Facebook floats today and the world will have its eyes on the US  Stock Exchange in a few short hours to see how the most hotly anticipated flotation comes to fruition.

Expect a bun fight as anyone who is anyone clamours to get a slice of the most revolutionary shift in web since Tim Berners Lee said ‘I’ve got an idea’ takes another twist.

Facebook is everywhere. Population is bettered only by China and India. The run up to today’s events should have been plain sailing and smooth and Mark Zuckerberg and the gang could rightfully have smug, and justified, looks on their faces.

Except this week hasn’t gone all that smoothly. With facebook itself admitting they’re not where they should be on monetising mobile usage, coupled with the news that half of facebook users are now consuming their information from the site on these very devices, there does appear to be a little catch up required.

A company valued at $104bn, so often way ahead of the curve, seems to have been caught taking a cheeky fag round the back of the bike sheds, just at the precise moment it should have been out the front greeting its prospective shareholders with tidy hair and shiny shoes.

Facebook is amazing. What other mechanic, before they arrived, got people to willingly share so much information about their lives, their interests and their families. It’s no wonder businesses flocked there. Rich pickings for advertisers who can, quite literally, stick a new car ad in front of you the minute you tell your pals the exhaust has fallen off your old banger. A marketer’s wet dream.

Except one of the biggest car makers in the world, just at the wrong time, have suggested the returns they’re getting aren’t quite what they hoped for and have announced its scaling back spend on the site. Just a day before the flotation.

Commentators point to GMs lack of commitment and cohesion between its self-generated and paid-for content on Facebook as the main reason it’s not working for them. Many others, such as Ford, have leapt to Facebook’s defence, but the potential damage is already done with GMs very public snub. That’s what makes the headlines.

So what now? Well, the float will go great, the worldwide media will lap it up and records will be broken left, right and centre.

The bubble’s not yet for bursting – anything but – but the signs of one or two suddenly prepared to sharpen their pins should be enough of a warning to Facebook that it has set itself a breath-taking and impressive evolutionary pace. The minute it stops, it may find the climb back up the hill just that little bit harder.

Facebook floats today and the world will have its eyes on the US  Stock Exchange in a few short hours to see how the most hotly anticipated flotation comes to fruition.

Expect a bun fight as anyone who is anyone clamours to get a slice of the most revolutionary shift in web since Tim Berners Lee said ‘I’ve got an idea’ takes another twist.

Facebook is everywhere. Population’s bettered only by China and India. The run up to today’s events should have been plain sailing and smooth and Mark Zuckerberg and the gang could rightfully have smug, and justified, looks on their faces.

Except this week hasn’t gone all that smoothly. With facebook itself admitting they’re not where they should be on monetising mobile usage, coupled with the news that half of facebook users are now consuming their information from the site on these very devices, there does appear to be a little catch up required.

A company valued at $104bn, so often way ahead of the curve, seems to have been caught taking a cheeky fag round the back of the bike sheds, just at the precise moment it should have been out the front greeting its prospective shareholders with tidy hair and shiny shoes.

Facebook is amazing. What other mechanic, before they arrived, got people to willingly share so much information about their lives, their interests and their families. It’s no wonder businesses flocked there. Rich pickings for advertisers who can, quite literally, stick a new car ad in front of you the minute you tell your pals the exhaust has fallen off your old banger. A marketer’s wet dream.

Except one of the biggest car makers in the world, just at the wrong time, have suggested the returns they’re getting aren’t quite what they hoped for and have announced its scaling back spend on the site. Just a day before the flotation.

Commentators point to GMs lack of commitment and cohesion between its self-generated and paid-for content on Facebook as the main reason it’s not working for them. Many others, such as Ford, have leapt to Facebook’s defence, but the potential damage is already done with GMs very public snub. That’s what makes the headlines.

So what now? Well, the float will go great, the worldwide media will lap it up and records will be broken left, right and centre.

The bubble’s not yet for bursting – anything but – but the signs of one or two suddenly prepared to sharpen their pins should be enough of a warning to Facebook that it has set itself a breath-taking and impressive evolutionary pace. The minute it stops, it may find the climb back up the hill just that little bit harder.

A fitness and weight-loss bootcamp claims it will become the first in the UK to operate residential sessions for the entire family

Northern Bootcamp, a retreat-style bootcamp based on the stunning Northumberland coastline, has launched its first ‘family fit and active’ bootcamp which aims to help the whole family get fit and have fun together.

