The Nations Favourite Christmas Carols

To carry on with our 12 Blogs of Christmas (blogs for the 12 days before and after christmas)
We wondered what the nations favourite Christmas carols were...good old google.
according to The Nation's Favourite Christmas Carol on ClassicFM
Top 30 Christmas Carols


1. O Holy Night

2. Silent Night

3. In the Bleak Mid-Winter - Gustav Holst version

4. In the Bleak Mid-Winter - Harold Darke version

5. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

6. O Come All Ye Faithful

7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

8. Coventry Carol

9. O Little Town of Bethlehem

10. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

11. Once in Royal David's City

12. In Dulci Jubilo

13. Joy to the World

14. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

15. Away in a Manger

16. Sussex Carol

17. Shepherd's Pipe Carol

18. The Three Kings

19. Gabriel's Message

20. Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

21. Gaudete

22. The Holly and the Ivy

23. Carol of the Bells

24. See Amid the Winter's Snow

25. Ding Dong! Merrily on High

26. Candlelight Carol

27. Good King Wenceslas

28. Angels from the Realms of Glory

29. The First Nowell

30. What Sweeter Music

we in the office love the Candlelight Carol (number 26)

really gets you in the Chrsitmas mood!

Simple Healthy Breakfast

This is one of my favourite breakfasts to do and it’s really good for you.
I
ngredients
Frozen blueberries (found in the freezer section of the supermarket)
Half a mango
Kiwi
Low fat yogurt
Cinnamon (optional)

This can be done with other fruit and is really simple, cut up the mango and kiwis into small pieces and add to blueberries straight from the freezer into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of low fat yogurt and cinnamon to taste. Gently shake to mix and pour it all into a bowl. Yummy and healthy!

Mentoring Slots

I am currently offering a limited number of mentoring sessions to start-up and small businesses, focusing on anything and everything, from start-up to the dilemma of ‘what next’.
Having been in business myself for a number of years, with my company Stairsteady, I have experienced the ups and downs of growing it from a GCSE project in my front room, into an organisation that operates in the international marketplace.
Why am I doing this? Quite simply because I understand that bringing a consultant into your business can not only be expensive, it can be a daunting experience too.
Rather than getting bogged down in the obvious, I offer a new approach and a sounding board for those looking to move on to the next stage with their business, or those wanting to start up. You just tell me where you want to go and we will plan the route there, it doesn’t get much simpler than that.

The sessions can be one off, or on a regular basis and can take place either in Sheffield City Centre or in my offices just off J30.

All conversations are of course fully confidential and NDA’s can be provided on request.
Prices:
£15.00 for 30min £25.00 for an hour

The usual terms and conditions apply. This offer is only open to companies either under 1 year old or with a turn over less that £25,000. However, if you are a larger company and would like to discuss my business consultancy services, please do not hesitate to get in touch for a free consultation. If you would like to be considered email ruth@stairsteady.net

Be Good, Be Beautiful: The Fashion Show

The words ‘Fairtrade Fashion’ often conjure up images of hemp sacks and tie die, but the world of Fairtrade fashion and beauty is far from that. With beautiful jewellery, on trend fashion and fantastic choice the Fairtrade community is bursting with vibrant produce. ‘Be Good, Be Beautiful’ events aim to promote this. This year Sheffield’s Blue Shed will be the home, for two nights only, of ‘Be Good, Be Beautiful: The Fashion Show’ a night of local and national fair-trade goods. Hosted by Sophie Mei and Ruth Amos this will be an event not to be missed, with partners such as People Tree, Ethics Girls, Bishopstons Trading, The Body Shop, The Co-operative Society and The English Rose Bakery. Live music from Hayley Toothill and other live acts. All ages are welcome and all proceeds raised will go to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity works around the world with volunteers from all backgrounds, races and religions to build homes together with families in need.

Yes you read correctly, Be Good Be Beautiful is having its first ever Fashion Show!

27th and 28th April The Blue Shed, Sheffield 7.30pm-9.30pm

if you would like to be involved, their are three ways:

Attend- come along, bring friends and family and enjoy :)

Have a Stall- If you have your own FairTrade business and would like to be involved, please email me.

