2020 – aka the ‘year that never ends’ has effectively pressed fast-forward on our reliance of all things digital and, whilst we have to admit that some of these digi-developments have improved our worlds, the negatives of living a virtual life have far outweighed any benefit.
TBF, our love affair with all things online was already starting to waver; you only have to look at the growth in vinyl sales pre-COVID-19 to see the trend. Books the same. Whilst online may bring the world to your web-browser, it’s highlighted, conversely, that we are physical and emotional beings who crave the touchy-feely intimacy of life and stuff.
I, for one, am really, really missing a good Mall mooch. I yearn for the almost erotic feeling of carrying too, too many bags, loaded full of goodies to be unpacked at home and admired, selected, and actually worn out to an actual restaurant with actual friends in actual real life. I want this life back so badly, that I’m willing to stick to the rules, right here and now as digital-life sucks. So, as we move from lockdown to tiers, we’re trying to do our best with the first – and hopefully last, Covid-Christmas.
One such way is the annual Christmas trolley dash that me and the other half have enjoyed over the past two decades. We separate in a shopping centre or town centre and spend £30 in 30 minutes on stocking fillers for each other. It is exceptional fun and has led to some incredibly inventive, unusual and sometimes genuinely baffling festive choices. It is now – and will always be – part of our Christmas traditions and online shopping will never give us that same buzz of adrenalin. So, we will be synchronising our watches once more this year, but doing the dash in our best festive face coverings. I would really recommend you join us, have some fun and support some real shops whilst you are at it.
Holler if you see us on the High Street.
Jon, Kevin and the #FUFighters
OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
What do you call a snowman with a sixpack?
An abdominal snowman
BID LEICESTER PENS LETTER TO CHANCELLOR FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CITY
With restrictions remaining on the city since June and entering into Tier 3 this month, frustrations for local residents and businesses has reached boiling point. Reaching out for financial support, Simon Jenner, BID Leicester Director has penned a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak asking for “a fair and equitable compensation for our city”.
Read the full letter here.
CHATSWORTH LIGHTS UP WITH MAGICAL FESTIVE INSTALLATION
If you are in need of some festive fun, for the first time, Chatsworth is brightening up its gardens for visitors this Christmas with a magical light installation alongside a new Christmas trail- find out more here.
SCHOOLS SET TO THROW AWAY 6.6M LOST ITEMS
Uniform: check, Bag: check, PE Kit: check…It’s the bane of the school run and while you may send your child off to school fully equipped, sometimes said items find their way to lost property. Research from British name label manufacturer, My Nametags, has revealed that schools throughout the East Midlands run the risk of throwing away over 6.6 million lost items during the current school year as the lost property box can no longer operate in the same way due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Children lose nine possessions per year, on average, according to the results of a study amongst parents in the region and these are the 10 most commonly lost items:
1. School jumpers
2. Gloves
3. Socks
4. School books
5. Stationery
6. Cardigan/jumper
7. Hats
8. Water bottles
9. Lunch boxes
10. Shoes/trainers
MAKE A WAVE IN THE RADIO SECTOR
Have you ever wanted to create your own podcast or work in the radio sector? If so, Radio2Funky have just the thing to keep you excited for the New Year.
They’re launching a brand-new 10 week course, Making Waves, which will be free for unemployed adults. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience at Leicester’s high-quality community radio station and also have the support you need to develop your skills and confidence in a fun environment.
Making Waves will run every Thursday for 10 weeks. Times are 10am – 2pm. Interested? To sign up or find out more email: [email protected]
A GIFT THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD
This Christmas, give a gift for the whole family to enjoy in 2021 with an Annual Pass to the National Space Centre and help support the Leicester-based charity-
BEAUTIFUL SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Designed to promote a health complexion, luxury beauty brand, Heaven Skincare, has unveiled its latest line of defence for anti-ageing – a range of supplements that work in tandem with its most sought-after products- discover more about the seven vitamins and minerals here.
HIGHCROSS REOPENS WITH EXTENDED HOURS
Falling behind on your Xmas shopping? Fear not, because in line with Tier 3 guidelines, Highcross has reopened and to help you fit everything in, the centre has announced it will be extending its opening hours throughout December- find out more here.
THE ROVERS RETURN REVAMPED!
From love affairs to fisticuffs, Coronation Street’s most iconic pub, The Rovers Return, has been on our screen since the 1960s, setting the scene for countless dramatic events. To mark the 60th anniversary of the soap, David Wilson Homes have revealed how it could look with a modern interior makeover- check them out here.
LEICESTER REGENERATION SCHEME TRIUMPHS AT EAST MIDLANDS PLANNING AWARDS
A £60 million regeneration scheme in the heart of Leicester has won top prize at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence.
