Part 1 of 10 Facts that are actually fiction!

 

In everyday life we see things that we think, that can’t be real or that it must be fake. Social Media sites such as Facebook or Twitter are rife with unbelievable tales and stories. Some of these stories are so far-fetched and extreme that you struggle to believe that they are true, when in reality they are genuine. Some however are accepted as fact when in reality there is no truth in them at all.

In this four part blog series we will look at our top 10 facts that are fiction and our top 10 unbelievable facts.

1. If you are stung by a Jellyfish you should urinate on it.

There is a common myth that to relieve the pain from a jellyfish sting, you should urinate on it as the acidity will counteract the sting. This myth was also brought to mainstream attention in the aptly named Friends episode – “The One with the Jellyfish”
In truth, urinating on a Jellyfish sting is not advised as it will not help. In fact, if your urine is more alkaline than acidic, it could actually make the pain worse! The best course of action is to pour vinegar or seawater over the affected area! – It seems that Friends and others were taking the pee with this “fact”!

2. Santa Claus is red because of Coca-Cola

Rumour has it that before Coca-Cola got involved, Santa Claus used to wear Green threads but during an early marketing campaign from Coca-Cola, they switched the colour of his clothes to match their brand. This is why we now have a Santa who is predominantly Red and White.
After lots of research, including a statement from Coca-Cola themselves, it was found that Santa used to have a variety of looks before Coca-Cola came along. It’s very possible that the modern image of a red Santa is mainly due to the famous “Holidays are coming” campaigns but Santa also had a red wardrobe before this. There’s no accusing St Nick of being a dedicated follower of fashion, he’s much too in vogue for that!

3. The Great Wall of China is the only Man Made structure visible from space.

I’ve heard this during many a pub quiz – What is the only man-made structure visible from space? The widely accepted answer for this is the Great Wall of China. This however is false on two fronts.
There are a number of man-made structures that are visible from space, including but not limited to; The Greenhouses of Almería and Bridges such as the Golden Gate Bridge. (As a cheat, cities are also visible from space at night as they are lit up like a Christmas Tree!)
The Great Wall however is not actually visible from space. The common “fact” was actually around long before manned space missions were attempted and was supposedly based on being able to see “canals on mars”! – So the next time this comes up in a quiz be sure to let the quiz master know!

4. Like a red rag to a bull

I think we’ve all heard the phrase, like a red rag to a bull. Generally this means to incite someone/something. The term is related to the sport of bullfighting, where a matador (the person who fights with the bull) waves a flag or piece of cloth at a bull in order to get the bull to run at him/her. The cloth is traditionally a red colour, leading to the popular phrase.
Bulls however can’t distinguish red from other colours, it is the movement of the cloth rather than the colour that aggravates them. Bulls do seem to get an unfair reputation, as I’ve also never seen a Bull causing havoc in a china shop!

5. Daddy Long Legs are the most venomous spider in the world

Another long-standing myth is that the Daddy Long Legs, which is also know by a few other names such as harvestmen or granddaddy long legs, are the most venomous spider in the world but they are not dangerous to humans as their fangs are too small to pierce our skin. This is another myth that has been given extra exposure, this time from Ricky Gervais in his stand-up show, Animals.
This is also another myth that is wrong on two different levels. The creatures that we commonly refer to as Daddy Long Legs are neither spiders nor venomous. There is another species referred to as Daddy Long Legs, which is an actual spider but the venom causes nothing more than a mild sensation.
Unfortunately for the Daddy Long Legs it seems that our bark is much worse than their bite!

Did these tall tales inspire you to create some fictitious writing of your own? Why not study the Creative Writing Diploma with NCC and learn some new techniques?

With the UK Kennel Club currently recognising 215 breeds of show dog, and the vast numbers of dogs that are classed as ‘cross breeds’, choosing the best dog for you can be extremely difficult!

With the UK Kennel Club currently recognising 215 breeds of show dog, and the vast numbers of dogs that are classed as ‘crosses’, choosing the best dog for you can be extremely difficult!

