out and don’t have time to apply the polish and leave it to dry. As you can imagine I was delighted to be able to test the SensatioNail FUSE Starter Kit. The product is very neatly packaged into a little cube which contains a gelnamel polish, mini LED lamp with plug and USB adapter, mini nail buffer, cuticle stick, mini pot of cleanser, 12 lint free wipes and a mini instruction booklet. Along with this I got a bottle of polish remover and 2 extra colours. The instructions state that you should do each nail one at a time, I’m used to just slapping on my nail polish and waving my hands about to dry them as quick as possible, as I don’t have a lot of time to spare so I was a little put off that this would be too time consuming.
I have spent the day doing as much as possible to get the varnish to chip, and all I have to show for it is sore hands, not one single chip can be found. The gelnamel comes of easily with the remover though so you can change your colour whenever you feel like it, just like with a regular polish. The starter kit itself is £19.99, each individual polish is £15 and the remover is £6.
I know when I opened the pack and saw I’d have to prep my nails before applying the polish I was a little daunted, I’m certainly no beautician, so how would I manage to do my own nails with gel, so at the risk of losing points for professionalism I will admit something to help put the minds at ease of those who think that it will be difficult to use this kit, I did my very first application after half a bottle of red wine and still ended up with perfect results… that’s just how easy it is!
Part of me thinks “£15 for a polish no way” yet I can’t help but think how easy I got salon like results in such a short amount of time, in my eyes it’s worth it just for the fact I can get up and do things straightaway instead of being stuck while my nails dry. Also with the fact that you do only require one coat, the well-sized bottle of gelnamel (10.65ml) will last a long time and you’d easily pay £15 per application to get a similar treatment at a salon. When you take this into account you can start to see it is I had 3 colours to try pink (Na-No way), actually value for money. silver glitter (Lights, Camera, Reaction) and pink glitter (Gone Fission), all one coat I myself have already made note of the next coverage. One coat I hear you say, yes I colours I want to buy and I’m now off to do myself was sceptical expecting streaks but my toes. wow was I wrong. After applying a thin coat and having it under the lamp for the An amazing product. allotted 30 seconds I was left with beautiful nails not a streak in sight, the glitter Rating: 5/5 polishes were subtle, the pink nice and nd bright. I myself added a 2 coat when using the glittery ones to intensify the colour RRP: £35 – only £19.99 at Boots (the instructions say that this is ok). Available to buy from Boots here. With its claims of “one coat coverage, antichip technology, 30 second flash dry and megawatt shine” I was up for the challenge, I now knew that I’d get shiny nails with one coat of polish but we’ll soon see how anti-chip you are! Oh my how surprised I was.
Following the instructions I worked through
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Books
sponsored by Britain’s Next Bestseller
You can read the full reviews of these books on www.whatsgoodtodo.com Stillwell A Haunting on Long Island
The Good Life
by Michael Phillip Case
www.headline.co.uk RRP: £19.99 ISBN: 9781472200952 WGTD Rating: 5/5
www.michaelphillipcash.com RRP: £8.99 ISBN: 9781484196090 WGTD Rating: 5/5 Paul Russo’s wife has died, aged only 34, after a short illness but while he and his three kids are trying to cope with the loss and put their lives back in order Paul is tormented by very vivid dreams of a demon who is holding his wife’s spirit hostage. After returning to work as an estate agent he is asked by friends to sell Stillwell Manor on Long Island that is believed to be haunted. He reluctantly agrees as the commission from the sale would help alleviate some of the dwindling savings after paying medical bills and not working but discovers that there are strange goings on within the mansion. But his strange dreams and Stillwell and linked and he must solve the riddle of the house that dates back hundreds of years to finally set his wife free and find peace for them both. Overall, Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island is brilliant read that I could just not put down. This is the second book I have read by Michael Phillip Cash and it is yet again another great ghost story mixed with an emotional love story and history. His style of writing is excellent, the story is great and is an excellent read. A very satisfying read that mixes the emotional loss of a loved one passing and a haunted house with flowing ease. Michael Phillip Cash is definitely an author that is worth reading. You can read all our reviews of books by Michael Phillip Cash on our website http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/tag/michael-phillip-cash
by Martina Cole
Cain Moran is a criminal at the top of his game, married with a young son and is living “the good life”. When he meets the 16 year old Jenny Riley there is nothing he has ever wanted more. But asking his wife for a divorce is the start of years of trouble. When he is sentenced to life in prison Jenny is prepared to wait the 25 years for her man. When a small time gangster is moved into the same prison to get revenge for the death of his father this is the beginning of a very violent game for Cain to get back on top and get back what is his. Overall, The Good Life is an excellent, well-written gangster novel intermingled with a love story. Full of violence, revenge, retribution, family and loyalty it is an absorbing read that keeps you turning the page leaving you unable to put the book down. Highly recommended!
