Updated press release re Calais

updated 14/09/15 We have recommenced our European operations 

It is with great regret that we have to advise you that : ( 16/08/2105  ~ We are reviewing the situation in light of the calmed down situation out there )
Due to the current uncertainty caused by the situation in France around Calais, Clark trading is suspending our European delivery/collection removal operations 

This is despite taking precautions as previously mentioned

With the Farmers and Ferry workers doing what they are doing
Security issue ( migrant activity ) 

As of the 29/09/15 today was day 24 of operation stack in the last 6-7 weeks, with all diversion port operating at capacity the risk of not reaching Europe is currently too high (on time ) and we are talking days and days of delays not an hour or so . 
This year we have lost 24+ hours on only one van on two trips and that including the last trip where stack wa winding down and cot only a few hours. 
Currently the stack is starting and finish constantly so we are unable to plan.

And that with us using +DFDS Seaways UK via Dunkirk ( but Stack effects all channel bound traffic on both sides ) ( We can not afford to have our vans sat in the stack the cot in delays alone i very hard to off set ) 

Just a few figures to put it in perspective 

Severe delays are affecting travellers on both sides of the tunnel. Operation Stack is due to last all week, with 3,600 lorries queuing on the M20. 

Via +BBC News 

UNDER REVIEW 16/08/2015 
We may recommence our European delivery operations soon 

European delivery faq

Q: What is your preferred route ?
A: Dunkirk- Dover ( +DFDS Seaways UK )
Q Why
A Simple put there are quite a few reasons, to start with the routes are more affordable saving us compared to other cross channel routes ( See our press release to see our fall back plan )enabling us to offer the customer the same delivery at more affordable prices. Secondly the port currently has little to no illegal risk improve load and crew safety. And thirdly our crews prefer the +DFDS Seaways UK  boats ( so we can keep our people happy at the same time which is great )
And with it been closer to the boarder with Belgium we are able to get on to the toll free roads quicker with out having to spend hours on the nationals saving time and money on routes not involving France
Q So you avoid Calais
A Yes Dunkirk is only 19 miles down the coast so even on routes where the return leg put us past it we still go to Dunkirk
Q With Hull have a Ferry terminal about 3 miles from you why don't you ship via Hull
A Cost it is more cost effective to ship via Dover
Q Where in Europe do you cover
A Anywhere in the EU and Switzerland
A no we don't cover Any part of Russia or Turkey currently
A Yes we can/do cover the channel islands , Isle of Mann but be advised the ferry can be quite expensive so that is reflected in the price
Q What country have you either been thru or delivered to to date
A France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy
Q Which of them have you been in most
A As we sail via +DFDS Seaways UK  and Dunkirk France closely followed by Switzerland
Q How many country have you done in on day ?
A Our record is 6 including the UK on one run wit a motorcycle from Aberdeen to Switzerland



See all our upcoming routes here

Our Latest European Delivery run photo Album

Routes  see all our Upcoming UK and European Routes

UK- France -UK

On the Dunkirk Seaway

 +DFDS Seaways UK 

Longpont Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame de Longpont) was a Cistercian monastery, in present-day Longpont, Aisne, France.

It existed from 1131 to 1793, being founded by monks from the abbey of Clairvaux, at the behest of Jocelin of Soissons. There is now a hotel on the site, located in the old Cistercian inn. The roofless abbey church can be visited, along with the better-preserved buildings around the cloister. The original buildings suffered war damage in 1918.

Its monks included Petrus Cantor and John de Montmirail.^[3]

Corcy France near/in the Ritz forest 

#Road trip The Italian job

We are bound for Italy in fact a place just out side Turin in Northern Italy near the alps Full there is space on the return route click here for info.

