Dear all, I have been sent someone’s view from their window this morning. Slightly obscured by the dense snow filled air with just the building in the forefront visible. Can anyone guess where this might be? And I am sure the snow is thicker on the ground by now.
Keep safe everyone.
I wish I wasn’t frightened of my own voice because then I could spend all day on social media talking to people I don’t know.
Which, at a time when old-fashioned personal contact is mostly outlawed, would mean I could make a contribution to combating the loneliness and anxiety which is supposed to be the main curse of the lock-down age, even more so than thousands of people dying prematurely, which we don’t like to think about.
My problem is that I don’t distinguish, in terms of difficulty, between talking, texting or ‘proper’ writing; any use of words is a serious business to me, so that I can take 20 minutes to fill in a birthday card. An internet conversation involving me would be made up mainly of long pauses and the only message people could take from it would be that my broadband needs fixing,
I’ve not been able to join in the great socially-distanced virtual hug we’re all supposed to be giving ourselves because, as well as my own voice, I’m frightened of strangers (plus, although it’s not immediately relevant, coat hangers, ironing boards and brassicas).
This is why I find it difficult to get involved in conversation with parcel deliveries, bus drivers, barbers, general practitioners or lost people desperately seeking directions. I know this is wrong but shyness is a terrible thing, not because it makes you unhappy, but because it makes you, in many situations, near-useless.
But although shyness is generally a bad thing, unrestrained self-confidence, as demonstrated all over the net and on radio phone-ins, can be equally problematic, by which I mean absolutely dreadful and isn’t it a pity that all the recent huge advances in popular communication have cumulated in Donald Trump?
This shouldn’t have happened because most of us have access to countless sources of information and opinion and, to quote Areopagitica, John Milton’s great tract on freedom of speech, ‘Let Truth and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worst in a free and open encounter?’
Which might have been true when it was written in 1644 and when I studied it at A-level a few years later, but now Truth looks tattered and vulnerable; after taking a beating from 20th century totalitarians it’s had to deal with 21st century PR companies, sneaky politicians, conspiracy theorists and the incessant shouting of people who want to drown out every version of truth but their own.
Milton, thinking truth had a pure and unassailable quality, would have been quite floored by the discovery of Trump’s advisor, Kellyanne Conway, that there are such things as ‘alternative facts’, which mean the result of the US presidential election can be whatever you want it to be.
This makes things difficult because when Twitter bans Donald Trump from spreading lies and inciting violence, and Donald Trump Jnr responds by tweeting that ‘free speech no longer exists in America’ I’m not sure where the very small Ariopagitica Support Group should stand.
But I’ve decided that Junior’s statement, published in every corner of America, should probably be dismissed as self-contradictory.
Help your NHS help you this winter by reading ‘Support your NHS’ a guide to better care.
This booklet, which has been sent out to households in Leeds, includes information on how you can support your NHS this winter by choosing the right service, when to access accident and emergency department, accessing your local pharmacy, COVID-19 symptoms and testing, and mental wellbeing.
Visit supportnhsleeds.co.uk for more information and to view this booklet online or you can email leedsccg.comms@nhs.net or call 0113 843 5740 if you’d like a copy
Help your NHS help you this winter by reading 'Support your NHS' a guide to better care. Have you got yours? Visit https://t.co/uAbUtEuVor for more information or email leedsccg.comms@nhs.net or call 0113 843 5740 if you'd like a copy
— NHS in Leeds (@nhsleeds) January 12, 2021
Jack frost had paid a call, The morn was all a-glitter. Icicles dangled from frozen gutters, The day was cold and bitter. Greetings of "good morning " Came from here and there As the hardy left their houses, To face the freezing air. I heard familiar sounds Echoing around our street, Neighbours scraping windscreens And stamping frozen feet. Clouds of exhaled breath Rose up to the sky, As if ghostly, silent steam trains Were slowly drifting by. The sound of engines running, As people warmed their cars. It was the communal defrost, Beneath early morning stars.
sourced http:/ www funnypoemsforlife com
Never seen a ComedySportz match before? Two teams of comedians go for gold with quick-witted gags and games inspired by your suggestions. It’s the all action, all improvised competitive comedy show for all ages you don’t want to miss. Who wins? YOU decide!
ComedySportz have been entertaining audiences of all ages since 2001 with their unscripted, unpredictable and unmissable brand of competitive comedy. In 2021 they’re keeping you laughing in lockdown with interactive online shows that can be watched on any device.
