Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/02/2012 -- Evo Promotions is based locally in Maidstone and specialises in sales and marketing. The Managing Director of Evo Promotions welcomes the announcement of subsidised travel for youngsters saying, 'this is such an important step in ensuring youngsters have more mobility and freedom.' Sixth formers and college students are to get subsidised bus travel – but it will cost £520 a year to buy a pass. Kent County Council said this amounted to just £10 a week and was far cheaper than the actual cost of the travel card to the authority of £750 and the current travel costs for 16-19-years-old in education, which often amounts to as much as £900.

The travel card was given the green light by KCC cabinet members following a campaign calling for the Kent Freedom Pass – which serves children aged 11-16 for a sum of £100 a year – to be extended to 16-19-years-olds.This card will be more expensive, although elected members said it amounted to just £10 a week to travel on buses across the county at all times, including holidays and weekends. Should the scheme be included in the wider, statutory Kent Transport Policy, the cards will be available from September. 'This could not come at a better time,' continues MD of Evo Promotions.

Kent Youth County Council member Paul Ayres said: "Having a card that could be used evenings and weekends, as well as daytimes, will make a real difference. It just shows we are being listened to and I think it will encourage more young people to get involved – knowing that their views count."

KCC cabinet member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Mike Whiting, said the card met many of the aspirations of young people who petitioned the county council last year. Thousands of people added their signatures to the list, prompting a debate on post-16 travel at KCC.

Kim Blacker, from Northfleet Technology College, which recently trialled the post-16 travel pilot scheme, said the opportunity made a huge difference for some students."One said it was 'life saving', providing him with ability to seek part-time employment further afield from where he lives," she said."Preliminary indications suggest that long term it will make improvements to attendance and timekeeping, especially for those living further away from school."

The benefits are numerous as it will definitely help children of that age gain a sense of independence and purpose. Evo Promotions is a successful sales and marketing company in Maidstone and is eager to see the difference this will make to the local community in the years to come.

http://www.yourmaidstone.co.uk/news/

http://www.prlog.org/11829015-evo-promotions-on-the-perils-of-red-meat-diet.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evo-Promotions/233759906683789

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/28/2012 -- Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that a diet high in red meat can shorten life expectancy. The study of more than 120,000 people suggested red meat increased the risk of death from cancer and heart problems. The study also found that substituting red meat with fish, chicken or nuts lowered the risks, the authors said.

"I'm really worried about this," said a source at Evo Promotions, a marketing company based in Maidstone, UK. "I enjoy a good steak or a rack of prime ribs."

But fellow meat fans can rest assured, as a dietitian at the British Heart Foundation soothed concerns by saying: "Red meat can still be eaten as part of a balanced diet, but go for the leaner cuts and use healthier cooking methods such as grilling.

Researchers at Harvard analyzed data from almost 40,000 men between 1986 and 2008 and over 83,000 women between 1980 and 2008. The study found that a higher intake of red meat was associated with a significantly elevated risk of total, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality.

"We've heard these warnings before," said another source within Evo Promotions. "It's up to the individual whether you take the news to heart or not, but I recently adopted a more varied diet and as a result I have been feeling much healthier of late."

The researchers suggested that saturated fat from red meat may be behind the increased heart risk, and the sodium used in processed meats may "increase cardiovascular disease risk through its effect on blood pressure".

"I still enjoy a good steak every now and then," said Evo Promotion's managing director. "But now mix it up a little with protein-rich foods like chicken and fish. Together with a little bit of exercise, I have really started to notice the difference in how I look and feel."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17345967

http://www.briefingwire.com/pr/evo-promotions-comments-on-fire-station-closures-in-kent

http://twitter.com/#!/evopromotionsms

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/27/2012 -- A computing specialist school in Kent has welcomed proposed changes to how information and communications technology (ICT) is taught. Maidstone's Oakwood Park Grammar School, graded outstanding by Ofsted, already teaches some of the new ICT elements proposed by the government. Year seven students develop computer games and GCSE and A-level computing has been introduced at the school. Head teacher Kevin Moody said: "I agree with what the government is doing. ICT hasn't been particularly exciting. The focus has been on process rather than problem solving and I welcome what it is trying to do. It is good to get the support and will be good for the future." Managing Director of Evo Promotions commented on this, saying "ICT is one of the most important subjects to study – with technology advancing more each day it's important that students have a thorough and current understanding of all aspects of ICT."

