Well Done Josephine

In the absence of a photograph of son Paul's fiance Josephine in her dodge ball outfit, here's a photo of her hat. Dressed as a penguin,Josephine took part in a charity dodge ball tournament in London on Saturday.Being American she was possibly one of the few people who actually understood the rules of this wacky game and, as a result, her team triumphed and managed to raise a magnificent £5,000 in support of breast cancer. Well done Josephine. Any photos of the games?



Here's Lee Moore from our office demonstrating his skills as a Christmas tree decorator. Thank you for brightening up our reception area Lee. It looks good. Just straighten it up a little.We will be closing on Christmas Eve at lunch time and will reopen on 4th January.



The local Toyota garage just phoned to say that the Prius is on schedule to arrive on 31st December and will be ready for me and Marion to collect on 4th January. It is another of our attempts at supporting the 10:10 initiative and I'm pretty sure that by the end of 2010 we will have actually reduced our emissions by more than the target 10%.



I have been dipping my toe back into the eBay water a bit lately and just took delivery of this superb art deco vase designed by leading designer Charlotte Rhead.Being wrongly categorised and described, I am pleased that I was able to pick it up fairly cheaply. I've now got a cupboard full of antiques to sell on eBay. Only problem will be finding the time to list them all.Maybe when things get quieter here.




Stop press. An email just arrived with a photo of the dodge ball team. There's Josephine 2nd right looking suitably aggressive. I better not upset her when she's married to Paul.




Have you Seen all the fuss about the Facebook group who got together to try and make Rage Against The Machine the Christmas number one to try and get one over on Simon Cowell? It seems that they are being successful. All I can say is that anybody who buys it simply to spite Simon is a mug and wasting their money on a tuneless dirge.I've just joined the Facebook group Joe McElderry for Christmas Number one. There are 86 members already. And how many in the Rage Against The Machine group? Er 41,000. Come on Joe.

We told you Joe

Not wishing to gloat too much but here is the opening to my blog of 23rd August the Monday after Joseph McElderry appeared on the first show of this season's X Factor "After a gap of what seems like five minutes, our Saturday night TV is once again dominated by Simon Cowell in his new show which,in the arena format, should be called "Britain's Got The X Factor".You've got to hand it to Simon; it really is a slick piece of entertainment but the freak show elements are starting to wear a bit thin. On the basis that (a la Susan Boyle), they have showcased the best acts in show one I think we may have already seen one of the final two. But I'm not expecting it to be Danyl Johnson (the best audition Simon has ever seen).No. Marion and I think that Joseph McElderry with his boyish good looks and pitch perfect voice has much more to offer than the dreadful Eoghan Quinn (Chucky)who made it to the last three last year. And Danyl had the benefit of a track complete with backing singers (another first). Looking at Youtube hits to date Danyl is out in front but at only 41,000 views so far he's not another Susan Boyle." And yes I did put my money where my mouth is and won £415 which has left me in profit for my year's gambling for once (just).



A few days ago I gave you a sneak preview of our fabulous new CT8000 boiler that we will be launching at Hotelympia in late February. Having taken the boiler to the photographers myself, I didn't look too closely at the photo as I assumed it to be a photo of what I took to him. But some eagle eyed readers said that the photo didn't look quite right. And if you look at the photos above you will see what was missing. It seems that our photographer uses layers to get the perfect image. This would never have happened in the days of negatives. It's a good job it was spotted before the photo got into the new brochure.

And speaking of photos, I'll finish today with a selection of snaps from the Instanta Xmas party held at the Floral Hall Southport on Friday. A good time was had by all. All captions left to right.
Lee Moore and Craig Mercer making shapes on the dance floor.

Our sales team Nick Neal and Peter Brindle get down and boogie.

Monsieur Brindle Operations Director Dave Wilson , Sales Director Nick Neal and morning cleaner Dave Boutle

Assembly workers Joey Jones and Rafa Kolasinski

Store keeper Tony Lowe and Service Co-ordinator Max Vidal

Store keeper Phil Joce and his wife Pat

Me and Marion
Marion and afternoon cleaner Margaret

Peter and his wife Linda

Assembly worker Andy Fyles and his cousin office assistant Lee Moore

Machine shop supervisor Mike Chubbs and welder Kirk Harrison

Factory leader Tony Mercer wih head of wiring Martin Rimmer, Andy and Lee

Machine operator Craig Mercer, with Joey Jones and assembly worker Maiusz Kiepas

Head of welding Craig Peach with sheet metalworker Gary Rodwell and Gary's partner Faye (centre)

Office manager Jenny Buckley and guest Natalie Drummond

Sales Despatch Craig Buckley and Jenny

Tony Lowe and ex employee Liz Bradshaw

Assistant Factory Leader Jason Poland and his wife Jude

Assembly worker Sean Johnson

1000 And Rising

Welder Kirk Harrison has just told me that his Facebook group has just gone over the 1000 mark. Kirk is a true aficionado of real ale and with 1003 members, his is the biggest independent real ale group on Facebook. If you enjoy Rudgate Ruby Mild or other exotic brews or just want to chat with like minded real ale enthusiasts, join the club. You can find the group by clicking here


It's been a case of all quiet on the Instant blog for a few days as I've been completely tied up in work. But at least I've got something to show from my labours as our friendly local photographer Peter Raymond emails me the first of the photos for the new brochure. Here is a sneak preview of our new CT8000 to be launched at Hotelympia in February. Nice isn't it?



