Something for the weekend
Give us a break
Sporty Harry Potter fans are being offered a "magical" new insurance cover from Worcester-based insurance brokers, Mann Broadbent.
The company noticed the growth in popularity of Quidditch – the fictional game popularised in the best-selling Harry Potter books – and has moved fast to fill what it is calling "a gap in the market" by offering specialised personal accident cover for Quidditch teams and players.
Duncan Sutcliffe, director of Mann Broadbent, said: "We offer a range of products for most types of sport and leisure activities. Our new product for Quidditch gives cover to teams and players who are affiliated to the International Quidditch Association."
Quidditch has been described as a cross between rugby, dodgeball, tag and basketball - but with brooms. It has acquired a worldwide following, with 200 to 300 teams active across the globe. There is a professional league and even a Quidditch World Cup.
Sutcliffe said: "We can’t cast a magic spell and protect people against breaks and sprains, but we can make sure they’re covered if they’re unlucky enough to get injured."
You’ll like this… not a lot
Legendary magician Paul Daniels and his assistant / wife Debbie McGee will be officially opening Mask-arade's new premises 'Albion House' in Southam at on Saturday 24th September. The award winning Southam company first met the famous duo at Napton last year and Mask-arade have since supplied the Paul Daniels Magic Shop with their best selling celebrity masks.
Mask-arade director Ray Duffy said: "Everyone is welcome to join us to see Paul and Debbie cut the ribbon and officially open our fantastic new premises in Southfield Road."
Ray added: "We have produced 4,000 masks of Debbie and Paul as a thank you for their services and we will be creating a unique photo opportunity on the day with the couple surrounded with hundreds of Paul and Debbie look-a-likes!"
Oh, the humanity.
Saving grace
A recent study from Lloyds TSB reveals that Birmingham parents keep tight control of their child’s savings with 71 per cent giving them no access to their savings account at all. Some even get their children’s savings pots up and running before their tiny tots can walk.
According to the new research, more than a third (37 per cent) of parents in Birmingham opened their child’s first savings account before the tender age of two years old, with 12 per cent of organised parents in the region opening an account before the age of one.
In contrast to this, even though we are seeing university fees rocket and living expenses on the increase, a surprising 35 per cent of Birmingham parents confessed to failing to open a savings account for their little one at all.
It seems Birmingham parents are very hands on when it comes to their children’s finances, with nearly a half (47 per cent) of mums and dads in the region saying it was important they had overall control of their children’s savings pot.
However a trusting 13 per cent of parents in Birmingham allow their child full access to their savings account.