Currently, Labradors are the most popular dog breed in England, Ireland and Wales, according to a survey commissioned by Frontline Spot on. Only those in Wales had a different opinion on the best dog breed, voting for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Would a Labrador be the top dog for you? Don’t go barking up the wrong tree, and find out the best ways to choose below:

Choosing The Perfect Breed

 

Small, Medium or Large?

The best place to start is by choosing the size of the dog you want to adopt.  There are many things to take into consideration, like the size of your home. If you live in a small studio flat, a Great Dane will take up most of your living area! Unless you want to live in cramped conditions, a smaller dog would be a better fit.

 

Clean freak?

Do you battle a daily war against dust and mess in your house? Or do you take a more relaxed approach to cleaning? If you are of the former category, you may want to stay away from adopting a Japanese Akita! As they originate from mountain regions, their coat is doubly thick to keep them warm, and this double layer sheds constantly.

 

Location, Location, Location

Are you a city slicker, or a fan of the fresh air and wide open spaces? You may be surprised to hear that dogs can also have a preference as to whereabouts they live. Some dogs, such as Greyhounds, require a lot more exercise than others. They are happiest when running around large fields, and some people have trouble letting them off the lead when in a city location. If you only have a small yard, and there are no large parks or fields nearby, the less space the dog has to run around and burn off some of that excess energy.

 

Family Affair

While you may be considering what effect a dog would have on your family life, you also need to consider the effect that your family life would have on a dog. Some dog breeds, such as Boxers’, are used to living in packs, and therefore get on well with the little people in your home. You may think that it would be a good idea to get a small dog to get along with your kids, however one of the tiniest breeds of dog are actually thought to be one of the worst for a family home. Chihuahua’s are extremely strong-willed, and have a tendency to become aggressive and jealous if not trained properly.

 

Living up to expectations

Everyone has a different opinion of what the perfect dog should be. Whether you want a dog to increase your activity levels, a companion for those times you get lonely or a guard dog for your home, the breed you choose should reflect the dog you want. There would be no point adopting a Bichon Frise and expecting it to guard your home effectively, nor would there be any chance of a Rottweiler snuggling up on your lap to watch the soaps!

 

Some me time?

With our busy modern schedules, nowadays it is normal for a house to be completely empty for 8 hours a day. While this may not seem like a big deal to you, those hours stretch out endlessly to a dog who has been left home alone. Some dogs, such as poodles, cannot handle being on their own, and can even suffer from a condition known as Separation Anxiety. This affects the behaviour of the dog, and can cause destructive behaviour, incessant barking and frenzied behaviour. If you are out of the house a lot during the day, it is best to choose a low-energy breed such as a Basset Hound, who are happy to spend most of the day sleeping when alone.

 

Money, money, money

Having a pet is an expensive business. Not only do you have to take into account the initial cost of the dog which can vary widely, some people spending thousands of pounds to get their favourite breed. However, you must consider the day to day costs of owning a dog, accounting for things such as food, toys, kennels and pet insurance. In 2014, a study by the People’s Dispensary of Sick Animals revealed that people spend between £16,000 and £31,000 on their pampered pooches throughout their short lives!

Adopting your dog

Once you have selected your breed of dog, you will be keen to find and adopt them as soon as possible. However, this is where many people run into problems, as some breeds are in high demand. While looking on websites such as Pets4Homes  is a great way to find out about average prices, often the dogs are snapped up as soon as they are listed.

Instead, it is a good idea to follow your local dog rescue centres on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. Often, they post photographs and information about dogs as soon as they arrive at the centre, and if you are quick enough you can snap them up before they are posted on other adoption websites. If you are active enough on the pages of the adoption centres, they may get to know what type of dog you are after and could be kind enough to message you as soon as what you’re looking for comes in!

Everyone loves the thought of cuddling a tiny puppy, personally I spend more time than I care to admit just watching videos of them, and thanks to this puppies are often expensive and adopted quickly. If you change your search to a slightly older dog, you will probably have more luck – plus you won’t have to suffer through the trials of house-training!

The final thing on your check-list before adopting a dog is to actually meet it! You will never be able to definitively work out whether a dog is the perfect match for you just from an online post. All dogs have their own personality, and whilst you can train them, they will all have underlying traits they will have acquired from their previous homes. If this is something you are not prepared to live with, you should consider choosing a different dog to adopt.