Pepper Parrot’s Problem with Patience by Carole P. Roman www.caroleproman.com RRP: £5.99 | ISBN: 9781478113553 WGTD Rating: 5/5 This is the second story we have read about Captain No Beard and his pirate crew on their boat The Flying Dragon. I love how the stories have subtle ways of teaching the kids the right and wrong way to do things. The book also shows children how it is better to work as a team and this is a theme which has continued from the first book. This particular book is about patience and learning your left from your right. This story explores how changing the description of something can change our perception of something or someone. I really liked that idea and it was really put across well in the book.
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Advertisement Hauck Fun for Kids are sponsors of www.whatsgoodtodo.com Our wide-ranging product line of stroller sets, double buggies, buggies, high chairs, car seats, travel cots, rockers and accessories offers something for every need and taste.
www.hauckuk.com / www.facebook.com/hauckfunforkidsuk / www.twitter.com/hauckforkids
Travel System Triumph for the Hauck London Set The wait is over and after months of testing and anticipation the Mother & Baby 2015 Award Winners were finally announced. We were delighted to accept the highly acclaimed Mother & Baby 2015 Bronze award for our Hauck London Set. The London Set scooped Bronze in ‘Best Travel System’ beating some major competition this year. A highly acclaimed award for one of our innovative travel systems designed to make life easier for parents today.
Hauck pride themselves on keeping up to date with the demands of parents in the 21 st century and continually using innovative designs to deliver the products parents need and want. The London Set utilised new design technology to deliver a light weight stroller set offering parents endless combinations to travel with baby in safety, comfort and style. Our Mother & Baby Award winning London Set is Now Available Boots, Argos, Tesco, Mothercare, Kiddicare, Precious Little one. See our Mother & Baby Award Winning London Set in Action http://youtu.be/yjfAWWg0RK0
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Theatre The Lion King
The Lion King broke all box office records at the Palace Theatre when it played 166 sold-out Palace Theatre, Manchester performances in front of over 322,000 people. In January, this acclaimed production will return to the Palace Theatre for just 5 weeks. 17 January to 22 February 2015 With a cast of over 40 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King is miraculously brought to life in Manchester using masks, puppets and striking costumes to tell the story of young Simba's epic adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king. The stunning simplicity of The Lion King is the work of a team of designers who draw on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated films of all time. So if you want to see this amazing show, then get your tickets to see Disney's The Lion King right here! To book tickets visit: Running time: 2hrs 30m including one interval www.atgtickets.com/ palacetheatre or call the box office on 0844 871 3019. Tickets cost from £20 to £59.50 (plus £4 transaction fee) Suitable for everyone aged 6+.
The Woman in Black Theatre Royal, Brighton 12-17 January 2015
Unanimously acclaimed by the critics, The Woman in Black combines the power and intensity of live theatre with a cinematic quality inspired by the world of film noir. The formula delivers an evening of unremitting drama, transporting the audience into a terrifying and ghostly world. A lawyer engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It all begins innocently enough, but as they reach further into his darkest memories the borders between make believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep... Now celebrating its 25th year in the West End, over 7 million people have lived to tell the tale of one of the most chilling and successful theatre events ever staged. ‘A truly nerve-shredding experience’ Daily Mail
To book tickets visit: www.atgtickets.com/brighton or call the box office on 0844 871 7650. Tickets cost from £13.90 to £34.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
‘Don’t go unless you like being scared out of your wits’ Sunday Mirror ‘The most brilliantly effective spine chiller you will ever encounter. If you haven’t seen this show yet you are missing a treat’ Daily Telegraph
To read all of our theatre reviews visit: http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/category/ entertainment-reviews/theatre-reviews If you are a theatre or promoter that would like us to review your shows please email: info@whatsgoodtodo.com
For all advertising enquiries on our website or magazines please call or email us for further details 0161 787 8550 / info@whatsgoodtodo.com
Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Days
Out Ideas
You can find reviews of some or all of these on our website, why not take a look before making your mind up to visit or not. Visit www.whatsgoodtodo.com and type the name of the venue into the Reviews & Articles search box.
