Colin Mann, of Maidstone, realised card bought on ebay was sent 70 years ago by his own mother

A postcard collector got a shock when he realised a card he'd bought from ebay had been sent 70 years ago by his own mother.

from KentOnline News http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/when-i-realised-who-had-95590/

Nurse attacked at Trevor Gibbens unit in Maidstone

A nurse at a secure psychiatric unit was seriously injured when she was attacked by a patient.

from KentOnline News http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/nurse-attacked-at-mental-health-95595/

RSPB warns Kent animal lovers not to 'rescue' baby birds as they risk attack from seagulls

Well-meaning animal lovers risk attack from angry seagulls if they try to 'rescue' grounded chicks, according to the RSPB.

from KentOnline News http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/rspb-bird-rescuers-risk-attack-95601/

Lorry drivers to get a heart health MOT in pioneering project to help tackle high incidence of heart disease within the profession

Lorry drivers are to get a heart health MOT in a pioneering project to help tackle the high incidence of heart disease within the profession.

from KentOnline News http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/drive-to-cut-heart-disease-95478/

The Things You Need to Consider When Planning to Paint the Outside of the Home

When we think of home renovations and redecorating, we often just think of the interior of our home. How about the exterior, though? It is one aspect that often gets forgotten about. It should have a higher priority, though. It adds ‘curb appeal’ and makes our home look appealing for onlookers. It is a must when thinking about selling your home too. People will be much more likely to put a bid in if they feel that the home is well looked after. The first impression when looking at the house, is the exterior. So it is important for it to look good.

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The first thing to think about is the weather. As you will be outside doing the decorating or painting, you don’t want it to be soaking wet. Humidity can affect applying paint and how well is dries too. Equally, if it is too warm, it can dry something like paint out very quickly. So it is harder to correct any errors. So it does need a little planning in advance. So think about the climate and forecast in your area. You might have it planned out that you will do it over a bank holiday weekend. The weather might have other plans, particularly for us over in the UK! So once you have the plans in place, you should schedule the project in about a week in advance.

When you are making the plans, you need to think about the practicality of the project. If you are wanting to paint the window frames around the house, how are you going to get up that high? Do you have a safe and suitable ladder to do it yourself? If not, it could be worth hiring one. It could also be worth getting a scaffolding type of access tower, like these domestic access towers from Heaton Products. They might make you feel a little safer and secure, rather than just using a ladder.

When it comes to looking for the products you will use, think about getting quality over cost. Paints and cement for outside have come on so well these days. They are generally well lasting. But you want it to last for a long time. So check out reviews and choose the best quality product, not just the cheapest. You don’t want the colour to fade quickly.

When you are going to paint walls inside the home, the walls need to be nice and clean. This is true for the outside of the home too. So when you plan the project, think about taking cleaning time into account too. Something like a pressure washer is a great way to clean the walls. It works quickly to blast of dirt and even mould and moss. Then after sanding, if it is necessary, you will have a great surface to paint on. Sanding is needed if you are painting over old paint. After a while it will peel and chip, so sanding it down makes is smooth and easy to paint over.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/05/the-things-you-need-to-consider-when.html

3 Ways To Make Your New Home More Secure

Moving into a new house is just as exciting as it is chaotic. While you’re eager to start a new phase in your life, the early stages require lots of planning and preparation. In the madness of your moving day, it’s easy to forget about making your new property more secure. This can, unfortunately, put the property and your belongings at risk from theft. This is naturally the last thing you want to happen. To protect your new home from threats, both now and in the future, here are three methods you should consider.

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Change the locks

If you are moving into a property that has had previous owners, changing the locks is highly recommended. You never know how many people might have a copy of your house keys. This could give them easy access to your new home and belongings. As soon as you arrive at your new home, changing the locks on all doors and windows should be a priority. You can use online search engines to find locksmiths in your local area. For instance, if you live in London, you can search for Locksmiths in Canary Wharf or Camden. They should be able to give you a quote and complete the work you require. This might seem like a big task on your moving day, but it will give you some much-needed extra security.

Install a security system

The best way to create a safer home is by installing a security alarm system as soon as possible. This should ideally be done before you spend your first night in your new home. Thieves will often target new homeowners and take advantage of their lack of security. If your new home hasn’t got a security system, start looking into the most up to date models. You might want a system that includes just an alarm. Or you might want to consider one that includes an alarm, CCTV capability, and light sensors. Have your new system installed by a professional such as Yale to ensure maximum protection.

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List your belongings

This should be a relatively simple task that you can do as you pack or unpack your belongings. Choose which items you consider to be most valuable. It could be jewellery or electronics such as your tablet or TV. List the details of this items and take photographs. Create a folder and keep this information inside along with any receipts you may have. In addition to this, you may also want to write your name on these items. You can do this using UV pens or paint or using permanent markers to write your name or initials. You might also want to look into using SmartWater to protect your valuables too.

If your moving day is drawing nearer or if you’ve recently moved in, the methods in this guide can help. Not only will they add security and protect your home, but they will also give you further peace of mind. This is a fantastic new chapter in your life, so don’t put it at risk during the early stages of your move.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/05/3-ways-to-make-your-new-home-more-secure.html

Police hunt man involved in alleged knifepoint robbery in Queen Street, Ramsgate

A CCTV image of a man wanted in connection with an alleged robbery in which arcade staff were threatened with a knife has been released.

from KentOnline News http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/police-hunt-on-for-man-involved-in-robbery-with-knife-95608/