Category Archives: Events & Activities

Caring Together’s Virtual “Afternoon Tea”

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Dear all,

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who was able to spend an hour with us last week at our virtual afternoon tea. Some of you made some amazing snacks and cakes, I think Hilary is still waiting for a slice of cake Shirley. I even put some lippy on, a very rare event I assure you. It was so lovely to spend this time with you all.

I have attached a picture of us all on zoom 🙂 including a picture of a delightful afternoon tea hamper with tasty goodies that Sylvia won and received the next day. And another thanks goes to Viv and Abigail for your joyous singing, a light relief indeed. And to Sylvia who led the way in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ over the airwaves to Clarita, who recently turned 90, and again to us all; for all Birthday’s missed, and yet to happen. This included Caring Together’s 25th. Also our gracious thanks go to Hilary too, and to family who helped with getting some of you on zoom, and finally to Maureen for sharing yet more of her memories – I have attached a special audio recording below of Maureen’s “A Summer Childhood” story below for those who could not join us, all the best Lisa Argyle

 

Just press play.

Shared Moments: Day 99 written by Maureen Kershaw

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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……

 

Online cooking classes from Ministry of Food

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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.

Swarthmore Free Online Classes

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Swarthmore invite you to join them online, as they are providing Free courses available to all Leeds residents. Each week they will release a range of courses from Art to Health and Well-being to Languages, to take part in these courses fill out the simple enrolment form and they  will contact you soon after to walk you through how to access the courses.

The courses run on Google Classrooms so you will either need to use Google Chrome as your browser or the Google Classroom app on tablets and phones – Swarthmore will help with this.

This week’s courses include, Poetry, Felt Art, Upcycling paper boxes, Somatics (movement for easier breathing), Creative Writing, Sewing, Making a Planter and lots more see Swarthmore website for the full list and all the information you need to enrol.

If you need assistance you can contact Jackie, Student Advisor on: Jackie.holding@swarthmore.org.uk or call 07946761930

For this week’s courses you need to enrol by 4pm on Wed 1st July and then you can access the course up till 4pm on Sunday 5th.  Tutors will be online at specific times – givien in the course details for each subject.

New courses for next week will be on the website for enrolment after 1st July.

 

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – Answers from Monday 29th June 2020

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Dear all, please find below the answers from yesterday’s workout. How did you do?

  1. Dark Sunday or Saturday? Black Sabbath
  2. Unemployment card – UB40
  3. Champagne and orange – Buck’s Fizz
  4. First book in the bible –Genesis
  5. Lads that run an establishment selling animals –Pet Shop Boys
  6. They gather no moss – Rolling Stones
  7. Refined Association –Culture Club
  8. The direction where it is lovely –Beautiful South
  9. Merlin – Wizard
  10. Nosey feline is dead –Curiosity Killed the Cat
  11. Sinatra is off to make a film – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  12. They need straightening out –The Kinks
  13. B.A., B.Sc. and M.F.A. – Three Degrees 
  14. Cadbury’s very warm – Hot Chocolate
  15. Could be joiners or cabinet makers –The Carpenters 
  16. Sun Casts Them – The Shadows
  17. 7.Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter – Four Seasons
  1. Anne, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria –Queen 
  2. Stag, Cowboy, Dung and Colorado – Beatles
  3. Late night athlete on deck C – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
  4. Throw Small Fruit– Chuck Berry
  5.  22.John Toilet – LuLu
  1. The Legend of the Chocolate Bar– Aerosmith
  2. Best Pal is Prickly Bush –Buddy Holly
  3. Both of You –U2

‘Monday Mind Workout’ – Monday 29th June 2020

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Good morning,

Today’s ‘Monday Mind Workout’ is themed around cryptic clues for bands or singers past and present. E.g Enticements = Temptations

