Country & Townhouse Good News

Country & Townhouse have been sending me some Good News emails this week and I thought it might be something my followers could do with seeing too. Keep safe and well everyone:

Good News You Need Right Now If you’re finding it hard to stay positive with the stress of Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the future, you’re not alone. In these strange and unusual times, we all need a little positivity in our lives, so we’re picking out the good news stories to come out amidst the coronavirus pandemic reporting for some light relief and hope for brighter times to come. Stay safe, and please share any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send them to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. CLAP FOR CARERS TONIGHT Tonight, Thursday 26 March at 8pm, people across the UK will be taking to their doorsteps, balconies or windows to applaud the NHS workers working through the coronavirus pandemic. The #ClapForOurCarers event is the nation’s effort to thank the front-line staff saving lives. Source: iNews  The British Airways I360 will also be joining in support of the NHS; those living in Brighton might catch a glimpse of the tower light up blue at 8pm. DORSET BUZZING WITH NEW BEES As a third of the world remains on lock down, the world’s other (and arguably more important) species are enjoying some extra freedom. In a survey at Silverlake in Dorset conducted by Bryan Edwards from the Dorset Environmental Records Centre (DERC), 17 new bee species and four new wasp species have been recorded. The UK has seen a huge decline in both species in recent years and the survey proves that effective management of habitats can help these populations to thrive. FREE FOOD FOR THE VULNERABLE CARTMEL RESIDENTS Chef Simon Rogan is cooking up nutritious take-home meals for his local community, the elderly and the most vulnerable residents of Cartmel and the surrounding area. He is using the surplus of fresh ingredients at his Lake District farm and chefs from L’Enclume, and Rogan & Co are producing freezer-ready, comforting dishes to boost morale and combat the food shortage in supermarkets and local stores. The meals are also available for public order, from £5 a dish, to help fund more free meals for those in need. Source: roganandco.co.uk Above: GettyImages RAPHAEL FROM YOUR SOFA To mark the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death, Musement has created a virtual museum tour to see his iconic works online, with over 100 portraits now available to see. Zero crowds, zero entrance fees, just some Renaissance masterpieces from your living room. Visit musement.com PARKING CHARGES SUSPENDED FOR NHS NHS and social care staff will not have to pay for car parking for work throughout the coronavirus crisis, following a petition signed by 400,000 people. “I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Source: BBC FREE DELIVERY ON ESSENTIALS BP has teamed up with Deliveroo to offer free delivery on essentials including milk, bread, groceries and of course, champagne, from 120 BP M&S company-owned and operated stores, to allow more of us to stay at home. Participating stores can be found on the Deliveroo app. Elsewhere they are providing free fuel to the UK’s emergency service vehicles until at least the end of April, and have donated $2million to WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Source: bp.com BOROUGH MARKET GETS CREATIVE If you’re missing your leisurely browses around Borough Market, the team has found a way to keep the creativity flowing by taking its community events online. You’ll find live cookery demos every day at 1pm on its Instagram page, with chefs and food writers including Sara Danesin, Roopa Gulati and Clare Finney. The market remains open with social-distancing rules in place. Source: Time Out MATHS MADE EASY If you’re struggling to keep on top of your child’s maths lessons (let’s face it, there’s nothing more embarrassing than your child asking you to explain fractions to them and you not knowing the answer), Carol Vorderman is here to help. She has suspended fees for her The Maths Factor online resources, with daily lessons and plenty of activities to keep little ones learning. No parental knowledge required: phew. Source: themathsfactor.com More uplifting news this way... Here's How You Can Help With everything that is going on right now, we'll be sending out this daily newsletter with good news stories from around the web to lift your spirits. To let us know if you'd like to receive these emails, please respond below. If you’d like to stop receiving emails altogether please refer to the options at the end of this email. Stay safe and well, from all of us at Country & Town House. Would you like to continue to receive daily good news from C&TH? Yes, please continue sending me the good news email I'd rather receive the good news email weekly   SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to the digital edition for only £29.99.   Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: Country & Town House Studio 2 Chelsea Gate Studios London, SW6 4QL United Kingdom

