Derby Bonfire and Fireworks 2012 at Markeaton Park, Sunday 4th November from 5.45pm

This Sunday the 4th November is when our annual free Bonfire and Fireworks event takes place at Markeaton Park, Derby.

The funfair opens at 2pm, with the Capital FM road show starting at 4.45pm. The stage entertainment will be hosted by Capital FM presenters and will include performances by FTW, Sophie and Matt McGuiness. The Bonfire will be lit at 5.45pm and a fantastic fireworks display, set to music will begin at 6pm.

Video of last years Fireworks at Markeaton Park:


Derbyshire based act Matt McGuinness is the singer songwriter from the modern acoustic folk band Karl and the Marx Brothers. They play upbeat passionate songs of love, politics and fun.

Anglo/Maltese singer/writer Sophie is just 18 years old but already experienced more than many twice her age. She has represented Malta at Eurovision, played lead roles in Theatre (Disney) and performed at some of the biggest music events in Malta. Sophie will be promoting her new single ‘Sunny’, a remake of the fantastic ‘Bobbie Hebb’ classic but with Sophie’s own interpretation.


FTW are the UK's hottest new boy band, set to release their debut single early 2013. Since forming in 2011, they have also supported Alexandra Burke, Example and The Saturdays. This summer, they've hit the road with Tulisa and Stooshe. The group will perform their buzz track – Loveshot, alongside an MTV style mash-up of popular hits, as well as their new single 'Supersonic'. 

Getting to Markeaton Bonfire and Fireworks via Bus:
Leave the car at home and take the Arriva Shuttle Bus!

Arriva Midlands is making it easy for anyone going to the annual Bonfire and Fireworks display in Markeaton Park on Sunday 4 November 2012 with the shuttle bus service 29S running up to every 15 minutes from Derby Bus Station – stand 29 to Markeaton Park.

Buses depart from Derby Bus Station – stand 29 from 3pm and every 15 minutes through to 7.45pm.

Buses return from Ashbourne Road/Markeaton Island at 3.15pm then every 15 minutes up to 8pm.

Service 29S will observe all bus stops along the line of route.
Great value for money fares too!
£1.50 Adult Single, 75p Child Single and 5 for a FIVER single!

Stage entertainment from 4.45pm
Bonfire lit at 5.45pm
Fireworks at 6pm

Map for Markeaton Park Bonfire and Fireworks:

View 2012 Markeaton Park Bonfire and fireworks Display in a larger map

Access to Markeaton Park for the Bonfire and Fireworks is restricted for safety reasons.
The main entrance to the park, off the A38, will be open for pedestrians. There will be no pedestrian access through the Mundy Play Centre, or across any of the three bridges into the park.

The main entrance to the Mundy Play Centre will also be closed, and the Mundy Play Centre car park will close at 2.30pm. Anyone who parks in this car park to use the park during the day should ensure that their vehicle is moved by 2.30pm. Markeaton Lane is closed to all vehicles between 3pm and 9pm, to allow safe access for pedestrians. The Police will control the road closure.

Pedestrians coming from The University of Derby car park will be directed across the pedestrian crossing on Kedleston Road and will access the park from Queensway next to the footbridge over the A38. Pedestrians coming along Kedleston Road from the city centre will also be directed via Queensway. Pedestrians from the Quarndon/Allestree areas will be directed down Markeaton Lane into the rear entrance to the park.

Thanks
Andy

Video of a large Piggin' Collection. The cute ornaments created by artist David Corbridge.

Here is a video of a large Piggin' Collection. The cute ornaments created by artist David Corbridge.
If you are into collecting ornamants then I dare say at some point you will have seen these resin cast ornaments as they have been in production since 1993 and were produced by Collectible World Studios until 2006 when Xystos took over the range. You can get all the latest Piggin's as well as some from previous years from Amazon :

In my video I have photographed all of the current collection.
Do YOU have all of these Piggin's?
Which ones do you like best?

My Piggin' Video :


Best viewed in fullscreen 720p/1080p.
Can you work out the names of each and every Piggin' featured in my Piggin' Video ?

If you think you know then have a look at the answers on my Piggin's webpage.