If you are interested in learning how to best care for your dogs fur, why not take a look at our brand new Dog Grooming Diploma?

Wyatt Earp was a famous frontiersman, gambler and marshal.

 

Wyatt Earp was a famous frontiersman, gambler and marshal. He was known for taming the wild cowboy culture that had taken over the west, but after moving to Arizona, he got into a feud which ended with a gunfight at O.K. Corral.

Basics

Name: Wyatt Earp

Born: March 19th 1848

Death: January 13th 1929

Occupation: Law enforcement

Place of Birth: Monmouth, Illinois

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California

Overview

Born on 19th March 1848, Wyatt Earp was an icon of the American Wild West. As a member of law enforcement he played a huge part in the taming of wild cowboy culture that had taken over the frontier. However, after moving to Tombstone, Arizona he became involved in what is perhaps the most famous gunfight in American history at the O.K. Corral.

Early Life

Born in Monmouth, Illinois, as the third of five sons to Nicholas and Virginia Ann Earp, Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp became one of the most celebrated legends of the American West.

Earp’s father, a heavy drinker, was constantly on the lookout for ways to make it rich, which resulted in the family constantly moving around the unsettled west.

When he was 13, the American Civil War broke out and Earp saw this as the opportunity for adventure he’d been looking for. Absolutely desperate to get away from the family home, he tried to run away several times to join his older brothers in the Union army. However, on each attempt he was caught and returned home to his parents before reaching the battlefield.

He finally got his wish and left home at the age of 17. He moved to California and began living on the frontier, making a living hauling freight and then moving on to grade track for the Union Pacific Railroad. When he wasn’t working he trained hard and became a skilled boxer and a proficient gambler.

In 1869 he moved back to his family, who were then settled in Missouri, and he took over from his father as constable of the township.

In 1870 he married the daughter of a hotel owner, Urilla Sutherland; they built a home and were expecting a baby. However, within a year of their marriage, his wife contracted typhus and died, along with their unborn child.

The man of Western America

In a state of complete devastation after the death of his wife, Earp upped sticks again. In Arkansas he stole a horse and was arrested but managed to avoid punishment by escaping from his prison cell. The next few years he spent roaming the frontier, making his home in brothels and saloons, and making friends with a number of prostitutes along the way.

He moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1876 where his brother had opened a brothel, and it was here that he once again took up a role in law enforcement, as a part time police officer. Earp loved the adventure that came with the job and thanks to the press that he received, along with his successes, he soon became city marshal of Dodge City, Kansas.

Just like his father, Wyatt Earp was constantly on the lookout for riches, and in 1879 he moved to join his brothers Morgan and Virgil, in Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone became a booming frontier town after it was discovered that the land contained large quantities of silver.

However, the riches that the brothers were hoping for never arrived which forced Earp back into law enforcement in a place where lawless cowboy culture had taken over.

O.K. Corral gunfight

In March 1881 an old American stagecoach and its driver were robbed by a posse of cowboys. Earp set out in search of the group and in an effort to close them down quickly, struck a deal with a local rancher – Ike Clanton – and promised a reward of $6,000 for his help.

However, this relationship soon turned sour, as Clanton became paranoid that Earp would reveal the details of their bargain, and therefore turned against him. By October of the same year, Clanton, drunk and out of his mind, was venturing around the town’s saloons bragging about his intention to kill one of the Earp men.

On October 26th, the Earp brothers and their friend, Doc Holliday, met Clanton, his brother and two other men – brothers, Frank and Tom McLaury – at an enclosure called the O.K. Corral.

Just moments later this became the location of the most famous gun fight in the history of the American West. Within the course of thirty seconds, a number of shots were fired and resulted in the deaths of the McLaury brothers and Ike’s brother, Billy Clanton. The two Earp brothers and Holliday were all injured, the only one that got away unscathed was Wyatt.

This resulted in building tensions between the cowboy community and those hoping for a settled West. It also led to Ike Clanton plotting the shooting and Virgil Earp and the assassination of Morgan Earp.

The death of his brother led to Earp and Holliday roaming around the frontier on a killing spree that gained coverage around America and earned them both praise and criticism for taking on the wild cowboy culture that had taken over the west.