Caroline Smith, co-owner of Northern Bootcamp and leader of the family sessions, said: “This is something we have organised in response to the overwhelming demand from campers who have attended boot camps as individuals.

“They loved the chance to do something for themselves while with us, but the feedback has been that our location, the standards of accommodation and the friendly and open approach we take to our activities would be perfectly suited to the entire family.”

Northern Bootcamp’s family  bootcamp is now taking bookings for its first family fit and active bootcamp, which will be held in Bamburgh, Northumberland over five nights from Saturday June 2^nd, coinciding with the school half term for millions of UK schoolchildren that week. It is also taking bookings for its summer camp, which starts on August 10.

Caroline added: “Our bootcamps are already tailored to fit individuals and we will be taking the same approach with families. By using games and adventure training we get children fit and active without them even thinking of it as exercise.”

“Whilst for most of us this offers a great way to get the kids away from the TV and X-Box during the school holidays, the announcement does come at a time when health professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about children’s’ fitness.”

Child obesity statistics recently revealed by the NHS showed that more than three of every ten children aged between two and 15 were classified as obese. The figures as they become older are even more worrying, with more than a quarter of all UK adults, aged 16 and above, now classed as obese.

Bootcamp sessions include fully supervised abseiling, kayaking, cycling, bushcraft, beach games and mental and physical agility challenges. Accommodation itself is in a top-quality, newly-redeveloped Mill, which offers all modern luxuries.

A successful North East businessman is offering SMEs the chance to learn his secrets of generating new business…in return for just a few cans of food.

Austen Hempstead, who retired five years ago aged just 48, now volunteers as the chairman of The Cyrenians Fareshare North East, an organisation dedicated to ending the blight of food poverty in the North East by getting at least 1 can of food from everyone in the north east, every year.

He hopes to attract 100 business people to the’ iCan Find New Clients’ seminar, all of whom must bring at least ten cans of food with them as their entry fee to the MPH Training and Conference Centre in Gateshead on Tuesday 27^th March. Registration is open from 8am.

Austen says the 90-minute masterclass, the first in a series of three, offers business owners the perfect chance to support people in our own region whilst picking up ideas on how to grow their own business at the same time.

He said: “I speak to dozens of owners of SMEs and, time after time, their key issue is how to keep on generating new business. I’ll be sharing with delegates of the seminar simple but effective ideas that helped me to retire before the age of 50 and will enable businesses to attract new clients.

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity to match my experiences with generating much-needed donations to the iCan campaign. Of course, people are welcome to bring more than ten cans, but if I can get 1,000 cans from each of the 12 iCan seminars I intend to run over the next 12 months, then it is going to make a vast difference to the many hundreds of homeless and underprivileged men, women and children who go hungry every day, right here in this region.”

Austen has already won the support of a number of organisations in the North East who have donated their products and services to the iCan seminar series. These include MPH Training and Conference Centre, Network North, Back Consulting, Jesmond Dene House Hotel, New Results Training, Tent and Quay2 Media.

One business individual who has already committed to the scheme is Damiano Rea, owner of Heaton Property Lettings. He’s already managed to collect a staggering 400 cans at his Heaton Road office. He said: “We started with the staff here donating a few cans. We decided to display them in our reception. Now every time a property owner or renter comes in, they drop off a few cans. The more we get, the more people seem to want to donate. I think it’s a fantastic scheme which is so easy to support.”

Delegates can register for the event at www.icanevent.eventbrite.co.uk and can find more information on the campaign at www.icanfeed.org

In 2007, Austen sold his share of Austen Morris Associates back to his business partner, with whom he founded the (originally) Dubai-based operation 13 years previously.  “Naivety and ignorance, as much as an opening in the market, gave us the belief that we could offer smart investment advice to the rapidly expanding number of expats who started to arrive in Dubai at the time,” he added. The company quickly expanded into South East Asia and, ultimately, into Shanghai and Beijing.

Prior to moving abroad, Austen started his working life as a 20-year-old self employed life assurance salesman. “I was young and hungry. There was nothing I wouldn’t try. I was living near Blackpool at the time and during the winter months, I would call in on hotels in the middle of the night and try to sell to bored hotel staff. I think they were pleased with the attention. One night I passed a fire station, I turned around and walked in there at 3am and sold to a fireman!”  Austen promises this will not be one of the suggestions he’ll be sharing during the seminar.