Good News You Need Right Now If you’re finding it hard to stay positive with the stress of Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the future, you’re not alone. In these strange and unusual times, we all need a little positivity in our lives, so we’re picking out the good news stories to come out amidst the coronavirus pandemic reporting for some light relief and hope for brighter times to come. Stay safe, and please share any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send them to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. LUXURY HOTEL STAYS FOR KEY WORKERS The Athenaeum is aiming to help cut commutes and offer a luxury night’s stay at its central London hotel at a fraction of the usual room rate. The hotel is extending a £75 night rate to all London-based key workers. Source: athenaeumhotel.com DR ELVIS SOOTHES OUR SOULS The world is relying on its doctors and nurses right now more than ever, but one doctor in America is offering more than his medical skills to help the crisis. Dr Elvis, an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic, has previously gained recognition for his vocal talents, and he’s gone viral once again with his timely rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. The Today Show host Katie Couric shared the video on her Instagram account. Trust us, you need this right now. Source: Evening Standard NHS BOWLED OVER BY VOLUNTEER RESPONSE More than 400,000 people have signed up as volunteers with NHS after a recruitment drive to help the vulnerable. The roles will involve supporting the overstretched NHS through the coronavirus crisis by delivering food and medicines, driving patients to appointments and phoning those in isolation. You can sign up here. Source: BBC THE WORLD'S WORST CHILDREN David Walliams is doing his bit to keep the kids entertained while stuck at home by releasing a free audio story every day for the next 30 days. He took to Twitter to make the announcement: “Those stuck at home with their kids may be able to relate to ‘The World’s Worst Children’. I’ll be releasing an audio story every day for the next 30 days for free. First up is The Terrible Triplets! Enjoy.” Find today’s at worldofdavidwalliams.com THIS TOO SHALL PASS: NOBEL PRIZE WINNER'S PREDICTION Nobel Prize winning biology professor Michael Levitt has predicted that the US may see a downturn in new cases sooner than some models predict. He believes it will not cause the millions of deaths some models are predicting. Levitt previously correctly predicted when China would experience and endure the worst of its coronavirus outbreak. “In exponential growth models, you assume that new people can be infected every day, because you keep meeting new people. But, if you consider your own social circle, you basically meet the same people every day,” he said. Source: Independent MAKE-A-WISH'S STAY AT HOME STARS Children’s charity Make-A-Wish has launched a campaign to inspire families involved in isolation for the first time. Many of their wish families have coped with long spells of isolation during their treatment, making them #StayHomeStars. The charity will be sharing their wisdom and Wishgranters’ expertise in making difficult circumstances joyful by suggesting activities families can do at home. You can sign up to their 14-day email activity series here. Above: GettyImages FASHION FIGHTS BACK Fashion designers and brands have joined the fight against Covid-19. Designers including Christian Siriano and Brandon Maxwell have pledged to support the battle by using their production skills to make face masks and gowns for those working on the front lines. “I have a full sewing team still on staff working from home that can help,” Siriano said on Twitter, following up with “It’s very important before anyone does anything to help, please make sure what you are making is safe and hopefully FDA approved. We must be smart.” Meanwhile, Giorgio Armani donated €1.25 million to hospitals in Rome and Milan and Prada announced that it will manufacture 80,000 medical gowns and 110,000 masks. Sources: Harper’s Bazaar & Vogue CANNES VENUE OPENING FOR THE HOMELESS Cannes Film Festival organisers have opened their doors to the town’s homeless to help keep them safe during the coronavirus crisis. The festival has been postponed until late June. “We have between 50 and 70 people here every night,” said Cannes Town Hall official Dominique Aude-Lasset. Source: Sky News PEANUT BUTTER FOR FOOD BANKS Food banks are being particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, with supplies harder to come by and supermarket shelves being emptied. Pip & Nut’s food bank campaign allows you to buy a tub of their peanut butter for a food bank and they’ll donate one too. It might not be possible to live off of peanut butter alone (although the editor writing this is trying) but every little helps. Get involved here. More uplifting news this way... Here's How You Can Help With everything that is going on right now, we'll be sending out this daily newsletter with good news stories from around the web to lift your spirits. To let us know if you'd like to receive these emails, please respond below. If you’d like to stop receiving emails altogether please refer to the options at the end of this email. Stay safe and well, from all of us at Country & Town House. Would you like to continue to receive daily good news from C&TH? Yes, please continue sending me the good news email I'd rather receive the good news email weekly   SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to the digital edition for only £29.99.   Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: Country & Town House Studio 2 Chelsea Gate Studios London, SW6 4QL United Kingdom

