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I’ve been doing some research into different packaging types lately, and custom rigid boxes keep coming up—especially for higher-end or gift-type products. They’re definitely more sturdy and structured than regular folding cartons, which I guess makes sense for things like cosmetics, electronics, or anything fragile.
From what I understand, rigid boxes don’t collapse flat like typical boxes, so they take up more storage space, but the presentation is on another level. I’ve seen a few brands use magnetic closures or ribbon pulls, which looks really sleek—but I’m guessing it adds to the cost too.
I came across a few packaging suppliers (LSX Packaging was one of them) offering custom rigid boxes, even in smaller quantities, which surprised me. Thought these were only for big brands.
Has anyone here actually used rigid boxes for their products? Are they practical for small businesses, or more for limited edition/PR stuff? Would love to hear any experiences or insights.
I never stay long at the U's Open Day, typically just suffice to pay my CUSA annual subscription and a single circuit to see what's on offer there, but today I left in under twenty minutes.
Frankly, I didn't want to view the inside of an Arriva Bus, I didn't want to buy a cruise, I didn't want to buy a bike, I didn't want to buy a First Aid Course (I already have qualifications) and I certainly didn't want to buy the new yellow alternative strip with its psychedelic (drawn by a kid using a spirograph?) pattern. Anybody suffering from Epilepsy or similar sensitivities should stay away from the club shop.
The pitch looked as lush as my pristine artificial lawn, and would grace any bowling green or cricket square. How long it lasts in that condition once the weather changes with it additionally being violated by Ipswich U21's and Ipswich Women is anybody's guess, but I've never seen it looking so good.
A warm welcome to all members old and new, as the Happy League is about to start its 23rd season. Recently there have been a number of new members to the site, who are posting on a regular basis. If any of you are reading this, I would like to take this opportunity to say you are all very welcome to join. It is a free to enter competition with prizes. Details of the four competions are below.
There is no need to register for the coming season, as any member who took part last season, will automatically be registered for this season. Just post your predictions to confirm your registration. For any new members thinking about joining, you can join just by posting you predictions for Week 1 on this thread.
The four competitions are:-
Happy League This is a 38 Week season. Fixtures will be 25 weeks of 6 games, and 13 of guest pick 10 games, making 280 fixtures in total. There are two divisions, with 12 members in the Premier, and all other members (including newcomers) in Division One. Three to be relegated from the Premier, and three promoted from Division One (the top two automatically, and one from the play-offs). A personalised Colchester United clock for the Premier Champion. The season will start on Saturday 2nd August. For any newcomers it is 3 points for a correct score, and one point for a correct outcome. Fixtures can be found below.
After last seasons promotion and relegation the two leagues as they stand at the moment are (In alphabetical order):-
Happy Cup This is a knockout competition, with all the fixtures coming from the FA Cup. There will be replays for drawn games. The 1st Round would ideally have 32 members. If we fail to get this, then to have 16 members for the 2nd Round, there will be three member games where required, with the two top scorers going through. The competition will start with FA Cup 1st Round fixtures on Saturday 1st November. The winner will get a personalised Colchester United mug. All details will be in the Happy Cup thread sometime in October.
Charity Shield This is an end of season competition, where the Premier Champion will play the Happy Cup winner in one semi-final, and the Premier runner-up will play the Division One Champion in the other semi-final. The winners to play in the final, where the winner will get a personalised shield.
U'sual Champions League The qualification for this competition will be decided on 29th December (Week 22). Last seasons winner Sector4 will qualify automatically, the other eleven qualifiers will be the highest point scorers over the two divisions on the aforementioned date. The competition will start on Tuesday 10th March, when the Champions League Round Of 16 begins. The winner will get a personalised replica Champions League trophy.
A reminder of a rule, mainly for any newcomers. That is anybody failing to post their predictions four weeks in a row, will be dismissed from all Happy League competitions. There is no need for this to happen. If you are not going to be around to post your predictions any week, just let me know in advance what default score you require, e.g. all 1-0's, 2-1's etc. Anybody failing to post anything at all will receive no points for that week.
Week 1 Fixtures A strange start to the season, with the first week only having fixtures from League's 1 & 2. Some tricky ones to kick-off with, as they all contain teams that were either promoted or relegated last season.
BRADFORD CITY v WYCOMBE WANDERERS DONCASTER ROVERS v EXETER CITY PLYMOUTH ARGYLE v BARNSLEY BARNET v FLEETWOOD TOWN GRIMSBY TOWN v CRAWLEY TOWN SHREWSBURY TOWN v BROMLEY
Just found this on YouTube and thought it was worth a watch/listen:
Episode 1 – Maldon & Tiptree and Looking Ahead
"In the very first episode of Beyond the Barside, host Aaron Jay kicks things off ahead of Colchester United’s first pre-season fixture with a trip to Maldon & Tiptree.
