Poetry Corner: ‘Lockdown’ by Devon Simkin-Samways – 6th May 2020

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Franche Primary School student Devon Simkin-Samways spent two days writing the below poem, entitled ‘Lockdown’, in the hope of bringing joy to all who read it.

Devon’s poem reads:

“Lockdown is a scary time,

So I thought that I could write a rhyme,

To put a smile on lots of faces,

From around the world in lots of places.

 

“Lots of time with my family,

Fills me with enormous glee.

Home school teaching from my mum,

With my brother who’s a pain in the bum.

 

“Missing my bike rides and playing out,

It really makes me want to shout.

Nannies and grandads can’t see me,

But safety really is the key.

 

“Watching movies on Disney Plus,

Stops us making such a fuss.

Eating ice cream in the garden,

Makes us burp but we say pardon.

 

“Missing our friends and all our teachers,

Watching YouTube to see who features,

In the Franche videos that set us challenges.

Hope noone fails and ends up in bandages.

 

“One day when this will come to an end,

Hopefully we won’t have driven mum round the bend.

We will look back and cherish the thought,

Of the lessons we learnt and the ones we were taught.”

 

Thank you Devon for such a wonderful Poem – www.kiderminstershuttle.co.uk

‘THE 2020 TALKING HEADS IN LOCKDOWN’ by Pat Tempest

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‘THE 2020 TALKING HEADS IN LOCKDOWN’

West Yorkshire Playhouse to take Alan Bennett's Talking Heads to ...

Out exercising this morning, I met a neighbour who told me about her son who is home for the virus, insists on 2 hours of vigorous online exercise every morning in the living room – boom boom – get that left leg out.  It’s driving her mad. He’s furloughed from his job as a set maker for soaps. No soaps without the close up and personal, she said.

BUT there is one old favourite which is perfect for a locked down country, and it’s being filmed at arm’s length and it’s about loneliness: Talking Heads! From 1988 . Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Patricia Routledge, Thora Hird, Stephanie Cole were the original lonely ladies now being replaced with newcomers. In the 1988 version, the background was all about disapproving of leopard skin coats and avoiding interfering social workers. It was a world of surnames – Miss This and Mr. That, except where the interfering Miss Ruddock ends up in prison and discovers a richer world of first names, even nicknames.

So how will Talking Heads be changed?  Will it be left with 1988 ideas of what’s ‘common’, a world where the vicar’s wife says, ‘I’m glad I’m not married to Jesus.’  I wish they would show us those originals so we can compare them.

So watch this space, what’s your favourite?  For me, it’s Thora Hird equal with Julie Walters, who is one of my favourite people in the whole world.

Written by Pat Tempest, Caring Together member and volunteer

Thanks for sharing this with us Pat, I look forward to seeing this. Take care.

‘Caring Together’

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Last month I gave an update on how we were managing given the lockdown so I thought I would offer the same this month. In this time Caring Together has made well over 1000 calls, texts, sent letters and emails to members, friends, family, volunteers and other organisations. We have also posted  many website and facebook posts since the lockdown. All to ensure we continue to remain connected, emotionally supported and share information to keep well.
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We also continue to be out and about delivering essential food items. We have been working together with local supermarkets, grocery stores and local shops to enable us access at less busy times that has made it safer to which we are grateful.
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We have referred a large number of members for emergency food supplies and medication deliveries. And we have set up members with food parcels from the local area, frozen meals and meals on wheels deliveries. We have also connected members to local shops so they can continue to remain independent as much as they can. We have also been working together with Gateway Church at St Marks where they will bring together breakfast, lunch and a home cooked dinner to some of our members and local residents 3 days a week. It commences this week so we will update you further on this later.
        
