Good afternoon from a rainy Loughborough. All that blue sky and sunshine was perhaps too good to last, but at least it gave all of us lucky enough to have some outdoor space time to enjoy it, whether that be gardening, sunbathing or barbecuing. One way to make sure the UK does stay indoors, though, is to make it rain, so maybe this is all in Mother Nature’s plan. So, it’s time to freeze those leftover burger buns, shelve all those recipes for courgette cake and start hunkering down, as it’s officially soup weather (again)!
Welcome to this week’s newsletter, which is literally bursting at the seams (just like our jeans, thanks to the gyms being shut). We always try to focus on the positives in life and one thing we’ve noticed about the whole lockdown experience is it has made people appreciate the simpler things in life more. I have a saying that I often use in the office when things aren’t exactly the way we’d like them to be – “We’ll eat what’s on our plate” – and it comes from my childhood when I would be made to sit at the table and finish all of my cabbage, or have two more brussel sprouts before pudding came out. The longer I sat there and moaned, then the longer I had to wait for the good stuff, so I might as well just get on with things, eat up the bad bit, so that I got to the good bit all the quicker. For me, that pretty much sums up lockdown: the quicker we get on with the bad bit then the sooner we get back to the good.
And that’s also been our philosophy as a business throughout all of this. We’re survivors, so we’ll get on and make things work with what we’ve got; focus on the solution and find a positive way forward – both for us and our clients. Let us know if you’d like us to help you with that.
As is our mantra, silence is not golden, talk to us, share your stories and tell others about the newsletter if you’ve enjoyed it. We’re always looking for great stories for next time around. You can reach us at[email protected]or[email protected]; by calling 07713 740 272 or you’ll find us on social media.
Stay safe, stay home and soon it’ll be ice cream all round. Have faith.
Jon, Kevin and the #FUFighters
OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
I tried to come up with a joke about social distancing.
But this is as close as I could get.
NEW PHOENIX AT HOME HUB LAUNCHED
The Phoenix cinema and art centre in Leicester may be temporarily closed, but they’re still giving people access to the best in world cinema and digital culture with the launch of their new ‘Phoenix at Home’ hub that brings together a host of online content, handpicked by Phoenix’s creative team to offer a diverse range of film, performance, digital art, learning resources and creative activities.
“We’d usually be curating a programme for our own cinema screens and gallery”, says Phoenix membership and communications manager, Sarah Vallance, “but as that’s not possible at the moment, we’ve turned our hand to curating a programme for people to enjoy at home instead. With so much content available online and via streaming platforms it can seem overwhelming – and that’s where Phoenix at Home comes in. Each week, our team is putting together their recommendations for what to watch over the next seven days, alongside specially curated film seasons – all of it available online.”
Phoenix at Home is accessible at phoenix.org.uk/phoenix-at-home
LEICESTERSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETIES JOIN FORCES TO HELP LEICESTERSHIRE CARES
Leicestershire’s five local building societies – the Melton, Loughborough, Earl Shilton, Market Harborough and Hinckley & Rugby – have joined forces to donate £10,000 to Leicestershire Cares to help people in need directly affected by the Coronavirus crisis. Leicestershire Cares is a leading charity which supports local businesses, schools, young people, ex-offenders and community groups.
WIN! A £5000 PUBLICITY PACKAGE WITH FU MEDIA & DLUXE MAGAZINE
Publicity specialists, FU Media, and luxury magazine, DLUXE, have joined forces to offer an exclusive competition to win a year-long publicity package – worth over £5000.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply CLICK HERE.
T&Cs apply.
Competition closes 31st May 2020.
BBC BANGER!
DJ Ben H has spent his lockdown time remixing Dua Lipa’s Hallucinate with the BBC News theme to create the ultimate in hands-in-the-air Corona Lockdown CHOOOONS!
CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM OVER £35,000 OF GRANTS FROM LOCAL FREEMASONS
The Leicestershire & Rutland Masonic Charity Association, based at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester, has delivered £35,728 worth of grants to 24 charities and good causes based in the county.
The grants are awarded to help those who need it most, either in the running of small charities, or to provide essential equipment to some of the county’s volunteer groups.
Local charity Arthritis Support Leicestershire who provide tailored help to people with mobility issues, received a donation of £1,500; Hope Against Cancer, Leicestershire and Rutland’s local cancer research charity, received a donation of £7,000; Help the Homeless received a donation of £2,000 to help with their tremendous work in aiding rough sleepers in the community; One Roof Leicester, whose donation of £1,052 will go towards offering accommodation and support to those who need it and Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes received a donation of £1,500.