The Piggin figures you see in my video are (not in this sequence!) :
Birthday Delights, Hammy Horror, I Need A Piggin Hug, New Beginnings, Piggin Alarm - Millennium Special 1999/2000, Piggin Animal Hospital, Piggin Anniversary Special- Piggin Paralytic, Piggin Birthday Kisses, Piggin Birthday Suit, Piggin Bluetooth, Piggin Chav, Piggin Cheeky Monkey, Piggin Childish, Piggin Childish, Piggin Computers, Piggin Creative, Piggin Cuddles,  Piggin Cuddly Toy, Piggin Decorating, Piggin Diamond Geezer, Piggin Football, Piggin Gorgeous, Piggin Greedy, Piggin Hand In Hand, Piggin Happy Birthday, Piggin High Flyer, Piggin Hole In One, Piggin Holidays, Piggin Homesick, Piggin Housework, Piggin I Love You, Piggin Kiss me, Piggin Little Monsters, Piggin Many Happy Returns, Piggin Merry Christmas, Piggin News, Piggin' Off Your Rocker, Piggin Over The Hill, Piggin pants, Piggin Pest, Piggin Phobia, Piggin Pickled, Piggin Pies For Santa, Piggin Plastered, Piggin Poo, Piggin Poorly, Piggin Presents Brooch, Piggin Relax,  Piggin Romantic, Piggin Romantic, Piggin Sexy, Piggin Sleepless Nights, Piggin Special, Piggin Stocking Filler, Piggin Stress, Piggin Stuffed, Piggin Swearing, Piggin Sweetie, Piggin Tantrum, Piggin Telly Addict, Piggin Tired, Piggin Together, Piggin Top Banana, Piggin Tosser, Piggin Trouble, Piggin txt Maniac, Piggin With Love, Pucker Up It's Piggin Christmas, This Piggin Heart's For You, Piggin Tickled Pink, Piggin Wrapped For You, You Did It, Piggin Exams, Piggin Lottery, Piggin Weather, Piggin Bills, Pigin Pick Of The Bunch.


My Piggin' guide to collecting Piggins.

Thanks
Andy

Benefit gig featuring Absolutely's "Stoneybridge town council" on Saturday 17th November 2012 at Hampstead Town Hall, London.

If I were to say "Welcome to Stoneybridge" in a high pitched Scottish accent then it may make some of you remember the Channel 4 comedy sketch series Absolutely from way back in 1989 to 1993.
Some other familiar characters were Frank Hovis, Calum Gilhooley, Denzil and Gwynedd, McGlashan,The Nice Family, George and Donald McDiarmid and Bert Bastard etc.
Absolutely stared Gordon Kennedy, Peter Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Jack Docherty, Moray Hunter and John Sparkes.

A few years ago I started a campaign website to get this forgotten gem of a comedy released on DVD in full, my Absolutely fan website was so popular that I was able to prove beyond a doubt that this show should be released and sure enough because of my website the Absolutely box set was released.
Don't take my word for it, read it on their website ! Its true !


Well its been quite a while since we have seen the Stoneybridge town council on television, but in a few weeks time there is a Benefit gig in London that will feature two of Absolutely's Stoneybridge town council members on Saturday 17th November 2012 at Hampstead Town Hall, London.

Brucie and Boaby from Channel 4’s Absolutely will host "The Stoneybridge Ceilidh"
That's Gordon Kennedy and Peter Baikie ! you can also see Pete Baikie perform in the Glenbuck Cherrypickers, see video below.

Gordon Kennedy and Peter Baikie star in The Stoneybridge Ceilid

This concert is to raise much needed funds for ‘The Camden City Islington and Westminster Bereavement Service’ (Registered Charity No. 1071144).

The main act at this gig are The Glenbuck Cherrypickers (who have backed Glen Campbell, David Bowie, Morrisey, Nitin Sawney and Rolf Harris among others). The Cherrypickers reputation as top-notch entertainers is built on sublime 5 part harmonies, fiery picking and a stage show full of extraordinary musicianship, variety and humour.

Video of them in action:

The Glenbuck Cherrypickers, headline act at this gig.

Also on the bill are The Whole Shebang Edinburgh’s finest close harmony country blues band.

The Whole Shebang.

Saturday 17th November, 7 - 10.30pm
Tickets: £12 available on the door.

or Tel: 0207 284 0090 or email: cciwbs@btconnect.com
Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4QP
Tube – 2 minutes from Belsize Park (on the Northern Line) Bus C11, 168, 268.