Model-We are looking for about 20 volunteers to act as models for clothes and accessories over the two evenings. Previous experience preferred, though not essential!

You must be: · Over 18 years old · Enthusiastic · Able to attend both evenings (7.30 – 9.30 p.m), a walk through meeting on Saturday 23rd April and a rehearsal from 3.45 p.m on the afternoon of Wednesday 27th April · Willing to follow direction and wear allocated outfits and accessories · Able to provide plain black top and trousers/leggings for yourself

If you are interested in taking part please contact Ruth Amos by email at ruth@stairsteady.net and we will get back to you with further details. There will be no payment for taking part, but an entry ticket for one evening will be given so that a friend or member of your family can come along for free!

All proceeds from both evenings will go to the charity ‘Habitat for Humanity’

Tickets are £5.00 they can be bought from http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1570961789 please spread the word and please attend :)

Thank you and hopefully see you soon,

Ruth

Meet Rachael (yes another Rachael!)

1. Name
Rachael Dye, although outside of work I’m mostly Rae
2. Age
Sadly 31

3. What are you doing at StairSteady?
I’m working part time 9:30 till 3:45 most days although I do get to go on exciting trips to Glasgow and Birmingham for meetings and Exhibitions! I take care of most of the day to day office jobs and StairSteady sales as well as finding new leads for Ruth to follow up, as she is fabulous at the training, presentations and trade side of things J I’m also involved in developing a press pack and advertisments at the moment.

4. Why did you want to work at StairSteady?
I worked at StairSteady on a temporary basis after Rachel Kent left, it was only supposed to be until a replacement was found but i fell in love with my job! I wanted to work for a company that didn’t just care about making money out of people. I have a background in the NHS and wanted to do something that was working with people and as corney as it sounds making a difference to peoples lives. I also love how no one day is the same here, I can be answering phones and sending emails one day then at an exhibition and researching leads the next.

5. What do you want to get out of it?
I want to be a part of a team where each person is valued for what they bring and here at StairSteady that feels like it happens each day. I also want learn new skills, I love the challenge of doing new things. Last week i designed my first ever advert for a magazine, and although there was a fair bit of cursing my computer, I could sit back at the end of the day and see what I had acheived. I also get to meet some really genuinely interesting and nice people.

6. What are your strengths?
I think probably my dedication and perseverance are probably two of my strengths, I give 101% to everything I do. I’m also good at communicating with others and dealing with people in stressful situations.


7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I have two young children at the moment so in 10 years time i hope that they will be at an age where we can do some travelling, there is so much of the world i would like to see. Career wise i’d love to be with StairSteady having watched it transform from the small company it is now to something much larger, I know though with Ruth as a Manager and Me here too it will still keep hold of all those things we both feel are so important such as the customer focus and the ethical and moral ideals with both value. Who knows maybe we might have trade partners in the
far- flung places so i can combine my two goals! J

8. How would your friends describe you?
As someone they can turn too when they need to be heard or need a hand with something, hopefully just as a good friend.

9. Describe yourself in three words
Reliable, dedicated and caring
10. Do you like to go to the gym? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)
I’d love to have the time and energy! With two young children and work I don;t get chance any more but when i get opportunity I love to go out into beauiful places and walk or climb.
11. What do you do in your spare time
Haha see above! No seriously when i get chance I love being outdoors walking and camping etc but I also love music and creative things like making my own jewelery.

12. What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?
I love the fact that there is something for everyone, whatever you are into. The botanical gardens and various parks and green spaces are beautiful. I spent some time near Endcliffe park and Eccleshall Road and just the variety of things on offer there are fabulous, I could shop have a cup of real coffe and organic food then feel virtuous by walking through the park afterwards!

13. Do you like cheese? Which ones? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)

I have to confess that cheese isn’t my favourite food but Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Red Winsor Cheese and Stilton with apricots and cranberries.


14. Favourite Film

These days its mostly Disney with the kids, but some of them are quite good! I do like a good Murder Mystery or Cop drama though. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo now its out.

