Web Crawler

Ever thought that one custard cream is not quite enough? Or that Wagon Wheels are smaller than they used to be? Then Web Crawler wants to restore your faith in super-sized snacks. Amaze at the creativity and patience of the contributors and then ask what is the point. Web Crawler is not sure that there is one, but came away from the site with a jammy dodger smile and a rumbling tummy. The Pimp That Snack site may even give you a few ideas for a rainy day during the holidays (Web Crawler accepts no responsibility for puddles of melted chocolate on carpets, ruined saucepans or diets down the pan).

June 2007

The beauty of a fine late spring/early summer's day. Web Crawler enjoyed a stroll out through some nearby streets, greeting people and passing the time of day. The opportunities of Christian Aid Week were endless... If you joind with 299,999 other people throughout these lands to help raise money for and the profile of the majority of God's children, then Web Crawler salutes you, and suggests you have a look at the Christian Aid Week web site to remind yourself just what a difference you made. If for whatever reason you were unable to join in the house to house collections, or the sponsored walk at New Hall Mill, then take a peek at the websites regardless, and find a few moments to pray for the poor, for justice and for the collectors. There is something for everyone!

April 2007

Web Crawler's come over all green this month and advises a look at the website for the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UKCEED), a national charity with the aim of demonstrating the business case for good environmental practice, and a website they have developed for the general public which helps you choose products to save you money and help the environment at the same time.

You choose a product category from the menu and then the type of item you are looking for. You can choose products by product size, manufacturer and product name. By clicking on each product you can see how its environmental performance rates and its likely running costs. You can also go to a Top 10 for each product category to see at a glance which are the highest rated products by environmental performance or running costs.

March 2007

As part of remembering the abolition of slavery, Web Crawler recommends a look at the Spartacus Internet Encyclopaedia. It gives details of the slave system and slave life, but also very moving accounts from 30 slaves from how they were separated from their own families to what it was like being a slave, including Olaudah Equiano mentioned on page 5. Some of these are quite harrowing as most of the children sold into slavery never saw their parents again. All the slaves featured wrote autobiographies, parts of which are also posted on the website.

February 2007

There is no escaping now from climate change - it is happening and it’s going to hurt the poorest most. So, Web Crawler is doing something to reduce all eight footprints - by shopping ethically through getethical.com. From washing balls to Fairtrade footballs, from Fairtrade organic flowers to vegan footwear, the site at www.getethical.com has loads to help you live an ethical life - and deliveries on a round are better than individual trips to the shops. . .

In fact, it may soon be possible to even get the full Wylde Green URC experience from the carbon-neutral place of your armchair - Web Crawler has just found out that now you can virtually fly from your home to the church by using Google Earth, using this link.

January 2007

Web Crawler has taken a spiritual journey this month, courtesy of rejesus.co.uk, and then played the pub quiz before lighting a candle and examining some chocolate theology. Although rejesus.co.uk has the aim of reaching people who have little previous knowledge of Jesus or the Christian faith, there is a lot to explore for everyone. Every visitor has the opportunity to delve into a huge variety of material and respond to it by giving their opinion, praying a prayer or asking a tough question.

Rejesus.co.uk may just help Web Crawler's New Year's Resolution of getting to know Jesus better...

December 2006

Web Crawler sent out its spies and they have come back with some secrets from the CIA. The CIA - America’s Central Intelligence Agency - created in 1947 to collect, collate and evaluate intelligence and to perform ‘other functions and duties related to intelligence affecting national security’ may not be the first organisation you’d think about when wanting a fun and informative browse on a dreary winter’s evening – but be ready to be surprised!

Click onto the World Factbook to find out the life expectancy of Aruba, the industries in Svalbard and where’s Wallis and Futuna. The data is extremely comprehensive and mostly objective (does the UK actually want to be known as ‘slightly smaller than Oregon?).

Alternatively, take the CIA personality test under the working for the CIA section – Web Crawler is a ‘thoughtful observer’, don’t you know - or find out that there is a George Bush Center for Intelligence. Need I say more...

November 2006

Did you think that Web Crawler would be suggesting something worthy to look at such as Present Aid, Christian Aid's virtual gift catalogue in the run up to Christmas? Well OK, but if a can of worms or a loo is a little too normal for you, then try the 'Gadgets for God' page on the Ship of Fools site.

Web Crawler particularly liked the Mother Theresa Singing Doll and Holy Odour Eaters (complete with a layer of soil from the Holy Land...). I am sure we can find one or two takers for Reformed T-Shirts featuring your favourite reformed giants such as Calvin, Luther and Knox. However, Web Crawler will not be held responsible for Junior Church using the Ten Plague Finger Puppets. "This little boil went to market. This little locust stayed at home. And this little plague sneaks into bedrooms in the middle of the night and mercilessly smites children of your age – on purely racial grounds."

Not to be taken too seriously...

shop.christianaid.org.uk

www.ship-of-fools.com/Gadgets

October 2006

Had enough of the city? Thinking of a move to the country? Web Crawler suggests that, before you make any plans, you have a listen to Sid Kipper’s Country Code on Channel 4 Radio. In simple, if muddy, steps he offers his own surreal advice to those contemplating life in the countryside. Sid Kipper, a self-proclaimed, singing, story-telling, multi-instrumental megastar (among other things), advises what to eat and what to wear, explains all about country pursuits, gives advice on courting and other such essentials.

Go to www.channel4radio.com, select comedy and then the Kipper Country Code. You need to register, but you can opt out of receiving mail.

September 2006

Web Crawler has spent the summer looking to the heavens, admiring the beautiful azure skies, highlighted by fluffy white cumulonimbus and wispy cirrus floating gently by. But all from the sunburn and rain free environment of Web Crawler's own desk!

The Cloud Appreciation Society love clouds, are not ashamed to say it and they've had enough of people moaning about them.

Visit their web site for some of the most incredible pictures of clouds you are likely to find, plus poetry and art work and even a shop where you can buy the T-Shirt!

July/August 2006

Green this, climate that. Enough already? No! If you are on a green roll then you could do worse than visit the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds website. It has something for everyone, but have a peek at the climate pages.

You can petition, pledge, tell friends, comment and find out answers to simple questions like what climate change means, to slightly more detailed topics such as why climate matters for British wildlife and how to calculate your carbon budget - and reduce it. For those young at heart, click on the youth ‘play’ pages, and enjoy…

...making the love of Jesus a reality in the community 7 days a week

prayer diary Birmingham Sutton Coldfield church worship concert venue Britwell Boldmere Wylde Green URC

Web Crawler - for sites you never knew you wanted to visit...

July/August 2007