Shared Moments: Reading matters by Oliver Cross

by

I started the lockdown by reading The Mirror and the Light, the last book in Hilary Mantel’s trilogy telling the story of Thomas Cromwell, the self-made 16th century political fixer who, after overseeing Henry VIII’s marital affairs (always problematical) and the dissolution of the monasteries (seismic), gets decapitated.

Since I have known this, in outline, since schooldays, it should have been hard to maintain my interest over the 875 pages of Mantel’s final Cromwell novel, which I thought, early last year, might see me through to the end of the pandemic (pause for bitter ironic laughter).

But Mantel stays close to her protagonist, almost breathing along with him and immersed in his every thought, so when he walks to the scaffold the writer and her readers have to follow him right to the gory end. It’s an experience.

I can also recommend the best-selling Richard Osman detection novel The Thursday Murder Club. This contains a few deaths and some serious reflections on ageing but remains entirely enjoyable, which, these days, is as good as it gets.

Thank you Oliver, until next time….

Keep safe and well

Snapshot in time: ‘Wintry scene from my window’ from Pauline Garner

by
See below picture that Pauline kindly through last week of her back garden following the morning’s snowfall, so picturesque.
.
“I took through our conservatory window.  It looks lovely sitting inside in the warmth and it’s great watching the blackbirds chasing each other round the snow covered plants!
.
Keep safe and well
love Pauline
.

Thank you for sharing this with us Pauline, take care and all the best to Bill too.

TV Licensing scam

by

Dear all,

I got the below messages from two local residents this morning, please be mindful of emails from TV licensing. Thank you for sharing this with us in order to us all keep safe, take care.

“today i received an email with a good-looking address and official looking from the tv licencing people saying i had failed to pay this month’s payment and a link to a payment site also addressed very convincing, due to the security measures on my computer i looked into this further, definitely fake , looked very good !! could be doing the rounds ???? “

and

“The scam tv licensing emails are SO convincing – I think I’ve had 2 different ones, over the months. The first was so convincing, I only realised it was fake when I checked my banking app and it showed the payment to TV licensing going through as usual. Also I’d fortunately not deleted the (months old) genuine email from Tv licensing which they send on the renewal anniversary, and by comparing it with the scam one, you could see where the differences were”

I have put a link below for more information on what to look for from the genuine TV licensing service to help avoid tv licensing scams – it is very usual:

 
Helping you avoid TV Licensing scams – and how to report one
.
TV Licensing logo

Poetry Corner: ‘Weather’ By Key V

by 
I hate the cold weather, whether to say the least,
the cold weather hates me, i slipped and fell last week,
plus the warm weather's better, i'd rather sweat than freeze,
put the ice in my drinks not in my socks and sleeves, 
the reason i feel this way, stems from two things, 
maybe i'm a fall guy, with wants to see some leaves, 
or i just miss the summer days with vitamin ray beams, 
either reason or way my thoughts remain oblique,
because i hate the cold weather and cold weather hates me.


sourced: funnypoemsforlife



			

	
	


				
					



	

		
					

		
Support if you are asked to shield


				

			 by 		

			


		

		
As more has been learnt about Covid 19, more people are being added to the vulnerable list and will soon receive letters asking them to shield.


If you receive one of these letters from the government, they will be advising you to stay at home as much as possible and not to go out to shops, work etc.  You should still go out to essential medical appointments and to exercise but be especially careful about avoiding contact with others.  The letter will give details about how to register as vulnerable and this will give you access to support such as priority for online shopping etc.  You can also see more details here  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19


There is also lots of  support available locally,  both from Leeds City Council and from community organisations – inlcuding Caring Together.


Call us if you need some extra support and we do our best to help or advise you.


Office number (leave a message) 0113 2430298


Staff mobile numbers:


07436530073 – Lisa

07483333115 – Valerie

07458303015 –  John


More information about support from Leeds City Council is here https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2M-W0aM4HzK6_DctOBBqbIPyo-aJpxGMO78_FdG-vk3dLFg0gSO9LYN58  or you can ring 0113 376 0330 for help.


If you are asked to shield and have not already been offered the vaccine, you will be offered it now.

			

	
	


				
					

				
					



	

		
					

		
Covid 19 Information and Q&A session from NHS Leeds


				

			 by 		

			


		

		








Health professionals from Leeds are running a Facebook live session about the COVID vaccine on Saturday 20 February from 2pm-3pm.








The diverse panel will see four GPs in Leeds and a public health expert from the city help provide clear information on the vaccination programme. They will be on hand to answer any questions that people may have so that people can make an informed decision on the vaccine when they are invited to attend an appointment.








The panel for the session is as below.


• Dr Amal Paul, GP in Leeds


• Dr Julie Duodu, GP in Leeds


• Lucy Jackson, Chief Officer and Consultant in Public Health


• Dr Mohammed Sattar, GP in Leeds


• Dr Nadia Anderson, GP in Leeds








The session will be available through the NHS in Leeds’ Facebook page


www.facebook.com/nhsleeds


A recording of the session will be made available on the Facebook page, giving people a chance to listen back at a time of their choosing. To submit a question in advance please email leedsccg.comms@nhs.net






May be an image of text that says "Leeds CITY COUNCIL NHS Facebook Live Session: About the COVID-19 vaccine: Hear from the experts and take part in a question and answer session Facebook.com/NHSLeeds Saturday 20 February 2-3pm Panel: Dr Amal Paul GP Leeds Lucy Jackson Chief and Consul ltant Public Health Dr Julie Duodu GP in Leeds Dr Nadia Anderson GPi Leeds Leeds DR Mohammed Sattar GPin Leeds f LIVE"



			

	
	


				
					



	

		
					

		
Over 65s to be offered Covid Vaccine from today


				

			 by 		

			


		

		
From today, people aged between 65 and 70 and more of the clinically vulnerable will be offered the covid vaccine as the programme is expanded.


People in this age group will be receiving letters inviting them to book an appointment either through the online booking service http://www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119.  Those who receive a letter can choose from more than 100 large scale vaccination centres or almost 200 pharmacy services.  However, if you would rather wait to be called by your GP you do not need to respond to the letter and your GP will be in touch – you may have to wait a bit longer though.


You don’t need to call your GP – they will be in touch with you in due course.




More details from the NHS here https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-offers-covid-jab-to-clinically-vulnerable-and-people-65-to-69/


Congratulations to the NHS on reaching the target in offering the vaccine to those in the first four priority groups.


If you are over 70, or extremely clinically vulnerable, and you haven’t received the vaccination please contact 119 or your GP.

			

	
	


				
					



	

		
					

		
Local elections this Spring – make sure you can vote


				

			 by 		

			


		

		
An envelope graphic that says 'Want to vote by post? Apply early.'


Local elections in Leeds are coming up on 6 May 2021.  Because of Covid-19 voting in polling stations is likely to be different.  Not all exisitng polling stations will be suitable for social distancing and so your polling station may be further away and there may be more queues.


Because of this Leeds City Council is asking residents to consider if postal voting may be the best choice for them.  Letters are being sent this month to all registered Leeds voters who do not already vote by post and this will include a personalised application form for a postal vote.  There is a pre-paid envelope to return this form or you can download a postal vote application form at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/postal-voting. The deadline to apply for a postal vote for elections is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April, but residents who choose to vote by post are being asked to apply as soon as possible to help manage increased demand.


If you are already registered to vote by post you do not need to do anything.


You can say on the form whether you want to vote by post in all future elections or just the upcoming May election.


If the elections are postponed all postal vote applications will be valid for the re-scheduled date.


If you are not registered to vote you can register online at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/register-to-vote