London Eye London
SEA LIFE, Manchester Manchester
At 135m, The London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel. It was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects and was launched in 2000. It has already won over 85 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement. Tickets £29.95 For more information visit www.londoneye.com
Lakeland Motor Museum Cumbria Lakeland Motor Museum is absolutely packed with interesting items. In addition to the cars, motorbikes and bicycles, there are a huge selection of car themed artefacts. Tickets cost from £5 For more information visit www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk
Be transported into an amazing underwater world at the UK's newest Aquarium. Come nose-to-nose with Ernie, the stunning giant green sea turtle, and prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from humble clownfish and seahorses to graceful rays. Tickets from £8.50 To book tickets visit www.visitsealife.com/manchester
Longleat Safari Park Wiltshire Longleat Safari & Adventure Park has been one of the UK’s best-loved attractions for over 60 years. It features an extensive Safari Park, is home to BBC Animal Park and CBBC Roar and also has over 20 fabulous attractions, including Longleat House, one of the most stunning stately homes in Britain. Tickets cost from £19.50 For more information visit www.longleat.co.uk
The York Dungeon York
River Red Rover London
The York Dungeon is 12 shows, and 80 minutes of laughter, screaming, theatre, history and special effects. We are the black comedy of attractions; dark, ironic and very very funny.
The River Red Rover all-day travel pass offers unlimited access to the river. You can hop on and hop off at any one of four piers, with open passage on any City Cruises sightseeing boats for a full day spent exploring the sights of the Thames.
Tickets cost from: £7.95 to £15.95 For more information visit www.thedungeons.com/york
Tickets cost: £8.10 to £32.40 (online prices) To book tickets visit www.citycruises.com
Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire
Rand Farm Park Lincoln
The Berkeley family welcome you to Berkeley Castle, their ancient fortress home where they have lived since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding, completed the Keep in the late 12th Century. Tickets cost from: £5.50 to £28
Rand Farm Park is a working farm park attraction for children in Lincolnshire. Feed and cuddle the animals. Indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds Tickets cost from: £6.25 to £8.25 To book tickets visit www.randfarmpark.com
To book tickets visit www.berkeley-castle.com
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Competition Time Our Latest Competitions We have some great competitions for January 2015! For your chance to win some great prizes visit www.whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/competitions Montana DVD 3lucky readers can each win a DVD copy of Montana - a gangster movie set on London’s East End with a 14 year old boy and a Serbian excommando. Runs from 1-19 January 2015
Loveyush Nursing Scarf Loveyush Nursing Scarf provides Practical solution for discreet breastfeeding and it turns into a Stylish Scarf when not nursing. Runs from 1-31 January 2015
Night at the Museum 3 Merchandise 5 lucky readers can each win a Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb merchandise set. Runs until 4 January 2015
Lindam Home Safety Bundle Children should be safe at home. That’s why we have teamed up with Lindam to offer 1 lucky reader the chance to win the XTRAGUARD® range. Runs until 4 January 2015
Plus many more on our website including: Munchkin Latch Newborn Starter Kit, Munchkin Feeding Bundle and more to come throughout the month! So keep checking our website throughout the month!
Good luck to everybody that enters! If you would like to run a competition on our website please email david@whatsgoodtodo.com with details Terms and Conditions: - Only one member of each household may enter each competition, duplicate entries will be deleted. UK residents only. - By entering any of our competitions you agree that your first name and town will be posted on our website in the event that you are a winner. - We reserve the right to amend the end date of any competition. - Your personal details are only used for the purposes of sending out any prize you may win. - The judges decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into. - Prizes are as specified and cannot be exchanged for cash or an alternative prize. - Some prizes may be sent direct from sponsors and we cannot be held liable for any prizes that are not claimed/lost. - Only fully completed entries via our Competition Entry Form will be accepted, all others will be deleted. - No bulk entries or entries from third parties and/or automated services will be accepted.
