Monthly Archives: January 2021

Michael Ball – Heroes, from The Shows Must Go On

by

This weekend one of the West End’s biggest stars, Michael Ball is back on The Shows Must Go On with his Heroes concert, featuring the biggest hits and some truly iconic show tunes!

Relive Michael Ball’s Sold Out Heroes Tour, featuring solid gold, classic songs which were originally big hits for legendary artists such as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Tom JOnes and more. The songs featured were hits in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and have stood the test of time, such as ‘Summer Wind’ by Frank Sinatra, ‘Joanna’ by Scott Walker, the beautiful ‘Play Me’ by Neil Diamond, Billy Joel’s ‘New York State Of Mind’ and Tony Bennett’s version of ‘For Once In My Life’ to name just a few. Michael also sings songs by his heroes in musical theatre including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Stephen Sondheim!

From 7pm Friday 8th January and available for 48 hours

Update on the Covid Vaccine progamme in Leeds from local NHS

by

As I started this post the news came through that a third Covid 19 vaccine (Moderna) has been approved for use in the UK so it seems a good time to share with you this update from the NHS in Leeds about plans to get more people vaccinated including through GPs, pharmacies and a large vaccination centre at Elland Road.

The following is from https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/news:

More care home residents and vulnerable people in Leeds will be offered protection against COVID-19, as the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine starts to be rolled out to GP-centres.

Local GPs are working together to provide vaccinations to as many care home residents and patients aged 80 as possible. In Leeds, 17 of 19 primary care networks are now providing vaccinations from centres with the final two expected to start next week.

The Oxford vaccine does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures and is much easier to move so is easier to use in care homes and will mean GPs can now start vaccinating housebound patients.

The local NHS is working to expand the rollout as quickly as supplies become available. In the coming weeks, the first community pharmacies will be starting to offer vaccinations and four large vaccination centres are being set up across West Yorkshire, including Elland Road (home of Leeds United Football Club) in Leeds.

All services will continue to be appointment only and people will be invited for vaccinations through a national booking system, which will allow them to choose the most convenient location for them.

Vaccinations are being offered to those at greatest risk from Covid-19 first, in line with the recommendations from the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI).

At the moment, GPs are offering vaccinations to people aged 80 and over and care home residents and will then move to other age groups in descending order.

Practices are busy contacting eligible patients to make appointments for their first vaccination as supplies are made available to them but it is likely take several weeks to cover everyone in these first groups.

Dr Jason Broch, local GP and Clinical Chair for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said: “It is great news that we will be able to protect more vulnerable people. We are working with partners in Leeds to make sure people can get their first vaccination as quickly and easily as possible and are ready to expand the rollout as fast as supplies become available.

“GPs, nurses, pharmacists and countless other staff, partners and volunteers are working around the clock to provide vaccinations. We know people are eager get protected and may be concerned if they are in one of the priority cohorts and have not been contacted yet. However, we would like to reassure them that they will be contacted over the next few weeks.

“Services are extremely busy at the moment and we would ask people to help the NHS at this very difficult time by not contacting their local GP or other NHS services about getting a vaccination. People will not be able to book an appointment until they have been invited to do so, so please be patient and we will contact you as soon as it is your turn.”

Lockdown update from Leeds Parks and Coutryside

by
Image may contain: tree, sky, plant, grass, outdoor and nature
Following the latest national lockdown we will unfortunately be closing the facilities listed:-
– Skateparks
– Outdoor Gyms
– Multi Use Games Areas
– Golf Courses
– Sports Facilities (Bowling greens, Football pitches, Tennis Courts)
– Home Farm – Temple Newsam
– Lotherton Wildlife World
The following will remain open:-
– All parks and greenspaces, crematoria and burial grounds
– Lotherton Hall as a free to access park
– Playgrounds
– Cycle trails and BMX tracks
– Café as takeaways
– Concessions in parks
– The Arium
Please contact parks@leeds.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Stay safe and enjoy your local greenspaces!

Shared Moments: ‘Recording equipment’ written by Maureen Kershaw

by

Dear all,

Conducting yet another sort out of my storage cupboards – I know I’ve done it twice since March – but I have to be more ruthless. Not enough goes out. In truth it goes back,  but in a different order and place. One item which evokes memories is my relatively  new cassette recorder. Many music rehearsals involved the recording on one; the first being a ‘Phillips’ in the 1970s, folllowed by a ‘Sony’ some twenty years later. Bulky and heavy to cart around but they served their purpose. When I last joined choirs I observed small dictaphone type gadgets being used then many years later on phones too. Meanwhile my 2nd issue recorder sat at my feet involving a lot of bending down to switch on and off. It eventually gave in as I started rehearsing for a production at Leeds’ Civic Hall on the Suffragette Movement. I toyed with the idea of a handheld tiny gadget – and ended up with a replacement ‘Sony’. You see I still have several cassette tapes dating back to the 1970s so there is something quite vintage and sentimental about their existence.