Within ten years, Austen, who lives in Newcastle with his wife, had worked his way up to become director of a financial services organisation and was running 15 offices with a 250-strong workforce.

Excited brides-to-be are invited to the Assembly Rooms’ spring wedding exhibition on Sunday March 11. The free-to-attend wedding fair will showcase the region’s very best wedding suppliers, live entertainment and latest wedding trends.

With only two wedding exhibitions a year, the Georgian venue, situated on Fenkle Street in central Newcastle, carefully selects the best and most trusted suppliers from across the region.

Virgin Holidays will be showcasing their range of dream honeymoon packages alongside the likes of florists, Stem Ginger and Greener Interiors. In addition, organisations who can take on all the fine detail which come with planning a wedding, such as Timeless Table and Four Star Entertainment will also be exhibiting.

A fashion show, organised by Beautiful Day Weddings, will be held displaying a range of wedding dresses, from the most contemporary edgy creations to design classics which will never date. There’ll be a variety of wedding outfit stockists exhibiting as well, giving guests the perfect opportunity to compare prices, fabrics and to speak to a range of experts about different styles.

As a special treat for those attending on the day, the spectacular Georgian location has lined up North East top wedding band, The Aaron Bailey Band for a special performance.

Special occasion cars, flowers, honeymoons, jewellery, wedding cakes, photographers and specialist and niche venue stylists will be among close to 50 exhibitors at the Assembly Rooms wedding fair on March 11 from midday to 3pm.

For more information please visit www.assemblyrooms.co.uk or call 0191 232 8695.

A design and build firm which recently received a massive boost to its minor works division following an investment from NEL has kicked off a contract to renovate a Teesside academy.

As well as carrying out general refurbishments across the Ormsby Road site, Koru Property Services is conducting a complete overhaul of the ventilation system at Unity City Academy to improve the natural flow of air through of the building. The works follow concerns that certain pockets of the building were overheating, according to measurements taken last summer and other areas could be extremely cold during winter periods.

The contract, worth £480,000, is expected to rely on 20 on-site workers during its peak and is expected to be complete in time for the students’ return after the Easter break.

Peter Day, construction manager for Koru Property Services said: “The work essentially involves installing a new chiller to the roof, ventilation systems into the kitchens and adding air ventilation passages between every floor, which will improve the flow of natural air around the building.

“Having worked with several educational institutions across the North East, including Teesside University, Koru Property Services is well versed at quickly executing a range of contracts, from complete rebuilds to minor refurbishments, with minimum disruption to students and of course, well within budget.”

The contract at Unity Academy follows a series of contracts delivered by Koru Property Services in the Teesside area. The firm, which employs 40 members of staff, is currently completing a £255,000 contract to convert a presbytery into five self-contained apartments at St Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church on Westbourne Grove in North Ormesby.

The reception at Unity City Academy has not been spared from the onsite works and is being given a complete makeover to include a new disabled toilet and a new staircase.

Derek Griffiths, vice principal at the academy, added: “The issues being addressed by this project, have troubled the Academy since the Main building opened in 2004. The works being carried out by Koru, are the culmination of a three year project, beginning with a detailed investigation programme and moving to an engineered solution. As part of the project, we were very keen to reduce energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint at the Academy, therefore the redesigned solution makes as much use of natural ventilation as possible. The Academy is extremely grateful to the DFE and the YPLA for their continued support without which this project would never have happened.

“Koru Property Services were awarded the construction contract following an extensive procurement process, managed by Turner and Townsend. They won the contract on cost, competence and previous project experience in the educational sector.”

“Everyone at the Academy is looking forward to the work being completed. We know it will have a very positive impact on the learning and progress of our students.”

Further information about Koru Property Services is available at www.koruproperty.co.uk.

Elderly residents at a luxury care facility in Redcar have been rolling up their sleeves and getting messy in a bespoke arts and crafts session designed to ease the effects of dementia.

Yew Tree Care Centre recently welcomed specialist creative practitioner, Claire Ford to host a workshop at the facility, as part of their commitment to roll out the very best in elderly healthcare.

From sculpture and painting, through to poetry reading and storytelling, residents sampled a range of sensory-based activities all designed to enhance their health and wellbeing in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sam Jones, activity co-ordinator at Yew Tree Care Centre which offers 76 ensuite bedrooms, said: “We like to offer all our residents a wide variety of activities and when we heard about Claire’s bespoke workshops we knew that they would provide a valuable therapeutic and fun experience to all our residents.

