Category Archives: Events & Activities

‘Lockdown Patchwork’ A Soundscape of Nature Sounds

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Leeds Art Gallery are putting out a call to the people of Leeds to contribute to a new ‘audio artwork’  of nature sounds and celebrating the importance of nature and greenspace to us – especially during lockdown.  You don’t need special skills or any specialist equipment, see the information below from the organisers:

Two autumnal landscapes or hill scenes are placed side by side

“We need your help to create a soundscape of nature sounds recorded during lockdown, for a new crowd-sourced collaborative artwork by electronic musician Leafcutter John.

To raise awareness about issues of access to greenspace and to celebrate the important role that nature has played for many of us in a uniquely challenging year, Leafcutter John has been commissioned by Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Leeds Art Gallery, to create an original audio artwork entitled Lockdown Patchwork. Drawing on our current Natural Encounters exhibition, which explores how artists have responded to nature, the piece will use submissions, videos, field recordings and interviews to capture and share the experiences of people who have been connected by their enjoyment of nature, parks and greens spaces during the pandemic.

What we need from you

If there’s an outdoor space that matters to you, no matter where or what it is, we want you to capture sounds from it. You might not think of yourself as a sound recordist, but if you have a smartphone, portable recorder or any other recording tool, then you most definitely are. Your submission could be birdsong recorded on your balcony, chatter on your allotment patch, a river flowing or a dog in the park. It’s anything you like, captured anywhere you like. The only requirements are that you must have made the recording yourself and you must be happy for Leafcutter John to use it as an ingredient in his final work.

More information and how to apply

The deadline for submissions is 11 December. If you fancy getting involved, download our information pack (PDF, 150KB) and follow our simple step-by-step guide.”

White Ribbon Day Today!

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Today is the start of White Ribbon Day – it runs for 16 Days around Action to end violence. Each year thousands of people stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women. This year is more important than ever with a significant increase in violence, harassment and abuse towards women during the coronavirus pandemic
https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/day

See services in Leeds
https://ldvs.uk/
https://leedswomensaid.co.uk/
https://www.behind-closed-doors.org.uk/

2 Weeks to Go - White Ribbon Day — White Ribbon UK

Poetry Corner: ‘Coming Together’ by Robert Longley

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Ever try to measure
The power of a dream?
Ever sit and wonder
Where water becomes a stream?
In ways there is no difference
From nothing it begins
The pieces come together
And it ebbs and flows and spins
In time it becomes power
No force may stop its flow
None may know its beginning
But all may see it grow
A tiny drop of water
Or a simple little thought
Can change the world we live in
Rewriting rules we’re taught
 
Sourced sacred poems

Shakespeare’s Sonnets – The Shows Must Go On

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Week 4 of Shakespeare Season from The Shows Must Go On and the mysteries and marvels of Shakespeare’s Sonnets are revealed as never before in these vivid, compelling and accessible performances.

All 154 Sonnets are performed by a stellar cast of actors including, Fiona Shaw, Sir Patrick Stewart and David Tennant.  Other contributors include actors Simon Callow, Simon Russell Beale, Kim Cattrall, Dominic West and Stephen Fry, as well as prominent experts on Shakespeare such as Professor James Shapiro and voice coach Cicely Berry.

Available to watch until Monday 30th November

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – answers for Monday 23rd November 2020

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Dear all,

Below are the answers to yesterday’s Monday Mind Workout, how did you do?

1. The voices of Mickey and Minnie Mouse got married in real life.

True: Wayne and Russi were married for 18 years until Wayne’s death in 2009.

2. A group of bunnies is called a “fluffle.”

3. The largest sand castle in the world measured 54 feet high.

It took 168 trucks over a week to deliver enough sand for the carefully constructed masterpiece

4. Sea otters hold hands when they sleep – True

5.A team of six women programmed the first digital computer.

While historians have only recently recognized their achievements, the female mathematicians participated in a World War II program coding instructions into the revolutionary Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC).

6. High heeled shoes were originally created for Men.

7. Bubble Wrap was originally intended to be used as 3D wallpaper.

8. A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance”.

9. How many hours sleep can you lose when you have a new baby in the first year?
Anywhere between 400-750 hours of sleep in the first year.

10. Since 1945, all British tanks have come equipped with tea making facilities. True

11. Many lipsticks contain fish scales. True

12. Elephants can Jump? False

13. It takes light from the Sun 8 minutes to reach Earth.

14. There’s a village in Norway called Hell, and it freezes over every winter. True

15. Orange was first used to describe the fruit not the colour? True

Questions 16 – 18 are clues to chocolate e.g. Cinderella’s friend – BUTTONS

16.A subject for discussion – TOPIC
17. A path in the universe – MILKY WAY
18. 100% precious metal – ALL GOLD

Questions 19 – 20 are anagrams of sweet desserts
19. Is it a rum – Tiramisu
20. He tackle cocoa – Chocolate cake

Alcohol awareness week (16-24 November)

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Alcohol awareness week

This week (16-24 November) is Alcohol Awareness Week, A recent survey has found that nearly a third of the UK public are drinking more alcohol than usual during the pandemic.