  1. Dark Sunday or Saturday?
  2. Unemployment card
  3. Champagne and orange
  4. First book in the bible
  5. Lads that run an establishment selling animals
  6. They gather no moss
  7. Refined Association
  8. The direction where it is lovely
  9. Merlin
  10. Nosey feline is dead
  11. Sinatra is off to make a film
  12. They need straightening out
  13. B.A., B.Sc. and M.F.A.
  14. Cadbury’s very warm
  15. Could be joiners or cabinet makers
  16. Sun Casts Them
  17. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
  18. Anne, Mary, Elizabeth or Victoria
  19. Stag, Cowboy, Dung and Colorado
  1. Late night athlete on deck C
  2. Throw Small Fruit
  3. John Toilet
  4. The Legend of the Chocolate Bar
  5. Best Pal is Prickly Bush
  6. Both of You

Best of luck and let me know how you get on.

Shared Moments: Day 77 ‘Thomas the Tank’ Written by Maureen Kershaw

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Day 77 – Rain at last! After a few glorious days and being able to get ‘all dolled up’ in Summer clothing – to visit the supermarket – today is a day for staying at home. To watch the long awaited rain, catch up on household tasks (what are they?) maybe with a catch up of recorded TV progs playing in the background. Find photos to accompany my Lockdown blogs ready for the book. Ironing perchance? Mmm, we’ll see. E-mails to reply to, phone calls to make, the next batch of ‘Memories’ to write, a story for a magazine, prep. my next piece for the Museums & Galleries – the days are not long enough for all that is to be done. Thank goodness I’ve not got into bread-making, it took long enough to download ‘Zoom’ properly.

I promised myself I would read more; many books were started but remain unfinished. They remind me of being halfway through knitting a garment before the novelty wore off and I would start another. In 1984 I started knitting a jumper in a cosy white wool with an occasional cerise and grey fleck. I loved the feel of it until, in pregnancy, I couldn’t bear to touch it and it made me feel ill! The jumper was packed away whilst I knitted babywear with no problem. I never returned to the unfinished  jumper but I loved to knit all manner of knitwear for my young son. The one disaster though was a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ jumper. I didn’t quite master the art of all those different colours being successfully brought to life and Thomas’s face did not smile but was cross-eyed and looked in excruciating pain. I was too embarrassed to photograph it but Darren wore it with pride. Maybe during Lockdown I could return to knitting? Perhaps not. I have more than enough to occupy my time, in particular this very day……unless I get a better offer.

We are pleased you were able to fit an article in for us too Maureen, thank you, until next time…..

A message from Leeds City Council on Armed Forces Day

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Celebrate Armed Forces Day at home this Saturday

Leeds Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27th June. How you can get involved.

People of all ages across Leeds are encouraged to celebrate the courage, dedication and commitment of the British Armed Forces, as part of Leeds Armed Forces Day on 27 June.

Armed Forces Day is usually marked by hundreds of events across the UK, however due to Covid-19 these events have been cancelled so people are now being encouraged to celebrate from their own homes.

During this week we are honouring the role of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans, cadets and the wider Armed Forces family in society and also thanking them for their support in helping with the ongoing Covid-19 effort.

Despite not being able to hold the flag raising ceremony this year the Armed Forces Day flag will still be flying from 20-27 June from the Civic Hall and Leeds Town Hall and we will still be lighting up our council buildings in red, white and blue during this week.

How will you be marking Armed Forces Day?

For resources and ideas on how to get involved, you can go to: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/

We are also supporting the Salute Our Forces campaign. You can pay tribute to the British Armed Forces by posting a photo or video of yourself or your family, friends and colleagues saluting using the hashtag #SaluteOurForces #LeedsAFD20 and tagging @LeedsAFD and @ArmedForcesDay. For more information go to https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/saluteourforces/

Chapel FM will be doing a special show for Armed Forces day. This will include several veteran radio hosts introducing pre-recorded oral histories about life in the Armed Forces from people from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and areas of service. Saturday 27th June 10am – 4pm. Tune in to the Armed Forces Day broadcast:

  • On FM radio at 94.6FM in many parts of Leeds
  • On elfm.co.uk anywhere in the world
  • And online later for listening on demand

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor said:

“I’m delighted and honoured to be hosting the city’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. Unfortunately we cannot hold the usual Flag Raising Ceremony or the parade this year but we can still come together at home to acknowledge and show our thanks for the Armed Forces.