Update : The Northern Line will be partially shut down on Saturday 17th November so there is NO SERVICE north of Euston station! So if you were planning on going via the tube you will have to catch the replacement bus service.
I'm new to this but I've looked into it and the replacement bus service is something that tfl provide when the tube is out of service. You can use your Oyster card just the same (remember to swipe when leaving the bus!) In this particular case, if you were intending to travel from Euston to Belsize Park then you will have to walk outside Euston station to Eversholt Street and wait at Bus Stop A.
Google Street view of Bus Stop A.
Here you will need to catch "Replacement Bus E" towards Hendon Central. The driver will announce Belsize Park, is the stop after Chalk Farm.

Coming back after the gig it looks like you have to catch 2 buses.

Here is a direct link to the tfl journey planner, this will tell you what buses to catch if the tube is shut. Complete with times and maps that work on smartphones.

So go along and support The Glenbuck Cherrypickers, The Whole Shebang and The Stoneybridge Ceilidh.


Google Streetview of Hampstead Town Hall.


Links for more information :
My Absolutely Fan website.

Absolutely Productions website.

How the Absolutely Everything DVD came to be.

Absolutely - Absolutely Everything [DVD] on Amazon.

Pete Baikie on Wiki.

Gordon Kennedy on Wiki.

A bit of Stoneybridge :) from Absolutely :


Thanks
Andy (Absolutelyandy)

Video of Sheffield Park Hill Estate views in October 2012. Regeneration by Urban Splash.

Park Hill council estate in sheffield was completed in 1961 and granted Grade II* listing in 1998.
Currently the flats are being renovated by developers Urban Splash.


When these flats were built they were described as "streets in the sky", there are several Documentaries on the subject.

The graffiti you can see at the start of my video Clare Middleton "I love you will u marry me" is a famous bit of graffiti in Shefield and has been emphasised
by neon lighting over of the words.
If you visit Sheffield and would like to have a look around this estate then its best to walk through the railway station and to the SuperTram platform
then over the tracks and up the steps to the hill.

Some points of note :
0:40 This is the regenerated section of the Park Hill flats by Urban Splash.
1:02 Look how much these regenerated flats are selling for now!, A stark comparison to the prices that these flats would have orignally been let for!
1:33 View from the hill looking towards the city centre of Sheffield.
2:39 A view of Sheffield Hallam University.

Hope you liked my little video of Sheffield filmed in early October 2012.

Thanks
Andy

Video of a skipping unicyclist in Sheffield Oct 2012. You gotta see this !

About 1:30pm on Saturday 6th October 2012 we came across this funny street performer on Fargate near to Norfolk Row, in Sheffield, UK.

His show lasted for about 45 minutes, he kept you in anticipation as you wanted to see him on the unicycle.

My video of the skipping unicyclist :



The Chilean comedian, from Sheffield, put his tricks to the test in front of dozens of shoppers on Fargate. Crowds laughed as he juggled, skipped and dodged knives while bouncing along on his unicycle.
The grand finale of his act is when he skips with a long rope while on the unicycle !


Did you see him on this day or another day? and did you enjoy his show?


Hope you enjoy the show.
thanks
Andy

Video of Derby streets by car - Midland Road, Station Approach, Railway Terrace. August 2012.

Here is my latest video in my Derby streets by car series - Midland Road, Station Approach, Railway Terrace. August 2012.

In this very short Derby streets by car video I have driven down Station Approach, Railway Terrace and Midland Road in Derby, Derbyshire, UK.

Best watched at 720p/1080p fullscreen (if your system/net connection is up to it)

This is a real-time journey.

Points of interest :
0:00 Derby inner ring road
0:13 Right onto Station Approach
0:23 The right lane here is for Pride Park
0:51 Railway Terrace
0:52 The Brunswick Inn pub on the right (Famous Derby real Ale pub)
0:57 On right are a row of purpose built cottages for the Midland Railway workers.
1:00 Derby Railway Station car park on left
1:11 Entrance to Derby Railway Station
1:14 The Midland Hotel ahead (now a Hallmark Hotel)
1:18 Right around onto Midland Road
1:21 War Memorial on left
1:27 Derby Mail Sorting office on left
1:39 Left onto London Road

Andy's Driving videos around Derby, Derbyshire, UK :
Are you an ex-pat of Derby, feeling homesick? Or perhaps you just want a clear way of giving someone directions to a location in Derby or just want to show people your Derby Street. Well in this video and the many others I have made, you will be able to take a virtual drive around the city of Derby's streets as though you were in the driving seat. I use a dash-mounted camera, Traffic lights and heavy traffic have been edited out.

