Valued Opinions http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/ Latest news from Valued Opinions en Valued Opinions http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/ 18 16 Latest news from Valued Opinions TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100 The London Marathon http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/the-london-marathon/ Here's a brief history of the London Marathon and some facts about the people who take on the...
The first ever London Marathon was led by journalist Chris Brasher and Welsh athlete John Disley. Soon after, thousands of people signed up to take part in what has become one of the world's most famous running events. People take part for many reasons, and the event itself helps boost London's tourism, raise money for charity and encourage recreational activities in the capital city. Charities like Children 1st, Bowel Cancer UK, Amnesty International are among the hundreds of causes that inspire runners to complete the 26-mile trek.

Many have chosen to complete the marathon despite challenging conditions. The first wheelchair marathon was help in 1983 and in 2003 former boxer Michael Watson completed the course in six days, despite an accident in which he was told by doctors that he would never walk again. In 2002, leukaemia sufferer Lloyd Scott completed the marathon in a 50kg deep sea diving suit, raising money for child sufferers and also breaking the world record for the slowest ever participant.

Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen were the first people ever to complete the race, famously crossing the finish line hand-in-hand in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 48 seconds. Tens of thousands have completed the race since then, many training for extensive periods of time in the hope of reaching their end target.

But despite the media coverage and success of most previous London Marathons, it's interesting to know that according to recent reward surveys, 72% of UK respondents have never participated in any type of running activity. The survey conducted also revealed that 15% of people state the reason for running the London Marathon was to feel a sense of achievement.

For those who do sign-up for this long-haul race, it often involves a rigorous training regimen. Doctors suggest that first time runners train a little each day to prepare them for the big race and also recommend that runners wear the right shoes for the event. Many sports clothing stores have running facilities which test individuals' running technique and fit running shoes accordingly.

In 2012, over 35,000 entrants are expected to run in the renowned London Marathon. However, for those who decide to sit-out the event, they can still watch the spectacle live on TV.

]]> Health and education Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100 Shakespeare's Legacy in the UK http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/shakespeares-legacy-in-the-uk/ As Shakespeare's birthday approaches, it's interesting to look at how the 16th Century poet and... Born in the South Warwickshire town of Stratford-upon-Avon on 24 April 1564, no one could have predicted how a young, working-class William Shakespeare would grow to become the world's most famous playwright. Though centuries have passed since Shakespeare's lifetime, his legacy remains strong to this day. In a recent online survey of people in the UK that asked which writers and playwrights they studied in their English courses at school, Shakespeare was ranked number one. The Renaissance playwright transcends the likes of William Wordsworth, William Blake, W.B Yeats and other great English poets to receive the highest number of responses. Over half of the respondents (51%) said they studied the famous Englishman and his many renowned works during their school years. One of the most fascinating aspects of William Shakespeare's work is the sheer volume of plays he produced during his lifetime. His known works include 38 plays, 154 sonnets and several other poems. From the beloved romantic tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet' to comedies like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'The Taming of the Shrew', Shakespeare's range of writing styles surpasses that of nearly every famous author from history and the modern day. Shakespeare has so many impressive works, so it's unsurprising that most survey respondents could not pick a favourite (27%). Despite this, 'Romeo and Juliet' was revealed to be the most popular Shakespeare play, with 16% of respondents saying it is their favourite. The classic tale of star-crossed lovers beat 'Macbeth', which was the favourite of 11% of survey respondents. Such is the popularity of Shakespeare that many respondents (77%) believe Shakespeare should be taught in schools. Among those respondents, some (33%) believed Shakespeare's works should be taught because he is an important historic and cultural figure in Britain. Others (32%) think it's important that Shakespeare is taught in schools because his works still have relevant themes and ideas. However, a small number of respondents (5%) did say that schools should not teach Shakespeare and instead focus on more modern, relevant works. Thus, Shakespeare's legacy means something different to everyone; though there's no doubting his enduring popularity. Reward surveys showcase just how relevant the English-born author is to this day. This is also evidenced every year in the lead-up to his birthday, when theatres across the world perform his plays. Most notable of all the birthday celebrations is perhaps the one held in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, where the streets fill with literature enthusiasts wanting to make merry in Shakespeare's old stomping grounds. ]]> Entertainment and sport Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 How do Britons celebrate St. Patrick's Day? http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/how-do-britons-celebrate-st-patricks-day/ Britons celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a variety of ways - but which is the most popular?
Unlike other patron saint holidays, such as England's St. George's Day and Scotland's St. Andrew's Day, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in hundreds of countries across the globe. For years the city of Chicago celebrated the holiday by dying the Chicago River fluorescent green, and in 2009 Michelle Obama arranged for the White House fountains to spout green water in honour of the occasion. In Buenos Aires, which is home to the fifth largest Irish population in the world, people celebrate St. Patrick's Day with all-night parties and bar-hopping. Over in Japan, St. Patrick's Day has become increasingly popular, with numerous parades held across the country. As for Britain, celebrating St. Patrick's Day can be as simple as wearing a green item of clothing or enjoying a pint among friends. Though St. Patrick's Day is indeed widely observed across Britain, it's worth noting that not all Britons celebrate the Irish holiday. In a recent survey, over two thirds of UK respondents (70 per cent) said they do not plan to celebrate the event. However, of those who are planning to take part in some St. Patrick's Day fun, most will do so by going to a pub or restaurant. Chosen by 19 per cent of UK survey respondents, this was by far the most popular St. Patrick's Day activity, perhaps due to the beloved pub culture that's shared among both Brits and Irish alike. Many pubs across Britain serve green beer to add some extra flare to the St. Paddy's Day celebrations.