Oakwood Park has four ICT suites with a computer for each student and printers and scanners, plus a number of Apple Mac computers which are used by other departments. Carol Welch, ICT subject leader, said although there were computing elements to their current ICT lesson, the changes would give the school more freedom. "For this school it's not going to be a massive change but it will give us the freedom to look at changing the curriculum a little because at the moment we are still restricted. I will have a look at making the curriculum a little bit wider and a little bit more challenging around the computing areas." Managing Director of Evo Promotions commented further saying, "ICT should be about more than just producing a word document. I'm glad it's going to be taught differently and students will be able to have a more in-depth understanding of systems."

At Oakwood Park, students are encouraged to use those more traditional ICT skills, such as Word and Excel, as a communication tool to enhance the computing side of the subject. Students can develop a computer game and we get them to write a letter to a games company to promote it - we do mail merge later on and we learn about databases. So we try to incorporate more real life activities, whereas I think at the moment if you just focus on the skills then it can be quite dull." Ms Welch said. Managing Director went on to say, "Here at Evo Promotions, we have a strong work ethic and the ripple effect of that is growth and development for our clients. Development is a key factor in every aspect of success – when curriculum criteria is constantly developing then so are pupils."

Ms Welch and her staff are computer specialists but she fears other schools may not welcome change to the curriculum so readily. "We have actually come from technical backgrounds, whereas I know quite a few ICT teachers in other schools will actually be a little bit scared of the announcement because they have come from a French, science or mathematics background and haven't necessarily got the programming skills," she said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-16510697

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/27/2012 -- An ancient 800-year-old wine shop in Wye is set to reopen, due to the ambitious designs of owner Patrick Keegan. Located in Upper Bridge Street, the medieval undercroft is believed to have been a store stocking wine imported from Bordeaux, France in the late 13th Century. Restoration works have been under way for the past 18 months, to open the grade 2, listed cellar to the public. Evo Promotions Managing Director Georgina Smith commented, calling it an "an interesting project and a great example of how determination and focus can really achieve great things."

Planning agent Catherine Hughes said, "It was in reasonably good condition considering it was under a garden for so many years. There are lots of undercrofts in Winchelsea so it's not unique but it's certainly the oldest secular building in Wye."

The undercroft was not discovered to have been a wine cellar, until the architect Ptolemy Dean, discovered broken bricks at the foot of the entrance steps in late October. Canterbury Archaeological Trust later confirmed that the damaged brickwork was the result of huge barrels being rolled down the steps. Stonemasons have already restored the ceiling of the vaulted chamber, using chalk sourced from nearby Crundale.

"It's a really great discovery," said Georgina Smith from Evo Promotions.

The scheme has gained support and funding from English Heritage, the Sustainable Development Fund, Wye Historical Society and Wye Parish Council.

Architect Ptolemy Dean, who grew up in Wye, said, "The undercroft is a rare and important survival, particularly in the context of the history of Wye overall. While there are numerous timber framed houses in the village, Wye's historic importance from the Middle Ages can be appreciated particularly in the quality of its surviving stone structures, notably the former Wye College and the parish church."

Ashford Borough Council is expected to make a decision on the plans by March 19. Evo Promotions were positive about the results, adding that there has been a lot of support for the project, not just from official sources, but from the general public and local business as well.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/february/8/wine_shop_set_to_open_in_wye.aspx

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/26/2012 -- 'Stretched to the limit and being taken for a ride' is just some of the many problems plaguing this volunteer taxi service, but for the elderly people of Carillon Cottage this taxi service is an everyday necessity. Volunteers of Carillon Cottage in the high street started the service to help villagers who were unable to get around themselves or get to vital appointments, but the free taxi service in Wadhurst is finding it hard to cope now that the NHS has taken away their own car. Evo Promotions said "The NHS decision to remove their car from a service they know so many people rely on was irresponsible, but as long as there are people willing to give up their time to provide the service to the villagers the taxi service will survive" Sarah Rogers said "they now faced a difficult dilemma, We very much feel it is cost-saving for the NHS by abolishing its car service but the voluntary sector is left picking up the pieces,"

