A Couple of poems

 My Boys

In the halls of time, two sons did grow,

Stefan and Mitchell, with hearts aglow.

From the days of youth to the present years,

They've journeyed through laughter, joy, and tears.

 

Stefan, the firstborn, with a spirit so bright,

His kindness and wisdom, a guiding light.

With a curious mind and a soul that's pure,

He's the rock for others, steadfast and sure.

 

Mitchell, the second, a spirited soul,

Full of passion and dreams that make him whole.

His laughter echoes through the winds of fate,

With creativity boundless, he conquers his state.

 

As children, they played, side by side,

Inseparable brothers, a bond they'll never hide.

Through mischief and adventures, they did roam,

Creating cherished memories, their hearts at home.

 

From scraped knees to triumphs high,

They faced the world with a unified cry.

Supporting each other through thick and thin,

With brothers like these, every battle they'd win.

 

As they grew, so did their dreams,

Guided by love's unwavering streams.

Their paths diverged, each took their own way,

But their brotherly bond forever would stay.

 

Now grown men, with families to call their own,

Still, the brotherly love has only grown.

With shoulders to lean on, and arms open wide,

In each other, they find a sense of pride.

 

Through life's winding roads, they will stand,

Hand in hand, an unbreakable band.

For the love of brothers, a tale to be told,

Stefan and Mitchell, hearts of gold.

My Girls

In a world where beauty finds its twin,

Two precious souls emerged within.

Amelia and Abigail, a sight to behold,

A bond unbreakable, a story yet untold.

 

Amelia, gentle as the morning breeze,

Her laughter dancing among the trees.

With eyes that hold a universe of dreams,

She weaves magic with every smile it seems.

 

Abigail, a fire with fierce determination,

Her spirit ablaze, a spark of creation.

A heart that beats with unwavering might,

Guided by a star that shines so bright.

 

Side by side, their spirits entwined,

A harmony of love, so tender and kind.

Their laughter echoes, a symphony divine,

With every step, their souls align.

 

Together, they conquer life's unknown,

Through joy and tears, a sisterly zone.

In each other's eyes, they find their guide,

Two souls united, forever side by side.

 

Amelia and Abigail, a bond so rare,

Two halves of a whole, a perfect pair.

As they journey through life hand in hand,

They'll conquer mountains, together they'll stand.

 

 

May the world be blessed by their grace,

As they paint their story in every embrace.

Amelia and Abigail, a radiant duo so true,

A testament to love, in everything they do.

 

For you are their guardian, their guiding light,

Nurture their spirits, keep their hearts alight.

As they soar and explore life's endless sea,

Your love will forever set them free.

 

Amelia and Abigail, a treasure so grand,

In your presence, love will always expand.

May your lives be filled with endless glee,

Forever bound by a sisterly love that's meant to be

A quick guide to creating a CV.

This is a very quick guide to creating a CV for the UK job market.

The CV (Curriculum vitae) is the second most important thing in your job search tool box, the most important thing is you!

There are some ‘rules’ to follow when creating a CV for the UK Job Market, so follow this step-by-step guide to help you create that professional CV.

 

1.       Personal Information

·       Always begin with your full name.  This should be centred at the top of the page and in BOLD.  Also make your name slightly bigger by using a font size no larger than 26pt.

·       This should be followed by your residential address, all on one line, each part separated by a comma and should include your postcode.

·       This then should be followed by contact information such as your phone number and email address.  You can also include here a link to your ‘Linked In’ profile if you have one.

·       Both of these should sit under your name and be centred.

 

2.       Personal Statement

·       Write a concise and compelling personal statement at the beginning of your CV. It should summarize your skills, experiences, and career goals in a few sentences, capturing the attention of potential employers and relate to the job/industry you are applying to.

·       This part of your CV should change for every job you apply for so that it reflects what is being asked in the job advert by using some of their wording (for example, if applying to work in a retail establishment, some will advertise for a ‘shelf-stacker’, others will advertise for a ‘stock replenisher’, they are the same job, just different words used to describe them.

 

3.       Key Skills

·       Create a separate section to highlight your key skills and competencies relevant to the job you are applying for.