With green being the unofficial colour of St. Patrick's Day and of the Emerald Isle in general, you can expect that at least some Britons will wear something in that colour to celebrate the occasion. Indeed, 7 per cent of survey respondents said they plan to sport green come 17 March. This was the second most popular way of celebrating the holiday, as only 5 per cent said they'll attend a St. Paddy's Day party and only 3 per cent said they'll watch a parade.

Since St. Patrick's Day is a holiday so steeped in history and tradition, you might expect that it's more likely to be celebrated by the older generations. However, the online survey news also showed that younger respondents were more likely to celebrate the holiday. Only 57 per cent of those aged 16-34 in the UK said they don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, compared to 74 per cent of 35-45 year-olds and 82 per cent of those over 55. 

So, despite many Britons opting not to join in the St. Patrick's Day festivities, you can still expect a decent turnout in your local pub and you won't look at all out of place if you choose to wear something green. Though St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Britain may be slightly more subtle than in other countries, the holiday will always be associated with good times and conviviality.  ]]> Entertainment and sport Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Research Now earns respected TRUSTe Email and Web Privacy Seal of Approval http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/research-now-earns-respected-truste-email-and-web-privacy-seal-of-approval/ Research Now, the leading global online sampling and data collection company, has announced that it...
To achieve this certification, the Valued Opinions (http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/) programme had to undergo a very thorough review of its privacy policy and practices to ensure the programme is compliant with TRUSTe's strict requirements, including transparency, accountability and choice regarding the collection and use of panelists' personal information. Furthermore, through its Email Privacy Seal, TRUSTe reinforces the Valued Opinion programme's commitment to good email practices by certifying email disclosures, reputation and unsubscribe policies.

Lapperger continued: "In times when online privacy becomes even more important for internet users, we are doing everything we can to ensure the survey experience is safe for our valued panel members. Receiving the TRUSTe Privacy Seal demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the strictest of privacy standards based on transparency and trust, and we will continue to work with TRUSTe to uphold these standards for our consumer panels worldwide."

TRUSTe's mission as an independent third party is to accelerate online trust among consumers and organisations globally through its leading privacy trust mark and innovative trust solutions. The TRUSTe seal is a signal to consumers that a website is safeguarding their personal information and values their online privacy. ]]> Technology Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The Carling Cup still attracts the crowds http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/the-carling-cup-still-attracts-the-crowds/ Football-mad Britain is looking forward to the final of the Carling Cup between Cardiff City and...
31% of respondents mad about football is just an average. Almost half of all men (49%) reported that they were fanatics, next to barely a fifth of women (19%). In fact, women were generally less keen on sport, with over a third of them confessing to have no interest in it whatsoever.

For many men, football is much more than a game; it's a way of life, a culture, a way to feel part of a 'tribe'. Perhaps for this reason, 20% of men report that they will be heading down to their local to watch the Carling Cup final, so those planning to head down to the pub had better head down early to get a good seat. Interestingly, a comparatively high proportion of women (considering how few actually like the game) report that they're also going to watch the big match in the pub. Whether these will be joining their men folk out of support or obligation, it's impossible to tell.

By far the majority of Carling Cup final watchers will be soaking in the game from the comfort of their own home. The match will be broadcast live by both Sky Sports and the BBC simultaneously.   The likelihood of watching the game from the sofa increased significantly with age, and conversely, the younger generation are to be much more likely to head out to the pub (25% of 16-34-year olds compared with just 9% of over 55s).

Although the Carling Cup is one of only three major domestic trophies by English league teams, some give it a lower priority because of the lower prize money. The £100,000 for the winners and £50,000 for the runners up awarded by the Football League is peanuts in football terms, and a lot less than the £2 million prize money awarded to the winners of the FA cup. Although 40% of respondents didn't regard it as highly as other bigger tournaments, a higher proportion (48%) opinioned that it's not just about the money: they believe that the Carling Cup is still important, and deserves be taken more seriously by bigger clubs.