Later years

Earp spent the remaining years of his life in search of the success that had eluded him during his formative years, running saloons in California and Alaska, before finally settling in Los Angeles.

During the final years of his life, he became obsessed with the way that the West was portrayed in Hollywood. He craved a film that would tell his story and set the record straight, detailing exactly what he’d accomplished. However, the recognition he longed for didn’t come until after his death.

In 1931 his story was made, ‘Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal’, by biographer Stuart Lake. It was within the pages of this book that Wyatt Earp became a Western hero who was loved by all.

 

As the head of Alabama’s Department of Public Safety, Floyd Mann was massively involved in saving riders from brutal attacks during the Freedom Rides of 1960.

 

As the head of Alabama’s Department of Public Safety, Floyd Mann was massively involved in saving riders from brutal attacks during the Freedom Rides of 1960.

Basics

Name: Floyd Mann

Born: August 20th 1920

Occupation: Law enforcement

Place of Birth: Alabama

Overview

Floyd Mann was born in Daviston, Alabama, on 20th August 1920 and died on 12th January 1996. He was a member of law enforcement and played an instrumental role in the protection of riders during the brutal attacks in Montgomery in 1960.

The attack was caused due to the Freedom Rides’ attempts to desegregate interstate travel and during the violence, Mann – a white police official from Alabama – endangered his own life to protect the riders in the fight for desegregation.

Background

As a child, Mann was schooled in both Davidson and Alexander City, Alabama. Later, he joined the US Army Air Corps and served throughout World War II, where he became a colonel and was honoured with numerous awards for his service including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After serving in the military he served as a security officer for Republic Steel – one of the largest steel producers in the United States – and then went on to become a police officer in Alexander City where he climbed the ranks and became a lieutenant.

Between 1950 and 1958 he was chief of police of Opelika and, in 1959, he became the director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Public Safety Director

After attending the National Academy of the FBI and working in Opelika as police chief for the majority of the 1950s, Mann was appointed as Alabama’s Public Safety Director, by John Patterson – the newly elected governor with strong segregationist beliefs.

Freedom Riders

In 1961, the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE), started the Freedom Rides to challenge segregation on bus travel in the south. Although segregation was already technically illegal, the beliefs in the south were still extremely strong and, with white segregationists in control of the majority of law enforcement, it was an issue that continued.

The aim of the Freedom Rides was to challenge segregation but during the rides, participants – both black and white – faced a horrifying ordeal as they were met with brutal violence.

Attacks

Mann was involved in a police force of segregationists and despite opposing the idea of aiding the racist hate, he was overruled and police officers ‘took the day off’ and all white ambulances had ‘gone in for repair’ on the day of the attacks.

Refusing to shirk his duty, Mann worked to place an investigator on one of the rides, who helped to save riders from a fire attack by the Ku Klux Klan.

When he found out about Montgomery’s police officers taking a day’s holiday, abandoning their legal duty and offering riders no protection, and the fact that a lot of the violence had been organised by police officials, he drafted in 100 state troops and placed them on standby.

When the riders reached Montgomery on May 20th 1961 the riders were attacked by a swarm of mobsters with iron bars and baseball bats. The scene was horrific and activists were looking to kill. Mann ran into the crowd firing warning shots and demanded an end to the riots. Although there wasn’t an end straight away, he did manage to save a battered William Barbee, a young black man, who had been hit to the ground by mob members shouting “kill him! Kill him!”

Jim Zwerg was another man who was saved by Mann’s intervention that day, he had been badly beaten during the riots and after a taxi driver refused to escort him to hospital and the police wouldn’t allow Zwerg to travel to hospital until a white ambulance arrived (something that would never have happened because they had all ‘gone in for repair) Mann ordered one of his patrolmen to drive him to hospital, where he survived his injuries.

The police arrived ten minutes into the riot but took no action until they learned of Mann’s involvement. At that point the State Attorney General and Judge Jones took charge, but rather than demanding an end to the riots, they began to read the Judge’s injunction to the badly hurt Freedom Riders. At this point, Mann, defied authority and called for the troops he’d placed on standby. Their arrival restored order in the town.

