Shared Moments: Day 99 written by Maureen Kershaw

Dear all,

Day 99 – The weather for eating a ’99’ ice cream here too. Who named it the ’99’? I suppose I should have investigated a long time ago as they seem to have been around for most of my life. Were there 99 flakes to a box at one time? There certainly aren’t now and why is it that the ice cream vendors’ flakes, when added to the cone don’t disintegrate –  yet mine always end up a crumbly mess before reaching the ice cream?

The ’99 Steps’  which ran between Burley Road and Belle Vue Road, I believe, were something I took the locals’ word for in the accuracy of numbering. I hadn’t the desire to walk up or down them but today most of them have disappeared to make way for housing or offices. I wonder if the ’99p’ shops have all disappeared now? There weren’t many around and frankly for the sake of one penny it was more convenient to visit ‘Poundland’ and besides, I doubt whether shops will allow a bag of 1p coins for change in future.

99 days since I went into Lockdown, although the official day stands at 94. Students have been flocking back to the City over the last couple of weeks in readiness for the changeover of rentals on the 1st July. Parties, late night drinking, walking around in large groups and as for the Parks……I cannot begin to imagine the litter which will have been discarded on Woodhouse Moor by last night, judging by the queue for drinks outside the ‘One Stop’ shop. It’s as though nothing has changed which of course is far from the truth as daily life has changed so much, well it has for me.

Yesterday at 3pm the local Community Group “Caring Together” enjoyed  ‘Afternoon Tea’ by Zoom and we dressed accordingly for the occasion! Over hot and cold drinks, scones and cake we chatted and were entertained with a couple of songs; I read one of my stories “A Summer Childhood”, Our Patron Hilary Benn MP joined us from his office at the House of Commons, telling us all how he has dealt with changes since Lockdown. We of course were all in our  living rooms and kitchens. I was sitting in my ‘office’ – the kitchen, but as I was wearing a floaty top with pearl accessories, decided to sit against a plain grey wall rather than the paler shade tiles with a view of the microwave and steamer.

The local  PCSO was outside Little London Community Centre – but suddenly disappeared from our gallery so must have been called into action. Hilary Benn apologised in advance, warning he was waiting to Vote and said he would have to leave upon hearing the bell but – staying with us throughout – there was clearly no urgency to Vote on ‘whatever’. I just hope the Government are not proposing to change the name of the ’99’ ice cream cone.

Thank you Maureen, I have checked the Cadbury’s website and they can’t find a reason behind it either, I wonder if anyone else can? Until next time……

 

Face Covering Travel Assistance Cards

WIN a Year's Free Travel With First & 3 Days Out | Leeds-List

From June 15, Government guidelines have required people to wear a face covering on public transport, with some exemptions for children, disabled people or people with breathing difficulties.  A full list of exemptions from wearing a face covering can be found here.

If you are exempt from wearing a face covering you can download an assistance card here to help communicate this to staff on bus and rail services in West Yorkshire. You can either print the card off or take a picture of it on your phone to show transport staff.

For further information and updates on local public transport, please see: https://www.wymetro.com/corporate/news/releases/bus-and-train-service-updates/

Swarthmore Book Club

Is anyone interested in the following collaboration between Swarthmore College and Leeds City Council?

We are excited to announce Swarthmore Book Club! A funded project with Leeds City Council to help those people in isolation. We will be reading 3 books over the next 3 months, every month you will receive a copy of the selected book for FREE, you can then take part in a warm and welcoming book club discussion over Zoom.

 

This month we will be reading ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ By Stella Gibbons  and the Zoom meet up will take place on the 20th July 2-3.30pm

 

To take part simply register your interest to Julie Badon by emailingJulie.Badon@swarthmore.org.uk places are limited so register now!”

Online cooking classes from Ministry of Food

If you fancy brushing up your cooking skills while staying at home, Jamie’s Ministry of Food are offering a free, 8 week, online cooking course starting on Tuesday 7th July.  It will be delivered using Zoom and will be a 1 hour session each Tuesday.  There’s an option of 10am or 12noon.

You will need to provide your own ingredients for this.

If you are interested you can call Ministry of Food on 0113 242 5685 or One You Leeds on 0800 169 4219.