Great Central Square, submitted by Leicester City Council and Marrons Planning, features two hotels, office space, a pedestrian ‘super-crossing’, public open realm and the refurbishment of the former Great Central Railway Station- read more here.
LOROS HOSPICE AIMS TO LIGHT UP THEIR PATIENTS’ CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR
For most people, COVID-19 means Christmas is likely to look very different this year. At LOROS Hospice, for patients who may be facing their last Christmas, being with loved ones couldn’t be more important. That’s why donations to the LOROS Light Up a Life Christmas Appeal will be put towards supporting terminally ill patients over the festive period and ensuring that this Christmas is as special as possible – Find out how you can support the appeal here.
WHAT YOUR BREW SAYS ABOUT YOU!
There’s nothing like a good cup of tea to bring people together. We bond over a cuppa, share our news and our woes – but the simple cup of tea also divides the nation with Brits having strong opinions on what makes the perfect brew. To get to the bottom of the debate, thortful have released their new Pantone tea scale to reveal what your brew says about you- find out here.
SIX HOUSEPLANTS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD THIS WINTER
It’s a well-known fact that spending time in nature is good for your wellbeing, so what better way to boost your mood than to bring nature inside? Wren Kitchens have revealed the best houseplants to have in your home to help boost your mood- check them out here.
WARM UP YOUR WINTER WITH THE UK’S HOTTEST CURRY KIT
Feeling hot, hot, hot! Leicester based Spice kit brand, Spicentice.com, have developed three new curry kits which they believe could be the hottest available in the UK- perfect if you’re a spicy food fan. Find out more here.
MARKET HARBOROUGH CHARITY RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST FROM CO-OP COMMUNITY FUND
HFT Leicestershire has received a share of £16,000 in funding from Central England Co-op Community Dividend Fund aimed at providing quick funding boosts to help those impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. The national charity for adults with learning disabilities will use the funding to buy an outdoor gazebo so groups can meet in a socially-distanced manner- find out more here.
STARS ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 PANTOMIME
It’s panto time..oh no it isn’t! De Montfort Hall’s traditional Christmas pantomime may be on hold until 2021, but they have treated us to the announcement of its stars for the postponed production of Sleeping Beauty- find out who will be starring here.
LEICESTERSHIRE NAMED ONE OF THE FASTEST AREAS FOR HOUSE SALES
With stamp duty cuts fuelling a boom in the property market, buyers are rushing to complete on homes before the end of March deadline.
Emoov research reveals that house sales in Leicestershire take, on average, 166 days until completion – meaning offers made today would complete on 10th May 2021.
Right now, the average transaction is taking a sluggish 26 weeks from offer to completion, leaving thousands of property chains in a precarious position. But which parts of the UK are suffering the most?
Taking four years of property transaction data* the research team at Emoov have uncovered the best and worst counties in the UK for a quick home sale. The top five fast-moving counties are all in the Midlands with an average asking price of £222,311 and 116 days from offer to completion, on average.
*from TwentyCi’s Property Homemover Report between March 2016 and April 2020
SIX HOUSEPLANTS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD THIS WINTER
It’s a well-known fact that spending time in nature is good for your wellbeing, so what better way to boost your mood than to bring nature inside? Wren Kitchens have revealed the best houseplants to have in your home to help boost your mood- check them out here.
WARM UP YOUR WINTER WITH THE UK’S HOTTEST CURRY KIT
Feeling hot, hot, hot! Leicester based Spice kit brand, Spicentice.com, have developed three new curry kits which they believe could be the hottest available in the UK- perfect if you’re a spicy food fan. Find out more here.
MARKET HARBOROUGH CHARITY RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST FROM CO-OP COMMUNITY FUND
HFT Leicestershire has received a share of £16,000 in funding from Central England Co-op Community Dividend Fund aimed at providing quick funding boosts to help those impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. The national charity for adults with learning disabilities will use the funding to buy an outdoor gazebo so groups can meet in a socially-distanced manner- find out more here.
STARS ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 PANTOMIME
It’s panto time..oh no it isn’t! De Montfort Hall’s traditional Christmas pantomime may be on hold until 2021, but they have treated us to the announcement of its stars for the postponed production of Sleeping Beauty- find out who will be starring here.
LEICESTERSHIRE FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM THE CARING FAMILY FOUNDATION CAMPAIGN
Born from the desire to play a role in alleviating the disastrous impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on the existing growing problem of child food poverty, The Caring Family Foundation, has launched a new campaign Food from the Heart’, with the aim to make a difference to the lives of children in the UK living in poverty- find out how Leicestershire families will benefit here.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
– John D Rockefeller