Post-Freedom Rides

The attacks in Montgomery were seen internationally and it highlighted to the world, the injustices still faced by civil rights workers. However, when asked about his actions, Mann said it was “just a matter of doing what had to be done.”

 

 

Now 83 years old, Clint Hill was the secret service agent that protected Jackie Kennedy in the moments following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Now 83 years old, Clint Hill was the secret service agent that protected Jackie Kennedy in the moments following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Basics

Name: Clint Hill

Born: January 4th 1932

Occupation: Law Enforcement

Place of Birth: North Dakota

Overview

Clint Hill was born in North Dakota in 1932, and a few years after finishing his college education, in 1958 he joined the Secret Service. Following the appointment of John F. Kennedy in 1960, Hill was assigned as protector of the first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy.

President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas on 22nd November 1963, Hill’s first move was to get into the presidential limousine to protect the family from further gunfire.

 

Background

Hill was born on 4th January 1932, in Larimore, North Dakota. He is the unexpected son of Alma Peterson – a hotel maid – who sent him to a children’s home just a few days after he was born. After some time in a children’s home, he was eventually adopted by a family from Washburn, North Dakota.

He later went on to say he,

“Had a great childhood, even though I never had my own room—I shared the porch with my grandfather and kept my belongings in one drawer of a dresser that was jammed next to the piano—I never went hungry and was always supported by my family.”

After high school, he went on to study history at Concordia College in Minnesota. Shortly after graduation he was called to serve in the US army, which resulted in a three-year stint of military service.

After serving in the army, in 1958 he joined the Secret Service and spent time in an investigative post in Colorado. In 1959 he was promoted and became part of the presidential protection unit intended to help guard the president – President Dwight D. Eisenhower, at the time.

After the election of President Kennedy in November 1960, Hill was disappointed to have been assigned to protect the first lady rather than the new president. However, he grew to admire Jackie Kennedy and was eventually promoted to protect her exclusively and was placed in charge of all other agents responsible for her protection.

The assassination of President Kennedy

On 22nd November 1963, President Kennedy was on an official visit to Dallas, Texas. Hill was assigned to walk alongside the vehicle procession as the presidential limo travelled through the city. After the first of Lee Harvey Oswald’s gunshots hit President Kennedy, Hill raced his way to the presidential limo to protect the rest of the family. As Hill got his footing on the back of the vehicle he pushed the first lady back down into her seat, after she’d begun climbing onto the boot of the car. President Kennedy lay, fatally wounded, across his wife’s lap, as Hill covered the pair to protect them from any further gun fire.

Hill himself, later described the scene as horrific. He was interviewed many times about the incident, for news crews all over the world. He told one interviewer:

“The [president’s] skull … it looked like somebody had taken an ice cream scoop and gone in there and just removed a whole portion of the brain and thrown it around the back of the car, the back of the car and she were covered in blood and brain.”

Post-assassination

Hill was praised for his actions and bravery during the tragic event and was even cited at a public ceremony, by the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Despite working for Jackie Kennedy for another year following the assassination – and going on to serve in the Secret Service until his retirement in 1975 – Hill suffered from stress and was plagued with guilt over the president’s death as he believed he hadn’t done enough to save him:

“I completely failed in my responsibilities. The president was killed on my duty.”

After the assassination, Hill didn’t take any time off but struggled with his demons in silence. It has since been revealed, by co-author of his memoir Lisa McCubbin, that:

“His PTSD was never treated and he received no time off after the assassination, but instead was faced with protecting the widow for a full year following the assassination. He did this honorably, with dignity, and with steely courage, suffering silently.”

 

In preparation for the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, we have taken a look at the highest and lowest grossing Marvel films of all time. Could The Amazing Spider-Man 2 be another box office smash for Marvel?

Highest

1. Marvel’s The Avengers

Budget: $220 million
Gross: $1.51 billion

This is the pinnacle of Marvel’s achievements, bringing together some of the planets biggest Hollywood stars and superheroes. The film was the largest grossing of all time for Marvel, with award nominations from BAFTA and Academy Awards. The recruitment of Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor had the fans drooling at the prospect of this all-star superhero team. The fans pushed the Avengers to the third highest grossing film of all time behind James Cameron’s Titanic and Avatar.

