New year in london

Questions and Answers

Can a 25 year old London male help out in New Orleans?

Q) I really want to do somethign fulfilling this year, and I really want to see New Orleans. So I thought I might volunteer over there, with the reconstruction work. Now, I dont have much construction experience, but I am willing to muck in. Does anyone know any good websites/charities that could help me with securing this voluntary work? I am based in London, UK, and wouldnt mind spending a month out there...

A) Yes you can. Many organizations are working on rebuilding New Orleans. Some may be able to help you find lodging while you are here but I am not sure. The ones already mentioned (Habitat For Humanity & Red Cross) can point you in the right direction, as well as the Archdiocese of New Orleans and even city hall (www.cityofno.com) Thanks so much for helping our city out.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly to New York from London?

Q) I want to go to New York at some point in the next year, I don't mind when, but I was wondering if certain months are cheaper to fly? I'd be flying from London.

A) It'd be cheaper in the winter, because there are fewer travelers in the colder months. Check www.sidestep.com for a good fare.

what is the new minimum wage for london for 18-21 year olds, INCLUDING london weighting?

Q) i am not asking for the national minimum wage for 18-21 year olds as this is 4.60 and i know that. i want the london version which is higher. thanks :D No it is not the same there is a "London Weighting" which is added due to the high cost of living in london.

A) The minimum wage , in London is the "National Minimum Wage" as per the Act of Parliament. Ken Livingston rants on about the "London Minimum Living Wage" which he puts at £7.50 per hour but he does "NOT" have the power to bring in a law that can be enforcable. We will hear him rant on about this again and again as it nears election time but he will never do anything about it. The only way possible is for Red Ken to put a Bill before Parliament and he is likely to lose it so he doesn't bother. The London Weighting Allowance is also "NOT" legally enforcable and is mainly linked to the Civil Service and some major companies. London Weighting Allowance is an agreement between employers and Unions. If you work for Mac Donalds, Starbucks, Cleaning Companies, Security Companies etc. etc. you will NOT get the London Weighting Allowance on top of your salary. There is NO version of a London Minimum Wage. For evidence of this fact, look at the strikes by cleaners on the Underground, Caterers for Airlines, cleaners at Heathrow etc. Even Canary Wharf have had petitions etc. to raise the wages of their cleaners. Executives at the Wharf are on numerous £millions per year and the cleaners only get the legal National Minimum Wage. Many immigrants are working for agencies/companies that pay them well under the legal minimum wage and many are only earning between £2 to £3 per hour, in London. The Government knows of it but will not act as it generates more profit for the wealthy ones. Therefore, you will have to accept £4.60 per hour and be grateful to any employer that is willing to give you more.

how many people travel to london just to see new year in and travel straight back?

Q) my family are driving to london just to big ben at midnight and see new year in.then they are coming straight back.

A) How utterly tedious, I'd rather eat my own hair than go up to London tonight. The weather is going to be horrible too, what a waste of time.

can anyone suggest good night new year london 2008?

Q) looking to go to london trafalgar sq london ,any one with any other ideas ,thanks

A) Got to be Edinburgh or Glasgow.

We live in east london this is the second year a blackbird has laid eggs in her new nest and abandoned it why?

Q) our garden is relatively quiet but we put washing our to dry will this disturb her. This year she built her nest when it was snowng.

A) Blackbirds aren't easily disturbed and will nest just about anywhere. I doubt it is because of you. I have problems with magpies which have just killed off all the young AGAIN. You can hear blackbirds go mad when they're threatened and if you haven't heard this I don't know why they would abandon the nest. Were there any eggs or did they abandon the nest before?

Cheapest way to Travel to Bangkok from London over Christmas and new year?

Q) What is the cheapest airline for doing this?.. im only planning to stay for 2 weeks so I hve limited time off work etc.. Most tickets coming up at over £1k which is well out of my grasp. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

A) Travelled between Asia and UK a lot, I usually get the best deal with Emirates, fix the travel dates and get non-refundable ticket for the cheapest price. Other Middle East based airlines also good for price. Hope you got somewhere good to stay there I heard all the best places are booked solid. Alternatively if you can find a cheap flight to somewhere else in Asia then fly with Air Asia on to BKK

Am I allowed to wear a high visabilty jacket with police badges at the next new year fireworks show in London?