15. Favourite food

I’m Vegetarian and I love berries, nearly all fruit and vegetables and things like cuos cous, brown rice, quinoa etc. I cook quite a lot so i often make stir fries, roast meditteranean vegetables and tagines etc.. as long as its fairly healthy then i’m happy!

16. Favourite Band

I love loads of different kinds of music, at the moment i’m listening to a lot of Pink, Florence and the Machine, Lady GaGa, My Chemical Romance.. but i’m also into the Beetles, Queen & Classical. All sorts really J

17. Favourite Shop

Oh hard choice.. I love Lush. For Clothes I have to go where they do a short range! I do like Top Shop, River Island and Next but you can’t beat Primark and New Look for a Bargin

18. Favourite Place

I fell in Love with Granada when i went out there for a relatives wedding, just to be able to walk on a deserted beach and snorkle before breakfast was amazing, it was also the one and only time I have seen the rainforest which I loved. Closer to home though i love the coast at places like Whitby, I like Manchester and Leeds for city life but nothing beats the peak district for the scenery and walking.

19. Favourite Sweets

Flying Saucers! Oh and a really high cocoa solids Dark Chocolate, Fair Trade though.

20. Tell us something that we would never think about you.
Ooh now what to tell when my boss will read this..! I have a little box full of earings as I only ever wear one of each set.. I also have Grade 5 Piano.

Rachael is our new StairSteady Co-ordinator so many of you may be speaking to her on the phone,

Hope everyone is keeping warm in this horrible weather,

R

I am a very bad blogger...

I really need to blog more... whoops

So all has been busy in the StairSteady Office:

-We have a new leaflet and logo by printing.com, read all about it

http://growyourbusinesswithprintingcom.blogspot.com/

and look how pretty it looked when we did some filming for the Manufacturing Diploma

- We have taken on another Rachael, this time on a more permanent basis, blog intro to come.

-Up to Christmas we are running a scheme that any new orders that we receive we will create a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child on behalf of the customer.

-We had a very product logistics meeting (I love my flo diagrams).

-Next week we have a meeting with Handicare (formally Minivator) who do our fittings for us.

-Revenue and Customs are doing some filming....more to come I promise.

Here the link to the other videos
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1081994865&type=ONEOFFPAGE

and

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1084616829&type=CAMPAIGN

-I may have an announcement to make this week or next... so follow me on twitter to be the first to hear @RuthAmos

Short post I know but my aim is to blog more, it’s good for the soul.

Naidex 2010- Ruth Diary

Day 1- Monday- set up
Today starts early with a trip to TNT to send off this week’s StairSteadys, then on to Birmingham, the car piled high with the stand. We arrive to a mass on half built stands and tools and machinery everywhere. After a sandwich the lads get to building the stand.







Video- before we start

Picture- making a start
Picture- starting to take shape
Picture- and were done
Video- how big the show is!







We leave at 6.30 ready for some food. I’m almost asleep into my rice.
Its a long day and I’m asleep by 8.30 as its going to be a long week!
Day 2- Tuesday
The day begins at 6.15 with a shower and a cup of coffee for mum breakfast at 7.00
Picture- mum and Phil enjoy breakfast
Picture- my Wheatabix
.... and were all ready to meet Matt at 8.30. We arrive at the show at 8.45 and the finishing touches are made (leaflets are put out, caffeine is pumped into the body) and at 10.00am the show opens and the people pour in (literally). We have a busy day demonstrating and handing out leaflets.
1300
Huntleigh’s demonstrations break up the day nicely and its fascinating seeing their bariatric equipment. Putnam’s vibrating pillows are selling like hot cakes and the contacts we are getting are fantastic. The guys next door let me stand on there AMAZING gel when me feet hurts...