Cardiff City and Liverpool will kick off the Carling Cup at 16:00 at Wembley on 26th February. This year, all eyes will be on Craig Bellamy, the Liverpool player who is not only recovering from a back problem that threatened him playing in the final, but will also be playing against his former club, Cardiff City, for the first time. Bellamy grew up in Cardiff, another reason for him to feel apprehensive about his hometown faceoff.  In a recent article, Bellamy said he will not focus on celebrating victories, but will rather keep his mind on scoring. Liverpool currently has seven team wins and 11 final appearances. Ian Rush currently holds the record for most tournament wins and most final appearances for an individual.]]> Entertainment and sport Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 This Valentine’s Day, many Brits agree that money can't buy love http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/this-valentines-day-many-brits-agree-that-money-cant-buy-love/ St. Valentine’s Day is all about love- and what better way to express feelings than through a... do hit the shops on Valentine’s Day, the joint most popular choice of gift, each getting the vote of 18% of respondents, are flowers (mostly men buying for women) and cologne/ perfume. When it comes to chocolate, the next most popular Valentine gift, women are the prime buyers with 19% of them buying sweet treats for their men (next to just 9% of men buying it for women). A study has suggested that men have overtaken women in being the nation's prime chocolate-eaters [1]. Perhaps women give their Valentines chocolate because of their faith in the old adage about the way to a man's heart. Interestingly, almost a third of Valentine gift buyers (31%) shun the traditional choice of gift (flowers, perfume, chocolates, perfume, etc.), instead opting for something else. A far higher proportion of women than men boycott the Valentine's Day clichés (41% vs. 14%); presumably, displays of chocolates and flowers suit men’s more ‘smash and grab’ approach to shopping [2]. Alternative gifts may, of course, be far more thoughtful and considerate although they may also end up on a blog of ‘worst Valentine’s gifts ever’ which last year included exercise DVDs, facebook ‘gifts’ and coupons for hugs (and the like). [3] Whatever the gift, the lingering recession will no doubt mean spending will decrease. In 2009, the Valentine's Day market was worth around £290 million, but it fell to just over £232 million in 2010 [4], and the trend continued last year. All over the country, loved ones will no doubt be reminded that it's the thought that counts. It seems that it's not just traditional Valentine's gifts that Brits are avoiding; only 24% of respondents are actually planning to go out on a date, braving the ‘extra special’ hiked-price menus. 32% don't know what they'll do, and 16% report that they and their loved one don't celebrate the occasion at all. Interestingly, couples are far less likely to make a deal out of Valentine's Day the older they get; only 9% of 15-29 year-olds fail to mark the day compared with 15% of 20-49 year olds and 22% of the over 50s. The survey also considered how genuine romance and the expression of warm, fuzzy feelings correspond to outward gestures of love. Perhaps reassuringly, 60% of us are likely or most likely to say how we feel on Valentine's Day compared with any other, with men very slightly more expressive than women. The older age categories were the most cynical, with 36% of over 50s unlikely to make their declarations of love on Valentine's Day (compared with just 21% of 15-29 year olds). We can only hope that they compensate with sustained expressions of affection the whole year round. 
[1] http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/08/08/men-eating-more-chocs-than-girls-115875-22472994/
[2] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3115452.stm
[3] http://shine.yahoo.com/valentines-day/the-worst-valentines-day-gifts-ever-2010-edition-637833.html
[4] http://www.professionalflorist.co.uk/article-472-valentines-day-will-be-rosy-for-supermarkets/
]]> Entertainment and sport Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:12:00 +0000 How does the Chinese New Year differ to our own? http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/how-does-the-chinese-new-year-differ-to-our-own/ Chinese New Year is celebrated not just in China, but by Chinese communities all over the world.... Entertainment and sport Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Ways to make extra cash over Christmas and the New Year http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/ways-to-make-extra-cash-over-christmas-and-the-new-year/ Every year, people need a little extra cash to help them through the festive period, but what are... ing how much you'll have to spend on presents for loved ones, and also the additional cash that you might have to part with to cover off any Christmas nights out or New Year celebrations, it's fair to say that you might be worried about not having enough cash to get you through the festive season. However, that's not to say that, with a little preparation as well as some imagination, you couldn't come up with ways to ensure you have enough money to get through one of the busiest periods of the year. In fact, many people across the country manage to come up with ways to ensure they can make ends meet over the period. Firstly, while it might sound obvious, one way to make sure you've enough money to see you through the festive period is by saving up cash throughout the year. Even having a jar of money or a piggy bank that you regularly top up with spare cash during the year could go a long way to making sure you have enough to see you through the season. Similarly, you might want to keep Christmas in the back of your mind when you make any frivolous purchases. While it might be the last thing in the back of your head when you're considering buying a new HD television in June, it's safe to say that come December you might have wished you'd bought the model down from the one you did to free up an extra £100 or so for presents! Using cash-back shopping or credit cards that reward users for choosing their services by paying them back with money they've made in commission over the year can also be useful. It does however go without saying that you might not want to overstep your budget when using them, potentially in the hope of getting more money back. Results from recent online surveys have shown that actually taking the surveys themselves is becoming a more widespread way of making extra cash over Christmas. Indeed, they allow users to make a bit of extra money just by answering questions on particular topics that they might already feel strongly about - making it one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash not just over Christmas, but all year round. Interestingly, results from the survey showed that they were the most popular way of making money for Christmas, with 75% of UK respondents doing so. However, it also revealed that selling personal possessions such as CDs, DVD, games and books on the internet was popular, with 35% of UK respondents doing so, as opposed to only 1% who said they would use more "traditional" methods such as selling offline at car boot sales, or babysitting.   The trends suggested by this survey would definitely highlight that more people are taking advantage of the moneymaking opportunities offered by the internet, as opposed to more old fashioned ways of making extra cash. By combining these opportunities with traditional methods of preparing for Christmas, such as saving up spare cash over the course of the year, you might be able to ensure that you're able to get through the festive period without too much of an effect on your wallet.]]> Other Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:23:00 +0000 The public response to the London 2012 Olympic Games http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/the-public-response-to-the-london-2012-olympic-games/ Ever since it was announced that London would host the 2012 Olympics, public opinion on the Games... online surveys to see if any sort of a consensus has been reached within Britain. Well, in good news for organisers of the Games, a recent poll has shown that 58% of UK respondents felt that the games will bring large economic benefits to the UK, with only 16% of UK respondents disagreeing completely. The poll also showed that many Londoners are planning to take full advantage of the city's rail and tube service during the Games, with 31% and 26% of UK respondents choosing these options respectively. However, among the less popular options were biking and walking, with a large amount of UK respondents saying they were likely to drive around the city during the Games. Perhaps more concerning for the Olympic committee should be that 75% of those UK respondents surveyed said they had no interest in getting tickets for the Games at all, and that 15% of UK respondents tried, but were unable to secure tickets for the Games. Whilst opinion is currently split on the Games, there are definitely strong arguments for, and against, holding the Olympics in London. Perhaps the best idea could be waiting until the Games have been and gone to come up with a definitive answer on whether they've been a great investment, or if the money and effort put into bringing them to London could have been better served elsewhere.]]> Entertainment and sport Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:13:00 +0000 2012 New Year resolutions http://www.valuedopinions.co.uk/news/details/article/2012-new-year-resolutions/ Setting New Year resolutions could actually spell good fortune for more than just yourself.
Setting New Year resolutions is an old tradition dating back to Ancient Babylonian times around 2000 BC. It became a celebrated holiday after Julius Caesar created a calendar in line with the changes in season. The Romans used this holiday to reconcile conflict with their enemies as well as exchange gifts with fellow Romans as a means of wishing them good fortune for the upcoming year.