Q) ...so that I can walk through the restricted barriers (and escort my friends) to get a better view on the Embankment. And where can I buy this yellow high visabilty jacket with badges? Or where can I buy the badges and jacket separately? "The Go To Guy", email me. Alison from Big Brother 3 (UK 2002) was wearing one on her audition tape for the show. So it must be ok? Update 1: Thank Kallico. Does anyone know where can I buy the badges, jacket and warrant card? Update 2: What about a SECURITY badge instead? Is that ok? Update 3: Does anyone know where I can buy the jacket and SECURITY badge for a bargain price? Brand new or as new condition, thanks. No, this is not a wind up.

A) No you cannot.! Going through a restricted barrier will require you to show your warrant card.Without that,you will be arrested for impersonation. Police officers are required to carry their warrant card at all times. Beware!!!!! Kantoria.................you cannot buy warrant cards!!! Unless the warrant card has a recognised Police Commissioner's signature, thats it........game over!! You would be wise to forget your idea.!!!

where can I find really cheap flights to Florida for new year flying from London?

A) Try using Sidestep - searches all the usual travel websites but also the airlines own sites too and gives you all the prices for comparison. You can then click straight through to book if you need to.

How do you get a child enrolled in a primary school if they move during the school year? Richmond, London are

Q) We are looking at moving to London this year but it won't be until partway through the year. How do you get a child into a primary school if moving halfway through? From what I can tell getting into a school is very competitive if you apply on time.

A) Every school has to have an admissions policy which will determine which children are eligible to be given places at the school. This policy will, in part at least, be controlled by the local authority and by national legislation. The admissions policy of Church of England and Roman Catholic Schools are different from those of state schools. My advice to you is that, once you know for certain where you will be living, you arrange to visit the local primary schools with a view to having your children joining them. The heads will tell you of their admissions policy and will also indicate whether or not there are places at the school for your children. Another way of going about it would be to visit the schools, decide which you prefer and then buy property close to it. Most heads will offer places to newcomers into the area if such places are available. Do not try to deceive the head of a good school by pretending to live closer to his/her school than you do. They have ways of finding out such things!! The structure of the National Curriculum ensures that when children move schools they should find that the work in their new school will be more or less the same as the school they have left.

What would a solo vacation to London be like for New Year's Eve?

Q) I'm thinking about spontaneously booking a trip to London for New Year's Eve weekend... I live in NYC but am tired of NYC NYE and want to do something completely random and solo (but hopefully not be solo while I'm there, particularly on New Year's Eve. ;) ). What's NYE like in London? I've been there a few times... and am more into pub culture than club culture. Any thoughts on: (1) whether this is a ridiculous idea; and (2) what to do in London if I actually go through and book a trip? Thanks!

A) Hi It's very busy but it is a good night out - esp. if you see Fireworks by the Thames. Some ideas: http://www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/inspirational-ideas/events/calendar/january/five-fabulous-ways-to-bring-in-the-new-year.aspx Fireworks: http://www.phoenixfireworks.co.uk/new-years-eve-fireworks-display-london-2006.htm (I live by the river near Parliament) Places to stay: http://www.enjoyengland.com/book/accommodation/bed-and-breakfast/london.aspx PS: things to do: http://www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/inspirational-ideas/city-breaks/cities-g-m/london/about.aspx

LONDON: Are Xmas decorations in streets and stores still on in New Year's Eve in London?

Q) I'm planning to visit London on New Year's Eve and was wondering if the city will still be full of lights and typical Christmas decorations, for in Spain they last until december the 6th (when the kids get presents from the Three Kings), but I'm not sure about the UK. Also, do you know any nice event in London for New Year's Eve? Like a a special event during a play or musical, party at a club, restaurant, hotel, etc. and where to purchase tickets online. Thank you so much! Thanks!