“Whether its arts and crafts, cooking, gardening in our greenhouse and allotment, or simply socialising and watching a good film, we aim to provide an environment which is socially stimulating, keeping the minds of our residents active.”

Claire Ford has recently returned to the North East following a lengthy research mission throughout America. It was during her travels that she decided to concentrate her energies on conducting bespoke workshops for the elderly and people suffering with dementia.

She said: “My focus is to use art as a tool to stimulate and empower people with dementia. One of the key outcomes of the workshops is to encourage self expression and promote self understanding. The residents at Yew Tree responded really well to the workshop many used it as a vehicle to reminisce which is often the case when they are provided with a creative setting.

“Forward thinking care homes like Yew Tree are ensuring that our elderly population is being well cared for, by making it their priority to provide an inspiring and caring environment in which to express themselves. I am looking forward to working closely with them in the future.”

Research shows that as we get older, we become more creative and while cognitive ability deteriorates with dementia, creativity increases and therefore it is crucial to provide dementia sufferers with alternative ways of communicating. 

Sam concludes: “The session was popular with our residents suffering from dementia, as well as with our general residents, and families were quick to get involved too. It was an absolute delight to see everyone participating together and having such a good time.”

Yew Tree Care Centre is one of 30 care facilities owned by the Executive Care Group and is located on Yew Tree Avenue in Redcar. More information can be obtained by telephoning 01642 489 480 or visiting www.execcaregroup.co.uk.

Claire Ford is running creative workshops with a range of groups across the North East of England. For more information, visit www.bespokeartworkshops.co.uk.

The first stages of an ambitious investment plan worth £50,000 are underway at Newcastle’s most well-established entertainment venue.

The Assembly Rooms, situated on Fenkle Street close to Central Station, is undergoing a series of improvements over the next 12 months to ensure it remains the region’s premier conferencing, wedding and events venue.

The main body of the works being carried out initially is on the ground floor, and will see a complete overhaul of the washroom facilities of the Lower Ball Room and Sovereign Suite, which can jointly accommodate up to 370 people.

Antony Michaelides, owner of the Georgian venue, said: “Top of the agenda for us is to ensure that our refurbishments are sensitive to the building’s rich history and highlight the wonderful, original  features within each of our eight suites, which combined, can accommodate over 1000 people.

“Careful consideration and planning has been required in order to execute the works so there is no disruption to the smooth running of the Assembly Rooms. This is why we are undertaking refurbishments in a number of stages.”

Built in 1776, the Assembly Rooms is one of the region’s oldest entertainment venues, showcasing the very best in Georgian architecture.

Once complete in the lower ballroom, updates will then start on refurbishing the upper first floor which houses the Meldon Suite and Halton Suite, which holding up to 30 and 35 people respectively.

Further general refurbishments are to be carried out across the first floor of the Assembly Rooms which is made up of four rooms, the Chandelier, Regency, Wedgwood and Falstaff. Combined, these suites hold up to 640 people.

Antony adds: “The decision to upgrade the facilities at the Assembly Rooms is part of our commitment to offer our customers the best experience possible as well as ensure that we remain ahead of the market.

“With the likes of Las Iguanas, MacDonalds, Proctor and Gamble and the Royal Institute of British Architecture choosing to hold their conferences with us, we are proud to say that the calibre of our venue certainly matches the calibre of our clients.”

The five star luxury resort in Hurworth near Darlington has been placed second in the list of the UKs most luxurious hotel destinations by popular review website TripAdvisor. Only the esteemed Dorchester Hotel on London’s Park Lane finishes higher, with Rockliffe Hall putting the likes of The Ritz and Claridge’s firmly in the shade.

Even more incredibly, TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards has placed Rockliffe Hall as fifth most luxurious venue in Europe and a stunning ninth place in its round up of the world’s most luxurious hotel destinations.  Having recently won Large Hotel of the Year at the North East Tourism Awards, this new addition to their healthy list of accolades is their most welcome yet.

TripAdvisor is a public website which features reviews on hotels made by members of the general public, and Rockliffe Hall has welcomed this platform for reviews since soon after opening in 2009. The website provides guests the opportunity to post their views on their stay or experience at Rockliffe Hall, and their recent top rating is something which the hotel is extremely proud of.