... and cosy feet are doing a roaring trade.
1600
People have started heading home and the show is starting to get quiet.
1700
The show ends and the quiet StairSteady team decide to give the post show drinks a miss as we are all on our last legs.
1830
A debate about where to eat is taking place, we have ended up just driving around looking for food.....we have found an Ikea! Meatballs it is. (I know not the most normal thing to have, but very yummy)
1930
After getting very lost trying to find out way out, we decide to join the coach trips in the bar... one drink later and were all ready for bed!
2100
I’ve done well, managed to stay up an extra 30min J night all.
Day3- Wednesday
It’s a frantic rush this morning as the hotels electricity runs out. So they guys beat us to the NEC. (Dad bringing my supply of frozen juice- I’m mostly drinking liquids because of having my wisdom tooth out so it was a careful plan of who was bringing me up my homemade juice so it stayed fresh- it seemed a good idea at the time)Today we have got so much help on the stand! Mum, Dad, Peter, Phil, Matt and Reg are all there to help me. We have our new black StairSteady Shirts and they all look very smart.
It’s busy again and I leave the team in the afternoon for a meeting with Mike Lord (Minivator). Mike spends a few hours with me looking at how we are going to be moving forward. It’s a very thoughtful meeting, but hopefully the outcomes will help StairSteady go from strength to strength.

1830
After another long day Mum, Reg and Phil head back to Sheffield and Matt, Dad, Peter and me all hit the Chinese (I know my second Chinese in a week)
1930
By now we are running low on leaflets so in true StairSteady style I spend a couple of hours printing off and folding a couple of hundred leaflets.
Day 4- Thursday
Last day and the guys all look very smart in there suits. The show is not quite so busy today and Russ (Matt’s Dad) joins us at lunch before taking Matt home to do some revision. Today we get to visit some of the other exhibitor’s stands; I am always amazed with how many brilliant ideas are out there!
Mike joins us for a bit in the afternoon and quizzes the OTs on how we can get the StairSteady into more council. Minivator even let me have a go on one of there Stair Lifts!
The day ends at 1600, but the work is only just beginning as after a quick change its time to take down the stand.
I learn how to use the power tools and Dad, Peter and me get the stand down in record time.
Were on our way home by 1930
2100
I arrive home and collapse onto the sofa while Phil makes me a cup of tea, my Mum brings me my tea (they look after me well) and I can barely keep my eyes open.
Day 5-Friday- unpacking and sorting out
Friday is usually spent unpacking the stand and storing it, sorting out leaflets and lists and working out where ‘this thing’ used to live.
Suitcases fill the house and someone always manages to fall over a bit of a StairSteady. It chaotic, but it’s a team effort and that’s what I love. The StairSteady team all pulling together and working hard.
Thanks Team
Ruth x

Where have i been?

I have been so busy with talks, a meal at James Caans and a trip to Downing Street to name a few (selection of pictures to follow).

A Celebration of Womens Contribution to BritainMr Brown welcomes all the Ladies
Sarah Brown talks Duffy
I have also been talking a lot as well as judging at the Big Bang Fair (very fun and exciting) where I made new friends and caught up with old. I was very privileged to sit on a fantastic panel of judges, catching up with some old friends (Kate Bellingham) and made new friends (Jim Al Khalili and Liz Bonnin). Incidentally Kate and Liz are on the Museum of Life programme on the BBC- it is FANTASTIC, so well shot and Liz and Kate are as fantastic as ever. Kate BellinghamLiz Bonnin
Jim Al Khalili
I also got to meet the rest of the ‘Bang Goes the Theory’ crew, very talented people. The Big Bang was hold in Manchester and was a fantastic 3days and they let me talk at the sponsors dinner, a real privilege.
The Bang Goes the Theory Team
Young Engineers will always have a special place in my heart, without them StairSteady would not have taken off as it did and for that I will be forever grateful.

So as well as these amazing opportunities I have been working harder than ever, we have been spending a lot of time trying to get the StairSteady to be the perfect product. We have a possible new powder coaters ‘Apple Aluminium’ a local company in Sheffield, they have been fantastic and I had a meeting with Adam who runs it and its seems like it will be a fantastic working relationship (there turnaround time seems to be unbelievable) but only time will tell.

We have been looking into new packaging, TNT seem to like to play Basketball with our StairSteadys and so we have been trying a lot of new packaging and it seems promising.
I will try and blog more, next week we are at Naidex, so I will try and get some picture, video and possibly blog (depending on time). However, please follow my tweets @RuthAmos

More to come sooner.....
Keep Moving.......
Ruth x