The fact file

• it will be  trip of about 1800 miles our longest route to date currently Inverness 13/4/15 will hold that title but this smash that 
• It is our first European job 
• It is the furthest south by Road our Second man will have been 
• But not our drivers he has been to Naples when driving HGV numerous times and Rome
• It will be the first time we have taken the Van on the ferries 
• And we will travel via place like France  

SOS.from English football! Did the FA awnser?

I have discussed before on this blog about the state of English football in particular regarding the abundance of overseas players damaging the chances of England winning the world cup. Lets be frank it basically none existing. The English game is brokern. Yes it fast paced and exciting to watch but at the cost of home grown talent and I don't think it putting the case strongly enougth to say it is both wrong and a disgrace.But there is good the FA trying to find a soultion. The solution?
Is several things
Interesting
Controversial to some

The details?
To create a 5th teir in English league made up of premier league B teams like in Spain it works there they think but does it?
And this bit is what I have daid is need target for British players of at least 90 English player playing 50% of the premier league games compared to only 66 now Etc. I like this bit but does it go far enough? Plus tighten non Eu player work visa by 2020 and is it soon enough? All I can say if this bit pass it a good start but as a school report card might ssy could do better

A example of our extensive Stock range

Find me on Ebay:
Did you know that when travelling on mainland Europe that these are a legal requirement.?

And these are just one example of our stock. and as large as our Ebay listings get we have a much more extensive stock range here at Clark trading.for more info please visit the stock page 

Why England (Football) Will NEVER win the World Cup Ever! (updated~)

The main body of this article may well be discussing my opinion on why England can't currently win the world cup and be all about football but is in fact also a business lesson in sorts. How ? that is simple in fact football no correction the top flight is all about importing talent rather than developing it in house the quick fix. In business that can work but can be disastrous I will let you draw your own concussion

As a English man that may sound wrong for me to say but I make no apologies for it ! Period
Ask yourselves this how many oversea players are on your football team not many or any? Only if your club is a lower league outfit can you give that statement I fear! And in truth that is far from healthy for the state of English football. Overseas players dominate the premier league and even the spl to the determinant of home grown talent. Should this be the case? NO,! Is it the case? yes!
Can anything be done about it? YES
Take Rugby league ok there are less team in the sport but there are only a few world class top teams who do dominate like in football. And England only narrowly lost to New Zealand the reign world champions in the semi finals. Not perfect but when did English football last archive this?
The point is that we have a oversea players cap in British Rugby league/ European when you consider a big chunk of the French team play for one outfit Catalan Dragons that great for unit cohesion. But I am not suggesting that for a solution only the cap. Ok you may say it break Eu law like the Fa thinks(here is a simple solution case overseas players been from no Eu country's). But how can that be the case Rugby league does it and no one bat a eye lid! 

I ask you this question when did England last win the World cup? 1966. 48 years ago. How many oversea players played on the top flight of the English game?

A few facts and Figures and question to consider

And now 2014 the figure of English players is what? (Source BBC sports)  A scary 32.26% not even a third of the players. This really is not a good thing is it. ?

Less than 1/3 of the total played minutes are by English players. 

Which Football club in the English Premier league is the worst offender? And who is the best?

Name 25 top English Players under 25 years old? And under 23? How many of Us had heard of the players on team Gb Football back at the London 2012?

Who has the best set up at bringing young English players thru to pro and developing them that is how football should look for talent not just buy it in develop it themselves ! Yes transfer are good and useful but a decent youth set up is a great asset for the club in the long and shorter term.

Will this get worse? I fear it will. And may get to a point were the England team is mainly selected from the lower leagues

And no I am not saying oversea players ruin the game they add flair to the Premier league just at what cost? A high one as it is a key factor in damaging English football in the long term. As less and less top class English player get to play at the top level. 

Those at the top of the English game at both FA and Premier league need to take a long hard look at the present situation

And if you browse the web on this topic I am not the only person saying this.

And based on the current performance at this world cup which is to be honest disgraceful my point has been proved again for this year  

Thanks for reading please take a look at the our other football sports blogs etc