FANCY A FAKEAWAY?
Those missing their weekly takeaway treats are embracing a whole wave of ‘fakeaways’ beings shared across social media. From Mcdonalds-esque homemade hash browns to knock off Nando’s, food bloggers everywhere are handing out their top hacks to replicate our comfort food favourites.
For any Gregg’s fans in the house (guilty), Intu have shared their hack for the iconic Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt – the Saturday morning hangover cure of many a late night Zoomer. Here’s how to make one at home.
What you’ll need:
75g baked beans (or a can of sausage and beans)
75g puff pastry (no need to create this from scratch you can buy this in most supermarkets)
1/2 a sausage
30g cheese
Milk or egg for glazing
Instructions:
First, cut two squares of roughly 15cm x 15cm ready-made puff pastry Then use the egg to wash the edges. Pop your sausage and beans in a bowl and squash them with a fork. Place your sausage and beans on one square of your puff pastry and sprinkle cheese on top. Put your other square of puff pastry on top and fork the edges. Then egg wash all over and stick in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes or until golden brown and piping hot.
LOYALFREE DONATES OVER £1300 TO HELP TACKLE HOMELESSNESS IN LEICESTER
Since launching the LoyalFree app ‘Give As You Save’ charity scheme in November, the Leicester based business has now donated £1,304 to theGive Leicester Campaign, a project set up by BID Leicester and Leicester City Council, working in partnership with Leicester Homelessness Charter which has raised over £20k to date. The LoyalFree app, which promotes local businesses and interactive trails, donated 1p for every loyalty stamp collected on the app across 6 months.
Give Leicester was launched in October 2019 to help make giving to people who are homeless easy and secure. 15 giving points are located in businesses around the city centre and these small, contactless terminals enable people to make a £3 donation simply by tapping their card or smartphone. This money will go towards helping the One Roof Winter Night Shelter, to provide emergency accommodation, food and support to the homeless. The campaign continues during the pandemic and you canread morehere.
Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, commented: “We are grateful for LoyalFree’s support of the first Give Leicester campaign. Their pledge of 1p per stamp collected on the app – backdated to the app’s launch – has made a generous contribution to fundraising efforts. As a BID (Business Improvement District), it was great for us to be able to promote the LoyalFree app not only as a way of supporting local businesses, but also as a way of helping some of the most vulnerable people in the city.”
To download the LoyalFree app click here:www.loyalfree.co.uk/download
FANCY A CHANGE? NEW PUB BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Looking for a change of direction post-lockdown? This could be for you. Everards are looking for new business owners for a quintessential country pub set in the idyllic village of Long Whatton in Leicestershire – The Falcon Inn; a beautiful building that anyone would be proud to call home.
Many may be sceptical about taking such a big leap in this current climate, but Everards are supporting all their business owners to make sure they come through this stronger than ever and more importantly together.
The Falcon Inn has all the character and warmth you would expect from a traditional country inn. On entry you are greeted by the cosy main bar, which leads through to the lovely dining area, and upstairs you will find the recently refurbished extended dining room.
Along with its great food and drink offering, it also has 11 rooms that have been lovingly decorated for a home from home experience. If you would like to find out more about The Falcon Inn or owning a pub business, then give the Everards team a call on 0116 201 4260 or see what’s currently available here or read more on what it’s like here.
Meanwhile, the Everard Family Foundation is donating £50,000 to Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland. This is a local cause that the Everard family have a long history of supporting, with Richard Everard being their president since 1992 and donating regularly over the years. This donation will directly support older people in our local community who find themselves in greater need during the Coronavirus crisis.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/leics/
BE A RECORD BREAKER AND TAKE PART IN THE BIG COMEDY PUB QUIZ AT ‘THE COVID ARMS’
For one night only on 1st May at 8pm become part of an official Guinness World Record title attempt by staying in, sitting on your backside and taking part in a record attempt to break the Guinness World Record Title for ‘Most visitors to a virtual pub’ – brilliantly named as The Covid Arms. In taking part, you will also be helping to raise money to support your local pubs and donate to The National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal – all while wearing your slippers.
Take part in the ultimate virtual Pub Quiz with some of the nation’s best-loved comedians including ‘landlady’ Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and her host of celebrity guests; Russell Howard, Nish Kumar, Jon Richardson, Joel Dommett, Marcus Brigstocke, Rachel Parris, Lucy Beaumont, Jenny Ryan and Suzi Ruffe, as well as mystery guests (who’ll be hosting the music round?), quick-fire rounds, a live leader board and prizes.