2. Iron Man 3

Budget: $200 million
Gross: $1.2 billion

Robert Downey Jr returned for a third instalment in 2013 and smashed all previous Iron Man box office records. The overall figures made the film the second highest grossing film of 2013, which was a testament to the dedication of the true Iron Man fans. A conflict between Paramount and The Walt Disney Company over distribution rights made negotiations for the film difficult. This was settled as Disney agreed to pay paramount around $110 million dollars for the worldwide distribution rights of Iron Man 3 and The Avengers. This looks like being the right investment, with both films bringing in over $2.5 billion.

3. Spider-Man 3

Budget: $140 million
Gross: $890 million

Notice a pattern? It seems like third instalments perform the best, with Spider-Man 3 coming in as the next highest grossing film. Peter Parker returned to the streets of New York City with a darker side to his personality. The release of Spider-Man 3 was possibly the most anticipated of all, with a large amount of interest gained through the high DVD sales of the two previous films. Fans were anxious to see the dark side of Spider-Man and the effect this may have on New York’s favourite vigilante. This film was Sony Pictures second most successful production, only beaten by Skyfall.

Lowest

1. Punisher: War Zone

Budget: $35 million
Gross: $10.1 million

This was the third Marvel film to feature The Punisher character but was deemed a massive flop after making a substantial loss. The film reached number 8 in the US box office on its opening weekend which for a film shown in over 2500 cinemas is a disappointing climax. The future plans for the Punisher are undecided, with the rights now being handed back to Marvel. Some blame poor marketing of the film for its failure, as some critics hailed the film a massive success.

2. Howard the Duck

Budget: $37 million
Gross: $38 million

Slim profits for the 1986 film make it one of Marvel’s earlier disappointments. You may expect to associate inadequacy with the legend that is George Lucas, but his role as producer on this film was not enough to make it a success with the viewers. The film was received negatively by not only the paying public but the critics as well, with many still regarding it one of the worst films of all time. This is not the type of film we are used to seeing from the modern day Marvel, and it’s probably just as well they learnt from their mistakes!

3. Elektra

Budget: $43 million
Gross: $57 million

An abysmal rating of 4.8/10 on the Internet Movie Database sums up the public reaction to this film. With criticisms ranging from poor actor performances to ineffective plot lines the critical reception was unforgiving. Elektra was released in 2005 and followed Batman Begins, Fantastic Four and Sky High, all of which outperformed it at the box office.

Everyone has an opinion on what has happened to missing flight MH370, whether it be a government operation or a tragic accident. NCC have put together a list of other mysterious flight disappearances that have never been solved. Maybe we can piece together some of the clues?

1979 – Boeing 707-323C Tokyo to Rio

In January 1979, a cargo ship heading from Tokyo to Rio de Janeiro with a stopover in Los Angeles disappeared 30 minutes after take-off. The plane would have been approximately 200 km NE of Tokyo at the time of disappearance. The 6 crew members were experienced professionals, with Captain Araujo da Silva having more than 23,000 logged. There was one slight difference that made the vanishing of this cargo plane all the more intriguing. The small matter of 153 Manabu Mabe paintings with an estimated value of $1.24 million threw a different angle to the investigation. This though was eventually discounted and the official report stated cabin depressurisation as cause of the crash. The wreckage was never found.

1937 – Lockheed Electra 10a Round the World

Amelia Lockhart is a name synonymous with early aviation, but her career came to a sad end with her disappearance in 1937. Amelia was attempting to be the first person to fly the equator route around the earth. After gaining celebrity status through being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Earhart wanted to take her career to the next level. This though was to be her last journey, as 22,000 miles into the journey Amelia was lost around the Howland Islands. The search was unsuccessful and the plane was never found. There are a number of theories as to what happened to Amelia. Some documentation has been found from Ex-Japanese soldiers who claim to have bared witness to the capture and execution of Amelia.