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Discount Codes Here are some of the discount codes and offers that can be found on our website. To see all of our latest discount codes and offer visit www.whatsgoodtodo.com MagicFairyWings www.magicfairywings.com
ADD YOUR DISCOUNT OFFER HERE email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com
Kidorable and Bugzz children's clothing and accessories, Bigjigs Wooden Toys including train sets and accessories, wooden musical toys, Melissa & Doug, party bags and party bag items plus lots more. Get a 10% discount when using code WGTD10 at checkout on www.magicfairywings.com! Offer expires: 31/12/15
Loveyush www.loveyush.co.uk Loveyush Nursing Scarfs provide practical and stylish solutions for discreet breastfeeding. Get a £10 discount when using code loveyush15wgt at checkout on www.loveyush.co.uk!
ADD YOUR DISCOUNT OFFER HERE email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com
Offer expires: 31/01/15
Shiraz Shic Interiors provide customers with a wide selection of Oriental/Chinese Furniture, as well as French Style Shabby Chic furniture and home accessories. Get a 10% discount of everything when using code WGTD10 at checkout on www.shirazshic.com
ADD YOUR DISCOUNT OFFER HERE email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com
Offer expires: 31/01/15
If you have a discount code or offer that you would like to see here and on our website email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Classified’s UTOPIA MODEL AGENCY
www.magicfairywings.com BABY GOODS · TOYS · HAIR ACCESSORIES & JEWELLERY · PERSONALISED BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS, INVITES AND THANK YOU NOTES · PERSONALISED GIFTS· AND MUCH MORE!
ACTORS/MODELS · TV/FILM EXTRAS CHILD/ADULT NATIONWIDE NO REGISTRATION OR JOINING FEES WWW.UTOPIAMODELS.CO.UK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UTOPIAMODELAGENCY
www.colourwheelcreative.co.uk
Advertise Here £2.50 Per Issue Or 3 issues for £7 email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com
Need a logo? a flyer? a banner? in fact any promotional material for your business? or maybe even a invitation or thank you card for your child's birthday present? colourwheel creative have the experience and creativity you are looking for…
info@colourwheelcreative.co.uk
It's a twin thing.... A unique selection of gifts for twins, triplets and their families.
www.twinsgiftcompany.co.uk Emmas Stuffies Unique, custom and special cuddly animals made from your baby's babygrows or clothing as a beautiful keepsake. www.emm.as www.facebook.com/memorystuffies
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Official football merchandise from Premiership, Championship, European and National teams www.footiemad.co.uk
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Issue 32: January 2015 www.whatsgoodtodo.com info@whatsgoodtodo.com 0161 787 8550
What’s Good To Do Newsletter: Advertising Do you want more exposure for your business?
Why not advertise with us with these affordable options!
Magazines From 2015 our magazine will become an ONLINE magazine only. Our rates are very reasonable and affordable with prices starting from as low as £5. At these rates can you afford not to? You too could run your own What’s Good To Do magazine in your area on a licence basis (subject to availability) like the new What’s Good To Do Hampshire magazine . Email info@whatsgoodtodo.com for details
Website Why not add your business or event to our searchable listings or have a banner on our Homepage. Our searchable listings cost from as little as £20 per year! Another great option could be one of our home page banner advert spaces.
Want more exposure and a FREE searchable listing on our website?
If you provide an offer or discount for our Membership Card we give you a FREE Standard Listing for as long as your offer is ‘LIVE’. You also have the option of paying the difference to upgrade to a sponsored listing.
Newsletter Our newsletter is emailed out on 1st of every month to subscribers as well as being downloaded from our website and being viewed online from our Facebook and Twitter pages. For a small fee of £2.50 your business/product/venue can have an advert in this newsletter (subject to space and approval). Email newsletter@whatsgoodtodo.com for details.
Product/Venue Reviews Would you like more exposure for your product or venue? We can review your product or venue and feature in our magazine, on our website or Facebook page.
Competitions Maybe you would like to get your product/venue known by running a competition on our website or in one of our magazines. This is a great way to get your product or venue known.
For more information or to book your advert space please email info@whatsgoodtodo.com for details or download our Media Pack from http://whatsgoodtodo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/WGTDmediapack.pdf
For all advertising enquiries on our website or magazines please call or email us for further details 0161 787 8550 / info@whatsgoodtodo.com