Admission to ‘The Covid Arms’ will support your local watering hole, as well as our hero emergency workers who are risking their lives for our safety every day. Entry will be based on a pay-it-forward scheme, so any pubs missing their locals can register online and let their community know they’re (virtually) open for business.
To find out more about how you can get involved, and buy tickets for a night in at The Covid Arms go to: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/worldsbiggestpub
SHARE YOUR LOCKDOWN PHOTOS FOR NEW EXHIBITION
Residents across the county are being invited to submit photographs of life in lockdown for an exhibition, which will take place at Winstanley House later this year.
The exhibition, titled Inside Stories, will bring together 24 compelling photos captured during the Coronavirus pandemic. The images will reveal a glimpse into Leicestershire’s hidden lockdown moments – the personal pains, small wins and revelations that marked out this unique moment in time.
The idea for Inside Stories came from Mark Robinson, director of Leicester creative agency, Creative62, who saw a unique opportunity to document the experience of living through a global pandemic and capture individual perspectives of an unprecedented time. Mark is joined by fellow Leicester business owners, Julie Proctor of Swithland Events, professional photographer Pete Martin, and freelance content writer Sarah Heeley, who are joining forces to promote and host the exhibition.
Julie adds; “The call for submissions is now open and anyone with an interest in photography is invited to take part. Photos can be captured with a camera, smartphone or tablet in colour or black and white, and can be of any subject that conveys their lockdown experience. Photos must also include a brief caption and a short description of why the image is meaningful”.
If you are interested in submitting a photograph, please contact Julie for an entry form at the following link >> [email protected]
Photos must be received no later than Friday 29 May 2020. Exhibition dates will be announced later this year.
FTM DANCE RISES ABOVE THE CHALLENGE OF COVID -19
A performing arts respite service, FTM, in Leicester has continued to function throughout lockdown, providing face to face* services for its most vulnerable families on a one-to-one basis whilst continuing all other lessons online.
The charity is providing face to face community sessions supporting the most vulnerable in the community for daily exercise, family shopping and medication pick-ups in line with government guidance. Alongside this provision, FTM ensure all pupils, who would usually access dance, music and acting lessons throughout the week, access activities online.
Online lessons are password-protected and allow the children and young people to take part and contribute in a live session, see their friends and familiar faces and ask questions. The lessons have been a huge success to date with most young people joining in at the normal timetabled time. For those who need access to props and resources, FTM have fundraised for various items including iPads with 4g for those who do not have access to the internet.
CARDS FOR HUMANITY – NHS HEROES PLAYING CARDS CREATED TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR NHS
A new series of playing cards have launched in a bid to raise funds for the NHS heroes working on the frontline in the nation’s battle against Coronavirus. The specially crafted NHS Heroes deck features doctors, nurses and surgeons in place of traditional Jacks, Kings and Queens as well as the rainbow colours which have become synonymous with the pandemic, adorning windows across the nation.
The NHS Heroes deck will be available as a reward for a £5 donation at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/nhs-playingcards . If you make a £50 donation you will receive 12 decks – making perfect gifts – or you can donate to the charity without a reward deck of cards. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to NHS Charities Together.
SME FUNDING FOR SUMMER STUDENT PLACEMENTS
The University of Leicester is reminding local SMEs that funding is available if they are interested in recruiting a student for a period of four weeks or more, starting this summer. For those with short-term or long-term projects, the University has current students looking for opportunities over the summer period. The University of Leicester is committed to supporting SMEs and their recruitment needs, especially now in this very turbulent time. Their team of SME and Internship experts can provide the following services free of charge:
Access to Santander’s University Internship funding (eligibility criteria applies);
Fully managed recruitment service providing expert advice and support on the graduate recruitment market;
Free vacancy advertising to over 20,000 University of Leicester students;
Support screening and shortlisting of applicants; and
Up to £1,260 funding available to support your business prosper.
If you’re interested and your business has a turnover of less than £50 million p/a with fewer than 250 employees, email [email protected].
WASH YOUR CLOTHES REGULARLY AT 60 DEGREES TO KILL BACTERIA AND VIRUSES
Experts at cleaning and laundry company, Dr Beckmann, have advised the regular washing of clothes at 60 degrees to help eliminate the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Dr Beckmann spokeswoman, Susan Fermor, said; “There’s a common misconception that people should wash clothes on the hottest possible setting to kill bacteria, but it’s unnecessary. Tests have proven that washing your clothes at 60°C, with a good detergent, is perfectly adequate to kill bacteria.