In this day and age, the process of establishing New Year resolutions seldom involve wishing others good fortune. Instead, people are inclined to pursue good fortunes of their own.

In an online survey conducted amongst people living in the UK, setting New Year resolutions appear to be common practice, with only 28% of all respondents not planning on setting any resolutions at all.

So what “good fortunes” – if any, will people in the UK pursue throughout 2012? No surprise, but of those who’ll be setting themselves New Year resolutions, 83% are chasing health and wealth while very few (14%) include travel in their plans for 2012.
Could these goals simply be a repercussion of the difficult times people have faced in the UK over the past few years?

The old adage that health and wealth go hand in hand suggests that by leading a healthier lifestyle one is able to work longer and harder. Interestingly, concern for health becomes increasingly more prominent while focus on money becomes less of a priority with age. Chasing healthier lifestyles in 2012 appears to be common amongst all respondents who intend on setting themselves New Year resolutions. Despite the fact that the average number of sick days taken each year is decreasing, pursuit of a healthier lifestyle may actually spell good news for employers since sick days costs employers around £17billion every year.

The good news is that the potential for UK respondents to realise both health and wealth as a goal throughout 2012 is likely. Figures show that more than half of all respondents who took part in the paid online survey achieved some of their goals from the preceding year.

Should the trends indicated by this online survey be consistent over the coming year, then talks of recession and potential hardship may be a topic of the past. And if Chinese folklore is anything to go by, then being the year of the Dragon - symbolic of good fortune - 2012 may actually land up being a good year for people in the UK after all.

]]> Health and education Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:32:00 +0000