·       Include both hard skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork).

 

4.       Employment History

·       List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current job.

·       Include the job title, name of the company/organization, location, and employment dates. Provide a brief description of your role, responsibilities, and notable achievements.

·       Focus on quantifiable results and use action verbs to highlight your accomplishments.

·       Include both paid and voluntary work

·       Explain any breaks in employment history

 

 

 

5.       Education:

·       List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree or most recent education or training including any relevant in-work training.

·       Include the name of the institution, degree/qualification obtained, dates attended, and any relevant academic achievements or projects.

·       If qualifications are from countries outside the UK, have these been checked to see where they fit within the UK qualification system, if so what were the results?  Do you need to bring these qualifications up to the UK standard?

 

6.       Hobbies and interests

·       There is some debate whether this section should be included on a CV.

·       You would only use it to describe hobbies and interests that you have that can demonstrate a relation to the industry you are applying to.

·       Do not put ‘Socialising with family or friends’

·       If you have not got anything that relates do not put his section in.

 

7.       References

·       We do not put the names and contact details of our referee’s on the CV.

·       This is so that employers cannot contact them before they have had the chance to interview you.

·       We write a simple statement that says ‘References can be provided upon request’.

Note:  Referee’s should include a previous employer where possible.  If you have not worked for a while or the company is no longer in business then you can use character references.  These are references from people with ‘good standing in the community’ and who know you personally and should not be a relative.

 

 

A short story

 THE SKINSNATCHER

Once, in the remote village of Treeton, nestled deep within the dark forest, a dreadful secret lurked. It was said that a monster, known as the Skinsnatcher, haunted the shadows, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard the tale. The monster possessed a ghastly ability to transform into a human form, cunningly disguising its true nature. This malevolent being thrived on terrorizing the villagers and consuming the skin of its unfortunate victims.

The village of Treeton had long been enveloped by an eerie silence, its residents living in constant dread. Their nights were filled with hushed whispers and fearful glances, for the Skinsnatcher could be anyone—a neighbour, a friend, or even a beloved family member.

Amidst this climate of fear, a young woman named Alicia stood tall. She possessed a quiet bravery and an unwavering determination to rid her village of the lurking evil. Alicia had lost her younger brother to the monster's gruesome hunger, his body discovered with nothing but bones and tattered clothes. This tragedy ignited a fire within her, propelling her on a quest for justice and retribution.

With an unyielding resolve, Alicia delved into the secrets of the Skinsnatcher, piecing together fragments of folklore and whispered legends. She learned that the monster could not change its eyes—a telltale sign of its true form. Armed with this knowledge, she set out on a perilous path to expose the Skinsnatcher's identity.

Days turned into weeks, and Alicia's investigations led her down treacherous paths through the foreboding Treeton Woods, remnant of an ancient forest that once covered much of England. She encountered suspicious individuals and witnessed acts of cruelty, but none of them bore the unmistakable gaze of the Skinsnatcher. Doubt began to cloud her mind, and the weight of her responsibility threatened to crush her spirit.

Then, on a moonlit evening, as Alicia wandered through the outskirts of Treeton, she stumbled upon an abandoned cottage concealed among gnarled trees that lined the cold dark waters of the Dyke. An eerie sensation tingled in her bones, urging her closer. Inside, she discovered a hidden chamber, adorned with grisly remnants of the Skinsnatcher's insidious feasts—a grotesque trophy room of human skins.

A chill ran down Alicia's spine as she realized the true magnitude of the monster's malevolence. Her heart raced with both fear and determination, knowing that she had come face to face with the embodiment of evil. It was a battle of wits, for the Skinsnatcher, disguised as a human, moved among them undetected, always staying one step ahead.

Driven by her purpose, Alicia began to rally the villagers, sharing her discovery and unveiling the horrifying truth. Fear turned to fury, and a united front was formed against the monster. The village took up arms, seeking vengeance and an end to their torment.