“Just make sure that you check all garments are suitable to be washed at this temperature before putting them in the washing machine and take care not to ruin your clothes by boil washing.”
Experts at Dr Beckmann also recommend washing your clothes more regularly than usual – especially when you come home from work, or from trips outside where you come into contact with other people. “Most people leave clothes and household items until a pile has built up before washing. There’s also a tendency for people to wash at 40 degrees on a quick wash cycle, which we don’t recommend. Under current circumstances, we would recommend that you do the 60-degree washes, more regularly, as soon as clothes have been worn.”
JOIN BRITAIN’S LARGEST VIRTUAL GARDEN GATHERING
Now more than ever, all of us are appreciating the power of nature to lift our moods. From a pot plant to a window box, or a flower filled space, more of us are realising the joy that greenery can bring. Garden Day is Britain’s opportunity to come together to (virtually) celebrate the magic of gardens and nature; to surprise friends or neighbours with a doorstep posy and to inspire and connect with one another through with pictures, anecdotes and video calls. Personalities including 13-time RHS gold medallist Chris Beardshaw and garden designer and broadcaster Arit Anderson will be sharing images of their gardens online and there will be a series of fun, interactive classes available on social media @GardenDayUK that everyone can join.
Find out more at www.gardenday.co.uk
FREE ONLINE WORKOUTS FROM NUFFIELD HEALTH
Nuffield Health have a host of online activities to help you and yours stay fit, healthy and well during lockdown. Click the links to find out more!
Home workout videos here
Fitness at Home: here
Eat well at home: here
Looking after your mental health: here
Online Physiotherapy:here
MAKING TIME OUT: MINDFULNESS IN YOGA
Recent studies have shown that meditative yoga practices not only reduce stress and increase calmness, but also improves working memory and concentration – two major plus points if your mind is overwhelmed during this exceptional time and you find it difficult to focus.
MindYoga by MyndPlay is the first yoga app that utilizes the power of neurofeedback technology and benefits of yoga, measuring mindfulness during yoga practices to help you develop mind, body and soul, and find your life balance.
Put a headset on, select from a variety set of poses, and choose the difficulty level that you would like to train at. Then, follow the guidance and perform a selected yoga pose and stay relaxed and focused for the perfect mindfulness score. See the report on your meditation and focus during each exercise right after you finish one. Unlock the number of poses by improving your mindfulness level. Yes, measuring and training mindfulness in yoga can be that easy.
MindYoga is currently available for PC, iOS and Android for just £2.99
LOCK ME DOWN WITH THOR: EAST MIDLANDS FILM FANS WANT TO BE QUARANTINED WITH CHRIS HEMSWORTH
Film fans might currently not be able to enjoy big screen blockbusters during lockdown, but they’re certain about which movie legend would help make social isolation a bit more bearable. It might come as no surprise that cinemagoers from the East Midlands would choose Chris Hemsworth – the hunk in Avengers Assemble and Thor – as their favourite lockdown partner, according to a study by Showcase Cinemas.
Hemsworth pipped Dwayne Johnson – AKA The Rock – to the title in a closely fought contest between two of the big screen’s biggest stars. Men in Black and Independence Day star, Will Smith, came third in the poll, closely followed by Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lawrence (who both polled 11%).
Twice as many film fans would rather spend lockdown with a funny actor or actress (32%) than a physically attractive actor or actress (15%), the study reveals. While men mostly voted to spend their lockdown with a physically attractive movie star (22.5%), women overwhelmingly opted to spend it with a funny actor (42%). Who says men are shallow?
NEW MISS LEICESTERSHIRE CROWNED IN HER BACK GARDEN
The new Miss Leicestershire was crowned over Easter weekend. Tia Carter, sponsored by Richard Clarke, won the public and judges’ vote after submitting her talent, catwalk and intro video to the judges. She was crowned by older sister, Sapphire, who herself won the title in 2017, so luckily had a tiara on hand!
Update: The Miss England contest has been forced to postpone the Miss England semi and national final planned for June and July. “I can’t plan an event to select this year’s winner until we know what’s happening, so until then we will just carry on and run the qualifying heats online. If it comes to it, we may end up choosing the next Miss England winner online and they won’t have to leave their house, but hopefully it won’t come to that, “said competition organiser Angie Beasley.
To watch the Miss England applications submit their catwalks at home and intro & talent videos go to; www.youtube.com/MissEnglandContest
WORDS OF WISDOM
“Either I will find a way, or I will make one.”
Philip Sidney