There’s the play “When We Are Married” by LIDOS at the Civic Theatre, concert party rehearsals and a recording of highlights of a Leeds Civic Arts Guild show in the early 80s. The recorded productions were made so by setting the machine on the floor of the stage wings, which made for some interesting whispered conversations too. Similarly recordings of a particular TV show would have my Mum interrupting to talk and me saying “shush” followed by Mum’s – “oh sorry!”. At least these are the portable cassette recorders unlike the huge reel to reel tape recorders. My first one at the age of twelve was a second hand ‘Grundig’ on which I would record Alan Freeman’s Top 20 at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. Who remembers trying to press ‘stop’ before presenters started talking again? A twin-track was my limit but would have found a 4-track one jolly useful. The downside to tape recorders though was the awful moment when the tape twisted, or worse and had to be coaxed back in with a biro pen; oh yes we’ve all been there!

When I listened to Cliff Richard’s radio programme each Sunday night I would part-record from our huge, solid Bakelite radio. The station was ‘Radio Luxembourg’ which required much twiddling and tweaking to control the whistling and wobbly sounds. Then there were the incessant adverts for ‘Horace Batchelor’, the Football Pools man with his spelling of the address – K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M, Bristol. I remember our first transister radio (of a sort) or rather it was my brother in law’s radio which we would take on a picnic, lifting the lid (it was half the size of a record player!) to play music outdoors, a novelty. If I borrowed it,  I would take out in the street and carry around with the lid slightly open – an early transistor! All the technology is so much more lightweight and tinier these days and I often wonder how it will change again in years to come. That said, I love the nostalgia of yesteryear so I think it’s time to discover what other gems are amongst those tapes….

Thank you Maureen once again, until next time…

Picture sourced from Google -RalphsRadio’s

Tape Recorders - Ralph'sRadios

Be on the lookout for Vaccine Scams.

by

West Yorkshire Police Fraud Team are warning about scam texts being offering a chance to book a covid vaccine. The links on the text go to a very convincing looking fake NHS website which asks for personal and bank details.
There have also been reports of cold calls like this too.
Do not reply to these texts/ hang up if it’s a call and don’t give out personal or bank details. The NHS will not need to ask for your bank details and should already have other details if they contact you

Image

Image

Poetry Corner: ‘Happy New Year’ by unknown

by

If it didn’t bring you joy
just leave it behind
Let’s ring in the new year
with good things in mind

Let every bad memory
that brought heartache and pain
And let’s turn a new leaf
with the smell of new rain

Let’s forget past mistakes
making amends for this year
Sending you these greetings
to bring you hope and cheer
Happy New Year!