Aaron is joined by long-time U’s fans Si and Dave to reflect on last season and share their hopes for the campaign ahead. Maldon & Tiptree CEO Barrie also stops by to give insight into the exciting project taking shape at the club. Plus, we hear from Andy and Louise from the Col U women’s setup as they discuss their growing role within the wider U’s family."
How much of the debt in building of the stadium has been paid ?
The building of the stadium was estimated at 10m ( ? ) has I recall and was financed by the Council through grants and loans. The club / Chairman paid a rent for the facility on the income generated by the club but any shortfall was made up by the Chairman has I remember . So about twenty years on what percentage has been paid up ?
Ipswich town will play a friendly match against Charlton Ath. on July 29th kick off 7 30 pm on the Colchester united pitch. There is an Ed Sheehan concert at Poorman road .
...for giving me the chance to enjoy some football in the close season. Oh, hang on!
Two terrible performances. Senegal thoroughly deserved that win tonight, and whilst we scraped a 1-0 against Andorra, IT WAS F'CKING ANDORRA! The only consolation, and it's a slim one, we won the game that mattered. Thomas Tuchel and the team will be slaughtered in the press, and they deserve it.
My home insurance renewal just came through at £653.46. Last year it was £517.88, so a huge percentage increase with no policy changes (e.g no increase to sums insured as the standard values they apply are already above my actual contents or rebuilding costs).
I shopped around (Money Supermarket), and got a best quote £477.00 from a company I’d never heard of. Most others were on or about my original quoted premium.
I then tell my existing company (a bank branded insurer) on-line that I am thinking of leaving due to price. Without me ever speaking to any human, no additional information, no hesitance from them, they reduce my renewal premium to £558.69, which I have accepted. To be fair, I have had two minor claims in six years and they handled those brilliantly, so I am reluctant to leave for a small price differential.
What gets me is why didn’t they offer me their best price at the outset?
It was exactly the same with my motor insurers. Frankly, I now haggle over almost every purchase of goods and services over £100 and rarely fail to get a discount. I am sure that many providers gamble on us being too lazy to look around and many will blindly renew despite a large price hike.
I thought I would start this thread so that others might share information about their successful haggling. My policy is now, never accept the price first offered!
I must admit I quite enjoyed that one, a good game between two decent sides. Even though my (maternal) grandad was a Charlton fan, and I work for the group sponsoring them, I would have been okay with the underdogs Leyton Orient getting through. Particularly so after being there to see their relegation to the National League as a result of the loathsome Bechetti.
But, to be fair, the best team won, Charlton deserved it, and they should be (at least) a Championship club. It also keeps the ever-popular trip to Brisbane Road potentially just one season away, or who knows, next season in one of the cup competitions?
With the 2024-25 footie season finally over on this Bank Holiday Monday, many boarders on here might be lost for things to do on a Saturday afternoon. I recommended Castle Park Cricket Ground….
One choice is you can pay £50 for each ticket to listen to Texas, UB40, Tom Jones, Pixie Lott, Madness (etc), or listen to any from the cricket pavilion patio for free.
Another choice is paying an exorbitant sum for a can of chemically enhanced lager or instead £4.50 for a decent real ale. How about a burger for £3.00?
Oh, and the cricket……
Unbeaten Colchester & East Essex CC top the Essex Premier League after three fixtures.
Prolific openerJoe MacGregor has now scored unbeaten back to back centuries (admittedly one scored away).
Teenage Essex II’s pace sensation, Daniel Gladwell, is cartwheeling opposition stumps as dramatically as the action in a John Woo movie.
Essex First XI reserve wicket keeper, Simon Fernandes has shown his class.
New Zealand all-rounder, Liam Wheeler has added quality to an already decent squad.
Big games, big personalities, sunshine and beer. Idyllic……
Can even talk to Ray of SparkfilmsTV fame…..or me.
Please read my match reports in the Colchester Gazette on Fridays (not available on-line).
Not the best game I've watched, but Sheffield United were in complete control with barely 15 minutes to go, and still managed to throw it away against the resurgent Black Cats. Sheffield's disallowed second goal seemed harsh on first viewing, but ultimately the right call. I was pleased for Sunderland, even if they'll likely only have the single season and then get relegated straight back down.
A perfect 10 for Sheffield United though, ten play-off campaigns, ten failures.