Value Value Value

I've just been working on the new prices for 2010. I know that people aren't expecting any big increases but we will be adding some exciting new features to many of the boilers and these involve quite considerable additional expense - expense that will be great value in the long run.The price increases are not major and range between 0.6% and 5.5% with our fantastic value 3000LCD (pictured) increasing to just £462. We challenge you to find a better value for money boiler anywhere. The prices will come into force on 1st March 2010 and the full price list will be published in early January.



And speaking of value for money I saw the chairman of the local football club complaining in our local paper about the woeful attendance figures at Southport FC. I drove past the ground this morning on the way to the post office and saw the prices outside. Adults standing £11. Now I don't know about you but I think that £11 to go and stand in the cold and watch a non league football match is extortionate and therein lies the answer to the Chairman's woeful attendances. After all, you can go to the cinema, sit in comfort and be entertained for a couple of hours in the warmth for about £6. OK there's an Instanta hoarding at Southport FC so that gives the crowd something to look at but I don't even need to ask the Harry Hill which is better question as between Southport FC and the local Vue, there's simply no competition.



Which leads me seamlessly to our love of cinema. We were out with Mark and Nita from Workhouse Marketing last night and enjoyed a great meal at Stanley House near Blackburn. We had a super evening (thank you Mark and Nita)and towards the end of the evening we got talking about cinema. Mark asked, as we go to the cinema so often, what were our five favourite films for 2010.We haven't seen "An Ordinary Man" yet and that has rave reviews but we wracked our brains and could we think of them all? I reckoned that we must have seen over forty films but after a quick check through the blog I found that we have been to the cinema 36 times this year (clashes with Liverpool FC and holidays and weeks with nothing on reduced it from a weekly event). And here, in reverse order are our top five favourite films for 2010.



At number five it's Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino. there's still life in the old dog (er until the end that is).



At number four Watchmen. A fabulous visual extravaganza with the best opening credit sequence I have ever seen.



At three it's Revolutionary Road. Great book, great film, brilliant performances from every single cast member.



Låt den rätte komma in. Let the Right One In. A fabulous low budget Swedish film with tons of atmosphere and some beautiful performances from the young cast of unknowns. Forget your prejudice about subtitles and go and see it.



And finally at number one it's Up. What a fabulous movie! If this doesn't win the best film Oscar next year, there's no justice in the world. Go and see it and take two boxes of tissues with you.Simply fabulous.

An the best short film of the year? The Workhouse Christmas video. Naturally.