In addition we have been on hand to offer digital support to enable members to keep connected to family and friends, this includes setting up emails for members, devices and help with picture taking and accessing zoom. We have also supported members with getting set up with online shopping, with telephone ordering and talking with some about online banking. This has included being safe online too. We will continue to offer this support whilst needed and with support of 100% digital we will be looking at additional support with equipment where appropriate.
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Furthermore, our work involves linking in with many services in the city as well as in the locality. Such as our police community support officers who have kindly agreed to provide local updates. They have also undertaken fortnightly face to face checks for some of our members, at a safe distance. We too are visiting some of our members whilst delivering food nearby to check in to see if ok – again from a distance.
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A good deal of our work is supported by volunteers and we are pleased to say this continues in the lockdown, with others coming onboard and helping where they can. As I know lots of others in the community are too which is lovely to hear. Our volunteers help with the allotment, and recently shared some herbs. And some make things at home. Other volunteers have shifted their befriending from in person to over the phone, and some volunteers have taken this up for the first time moving from other volunteering and different roles in the community to help where they can. And some have just naturally been calling each other and linking via facebook as well, with a few volunteers even writing to members too. We are truly grateful by your kindness, as our members.
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We have had others writing and sharing weekly stories/blogs, sharing their food to stock up our food supply (for members) and another has been making jam. There is still some left if anyone would like some. Seagulls donated some paint for one member shielding too. A number of others have been flexing their IT skills to capture some wonderful images – please keep them coming – open to all. There have also been others passing on things they feel might be of interest, that includes their artistic and creative endeavours as well, the list goes on.
In addition to the new weekly ‘Monday Mind Workout’, weekly ‘Lockdown musings/stories’, weekly ‘Safety messages’, and weekly ‘Digital imagery sharing’, we have also set up a new weekly online ‘Elevenses’ group that anyone can join. It is on a Thursday at 11am where we come together online for a catch up in person (virtually). Our new ‘Poetry Corner’ is due to commence tomorrow where I will share various poems each week. If you wish to send any through then please email me – open to all ages. I will also be hosting a new ‘Film Sharing session’ in the coming weeks and will send a link nearer the time.
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It has been a very unusual few months; with sad times yet also moments of joy that we are all experiencing together. Yet despite this we are delighted everyone is remaining safe and well as best you can. We are delighted that you can share your time with us, and all at Caring Together. I do feel our name is very apt at this time as we continue to support one another in the community along with other organisations, churches, NHS and adult social care services, shops, residents and local housing and police. Our gracious thanks to you all. Keep well and speak soon.

‘Monday Mind Workout’ answers from 4th May 2020

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Well done to you all. If anyone wishes to have a go at writing some ‘Monday Mind Workouts’ email me: lisa@caringtogether.org.uk

Please see below the answers to yesterday’s lockdown workout.

1. Due to a decrease in pollution, penguins have returned to swimming in the river thames, true or false? False

2. What number do you get if you multiply all the numbers on a telephone keypad or mobile phone? zero

3. What is the best flavour of Haagen Daz’s ice cream? vanilla

4.What was the name of David Bowie’s flamboyant alter ego? ziggy stardust

5. What number Downing Street does the Chancellor of the Exchequer usually live at? 11

6. How many legs are there in a three legged race? four

7. What is tofu made from? Bean Curd

8. How are Cabaret, Mamma Mia! and Fiddler on the Roof connected? all have songs involving money

9. What year was the Sony Walkman released? 1979

10. The first four numbers that stay the same written up-side down are 0, 1, 8 and 11, What’s the next one? 69

11. What is the primary herb in pesto? Basil

12. In a standard pack of playing cards what are the Queen’s holding in their hands? flowers

13. Eurovision sensation ABBA came from which country? Sweden

14.Which of these birds is the odd one out? Cuckoo, Kittiwake, Swift, Curlew, ChiffChaff? Swift, all named after their call, swift named after how fast it goes

15. What are pontefract cakes made from? Liquorice

16. What musical movie has the song “It’s the Hard Knock Life? Annie

17.What’s the national animal of Scotland? unicorn

18. What type of pastry are profiteroles made from? Choux

19. Singer David Soul also starred in which iconic action TV series? Starsky and Hutch

20. What was the name of Frank Spencer’s wife in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em? Betty

‘Quizzing’ by Oliver Cross

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Dear all
 
AS part of what is called the new normal, the weekly quiz at the Chemic Tavern in Woodhouse has moved online. Apart from the lack of 3D humans – not a bad thing in every case – this has bought some improvements, including a big increase in the numbers taking part.

This may be because many pub quizzers are more drawn to quizzes than to pubs, which I find odd because it’s the combination of the two which has taken such a hold on the British public. Pub quizzes are a way of expressing our competitive, sporting spirit and the joys of teamwork, without having to get changed into inadequate clothing and run around on chilly sports fields.

Quizzes without the pub element can be found on most TV channels at most times of day, which is one of the most unwelcome lessons of the lockdown.

But even when I watch them armed with a bag of crisps and a can of beer and try to start pub-like arguments with my partner, Lynne, there is no real substitute for a room full of happily-occupied humans taking part in an activity which only makes sense to other humans; it’s rather like a chimpanzee like bonding session minus the frenzied sexual displays, ideally.