Which means that Marion and I haven't even started to think about Christmas yet and the office couldn't possibly look less festive. Lauren always used to make a lovely job of putting up the tree and a few decorations to get us into the festive spirit but I think we're heading for a Bah Humbug year this year.Maybe we'll get the chance to put something up next week.



It's young Joey in the factory's 18th birthday on Thursday so I got him a ticket for the game against Fiorentina at Anfield tomorrow night.It's Nick's birthday on the same day so I got him one too. I do hope that they enjoy it. Typical Italians. Which other country could produce a team that could get away with playing in purple?

Marion's busy with the November figures at the moment but when she has finished them I think she deserves a day off. She hasn't stopped for days now.

And finally, don't forget to vote for Joe in th x Factor final on Sunday. I win £450 is he is successful. And as I've been on a losing streak lately I could do with that win to get my Betfair account back in order.






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Life in the factory on a Monday

It's a hive of activity in the factory today as five of the lads have come in to help us to get a big order out on time. It's going well and we should get about forty special boilers for Rampton hospital on their way tonight with another twenty six to follow shortly.

Thanks go to Amanda Sweeney of City Servicing for sending me an invitation to join Google Wave. I'm not too familiar with this new development from Google but I hope to find out more later when I have the time to have a good look at it.I will let you know.



Good to see my X Factor favourite Joe still going strong in the show. I singled him out on this blog on the Monday after his first audition performance and I've not seen anything to suggest that he won't win. He has to be the only contestant in the history of the show who has not hit a single bad note in any performance. I have a vested interest (£130) in Joe winning as I put my money where my mouth is. Reading the forums on Digital Spy, he doesn't seem as popular but I'm sticking with him for at least another week but might chicken out and lay some of the bet when it comes to the final.



Good to see Dirk Kuyt sealing Liverpool's win in yesterday's local derby.It wasn't Liverpool's best performance but a 2-0 away win is always welcome. I felt that Everton had a bit of bad luck but having seen Liverpool against, Sunderland, Manchester City and Birmingham City recently I think that nobody can argue that it wasn't time that a bit of good luck went Liverpool's way.



I can't believe that it's less than two weeks before we go to the annual Instanta Christmas do. It has usually been a demure affair with a Christmas eve lunch at a local pub or restaurant but because Christmas falls on a Friday this year it wasn't right and we've gone for a big night out at Southport's Floral Hall where we will be entertained by Abba tribute band Abba fever. As the blokes have thier backs to the camera in their publicity photos I guess that they look nothing like Benny and Bjorn.

Here's a taster for those who can't make it to the party.

42 Today

Happy birthday greetings to Max Vidal.Max turns 42 today and has treated himself to a day off to go and play golf. But, looking at the weather, I think that he should have chosen to go sailing (in his garden). Max is the friendly voice on the end of our service helpline. He has been with us for thirteen years now and has spent the last couple of years in the office. We get plenty of customers complimenting us on the great service that Max has given them and we think those plaudits are well deserved. Have a good day Max and don't catch flu.



Having ignored Marion's sensible advice on my X Factor bets for the last few weeks when she has accurately forecast the act to go home, I listened to her this week. Danyl was sure to be in the bottom two she said. Sadly,she was wrong, for the first time, and I lost (as usual). My favourite Joe is still a very strong contender and I can see him winning the final in a couple of weeks' time.



Tonight Marion and I are going to Liverpool with our next door neighbour to see Bill Bailey's show. Our neighbour Vincent is a huge fan. We don't know Bill Bailey too well although we have seen a couple of his performances on TV and had a good laugh. We're having a meal at 60 Hope St before the show and that is always worth a trip to Liverpool.



After I reported him as Mr 98.8% on Friday, Dave Boutle spent the weekend protesting his innocence from the rooftops and, as a result, is now back to being Mr 99.4% with his eBay feedback. No doubt the endless phone calls will have cost him dearly but he is a proud man and a true seeker of justice. Now he has to get back to 100% after getting his only other negative from a customer that he refunded in full and allowed to keep the goods.

And speaking of justice. Here's the only Irishman in the world who isn't complaining that the Irish were robbed.

Happy Birthday Mike

It's Mike Chubbs' 37th Birthday today but he's not in so I can't get a photo and have had to use the one that I used last year (hopefully I can update it tomorrow). We all wish him a really great day. Mike has been working at Instanta for 15 years and he is in charge of our engineering workshop where he runs 2 CNC lathes. Mike has had a rough time this year after he injured his shoulder whilst playing with his son Jamie.Sadly the hospital missed the dislocation and has had a very painful few months. As he enjoys golf this has prevented him from playing. We have to admire the stoical way that he has handled this injury.Being an Evertonian he's used to suffering. Have a great day Mike.