A) The decoration is still there. I´ve spend New Year´s Eve (midnight) on a bridge to see the firework, which is done from the river Thamse at the London Eye. Many people are around Trafalger Square. And you shouldn´t miss the big parade through the city on Jan. 1st. That was wonderful, too!

Best flights from London to Bangkok over Xmas/New Year?

Q) My friend in London wants an idea of the cost and availability of a last minute Xmas/New Year period return ticket to Bangkok. Any airline will do. Also hotel packages anywhere in Thailand.

A) = Man you sure picked the worst and most expensive you should have booked your flight a month or more ago. Happy Holidays

What is the best way to bring in the new year in london?

A) I think the best way to bring in the new year in London is to get out of town. We've been going to the Cotswolds for the last few years to avoid the madness here in town. Restaurants are nearly impossible to book, cabs are scarcer than a white rhino, drunk yobs and girls in mini skirts despite the freezing temperatures puking their guts out in the streets, tubes that reek like a thousand homeless drunks, and crowded pubs are just not fun. Alternatively, find a friend who has a rooftop garden or big windows with views towards the Thames and get a handful of friends and a case of champagne. Cook some fun food, play some music and enjoy the free fireworks that light up the entire city from about 10 PM onwards.

I'm moving to London in the new year. Can I live comfortably on 60 000 per year?

Q) I know very little about London other than it's expensive. This will be my first job out of varsity. The salary range will be between 60 & 65 000 pounds. Will this allow me to live centrally? Perhaps buy a car? Travel occasionally? Any thoughts?

A) you can live like a king or queen on that sort of money!, (londoner).

new year london style?

Q) k right ive got a lpan just to go to london for new year and just have some drinks and the watch the fireworks or whatever but i was wondering what it was like after that cos im most likley out to be on the streets are there any like parties or raves or anything to go to???

A) Hang around Piccadilly Circus. There's always loads of people about and you'll probably get invited to a party. It was crazy fun last time I was there.

new year party london?

Q) which best place in london to be in 4 new year. i am new to london. id not have gf. so planning to go out with friends.

A) there are a lot of places, depends on your budget; 1- there's a party at a club called Amika (on high street kensington) and the ticket to get in is around 50 pounds 2- there's another party at maddox (Mill's street) but i think the ticket is like 700 pounds which is ridiculous 3- you can try Movida but you have to book in advance 4- you can never go wrong with Crystal club but also get ready to shell out cash! 5- last but not least you can head out to picadilly or london eye with the locals to watch fireworks for free!! ;) lol happy new year good luck

Any celebration in London for the Chinese New Year in these few days?

A) Respecting the Chinese.

New years eve in london with a 5 year old?

Q) I intend to go to London for New Years celebration with my 5 year old son,any suggestions???? putting him to bed is not an option

A) Bring his portable video games and dvd player and everything else because he is going to have the hardest time on the plane ride. Also get a carryon bag a full it to the top full of snacks like chips candy little cereal boxes etc because they tend to be a little more pickier eaters and it will be different kind of food in Europe Also comfy shoes because he will be doing alot of walking maybe some extra money to take taxis so it will be easier for him it is really hard traveling the states with children so even more harder to travel outside the country with him but get him excited get him his own little camera for kids so that he can take pictures from his perspective and he can remember his memories you guys are going to have a ball though

Crowded on British Airways flight to London on New Year's Eve?

Q) I'm taking a flight on Dec. 31st to Heathrow from JFK in NY. Does anyone know how crowded the flight usually is?

A) Unless Flight Crew who frequently operate JFK-LHR on BA on Dec 31st can answer that...ask your Travel Consultant/Agent. or at leat "enquire" about purchasing a ticket on your Flight to see if it's sold out as an indication. I would expect it would be full or close to it. Travel over the holidays at any time is a busy time. If you know any insiders at BA based at JFK...the Baggage handlers usually get a "count" the night before. This information is helpful for Crew who travel standby, that's why I know.