One of the casualties of the present catastrophe has been the end of prize money for winners of the weekly Chemic quiz. The money, which would only be life-changing if you found yourself in a very bad fix indeed, was in the pre-crisis folding form, which those of us on lockdown now see so seldom that they might as well be ducats.

There would now be no safe way to collect your winnings without washing your hands to the bone and, even if there were, you would probably feel obliged to hand over your  prize to any passing health or care worker in order to demonstrate your support for the NHS.

So now the only obvious incentive to do well in the quiz is to demonstrate your superiority to other contestants, which isn’t really in the ‘we’re all in this together’ spirit. Fortunately, since we isolated ourselves from our cleverer quiz teammates, Lynne and I generally perform no better than very respectably, which, in a suddenly over-heated world in need of reassurance and normality, is a result in the best traditions of pub quizzery.

Written by Oliver Cross, Caring Together Member

Thank you for once again sharing your thoughts Oliver. Take care

‘Shared Moments in Time’

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Whilst out walking her dog Karen took this picture of the bluebells (and we think white ones too)on the ridge. I hope you enjoy the view as much as she did.

The other picture is of Myrna’s Garden where she loves to sit out on warmer days (whilst taking a break from her jigsaw)

The last picture below was kindly sent to us by Pauline who used to work at Caring Together.  With the sun shining  Pauline went out to wash the garden paths and noticed the lovely rainbow the water jet was creating. She captured the image and felt it was so significant for the present time as a symbol of hope. If she finds a pot of gold in the garden at the end of this particular rainbow she said, it will be winging its way to Caring Together as soon as possible! Keep safe and keep up the good work and lots of love and very best wishes to everyone. Love Pauline.

Thank you to our members and volunteers; Karen, Myrna and Pauline for sharing these wonderful images that capture nature beautifully. Please take care and we look forward to seeing you again soon; everyone.

‘Monday Mind Workout’

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This week’s lockdown mind workout is a mixed bag of questions to ponder over whilst having your mid morning cuppa. Best of luck!

1. Due to a decrease in pollution, penguins have returned to swimming in the river thames, true or false?

2. What number do you get if you multiply all the numbers on a telephone keypad or mobile phone?

3. What is the best flavour of Haagen Daz’s ice cream?

4.What was the name of David Bowie’s flamboyant alter ego?

5. What number Downing Street does the Chancellor of the Exchequer usually live at?

6. How many legs are there in a three legged race?

7. What is tofu made from?

8. How are Cabaret, Mamma Mia! and Fiddler on the Roof connected?

9. What year was the Sony Walkman released?

10. The first four numbers that stay the same written up-side down are 0, 1, 8 and 11, What’s the next one?

11. What is the primary herb in pesto?

12. In a standard pack of playing cards what are the Queen’s holding in their hands?

13. Eurovision sensation ABBA came from which country?

14.Which of these birds is the odd one out? Cuckoo, Kittiwake, Swift, Curlew, ChiffChaff?

15. What are pontefract cakes made from?

16. What musical movie has the song “It’s the Hard Knock Life?

17.What’s the national animal of Scotland?

18. What type of pastry are profiteroles made from?

19. Singer David Soul also starred in which iconic action TV series?

20. What was the name of Frank Spencer’s wife in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em?

Answers to follow tomorrow.

Lockdown Leeds

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A few pictures from my solitary early morning walks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the bird at Leeds Dock might be a heron? But ornithology is not my strong point so I’d welcome correction.

Slightly worried about the swan as it’s mate was nowhere to be seen and it seemed to be calling.

It’s very peaceful walking in Leeds at the moment – hardly a soul to be seen in the early morning and nature is abundant with less people and traffic around.  I do hope we are out of lockdown soon but a part of me will miss the solitude.

Valerie – Caring Together

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Birthday Celebration Concert

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Andrew Lloyd Webber is streaming a production of one of his musicals on YouTube every week, during coronavirus theatre closures.

The latest in the series is Lloyd Webber’s 50th birthday concert from 1998 starring Michael Ball, Glenn Close, Sarah Brightman, Elaine Page and Antonio Banderas, who came together at the Royal Albert Hall to pay tribute to the composer.

The celebration, in which Sarah Brightman sings a selection of Christine’s tunes from Phantom of the Opera and Close performs songs from Sunset Boulevard, will be available to watch for 48 hours from Friday 1 May at 7pm, on the YouTube channel The Show Must Go On.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqKH-gLoDbQ