Over 65s to be offered Covid Vaccine from today

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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

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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

 

 

Baithak LIVE / A Beautiful Evening of Song

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Available to view from 8pm tonight on YouTube

A beautiful evening of song from South Asian Arts

Two women in traditional Indian clothing, one standing and the other in a square on the right

 

“SAA-uk welcomes you to join us on Sunday 14th February for a very special celebration of love. One where we will focus on listening to the healing voice, as we view love as a force which impacts every aspect of our world, and our lives.

What does valentine’s day mean to you?  For us it is an opportunity to come together take lessons from the musical offerings of our performers, as affirmations to help you center love in your everyday life. This ‘Beautiful Evening’ will transport you to a space where you can tap into that healing voice through Satnam Galsian and Yarlinie Thana‘s talent and skill, they will perform their respective pieces embedded with their love and dedication to their craft. Our two stunning musicians are from two different musical backgrounds, as the concert will be a union of Hindustani and Carnatic music, taking you from the North all the way to the South of India.

How we love is core to who we are and encompasses so much more than our romantic partners. We love our families, our gurus, our teachers, our friends; we love our communities, our passions, and ourselves. We show this love by making space to celebrate these connections and by supporting them through the toughest of times. So, please accept this gift of love from SAA-uk family and tune in on Sunday 14th February at 8pm GMT on the SAA-uk YouTube channel (@SouthAsianArtsUK).”

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Newsletter Scam Alert issue 22

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Dear all,

Please see below the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Newsletter Scam Alert issue 22. This bi-monthly alert outlines trending fraud patterns during the current COVID-19 pandemic and what we can do to stay protected. There have been further reports of scams, doorstep Crime and business complaints all relating to the COVID-19 pandemic here in West Yorkshire. This news alert will give you an indication of the current situation here in West Yorkshire.

wyTSS covid news alert issue 22 12.02.2021

The story of Leeds Jazz – listen online

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The Story of Leeds Jazz- Sam Rivers

The Story of Leeds Jazz is a six part podcast series that discovers how Leeds became a centre for UK Jazz and how it continues to have an exciting and thriving scene today. It shares the stories of often overlooked artists and influencers who have contributed so much to the scene and celebrates the music of Leeds Jazz from the 1950’s right through to today’s emerging artists. After the recent release of Episodes 1 to 3 with a special Hyde Park Book Club listening party, Episode 4 looks at the huge influence of the ‘DIG Family’ and their legendary nights at the Underground which played such a big part in shaping the Leeds Jazz scene. Featuring interviews with Corinne Bailey Rae, DJ Lubi, Gip Dammone, Eddie Roberts (New Mastersounds) and Malcolm Strachan (Haggis Horns) and a totally awesome playlist that will take you straight back to the 1990s downstairs at the Town and Country Club!

Listen to all episodes so far via Mixcloud here or via the website www.bettersongs.co.uk

The final episodes will also be available via these links as they are released

Dark Skies Festival – Online 12-28 February

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North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park are celebrating the sixth Dark Skies Festival. It’s going online following the success of the virtual programme during the Fringe Festival in October. Yorkshire’s pristine dark skies will always exist and they want to share that with you, wherever you are in the country!

Milky Way and Perseid Meteor shower Sutton Bank (c) Russ Norman Photography

Bringing you interactive, inspiring and interstellar presentations across the two weeks, this year’s focus is on Nature at Night.  A particular highlight is the live wildlife cameras, including footage of owls, kestrels and even an ermine stoat.  Many of the events are free but there are some that incur a cost – it will tell you in the individual event details.

Head to the Dark Skies Festival website to see the full programme of events and get yourself involved.

WY Metro and help to travel to vaccination appointments

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Rules around concessionary travel are being relaxed to help people travel to vaccination appointments.  Holders of free bus passes (issued to older and disabled people) will be able to travel free on public transport before 9.30am if they are going to or from a coronavirus vaccination appointment. Pass holders will be asked to show their appointment letters, texts or emails to the bus driver. 

There will also be additional and adapted services to the the mass vaccination centres such as Elland Road.

For more details https://wymetro.com/corporate/news/releases/west-yorkshire-combined-authority-announces-vaccination-transport-plan/ 

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