Thanks
Andy

Derby's new interactive Bus Signs - NextBuSigns - When's my next bus?

Derby When's the next bus?
Today I found one of those brand new interactive bus stop signs so thought I would give it a go.

Derby City Council are installing over a thousand of these new MOGO "Next bus signs" which interact with your mobile phone. By using your phone you can find out quickly when the next bus is due.

You can use one of many methods to find out. If you have a modern smartphone that has built in NFC then you simply place your phone within 2cm of the yellow circle and it will interact with the sign and show you when the next bus is due. NFC is available on smartphones such as the Google Galaxy Nexus,  HTC Desire C and Samsung Galaxay SIII.

If your smartphone is a bit older and does not support Near Field Communications then instead you can simply scan the QR Code with your QR Reader app and this will show you the next bus.
For example on an iPhone get a free QR reader by searching the app store for QR Reader, I used one by TapMedia Ltd which is free, there are many other readers available. You place the camera over the square pattern in the green circle and it will show you the webpage with the details for the next buses due at your stop.

This is a MOGO interactive bus sign as seen in Derby October 11th 2012 :

MOGO Interactive bus stop sign in Derby.

A third option is to simply type in the address www.nextbus.mobi then enter the code from the red circle such as dbyamtwp
A fouth option if you only have a basic mobile phone, is to text the code in the blue circle to 84268.

A close up view of the four options you can use.
Yellow for NFC smartphones.
Green for QR Reader smartphones
Red for older smartphones and WAP phones.
Blue for old mobile phones.

Interactive bus stop sign panel.

If your viewing this blog on your pc then you can actually try scanning the QR code on screen now. Just click the picture to mke it larger then launch your QR reader app and scan the pattern.

The first Bus routes in Derby to be fitted with the new signs are the 42/43 and 44/45 services to Alvaston run by Arriva. Trent will also be having them on routes, starting with the Sixes and the Allestree buses.

If you would like to get an idea now of what the information looks like when you use this interactive bus sign then click here : Typical when't the next bus info. This is the interactive code from Ivy Square on Osmaston Road, Derby.

This latest technology has been installed on several routes in Derby and will be extended throughout the city and surrounding areas in the run-up to Christmas. It gives direct access to the Traveline website when a phone is placed within touching distance of the signs. Passengers then receive information on when their bus is due.

For a list of NFC smartphones see HERE.

What do YOU think of these? good or bad idea?

Thanks
Andy

Video of Graffiti heaven at Sheffield Railway Station Footbridge, Walk along here in the dark if you dare !

This is a video of Graffiti heaven at Sheffield Railway Station Footbridge, Walk along here in the dark if you dare!!!!

This is a trip across the footbridge at Sheffield Railway Station in October 2012.
I don't think I'd like to walk along this when its dark as there is no lighting in this bridge and its got very high walls to it.

In the second part of the video I've tried to go all arty, see if you like it.

My video of Sheffield Railway Station Footbridge :


This old footbridge runs from Cross Turner Street to the SuperTram platform in front of the Park Hill estate.
Here is a map showing this footbridge going over the railway tracks at Sheffield station:


View Larger Map

Google Streetview of the entrance to this footbridge.

Thanks
Andy

Sheffield urban art, From Arnie to the Steel worker. View from a window in October 2012.

While on a recent visit to Sheffield, I noticed this Arnie "i'll be back" graffiti above the co-op building on Angel Street. I wonder how many people walk along Angel Street each day and have never seen it. You can't see it from street level.


The "Steel Worker" was created in 1986 by artist Paul Waplington from 30,000 bricks of 18 different types and 5 types of mortar and is located on the end of a four storey building on Castle Street, near the Law Courts, Sheffield.

Here is my video :

Hope you enjoy it.
Andy

How to get FREE Wi-Fi at JD Wetherspoon pubs, very simple.

If your an iPhone owner on O2 pay as you go then I dare say like me you had free unlimited Cloud Wi-Fi access as part of your deal with the iPhone. That service stopped in February 2011.
If your on PAYG then its always best to use free wifi if its available as you can soon use up your limit. PAYG web use limits are often 100mb/500mb or 1Gb per month.

Well did you know that you still can get free Wi-Fi in all Wetherspoon pubs and in fact anywhere that you see the Cloud showing up as a hotspot. It does not matter what network provider you are with, this does not matter its free to everyone!