2003 – Boeing 727 Angola to destination unknown

The Boeing 727 was station at an Angolan airfield. The plane formerly belonged to the passenger fleet of American Airlines. It was then leased to Angola Airlines in which time it was idle for 14 months building up an incredible $4 million in unpaid fees. In 2003 the plane was seen by air traffic control preparing for unauthorised take off, when communication was attempted the pilot cut radio connections within the airliner. The plane then took off, and neither the plane nor pilot Ben Charles Badilla have been seen since. There are not many leads of the whereabouts of the plane even after a huge FBI and CIA investigation.

1962 – Lockheed L-1049 California to Vietnam

In 1962 a plane carrying 107 U.S servicemen from California to Vietnam was lost somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. The plane had landed in Guam to refuel, ruling out many technical issues that would have been identified in the stop over. An 8 day search was carried out with not one piece of evidence found. The search was called off as no credible witness accounts of any crash could be sourced. The disappearance remains a mystery to this day.

1944 – UC-64A Norseman England to France

Glenn Miller was once of the biggest stars in the world during WW2 and accompanied by his big band he shot to stardom with 70 top ten hits in 4 years. Miller was scheduled for a performance in Versaille and left a foggy runway in Bedfordshire on the afternoon of 15th December 1944. Miller was never seen again. There are a number of theories that suggest the aircraft may have navigated incorrectly, but new evidence in the form of a young boy’s plane spotting notes from 1944 suggest the aircraft was seen over Maidenhead which was the correct line of navigation when leaving the British Isles.

There are a number of reasons why planes go missing and are never found and it has happened countless time throughout history. Let’s hope flight MH370 is not added to this tragic list of unsolved mysteries.

As the hot weather approaches, theme parks become a hot spot for day trips.So if you’re a thrill-seeker you’ll soon be hitting the super-fast roller coasters.Here we outline some of the most popular theme parks around the world.

1) Disneyland, Paris

Disneyland Paris first opened in 1992, and has been dedicated to the world of fairy tales and Disney characters ever since. It is a fun filled park, suitable for the whole family, or anyone who is young at heart!

This is the perfect theme park for those of you who would like to experience the fascinating imagination of Walt Disney. It includes two theme parks, and a range of 59 attractions. In 2013, Disneyland® attracted 14.9 million visitors to the park. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe, 51% of which were visitors from France, 14% from the UK and the other 35% was tourists from other countries around the world.

2) Ocean Park, Hong Kong

This theme park first opened in 1977. The park offers a unique mix of education and conservational aspects to attract marine-life lovers. This is the perfect place for those of you who would like to combine the enjoyment of rides with the aquatic theme. There are a number of intriguing animal exhibits and thrill rides on site for you to enjoy!

In 2012, the park gained world recognition as being one of the most visited theme parks with around seven million visits. Ocean Park have also won the prestigious biannual Applause Award, impressive isn’t it?

3) Cedar Point, Ohio, USA

Cedar Point has been voted the best amusement park in the world by roller coaster enthusiasts for 10 years in a row, and seems to be many people’s favourite park. Cedar Point has the largest collection of roller coasters and rides in an amusement park. There are approximately 150 rides, attractions and shows. It is home to three carousels, giving you the choice to ride 164 animals.

4) Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia, United States

Busch Gardens opened in 1975, and is one of America’s most popular parks. This park is split into nine themed lands, all of which have been designed and based on a different European country. There are a number of restaurants and shops for you to enjoy. All the rides are based around each countries heritage. Popular rides include Alpengeist and Apollo’s Chariot. Rather than focusing on the rides at the park, Busch Gardens concentrates more on the theme of the shops and restaurants.

5) Universal Studios – Los Angeles

This park is full of world-class rides including Transformers™ and The Simpsons™. It opened for visitors to go on tours of the studios including the sets and soundstages, and to experience the theme park. Apart from the amazing rides on offer, there is also a range of exhibits which are linked to current films. You also have the choice to eat at one of 24 restaurants, and buy souvenirs from one of the many gift shops on site. Not only this, you can take time out to watch mini clips of movies on one of the big screens around the park. This is one of the oldest Hollywood movie studios that is still in use. There are also a number of musical parades and live shows, so you are sure to find something you’ll enjoy.