“As a city, we are extremely proud of our long and distinguished military history and of our current Armed Forces personnel who work in various deployments at home and abroad – addressing emergencies, providing security and supporting numerous initiatives in dangerous situations, with great dedication and professionalism. I would like to thank them all and especially for their contribution with the ongoing pandemic”

Cllr Jane Dowson, Leeds Armed Forces Champion said:

“Leeds Armed Forces Day is a chance for us all to say a big thank you to our service men and women. I think everyone will want to join with me in thanking Armed Forces personnel for all the work they are doing currently to help during the current Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to offer a big thank you to everyone taking part and I will be saluting them all on Saturday. I hope you will join me.

“I hope you will tune in to Chapel FM – 94.6FM on Saturday 27th June from 10am – 4pm for a dedicated day of activities including pre-recorded interviews, phone in’s and dedications throughout the day.”

Leeds City Council is most grateful to the Ministry of Defence for their funding towards this event.

Leeds Armed Forces Day to be marked with a day of festivities and excitement: Armed Forces Day salute

Lots of things to give us entertainment and food for thought from Leeds Playhouse

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Here’s a little round up of theatre performances and short videos that our friends at Leeds Playhouse have been sharing for you to see at home.

We are looking forward to the day when we can come back and visit the theatre.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

Celebrating the infectious music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Graeae’s Reasons To Be Cheerful is a punk rock musical and gritty coming of age tale, which leaves audiences shouting for more.  Graeae is a theatre company championing deaf and disabled actors  – a force for change in world-class theatre – breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions and boldly placing Deaf and disabled artists centre stage.

Watch Reasons to be Cheerful

Available to watch until 3rd August. Film captioned & audio described versions also available.  Please note that this contains language and themes that some may find offensive.

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Northern Ballet’s Dracula  Returns to the Quarry Theatre…sort of.

Watch Dracula 

Northern Ballet and BBC Four have partnered to bring you this sold out show, so if you didn’t catch it last year, take this opportunity.   Step into the world of Dracula – if you dare.

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Windrush: Movement of the People

Watch Windrush

Windrush: Movement of the People is a stunning original dance piece created by Phoenix Dance Theatre. If you missed the premiere at the Playhouse in 2018, now’s your chance to catch it. With dynamic choreography by Sharon Watson and original music by Christella Litras it’s a beautiful narrative piece for dance lovers and a perfect option for drama fans too.

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Wannabe

Wannabe is a hilarious, heart-warming docu-drama about a group of women who form a Spice Girls tribute band. From Breach Theatre, the team behind It’s True, It’s True, It’s True, ‘stop right now’ and take minutes out to spice up your lockdown life with this pocket sized docu-drama.

Watch Wannabe

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Nine Lives

Fleeing from his home where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK and arrives in Leeds … can he find a place to call home again?
This powerful and intimate drama was originally commissioned at the Playhouse and features Lladel Bryant of the Pop-Up Theatre company, it’s written by Zodwa Nyoni and directed by Alex Chisholm.

Watch Nine Lives

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Strung Out – Refugee Week 2020

Phosphoros Theatre created a 40 minute film, exploring friendship, refugee identity and not giving up. Filmed and performed under lockdown by refugee actors Strung Out.  This short film takes a bold, sideways look at expectations, friendship and what it means to let go.

Watch Strung Out

National Theatre at Home – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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This week National Theatre at Home is giving you the chance to watch Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedy.

A feuding fairy King and Queen cross paths with four runaway lovers and a troupe of actors trying to rehearse a play. As their dispute grows, the magical royal couple meddle with mortal lives in the forest, to hilarious, but dark, consequences.

The Bridge Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is streaming from 7pm  tonight until 7pm Thursday 2 July 2020. — The running time is 2 hours 40 minutes with a very short interval. The BBFC rating is 12A with infrequent strong language.

Click on the picture to watch from 7pm tonight