So how do I get free Wi-Fi?
You will need to set up a free account on The Cloud. For this you just need a valid email address.
Of course you will need to set up your account via your 3G/4G phone connection (not the wifi) or set it up at home.

Set up your Cloud account here :
https://service.thecloud.net/service-platform/login/registration/

or follow the links yourself : http://www.thecloud.net/free-wifi/join-the-cloud/

When ever you want to use the free wifi in the future all you have to do is log in using the email address and password you used to register with. So once you have setup your account it really is very quick and simple, I will show you how simple here using screen grabs from my iPhone to help you.

So your in the pub, what next?
You will first need to connect your device to The Cloud, on your smartphone or laptop go to your wifi settings and see whats available.

Here on my iPhone you can see _The Cloud showing up so tap on it and allow it to connect to the cloud. on an Iphone this is indicated by the Wi-Fi symbol showing up at the top of the screen next to your phone operator sysmbol. Don't connect to any other hotspots apart from "_The Cloud"

Wi-Fi Networks as seen in a Wetherspoons pub. Select _The Cloud.

Once your device is connected to The Cloud, launch your web browser and go to any web page at all so that it redirects to The "Cloud landing page" that relates to where you are connecting from, i.e Weatherspoon adverts.
You may have to refresh it a couple of times to force the landing page to show like the one below.

By the way you may have noticed your phone showing the web page below in a pub anyway, thats because often your phone will prefer to connect to wifi if the 3G signal is weak.


The Cloud "landing page"
In this example here, I'm in the Bankers Draft pub in Sheffield so its showing stuff related to Wetherspoon pubs.
Now you need to tap the "Get Online" option (I've highlighted in red)

In a Wetherspoon pub you will get a screen like this, click on Get Online >

On the next screen as you can see there are a few choices, the one we want is "Free Cloud WiFi" (I've highlighted in red).
Note : If you are a Sky cusomer then you can login using your Skyid information.
Sky acquired The Cloud in January 2011 which is why Sky customers get free unlimited wifi.
More info : www.sky.com/helpcentre/account-and-billing/sky-id

Select Free Cloud WiFi to get 24 hours free wifi.

If this is the FIRST TIME you have used this then you will need to create your account by taping on the "Don't have an account?" link.(I've highlighted in red) Fill in all the details to create your account.

If YOU HAVE previously registered then all you need to do is fill in your email and password and tap the blue Continue button and you now have free wi-fi for 24 hours.

On this screen you enter your email and password that you used to setup your cloud account with.

Here I am running the speedtest.net app using the free Cloud Wi-Fi provided at the pub, as you can see its quite fast, The upload speed was 773kbps.

Broadband speedtest app running on The Cloud in a Wetherspoons pub.

Thats it. you now have free wi-fi at all cloud wifi hotspots in the UK.

Just remember to follow my simple guide to getting free wifi next time. The simple steps now you have registered are :
1 Connect to The Cloud hotspot.
2 Force the landing page to show.
3 Select free wifi and enter your email and password and click continue.
4 Wi-Fi is now free for 24 hours.

Note : When you register you will receive and email with the title "Cloud support - Welcome to The Cloud" stating that you have registered with the Cloud, Europe's largest independant public hotspot network.

Once you are logged into the cloud you can tap "My Account" and you can see all the locations you have logged in before and what active products you have, i.e "Cloud 24 Hours Free".

Always use free wifi if you can rather than waste your 3G/4G data plan!
If your on O2 PAYG then you can find out how much web use you have left by sending the text message BALANCE to the phone number 20202  and you will get two text messages back saying how much you have left.
For example on my O2 phone I have just tried it and it came back with "1 of 2: ALLROUNDERWEB Bolt On - You have 491.3 MB web and 17 pic msgs left this month. This expires on 09 Nov."


Here is another example of the cloud "landing page", this one is at Scream in Derby. Notice it has the same Get Online option.

example of the cloud landing page at Scream in Derby.

Hope you found this of use, Leave a comment if you did.

Thanks
Andy

My review of the 38th annual Steel City Beer and Cider Festival, Sheffield.

This years Sheffield Beer Festival (38th annual Steel City Beer and Cider Festival) finished on Saturday night. This beer festival was located at Ponds Forge sports centre in Sheffield, this was quite east to find as its a large modern building near the City Centre. The Supertram runs down the side of it and its just down't road from railway station.
I did not go every session as we were at an Ultravox gig on Thursday night and a Dara o'briain gig on Friday night at the City Hall.