“…a non-stop stream of gags, sketches and general hilarity.” Lancashire Evening Post
“…skilled and funny with a remarkable ability to think on their feet.” Three Weeks ****
“Kids enjoyed the interactive nature of the show and were in fits of giggles all the way through.” Netmums
“…quick, witty, sometimes ingenious, and more often than not – just down-right silly” Yorkshire Times
Shows are every Wednesday and Saturday at 7pm GMT and last approx. one hour:
Find out more on http://www.comedysportz.co.uk/shows/ or watch on the youtube channel https://youtu.be/ep84hWQvkhU
Dear all, below are the answers for yesterday’s Monday Mind Workout that was themed around the New Year.
1.The first ball to be dropped in New York’s Times Square happened in what year?
a. 1908
2.The first time that January 1st was celebrated as the beginning of a new year was in 153 B.C. when the Romans moved the first month of their calendar back to January. For what reason did the Romans do this?
a. To coincide with elections of the two highest ranking Republic positions.
3.In 567 A.D., the Council of Tours prohibited the recognition of an official New Year. Why did they do this?
b. They disliked that the date was originated with pagans.
4.What famous Frank was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on January 1, 1938?
b. Actor Frank Langella
5.In 1583, what event returned January 1st as the observation of the New Year in Europe?
c. The institution of the Gregorian Calendar.
6.The lyrics of the now-traditional New Years song “Auld Lang Syne” began as a poem set to the tune of a much older Scot folk ballad. Who wrote the poem?
b. Robert Burns
7. On January 1, 1877, what happened to Queen Victoria of Britain?
c. She got stuck in her throne, requiring three hours of manpower and twenty pounds of butter to get her out.
8.On January 1, 1906, the government of the Netherlands
made what law?
a. Mandatory licenses required for driving engine-powered vehicles.
The Libraries and Community Hubs are mostly closed at the moment but there are a number of online events happening with Leeds Libraries including Family History workshops (and individual telephone consultations), Tracing your Carribbean Ancestry, Hidden Histories, Yorkshire Cricket and more.
For a full list and how to book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
This weekend one of the West End’s biggest stars, Michael Ball is back on The Shows Must Go On with his Heroes concert, featuring the biggest hits and some truly iconic show tunes!
Relive Michael Ball’s Sold Out Heroes Tour, featuring solid gold, classic songs which were originally big hits for legendary artists such as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Tom JOnes and more. The songs featured were hits in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and have stood the test of time, such as ‘Summer Wind’ by Frank Sinatra, ‘Joanna’ by Scott Walker, the beautiful ‘Play Me’ by Neil Diamond, Billy Joel’s ‘New York State Of Mind’ and Tony Bennett’s version of ‘For Once In My Life’ to name just a few. Michael also sings songs by his heroes in musical theatre including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Stephen Sondheim!
From 7pm Friday 8th January and available for 48 hours
As I started this post the news came through that a third Covid 19 vaccine (Moderna) has been approved for use in the UK so it seems a good time to share with you this update from the NHS in Leeds about plans to get more people vaccinated including through GPs, pharmacies and a large vaccination centre at Elland Road.
The following is from https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/news:
More care home residents and vulnerable people in Leeds will be offered protection against COVID-19, as the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine starts to be rolled out to GP-centres.
Local GPs are working together to provide vaccinations to as many care home residents and patients aged 80 as possible. In Leeds, 17 of 19 primary care networks are now providing vaccinations from centres with the final two expected to start next week.
The Oxford vaccine does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures and is much easier to move so is easier to use in care homes and will mean GPs can now start vaccinating housebound patients.
The local NHS is working to expand the rollout as quickly as supplies become available. In the coming weeks, the first community pharmacies will be starting to offer vaccinations and four large vaccination centres are being set up across West Yorkshire, including Elland Road (home of Leeds United Football Club) in Leeds.
All services will continue to be appointment only and people will be invited for vaccinations through a national booking system, which will allow them to choose the most convenient location for them.
Vaccinations are being offered to those at greatest risk from Covid-19 first, in line with the recommendations from the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI).
At the moment, GPs are offering vaccinations to people aged 80 and over and care home residents and will then move to other age groups in descending order.
Practices are busy contacting eligible patients to make appointments for their first vaccination as supplies are made available to them but it is likely take several weeks to cover everyone in these first groups.
Dr Jason Broch, local GP and Clinical Chair for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said: “It is great news that we will be able to protect more vulnerable people. We are working with partners in Leeds to make sure people can get their first vaccination as quickly and easily as possible and are ready to expand the rollout as fast as supplies become available.
“GPs, nurses, pharmacists and countless other staff, partners and volunteers are working around the clock to provide vaccinations. We know people are eager get protected and may be concerned if they are in one of the priority cohorts and have not been contacted yet. However, we would like to reassure them that they will be contacted over the next few weeks.
“Services are extremely busy at the moment and we would ask people to help the NHS at this very difficult time by not contacting their local GP or other NHS services about getting a vaccination. People will not be able to book an appointment until they have been invited to do so, so please be patient and we will contact you as soon as it is your turn.”
