Monday 25th May 2020 – Day Sixty Two

Good morning all, I do hope that you are enjoying the Bank Holiday. 

Next week we enter our 4th month of Lockdown. A number of you are telling us that this is an anxious time and the longer it goes on (without any light at the end of the tunnel) it becomes increasingly harder to deal with. If you, or anyone you might know, needs extra help (a phone call, help with shopping, collecting medication, laundry, getting online,) please do contact us…if we can’t help directly, we will find someone who can.

What can I share with you today?

OUT & ABOUT

From Next Door (Camden) The Espresso Room at 71 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is open for takeaway starting Saturday 23 May (Sat and Sun 9am-4pm and M-F 8am-4pm).
The Espresso Room on Southampton Row is open for takeaway M-F 8am-4pm.

From Chris B:

The Francis Crick Institute.
Become a scientist for a week this half term with the amazing online Discovery Week from the Crick. From 25 – 30 May, they’ll be bringing you and your family new activities and events to keep you having fun every single day!

Tune in at 11am on their website every day and see what’s new – but don’t worry if you miss it, everything apart from the quiz will be on the website for you to catch up with later.

Here’s the Link

FOOD / SHOPPING

Thank you to everyone who has forwarded their wonderful support and comments to me regarding the Food Bank Project organised by Covent Garden Community Centre / 7 Dials Club. It is really gratifying to hear that so many people are benefiting from the service:

Foodbank – We are flexible with regards to who we can help. If you fit the following criteria, please register.

• Self Isolation due to symptoms
• Isolation due to vulnerable or shielded status
• Income reduction because of lockdown & crisis measures
• Income reduction while waiting for benefits to arrive
• Homeless

Go to Registration Form

From Sarah:

Online Shopping availability. Supermarkets are advising people to shop in stores where possible to ease pressure on deliveries to those that can’t – but that’s not always possible. Here is a summary from MoneySavingExpert.com 

• Asda – slots released 14 days ahead – No official policy on when slots will be released,but 10pm and again just after midnight have proved most successful for customers so far.

• Co-op – slots released 5 days ahead – Around midnight.

• Iceland – slots released 7 days ahead – Slots released based on individual stores.

• Morrisons – slots released 3 days ahead – Customers had most success just after midnight or first thing in the morning.

• Ocado – slots released 7+ days ahead – Non-priority customers notified of new slots. On the Ocado homepage, priority customers send emails when new ones are released.

• Sainsbury’s – slots released 7 days ahead – Monday morning proved most successful with shoppers, no official policy from the grocer itself.

ART & CULTURE

From Keeley:

Hey All, I just wanted to let you know we have started to put together the a playlist with all our favourite songs:

Please let me know what YOUR favourite song is, so we can include it our list

Go to Playlist

HEALTH

From Councillor Sue Vincent:

Alcoholics Anonymous has responded to the coronavirus outbreak and to reassure you that our support is still available to any of your constituents worried about their drinking.
During this time of additional stress and anxiety, issues with substance abuse can escalate, or become more apparent, and we want people to know the options available for getting the help they need.

Here’s the Link

From Steven:

Here is a selection of government research and advice on the importance of vitamin D3 for people who are not getting enough sunlight:

Here’s the Link

Link 2

INFORMATION

From Chris B:

A History of Royal Fashion – Join this course for free!
A History of Royal Fashion takes you into the wardrobes of British kings and queens across five royal dynasties from the Tudors, Stuarts and Georgians to the Victorians and Windsors. With exclusive access to the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, experts at the University of Glasgow and Historic Royal Palaces will introduce you to the different sources we can use to study fashion history.

Here’s the link

From Lynda (Buckingham Palace, Queens Gallery):

Dear All, I hope this email finds you all safe and well. Please find attached another writing prompt.
I hope things are going well. Would love to catch up to chat about things. I am also thinking about developing a Zoom writing workshop. Warm wishes, Lynda

Download document

From Patsy:

I was wondering if there is anyone interested in Morning exercise-walk-etc.
At local parks Covent Garden area. I used to do yoga in Phoenix gardens & another at Seven Dials.

If you would like to join Patsy, please email John and he will pass on your contact details.

FUNNY SIDE OF LIFE

From Ruth – Do you Speak Corona?

Are you fully conversant with the new terminology of “Lockdown Lingo”?  Corona conversation for the beginner!

  Getting on your Wicks – Vexing noise levels from neighbours doing their daily workout with Joe Wicks.

  Quentin Quarantino – An attention-seeker using their time in lockdown to make amateur films, which they’re convinced are funnier and cleverer than they actually are.

  Claphazard – Someone so enthusiastic about saluting our care workers that they forget all social distancing guidelines, start hugging their neighbours and high-fiving passing pedestrians.

That’s all for now!

You can contact me on 07759 646507 in case of an emergency

Be safe

John