Good News You Need Right Now If you’re finding it hard to stay positive with the stress of Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the future, you’re not alone. In these strange and unusual times, we all need a little positivity in our lives, so we’re picking out the good news stories to come out amidst the coronavirus pandemic reporting for some light relief and hope for brighter times to come. Stay safe, and please share any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send them to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. LABS COLLECTIVE OFFERS EMERGENCY SERVICES EXTRA SPACE Coworking specialists LABS Collective is offering those fighting against the outbreak and working within the emergency services extra space and places to stay. The company’s hotel STAY in Hawley Wharf, Camden is now contributing bedrooms and gifted care packages to those working in nearby London hospitals. Camden House, the collective’s largest event space has also been offered to the emergency services and critical call centres as extra space to make use of when necessary. labs.com ACTOR SAVES PRE-SCHOOLER'S BIRTHDAY PARTY If your child has been excited about their birthday party for weeks, the current Covid-19 lock down might be hitting them hard. But there is hope, in the form of this virtual birthday party. The entertainer booked for Harry’s fourth birthday party had the idea to go ahead with his celebrations via Zoom, so around 30 children joined the video chat Frozen-themed party hosted by Magical Quests, and Harry got to hear all his friends singing Happy Birthday after all. Source: BBC ACCESSORIES BRAND ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTEER Kurt Geiger is encouraging its 2500 staff who currently cannot work due to store closures to use their free time to support their local communities while they are off and receiving full pay. The accessories brand has aligned with Age UK who has launched a neighbourly volunteering scheme. CEO, Neil Clifford said: “It’s clear that community life and extra acts of kindness will help build invaluable support in this unprecedented time, particularly for the vulnerable and isolated.” Clearly any in-community volunteering will have to be put on hold during lock down, but Age UK has details of their emergency appeal on its website. Source: Evening Standard ALCOHOL AND PERFUME BRANDS PRODUCE HAND SANITISER While the news might have many thinking of alcohol for different reasons, some beer and spirits brands are turning their attention to helping the nation keep clean and safe. Brewdog has begun production of Brewgel ‘Punk Sanitiser’ in its distillery in Scotland to combat shortages. Source: Instagram LVMH are also using their perfume factories to manufacture hand sanitiser to help combat the spread of Covid-19. Source: Elle Above: Photo by Marvin Heilemann on Unsplash PENGUINS ROAM FREE IN AQUARIUMS As tourist attractions and animal conservation sites are forced to close, the residents of some aquariums are enjoying some exclusive tours. The penguins at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago have been brightening up Instagram feeds with their walks of wonder. Source: Instagram. Meanwhile, many zoos around the world are now live broadcasting live webcam footage from inside their enclosures to allow people to enjoy virtual visits from home. These include a panda cam, tiger cam and koala cam from Edinburgh Zoo and a white tiger and whale shark stream from Japan’s Hirakawa Zoological Park in Kagoshima. Source: Metro SUNSHINE FORECAST ACROSS THE UK As lockdown begins, there is sunshine forecast for across the country during the next two weeks. Temperatures could reach 18 degrees in the capital, with plenty of blue skies to lift spirits, even if they’re only viewed through our windows. That one exercise trip a day in the fresh air just got more appealing. Source: Met Office DYSON & CAR MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE VENTILATORS Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson has announced that it will help with the coronavirus crisis by developing a ventilator for the NHS. In a statement the brand announced that they had “responded to the Government’s request for support with its Covid-19 response, by focusing resources into the design and manufacture of a ventilator for the NHS”. Source: ITV News. Meanwhile, Fiat is converting a China car factory to produce masks, while General Motors, Ford and Tesla in the US, Nissan in Japan and UK F1 teams have all pledged to support with the production of ventilators. Source: BBC 20 COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE WORKS There are at least 20 different coronavirus vaccines in the works, with some already in clinical trials, according to the World Health Organisation. “The acceleration of this process is really truly dramatic in terms of what we’re able to do, building on work that started with SARS, that started with MERS and now is being used for COVID-19,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said in a press conference. Source: CNBC More uplifting news this way... Here's How You Can Help With everything that is going on right now, we'll be sending out this daily newsletter with good news stories from around the web to lift your spirits. To let us know if you'd like to receive these emails, please respond below. If you’d like to stop receiving emails altogether please refer to the options at the end of this email. Stay safe and well, from all of us at Country & Town House. Would you like to continue to receive daily good news from C&TH? Yes, please continue sending me the good news email I'd rather receive the good news email weekly   SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to the digital edition for only £29.99.   Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: Country & Town House Studio 2 Chelsea Gate Studios London, SW6 4QL United Kingdom