But the Skinsnatcher was no ordinary foe. It had perfected the art of deception, preying on the frailties and weaknesses of humanity. As the villagers hunted for the beast, their trust in one another began to crumble. Suspicion and paranoia poisoned their minds, threatening to tear the community apart.

In the midst of this chaos, Alicia found herself standing alone. The weight of the village's hopes and her brother's memory rested squarely on her shoulders. She had to unravel the tangled web of deception and restore unity to the village if they were to have any chance of defeating the Skinsnatcher.

 

Through determination and sheer resilience, Alicia unearthed a hidden truth—one that revealed the monster's true identity. In a climactic confrontation, Alicia faced the Skinsnatcher, its grotesque form now exposed to the world. With unwavering courage, she confronted the creature, refusing to succumb to fear.

A battle ensued, the clash of good and evil reverberating through the forest. Alicia fought with all her might, wielding the strength of her conviction. The villagers, inspired by her bravery, rallied behind her. Their combined forces unleashed a torrent of retribution upon the monster, overwhelming it with the power of unity and righteousness.

As the Skinsnatcher's monstrous form faltered, its true nature exposed, the villagers stood victorious. The reign of terror had come to an end, and a collective sigh of relief swept through Treeton. The village would forever carry the scars of the Skinsnatcher's presence, but they had triumphed over the darkness that had gripped them.

In the aftermath, Alicia became a symbol of resilience and justice. Her unwavering determination had not only saved her village but had also awakened the spirit of unity among its residents. Treeton began to heal, slowly but surely, as the people rebuilt their lives with newfound strength and solidarity.

The tale of the Skinsnatcher would be told for generations to come, a cautionary reminder of the evil that can lurk beneath the façade of humanity. But it would also serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to stand against darkness, to fight for justice, and to protect their loved ones.

And so, the village of Treeton, once shrouded in fear, found solace and redemption. The legacy of Alicia and her valiant quest lived on, a beacon of hope in a world that forever bore the scars of the Skinsnatcher's monstrous appetite.

Binge watching TV

 Over the past few months I have been watching a lot of streaming TV.  I make no apologies for doing so and I am fully aware that some people may think that I'm being lazy.  Well there may be an element of truth in that but there is also the truth that everyday I get up and go to work racked with pain.  I try not to show this; I try to be positive about it and I really enjoy my work and although not physically tiring, it can be be mentally draining as I cope with managing the pain and doing a job that I can quite happily say I love doing.

There are times for example when my wife is watching her programmes on the tele, which I do not enjoy, namely Earbenders (Eastenders) and Constipation Street (Coronation Street).  So whilst she is there watching them, I sit watching my programmes on my phone, with my little earbuds in oblivious to that caterwauling emanating from the big screen on the wall.

Also, when I am doing my crafts, sometimes spending hours at a time, just chilling out, I put my phone on and just let a series play through.  I enjoy it.

Some of the programmes I have been watching:

Supernatural

Grimm

Criminal Minds

NCIS

Ghost Whisperer

Lie to me

Castle

Perception

Body of Proof

Harrow

Missing

.........just to name a few.

Now my wife, keeps blaming me for having a bad influence on my daughters as they are now currently binge watching Castle, but hey ho, what can you do?

Anyway I get to the end of these series and I know that in some there are more series being produced which will explore the story more and I think great, but when the series has come to its natural end, I often wonder about what would happen next.  Would I have the creative talent to write some fan fiction to follow it through some more.  Well I would love to have the energy to write for hours on end and come up with some new ways of a victim being helped, a murder being solved, a true romance blossoming between two people who you would never have thought would get together and all in time for Christmas!

I'm the same when I watch 'who do you think you are',  I think there ought to be an extra ten minutes on the end of each programme when the celebrities are filmed describing to their families what they have found out about ,well, their families.

As you know I am no Doctor and I don't pretend or claim to be an expert.  I am sure there are Doctors and experts that will tell you its unhealthy to binge watch TV.  How much is binge watching.  I may be spend about three hours a day watching TV, granted it is usually one series and I keep watching it over a few days, sometimes weeks until it is all finished. Does it matter?  In my view, no.  If it makes you happy do it it is a simple as that, but don't take my word for it, go and watch for yourselves!