Love it or loathe it you have to hand it to the X Factor as it certainly provides plenty to talk about. Today the office has been awash with indignation over the survival of John and Edward and outrage over Jamie's song but, let's face it, the boys' dire performance was more entertaining than some of the Karaoke that we had to sit through.I managed to win £117 by betting that Rachel, Jamie and Lloyd would not be eliminated.Whilst it was clear to the world and his dog that the Irish twins were the worst act by a million miles you have to remember that this is being voted on by a British public who put John Sergeant through on Strictly every week and kept Barry from Eastenders on ice for weeks longer than he should have been.I hope that blog readers took my advice and backed Joe when he was at 13-1.He's 4.9-1 today.



Yes, all in all, yesterday was a pretty good day. I went to Anfield to watch Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0 with yet another sublime performance from boy wonder Fernando Torres. I forecast a 2-0 win in our Guardian Pick The Scores competition and that catapulted me to the top of the league for the first time this season. The forecast was not wishful thinking. I forecast a defeat at Sunderland last week too but I thought that as long as Fernando played we could get something from the game. Mind you, standing up for a full ninety minutes did nothing for my arthritic hip (ouch).



Our prodigal son Craig (above right) returned to the office today from his brief adventure on the road. But as Lee (left) did so well standing in for him he is staying in the office and Marion has been showing him the ropes this morning. In no time he will be an office all rounder.Last week I said that I was treading water here in the office but Lee has now made things a lot easier for us.

I think Alan should be on X Factor.

Happy 50th Birthday Dave

Yes, today our office cleaner, odd job man and eBay aficionado Dave Boutle (lydiate_boutie) is 50 and so a big happy birthday to you Dave from us all. Dave's got 99.4% positive feedback on eBay so I'll leave it to his happy customers to tell you all about him. "Excellent, thank you - great chap to deal with ((**_**))","Super man to deal with, fender looks great in situ...many thanks""Absolutely splendid, excellent ebayer, very nice, immediate payment.""top ebayer A1 ++ +". And here's some feedback from Instanta "You missed a bit of dust under my keyboard but otherwise AAAA++++" "Those toilets smell sweet.AA*****" Wow. What a guy.



We went to see Tom Jones at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday. He started off performing tracks that he has written himself for his new album . The album is called 24 Hours and I thought that a very appropriate title as each song seemed to last 24 hours and I was almost asleep.But he turned the show around with his golden oldies and had the audience singing along to "Delilah" and "What's New Pussycat". I suppose that I shouldn't grumble, as Tom's pretty good for his age. Although I always think that when old people like Tom start saying "do you know how old I am?" I think you should make a guess and then add another ten years.Yes Tom you look 79. Mustn't grumble, a good night was had by all.



Another good performance from our favourite, Joe McElderry on this week's X Factor.I still think Joe is in with a good chance of winning although the Irish twins might do a John Sergeant and get through on comedy value (which is certainly what happened this week).



We've got a chef, Anton, coming in later this morning to teach us how to demonstrate the sous vide equipment. This should be a big help as, although we know all about the equipment we aren't cooks so this will be a valuable lesson.

I'll finish with a dedication for Dave. We've had the song before but here's a LIP DUB version.

Foot In Mouth Syndrome

It seems that we are experiencing a surfeit of celebrities putting their feet in their mouths lately. No sooner had the furore concerning Anton Du Beke (or is that Du Burke?)and his racist comments died down when our mouths dropped to the floor again during X Factor as Dannii Minogue made the crassest homophobic comment possible about the contestant Danyl. It was all swept away on the Sunday show but she was totally out of order.




On a positive note our favourite Joseph put in an outstanding performance on X Factor. And yes I did put my money where my mouth was and backed him to the tune of £60 at 13-1 but I did lay (back against) him when the odds dropped to 6.4-1 after his performance. Which leaves a guaranteed £70 profit and no risk on Betfair whoever wins. Sadly I have to wait until Christmas. I'm sure that I'll be dipping back into that market again.



I suppose that all the celeb's crass comments are just part of today's society where people don't think too much about their fellow man or his feelings. Nothing brought this into sharper focus than a report in yesterday's Observer that Charity shops are loosing a fortune to ................shoplifters! Can you believe that there are people who steal from charity shops?



And even worse, think about the people who conned the mentally ill Akmal Shaikh from north London into taking a load of drugs into China. They told the poor innocent dupe that they had got him a slot performing a pop song in a top Chinese venue "oh and, by the way, can you take this suitcase with you?" Shaikh was arrested upon arrival and is now facing execution.What a cowardly, dirty trick.

At least there is one uplifting thing shining through all this nastiness. Yes, Harry Hill is back and Saturday evenings are joyful once again.