The community centre's service was initially intended to provide lifts for villagers to nearby appointments at the hairdresser and doctor's surgery or, in rarer cases, to the old Kent and Sussex Hospital. Patient Stan Cosham, 86, has relied on the service to take him to Tunbridge Wells for several years."They are fantastic and do a marvelous job," he said. "They treat me wonderfully well and push me around in a wheelchair when I go to Tunbridge Wells Hospital." Unfortunately not all 60 drivers go to Tunbridge Wells Hospital; the service is now seeking more people willing to give up their time. Joan Wooding-Jones, who heads the volunteer transport team at Carillon Cottage, said: "We are struggling manfully on. We haven't let anybody down so far, but we need drivers to be with the patients to keep an eye on them when they get to hospital if they need a wheelchair, some of our drivers cannot promise to do that." Evo Promotions has said "This service is stretched to the greatest extent and without more drivers to help them it will keep getting tougher, to the extent where it's only the villagers and the people who require the services the most that will suffer"

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust spokesman Nick Evans said: "Unfortunately our voluntary car service was largely unfunded and taking hundreds of thousands of pounds a year away from direct patient care." GP's can still book cars for patients to be taken to their first outpatient appointment. Mr Evans added: "This is funded externally and will continue." Evo Promotions has commented saying "This taxi service is all about supporting their local villagers, as long as there is appointments to get to this taxi service will be on hand to get them their, We at Evo promotions think this taxi service is amazing and wish them all the luck, We hope they receive the drivers they need to support the village"

http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Volunteer-taxi-service-stretched-limit/story-15374819-detail/story.html

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/26/2012 -- The Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA), is set to make major changes over the next three years, after a review of its services and a drop in all-outs. Plans have been approved to close eight fire stations in the county. The move comes as part of a 25% budget cut proposed by the KMFRA, and the organization says that the closures will help to ensure that stations and equipment are in the right place, stating that five new stations will be built to take their place. "It's great to see the Fire Service re-evaluating and dealing with new demands and challenges," said a source from Evo Promotions, a Maidstone-based sales and marketing company.

The KMFRA is basing its decisions on the findings of a three year review, prompted by a 25% drop in incidents, in which it consulted the public to identify areas for change. The chairman of the KMFRA, Bryan cope, said "The safety of the public and our fire-fighters is always our top priority. However all of the evidence shows that we have eight more fire engines than we need, even to deal with a major emergency." He added, "Several stations – some established in Victorian times - are now in the wrong location, while in other areas we need more emergency cover. We can't ignore that evidence, which is why we propose building five new stations and closing eight that are not needed."

There will be no compulsory redundancies, but fire-fighters are being offered redeployment to a nearby station, or alternative flexible contracts. "Like everyone else in the public sector, we have to make significant savings," said Mr. Cope, "However, our three year review was begun before the economic downturn and focused on safety not cost cutting. Today's decisions will give Kent and Medway a fire service ready to deal with the challenges of the 21st Century." Our Evo Promotions source added that reviews like this are a necessary and integral part of administering public services and keeping them modern and relevant.

The authority is also looking at standing fire engines down during slack periods, and using alternative vehicles to get to emergencies quickly, in a move to look at other ways to save money. The fire service also says it will reduce the number of call-out it attends caused by automatic fire alarm systems. It says in 98 per cent of cases they arrive to find no fire. In future it will only respond if it gets a phone call to confirm the emergency.

"We look forward to seeing the positive effects of the review," said our Evo Promotions source.

http://www.yourmaidstone.co.uk/news/eight_fire_stations_to_close_in_kent_after_authority_reforms_1_1210490

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/30/2012 -- Anthony Seldon, head of Wellington College in Berkshire predicts that within four years, a quarter of sixth formers at a leading UK independent school will be heading for universities in the United States of America.

Dr. Seldon, one of the UK's most prominent head teachers, says that ambitious teenagers are looking further afield than ever before in their university choices. At a recent talk with pupils, he said that about 40% claimed to want to go to US universities, with the expectation that many of these will actually go on to enrol. Managing Director of Maidstone based professional fundraisers Evo Promotions had this to say on the subject "students travelling to foreign countries for university can have a positive effect on the person and broaden their horizons."