Chris Nuttall Life Events,

I wanted to write about my business which is just me as a life event celebrant. I have been conducting weddings, funerals and baby dedications within church for many, many years now and thought I would turn it into a business. I've had lots of fun with it, and this may sound strange, but even with funerals and I have had business start up advice from the Rotherham Industrial Development Office or RIDO as it is called through the Launchpad programme which I can highly recommend for any budding entrepreneur.

I love doing what I do which is helping families through some of their most happiest and saddest times.  Welcoming new life, two life's becoming one and saying goodbye to a loved one are some of the most stressful times in a persons life.  This is where I come in.  My role is to help you through whatever service it is we are celebrating.  I work with the other professionals you may choose to hire such as wedding planners and of course I work with the wonderful funeral directors we have locally, when conducting a funeral.

It is my job to take you through the service and I work with you to get the service you want the way you want it, after all it is your day, your way.  

So, if you are welcoming a new life, celebrating two becoming one (or even renewing vows made long before)  or saying goodbye, then please let me help you through it.  I can do both Christian (I am an ordained minister) and non-religious ceremonies and give testimonials from families I have supported.  

For baby naming's and weddings we can hold the ceremony anywhere you want, for funerals we have to abide by the laws of the land and use consecrated and licenced places of rest, which can be discussed with your funeral director and I have done funerals within church, crematoria and graveside services.

I have been described as being full of Yorkshire Soul and Spirit and I bring this into all of my services.

So please get in touch and I will be happy to help in any way I can.

Check out my website at www.chrisnuttalllifeevents.co.uk for further details.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of working with people from our Ethnic communities. I'm normally not very political but I think the Government has got the policy wrong on a number of things with regqrd to how people seeking Asylum and come as refugee's are treated when the UK status has been sorted out and that they then have the right to remain and the right to work. Let me be clear, I have no issue in people claiming Asylum or coming here as refugee's and if in the infinate wisdom of our Government, they are granted such right to work, then they should be given every assistance in finding work and this is where my problem lies. As I have mentioned it has been an absolute pleasure in working on the project that I have for the last few months (and long may it continue) but it boils my piss at the complete lack of support offered in respect of what they can bring to our economy in relation to the skills they bring. Everyone who comes into this country and is given the right to work should have their skills seriously looked. I have worked with one young woman who is a qualified teacher in her own county and her teaching degree translates exactly to the English versions, she has the right amount of teaching experience, which means she can apply directly for Qualified teacher status (QTS) and would then be able to work as a teacher in Schools. Her English is realy good and she would have no issue in gaining employment as a teacher. So why wasnt this done when she first came here? Why has she been put on Universal Credit for the months she has been here, instead of sorting this out when she arrived so that she could start earning and therfore putting back into the system. In years past I have worked with fully qualified and expereinced Doctors, Midwives, Accountants and yet all the job centre seem to think is that they are only good for working in a warehouse or as a cleaner, when they can bring so much more if the effort was put into them when they arrive. Now, I know many job centre advisors and I have worked on enough employability programmes to know the pressures that are placed on staff to get job outcomes, but come, lets get them jobs they want and can do already. I know that some of the professions need to be brought up to the British standards, such as the doctor I mentioned who only needed one more year at a British University to be brought up to standard, but ends up on JSA or Universal Credit for five, six years which costs a hell of a lot more than a year at University would! I dont care which political party is in power, they are, in my view, in it for themselves, but these are the policy makers and they need to get their act together!

Its amazing really....

As I'm sat here, just tinkering away and thinking about what to put I had a thought. Now granted, some people would say 'who cares' and other people would say 'Well I never...' and yet others would be amazed at the fact that I had actually had a thought! You know what, it does not matter what anyone thinks and that is the amazing thing about it, that we can actually have these thoughts that we think are amazing. I look at my wife and think how amazing it is that she has stood by me all these years. We celebrate our 30th wedding anniversay in Septmeber of this year. I think it is amazing that together Tracy and I have created four fantastic children who we are extremely proud of and I think it is amazing that I get to share my life with these five fantastic people. It was just a thought really....