So if you’re lucky enough to visit some of these theme parks, you’re sure to have an amazing time, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

It looks like we survived another April Fool’s Day and if you missed your chance to pull off a prank of epic proportions you will just have to wait another year!

Nowadays April Fool’s Day sees companies around the world go out of their way to think of the most weird and wonderful pranks to fool the general public.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of today’s most ingenious jokes so far!

Corrie Set Sinkhole

BT stated this morning that the new Coronation Street set had been sent into disarray after a sink hole appeared outside the famous Rovers Return. The sinkhole measuring 3 metres across and 6 metres deep reportedly halted filming and left the producers desperately rewriting the upcoming storylines.  Corrie fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as no filming schedules will be disrupted!

Domino’s Edible Pizza Box

Today Domino’s asked ‘Why think outside the box when you can eat it?’ and launched a brand new waste free dining experience.  Domino’s unveiled the ‘Edibox’ an edible pizza box made from pizza dough as an alternative to the more traditional and less tasty cardboard box!  There are sure to be a few that are disappointed that this is nothing more than an April Fool.

Government Bans Selfies

We are probably all aware of the current ‘selfies’ craze that is sweeping the nation, you remember the infamous Oscars selfie featuring a number of Hollywood A-listers!  Well, the metro reported that this could be a thing of the past, stating the Department for Culture Media and Sport have drafted a proposal for a ban on selfies, which is due to come into force at the end of next year.

Girl Band Member Joining One Direction

Simon Ross on Radio City Liverpool shocked One Direction fans across the North West by announcing that a female member was to be added to One Direction.  Some fans were outraged by the news even calling in to the show to voice their concerns before finally realising they had fallen victim to an April Fool!

Were you duped by any of today’s mischievous new stories?  Or, are you wise to the tom foolery that the 1st April brings each year?

The number of Dogs owned as pets is at an all-time high, with canines swiftly overtaking the previous favourite felines as the most popular pet of choice in the UK.  According to the 2013 Pet Population Report by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, dogs are now by far the most commonly owned household pets.  There are approximately 8.5 million dogs currently kept as pets, which means that 25% of households within the UK are dog owners, compared to 19% of families who favour cats!

Recent studies have shown that aside from the well-known companionship gained from man’s best friend, there are many health and lifestyle benefits.  Dog owners are often found to have lower blood pressure, lower stress levels and generally suffer less health issues, they also tend to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.

With this in mind lets review the top 5 most popular dog breeds within the UK for 2013!

1. Labrador – 35,026

 

Being playful, good tempered, well behaved and easy to train, the Labrador is a perfect choice for many families.  Originally bred as a gundog, aside from being a great family pet, the Labrador is now more commonly found as an assistance dog, such as a guide dog or police dog, due to the breed’s intelligence.  It’s no wonder the Labrador has been Britain’s most popular dog breed for more than 20 years!

2. Cocker Spaniel – 22,943

 

The Cocker Spaniel is playful yet obedient.  As well as being a family favourite throughout homes in the UK, the Cocker Spaniel has been the most successful breed at Crufts.  Originally bred as a gun dog, their name ‘cocker’ stems from their skill for hunting Eurasion Woodcock!

3. Springer Spaniel – 11,316

 

The Springer spaniel is a lovable dog and the ideal companion for children due to its affectionate and excitable nature.  Similar to the related cocker spaniel, its name originates from the breeds historic hunting role where the dogs would ‘spring’ (or flush) birds into the air.  It’s interesting to note our top 3 breeds all originated as gun dogs!

4. Pug – 8,071

 

Most well-known for its distinctive stocky shape and wrinkly, short muzzled face, the pug has been steadily growing in popularity in recent years and is creeping its way up the top 10. Originating in China these dogs have a Royal history and have been the chosen companion for many European Kings and Queens over the years.

5. German Shepherd – 7,954

 

The German Shepherd is prized for its courage, strength and intelligence and because of this is a preferred working dog breed for many job sectors including the police, military and search and rescue, just to name a few!  This breed has also remained a family favourite, continuously featuring in the top 10 for a number of years.

These figures are according to the Kennel Club Registrations for 2013.

If you, like so many others, are a fan of our four legged friends, why not consider building a career around them and become a dog groomer?