sourced: https:/ www newyearwiki com inspirational-new-year-poems/

‘Monday Mind Workout’ answers for Monday 4th January 2021

by
Good morning,
‘Monday Mind Workout’ answers from yesterday. How did you do?
1.Which Yorkshire football team got promoted to the football league for the first time in its history?
Harrogate Town football club have been riding on a high this year after securing the promotion, exciting fans all over the county.
2.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited which Yorkshire city in January?Bradford was the first engagement of the year for the royals this year.
3.In a shock Christmas appearance, who returned to Emmerdale?
Debbie Dingle was rumoured to be returning and her entrance was both a pleasant surprise and a disappointment for fans.
4. Where was Captain Sir Tom Moore born, and what did he do to raise money for the NHS?
Walking a mile a day , Captain Tom Moore’s, who was born in Keighley , impressive achievements were heralded by all.
5.What was Yorkshire man Bob Weighton famous for?
Bob Weighton was the world’s oldest man , passing away at 112 years old this year.
6.Which girl band – with one of its members born in Leeds – are set for a reunion tour next year?
Spice up your life! The Spice Girls ‘ return has been greatly anticipated despite the absence of Victoria Beckham.
7.Which famous Bradford man’s family got into trouble this year, for breaking Covid-19 rules at a wedding?
Zayn Malik ‘s family was caught out with breaking Covid-19 restrictions after hosting a large wedding.
8.Which Hull-born actress became the first dame of Coronation Street?
Maureen Lipman was said to be ecstatic at becoming the first Dame to have appeared on Coronation Street
9.Why did Nicola Adams and her Strictly Come Dancing partner make headlines?
The pair created a stir as they performed as the first same-sex couple on Strictly.
10.Look North presenter Harry Gration stepped down in October after how many years service?
Harry Graiton served an incredible 40 years with the BBC.
11.Where was Harry Gration born?
Bradford was the birth place of Harry, although he currently resides in Scarborough.
12.Which I’m A Celeb contestant said Yorkshire Tea was their favourite?
Vernon Kay knows what’s best – Yorkshire Tea has always been the superior cuppa.
13.Which I’m A Celeb star was born in Morley?
Bev Callard was born in Morley.
14.Which football team had their coach nominated for the FIFA coach of the year award?
Leeds United have had a successful year, meaning it was no surprise that Marcelo Bielsa found himself nominated.
15.A huge 15ft shark was found alive on a Yorkshire beach. Which beach was it?
The unfortunate basking shark was found on Filey beach
16.Where is Yorkshire’s Nightingale hospital based?
Harrogate Convention Centre remains on standby during the second wave of the pandemic.
17.Which Yorkshire bridge did police have to monitor to stop people sneaking between Covid-19 tiers?
Stamford Bridge seemed to become a gateway for those not abiding by coronavirus restrictions. This meant a large police presence watching out for those crossing over the border.
18.Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Eastenders battled it out for the most viewers at Christmas. Who won this year?
Coronation Street pipped Emmerdale to the post this year, with the Queen’s speech winning out over all.
19.Who purchased Leeds-based supermarket giant Asda?
The Issa brothers , who own Walmart bought Asda earlier this year.
20.Which North Yorkshire town was transformed into Darrowby Village for All Creatures Great and Small?
Grassington, near Skipton, was transformed into the fictional village of Darrowby

New National Lockdown Rules – and support if you need it

by

I’m sure you are all aware that the Government announced a new national lockdown on Monday night. These restrictions are legally effective from today

A summary of the rules is in the picture below and more detailed information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Caring Together will continue to offer support through the lockdown.  Please call us if you need anything and we will do our best to either help ourselves or put you in touch with the right service to support you.

A reminder of the contact details just in case you need it:

Office 0113 2430298 or mobile numbers

07436530073 (Lisa)
07483333115 (Valerie)
07458303015 (John)

You can also call Leeds City Council Covid Support on 0113 376 0330 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

‘Monday Mind Workout’ Monday 4th January 2021

by

Good morning and New Year wishes!Today’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’ is from Leeds Live. As we say goodbye to 2020 there are 20 quiz questions below. Answers will follow tomorrow

1.Which Yorkshire football team got promoted to the football league for the first time in its history?

2.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited which Yorkshire city in January?

3.In a shock Christmas appearance, who returned to Emmerdale?

4. Where was Captain Sir Tom Moore born, and what did he do to raise money for the NHS?

5.What was Yorkshire man Bob Weighton famous for?

6.Which girl band – with one of its members born in Leeds – are set for a reunion tour next year?

7.Which famous Bradford man’s family got into trouble this year, for breaking Covid-19 rules at a wedding?

8.Which Hull-born actress became the first dame of Coronation Street?

9.Why did Nicola Adams and her Strictly Come Dancing partner make headlines?

10.Look North presenter Harry Gration stepped down in October after how many years service?

11.Where was Harry Gration born?

12.Which I’m A Celeb contestant said Yorkshire Tea was their favourite?

13.Which I’m A Celeb star was born in Morley?

14.Which football team had their coach nominated for the FIFA coach of the year award?

15.A huge 15ft shark was found alive on a Yorkshire beach. Which beach was it?

16.Where is Yorkshire’s Nightingale hospital based?

17.Which Yorkshire bridge did police have to monitor to stop people sneaking between Covid-19 tiers?

18.Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Eastenders battled it out for the most viewers at Christmas. Who won this year?

19.Who purchased Leeds-based supermarket giant Asda?

20.Which North Yorkshire town was transformed into Darrowby Village for All Creatures Great and Small?

Today is the second V(vaccine) Day in the UK

by

Following approval for use in the UK the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is being administered to people in the priority groups across the country from today.  If you have not already had the Pfizer vaccine, you will be contacted in due course to arrange for you to receive the vaccine.

The Oxford vaccine is easier to store and transport so should mean that it can be given to more people quickly.

While many people are keen to be vaccinated, understandably some people will have concerns, there is a lot of information available on the nhs website – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/.

Specific information relevant to older adults is here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-for-older-adults

If you have concerns that are not answered by the online information please speak to your GP or a trusted healthcare professional for advice.

The Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England can be seen below talking about the vaccine roll-out.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1345805628049039361