Rockliffe Hall, managing director, Nick Holmes, said: “It is really pleasing that our guests, who we value so much, have placed us above some of the most iconic luxury hotels in the UK.  We have been rated higher than some of the well-known and respected five star hotels in London and the rest of the UK, and we really feel that this is a great achievement for us.

“Its even more incredible to see our name above other world-renowned destinations, such as Sandy Lane in Barbados and the St Regis Resort in Bali. It shows how far we have come in such a short space of time. We are really very proud.”

Rockliffe Hall now has even higher hopes for the future and has set its sights on becoming number one for the 2013 list. Nick Holmes added: “We are constantly working harder to ensure that anyone who visits Rockliffe Hall, whatever they visit us for, has the best possible experience. Receiving this great award is a real credit to the fantastic resort at Rockliffe Hall and encourages us to reach the top spot next year.”

The resort boasts a PGA approved 18 hole championship golf course, award winning spa, spacious meeting rooms, three beautiful restaurants, including the 3AA Rosette Orangery restaurant headed by celebrated chef, Kenny Atkinson, and offers guests 61 luxurious bedrooms to enjoy. With such a fantastic offering, the opportunities are endless for Rockliffe Hall, and Kenny Atkinson, director of food at the resort is keen to reach the number one spot for the UK Luxury Hotel title next year.

Kenny Atkinson added: “It’s a fantastic feeling to know that all the hard work you put in is worth it. Guests are our most important critics, and to know that they rate the experience they have at Rockliffe Hall as higher than The Ritz and Chewton Glen Hotel is great. Rockliffe Hall is a Northern gem, and to know that we are sourcing local ingredients for our food and employing local people, and putting the North on the map as a luxury resort is superb!”

“After five years of working with Quay 2 Media it is fair to say they know how get the best media response to generate foot fall and provide measurable return on investment .”

Newcastle’s finest entertainment venue is to be transformed into a famous late 19^th Century cabaret attraction on Thursday 1 December.

The North East’s World AIDS Day Red Ball will see Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms step back in time to host a Moulin Rouge extravaganza.

With extravagant fancy dress the order of the evening, The Assembly Rooms is all set to be packed to the rafters with Toulouse-Lautrec look-alikes, troupes of scantily clad can-can dancers, and circus-inspired ring masters.

Sean Murphy of Body Positive North East, the region’s official World AIDS Day committee, said: “A Moulin Rouge-themed evening gives people the opportunity to be as flamboyant as they like, whilst at the same time raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS.

“And what better place to host our theatrical evening, than in one of the city’s best-established entertainment venues. Its elegance, its history and the amazing attention to detail in its decor, make it the perfect venue to recreate the Moulin Rouge.”

As well as a delicious three-course meal, the Moulin Rouge spectacle at The Assembly Rooms is jam packed  with singing, dancing and interpretation of the love story central to the famous theatre show. Highly-esteemed dancer and aerial artiste, Stuart Hatton, is confirmed as appearing alongside can-can troupes and singers from Middlesbrough College.

Antony Michaelides, owner of the Assembly Rooms, said: “We have hosted the North East’s World AIDS Day Red Ball in the past, and it is always a truly tremendous evening. Last year, the World AIDS Day committee organised a Masquerade Ball, to highlight the changing face of HIV/AIDS.

“This year’s Moulin Rouge-themed ball is certain to be even more flamboyant, and so it’s unsurprising that tickets are almost sold out.”

Amidst the laughter and showbiz style entertainment, there remains a serious message to the evening at the Assembly Rooms on December 1.

Sean adds: “Throughout the evening, guests can purchase a star in memory of a loved one affected by HIV or AIDS, which they place on our Christmas tree. At the end of the Moulin Rouge stage show, a Congolese choir will sing in their memory, before lighting the Christmas tree. It’s a sombre moment to see so many stars lit up like that and we’ll spend three minutes contemplating those affected by HIV and AIDS.

 “The choir will then perform a few upbeat songs, before the disco starts, and the party will soon be back in full swing.”

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year as an occasion to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused through the spread of HIV infection. Around 33 million people live with HIV around the world, making it one of the most destructive disease outbreaks in history. In southern Africa alone, AIDS has left some 14 million children orphaned.

There are a handful of tickets on sale for the Moulin Rouge spectacular at The Assembly Rooms, which includes a three-course meal and starts at 7pm. With tickets priced at just £29.50, organisers of the event are urging interested parties to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event, please call 0191 2322855 or visit www.bpne.org. Tickets can be purchased by calling 0191 277 2048.