The introduction of higher tuition fees at UK universities, up to £9,000 per year, is pushing students to think much harder about their options. It's also changing the balance of what is affordable. "While there are positive points, there are also the negative effects" says Evo Promotions "the UK education system will feel the impact of this, universities are going to have to take more care about what they're offering to students".

Harvard spokesman Jeff Neal says the university has seen growing numbers of students from the UK and that families with "low and middle incomes will likely pay no more to send their students to Harvard than to a UK university".

"Tuition fees and the lack of availability of places at UK universities seems to be the main reason" says Evo Promotions.

When ministers in London announced plans to encourage more competition in the university system, the expectation was that overseas institutions would set up in the UK. Instead it seems that students are heading in the opposite direction. "It's a trend we here at Evo Promotions have noticed too" states Evo Promotions' Managing Director. It's not just US universities who are recruiting. Continental European universities are offering courses taught in English, with low or no tuition fees. Dutch universities, such as Utrecht, are touring schools in London and inviting applications. Maastricht has said it would like to become part of the Ucas admissions system.

Evo Promotions concludes "As the numbers rising is a recent trend, we shall have to wait to see if this will be good or bad overall".

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Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/30/2012 -- On Thursday The Department for Education published data for England's primary schools. It found that Three-quarters of children in England who make a slow start in the "Three Rs" at primary school fail to catch up by the time they leave and more than a third (39%) of pupils who make a bright start are no longer reaching advanced levels when they leave. The Managing Director of Maidstone based Evo Promotions commented "These findings are quite worrying. Their futures rely on them getting the best start possible".

Overall, this year schools are doing slightly better than last year with 74% of pupils attaining Level 4 in English and Maths compared to 73.5% in 2010. "An overall improvement in Maths and English is promising and we at Evo Promotions believe these skills are really important" says Evo Promotions' MD.

For the first time the data breaks down school performance for different ability groups and those from different socio-economic backgrounds.

It shows that only a quarter of children, who are classed as having low attainment by age seven, go on to reach the expected level in English and maths, Level 4, by the time they leave primary school.

This compares to the 99% of those classed as high achieving, by the same age, who go on to reach the expected level in both subjects.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb pledged to pay particular attention to schools which had performed consistently badly over the past five years.

"We need to help schools learn from those head teachers and teachers who deliver a high standard to all those children, including those who struggled at Key Stage 1, or who are from a poorer background.

The data also shows that in 570 or 4% of schools, all pupils reach the expected levels in English and maths. "Again, this number is surprising low and we would love to see it rise" says Evo Promotions.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Maidstone, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/16/2011 -- With the Catch line 'Set your music free' and having the ability to upload up to 20,000 songs from your personal music collection Google Music is going to become a serious contender Apple's iTune. Evo Promotions is excited by the fact that there is going to be increased competition in this market and the Managing Director of says , 'It is a well know fact that with more companies offering the same services within an industry the consumer can expect better value for money and more variety.'

The search giant has signed up fourth music major EMI and is in serious negotiations with market leader Universal – who together account for a third of all music worldwide. Sony Music and Warner Music, the remaining two majors, are also in talks with Google, although as yet neither are understood to be close to signing up. Andy Rubin, the head of development for Google subsidiary Android, told a conference in Hong Kong that "I think we're close" to launching Google Music, and added that the service would have "a little twist – it will have a little Google in it. The cloud storage service roughly mirrors Apple's iTunes Match, in that it will scan a computer hard drive for all the music stored on it – whether paid for or pirated – and will make those songs available to be listened to legally from the remote services. Music executives are enthusiastic about the idea because it gives consumers an amnesty for all previous illegal copies or downloads.

However, some of the music majors are keen that Google charges for its matching service, amid concerns that they do not want to see the search engine dramatically undercut its competitor. Google has always been the type of company to release a product in beta and let their audience help them fine tune it. This practice worked great when the products were all free. After all, how could you complain about something that's free? Evo Promotions comments further saying 'Google has always been a pioneer with their products and services and we would like this project to work unlike their attempt with Google TV last year". Time will tell if Google will triumphs once again with their innovative ideas and ambitious thinking towards technological improvements.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/11/16/google_to_counter_apples_itunes_with_its_own_online_music_store.html

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