This is the first time we have seen the beer token method of payment. You swap your cash for £1 or 10p tokens at the cash desk on entry you can then pay for everything with these. You get your change in 10p tokens. This makes it better for the staff as there is no money to deal with.

The festival took place in the massive "International sports hall". The main beer bar ran down the middle and was double sided as you can see. The cider bar was in the corner near the CAMRA membership desk.
In the other corner was the funny T-shirt stand (like you always get at beer festivals) and a tombola. Next to this was the food area.
Down the other side was the stage for live bands, a pub games stand and the Beef Curtains stall selling beef jerky products. There were plenty of seats and tables for people which was a nice change.
The barmaid at the Cider bar said that all of the ciders she had ordered had been delivered and were all on ready to try.

The most unique drink ever tasted was the Gwatkins Squeal Pig Perry, this was actually sour ! but really nice, never tasted a perry like this ever.

 A panoramic photograph (taken with my iPhone) of the beer festival on Saturday night.

Panorama of the beer festival on Saturday night about 9pm

Two ciders in this years festival glasses :

A Gwatkins Squeal Pig Perry and a Broadoaks Premium Perry.

 There were quite a lot of beers on at this festival, this is just one side of the bar.

The beer kegs at about 2pm on Friday.

 The Beef Curtains were attracting a lot of attention :

The famous Beef Curtains stall.

This beer festival uses beer tokens like this :

Beer Tokens.

 A close up view of the Beef Curtains sign :

A close up of the Beef Curtains sign!

Free Wi-Fi was available throughout this venue, just connect your device to the open connection "Sports Hall".

Were you there?
What did you think to this years beer festival?

thanks
Andy

Video of Gyrating shelving system Dancing Stands

Here is my latest video of a hilarious gyrating shelving system. aka "Dancing Stands".
Do YOU own one of these unique shelves?

The video of the unique shelving system :

Do YOU own one of these unique bizarre shelving systems? if so please leave a comment on what you use it for.
Also has it ever gone out of control !

This shelving system the ideal solution for your priceless ming vases or Fabergé egg collection, Just make sure you put them on the static shelves !!!!!

This strange shelving system was in a shop window on St Peters Street, Derby, Derbyshire, UK.

Having done some research I can see these are called "Dancing Stands". They sell either 3 or 5 shelf systems.

I recorded this video in September 2010, the shop has gone now I think. Recorded on my iPhone 3GS in portrait mode, not something I would normally do.

Hope you enjoyed this strange video.

Thanks
Andy Savage

Video of Virgin Media Modem, led activity for Ambit E08C013.00 cable modem from power up to ready to use.

This is a diagnostic help video showing what you should see on your VM Broadband modem.
If you have a fault on your modem then watch this video via 3G or from an independant WiFi source.

In this simple video I have recorded what you should expect the leds on the front of the Ambit E08C013.00 modem to do from the point of switching on the mains supply to it being ready to use. I have listed the time elapsed in seconds from the point of power up.
I have also shown what the leds do when you run the speedtest app on an iPhone, note this is connected via WiFi to a netgear WGR614.

Here is the video:

Your model will be on the label on the underside of the cable modem.
If you are with the UK Cable broadband supplier "Virgin Media" then you will be familiar with the VM cable modem they give you. There are a few models, I used to have the Silver NTL100 model but that died a couple of years ago. I now have a Ambit E08C013.00 cable modem.

Note that I am currently on the 10Mb broadband package, this will be increased to 20Mb soon for free.
If you want to know when yours is going to be speeded up then have a look on here :
doublespeed.virginmedia.com
Just type in your postcode and for me it says "December 2012  and February 2013".

Depending what package you are currently on depends what speed you will get after upgrade. Some people will get 120Mb broadband!!!

If you want to test your broadband speed right now then use the speedtest website :
www.speedtest.net

The iPhone app you can see in my video is a free app that allows you to run speedtest using either your WiFi or 3G connections.

My broadband connection is not too good in the evening for the last month as you can see the speed is all over the place up and down, normally this is level and about 9.8Mbps. A fault resolution has been issued to sort it out.

My modem states :
Cable Modem : Euro-DOCSIS 1.0/1.1/2.0 Compliant

To find out technical information about your modem run a web browser and goto the address bar and type in : 192.168.100.1
This will show your Modem Configuration

You can log in using root and root. You may need this information if you are having problems with your connection.

Hope you found this of use.
Andy