If you are interested in cutting down your drinking, the Drink Coach Alcohol Test is a quick and confidential way for you to check out how risky your drinking is.

Taking the test also provides information on local face-to-face support options to reduce your drinking. To take the two minute test visit the Drink Coach website.

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – Monday 23rd November 2020

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Dear all,

Today’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’ is a mixture of questions, all the best?

1. The voices of Mickey and Minnie Mouse got married in real life. True or False

2. A group of bunnies is called a

a) herd      b) bundle      c) fluffle

3. The largest sand castle in the world measured

a) 54 feet high.   b) 30 feet high    c) 24 feet high

4. Sea otters hold hands when they sleep – True or false

5.Was it men or women who programmed the first digital computer?

6. High heeled shoes were originally created for Men or women?

7. Bubble Wrap was originally intended to be used as

a) Insulation      b) 3D wallpaper.    c) Pillow contents

8. A group of flamingos is called a

a) flamboyance   b) Go’s     c) Flames

9. How many hours sleep can you lose when you have a new baby in the first year?

a) between 100 – 300 hours    b) between 300 – 600 hours   c) 400-750 hours

10. British tanks come equipped with tea making facilities. True or False

11. Many lipsticks contain fish scales. True or False

12. Elephants can Jump? True or False

13. It takes light from the Sun ? minutes to reach Earth.

a) 2 mins    b)  4 mins     c) 8 mins

14. There’s a village in Norway called Hell, and it freezes over every winter. True or False

15. Orange was first used to describe the colour not the fruit? True or False

Questions 16 – 18 are clues to chocolate e.g. Cinderella’s friend – BUTTONS

16.A subject for discussion
17. A path in the universe
18. 100% precious metal

Questions 19 – 20 are anagrams of sweet desserts
19. Is it a rum
20. He tackle cocoa

 

Warmly, Lisa

Update on Leeds infection rate from Leeds City Council

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As it stands, the latest figures for the 7 day infection rate is 439 per 100,000 and the positivity rate is 16.1%.

In Leeds as a whole, cases have stabilised since the lockdown was announced two weeks ago. However, some areas have seen a rise in cases which might be due to a minority of people socialising before lockdown was announced. This is why it’s crucial we all work together, carry on following the public health advice and continue adhering to the government’s restrictions to keep ourselves and others safe, and to help bring the infection rate down.

Remember to wash your hands, wear a face covering, and stay 2m apart from people you do not live with.

If you develop symptoms or come in to contact with someone who has tested positive, you must book a test and you and your household need to self-isolate while you’re waiting on your results.

If you have symptoms, you must protect yourself and others and get tested. Ring 119 or visit the NHS website to book a test.

To find out where your local testing site is visit the NHS website.

Third sector organisations in Leeds recognised for their hard work over the last 8 months during COVID-19 pandemic

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On behalf of Caring Together I attended a Virtual event on Thursday along with many other representatives from various third sector organisations, and our local Councillors too.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, the Lord Lieutenant, the County Sheriff and Councillors gave their thanks to all at Caring Together. We feel this includes not only our team, members and volunteers but neighbours, family and many other organisations that we work alongside in the community day in and day out, and have done for the last 25 years.

It felt an honour to represent Caring Together and humbling for sure to hear how other organisations have also come together and gone over and above in these strangest of times. All have definitely been Caring Together to provide support, both practically and emotionally when needed during the pandemic.

This thank you is for you all, you all deserve to be recognised for your kindness and generosity.

Kind wishes to you all
Lisa Caring Together

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West End Unplugged Vol 2 from The Shows Must Go On

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The second  lockdown special celebrating the very best of London’s West End

This edition includes the west end musical talents of David Bedella (ROCKY HORROR / & JULIET) Hannah Waddingham (SPAMALOT / A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC / THE WIZARD OF OZ) Cavin Cornwall (LTTLE SHOP OF HORRORS / JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) Katie Brayben (BEAUTIFUL / GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY / MAMMA MIA) Richard Fleeshman (GHOST THE MUSICAL / COMPANY / URINETOWN) Celinde Schoemaker (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA / LES MISERABLES) and musical comedian Joe Stilgoe!

It is on tonight (Friday 20th Nov) at 7pm – click on the picture to watch. It is unclear how long this will be available to view.

The show is free to watch but optional donations in support of three charities: Backup-The Technical Entertainment Charity, Help Musicians UK, and the Theatre Artists Fund. https://westendunplugged.com