Hi Karen, With everything that is going on right now, we'll be sending out a daily newsletter with good news stories from around the web to lift your spirits. To let us know if you'd like to receive these emails, please respond below. If you’d like to stop receiving emails altogether please refer to the options at the end of this email. Stay safe and well, from all of us at Country & Town House. Would you like to continue to receive daily good news from C&TH? Yes, please continue sending me the good news email I'd rather receive the good news email weekly Good News You Need Right Now If you’re finding it hard to stay positive with the stress of Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the future, you’re not alone. In these strange and unusual times, we all need a little positivity in our lives, so we’re picking out the good news stories to come out amidst the coronavirus pandemic reporting for some light relief and hope for brighter times to come. Stay safe, and please share any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send them to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. Featured and above image: GettyImages YOU CAN VISIT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS …From home. Now is as good a time as any to start ticking off those bucket list destinations, from the comfort of your living room. On Explore.com you can watch a live stream of the Northern Lights (should they come out to play) from a camera located at the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Manitoba, Canada. The camera is situated directly under the aurora oval, with the best views from late winter to early spring, so tune in live between 2am to 8am British time to catch a glimpse. A nicer way to start your day than a scroll through the news headlines, no? Source: explore.org ROUGH SLEEPERS TO GET HOTEL ROOMS Mayor Sadiq Khan has worked with the InterContinental Hotel Group to provide 300 rooms to the homeless and those sleeping rough on the streets of London to help tackle the spread of coronavirus. The mayor said: “Rough sleepers already face difficult and uncertain lives and I'm determined to do all I can to ensure they, along with all Londoners, are given the best protection possible.” Source: Time Out  FREE WEDDING DRESSES TO HOSPITAL STAFF Luxury bridal brand Pronovias has launched a dedicated Heroes collection in honour of brides-to-be serving in hospitals, and is offering engaged nurses and doctors a complimentary gown for their big day. They launched their #loveconquersall initiative in China earlier this year and is now expanding to reach brides-to-be across United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Mexico and the United States. Source: Vogue Above: GettyImages FREE TOILETRIES FOR THOSE IN NEED With some people panic buying toiletries and essentials, it is making it hard for some to get the things they need. Those living in poverty will be finding it harder than ever to get access to essentials that can keep them safe from the coronavirus such as soap, laundry detergent and hand sanitiser. Beauty Banks has raised over £80,000 to help buy and distribute essentials to those that need them most. Source: Beauty Banks  FOOTBALLER DONATES TABLETS TO HELP PATIENTS KEEP IN TOUCH One premier league footballer is doing his bit to help those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has pledged to donate tablets to hospitals and nursing homes to help people stay in touch with friends and families during self-isolation. “I hope everyone is following the government measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” he said on Twitter. “The virus creates many needs, especially the lack of personal contact. The people who are sick can’t see their friends and family. My plan is to buy dozens of tablets to give to the hospitals and nursing homes so people can video chat with their loved ones and friends to get through this tough period.” Source: Independent F1 FANS GET A WELCOME DISTRACTION With sports fans up and down the country wondering when they will get their next live fix, Formula One fans had some light relief this weekend in the form of the sport’s first virtual GP on Sunday, with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race was won by Renault’s Chinese test driver Guanyu Zhou, with McLaren’s Lando Norris, a keen gamer, and Williams’s Nicholas Latifi also competing. Source: Guardian More uplifting news this way... Here's How You Can Help SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to the digital edition for only £29.99.   Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: Country & Town House Studio 2 Chelsea Gate Studios London, SW6 4QL United Kingdom

Good News You Need Right Now If you’re finding it hard to stay positive with the stress of Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the future, you’re not alone. In these strange and unusual times, we all need a little positivity in our lives, so we’re picking out the good news stories to come out amidst the coronavirus pandemic reporting for some light relief and hope for brighter times to come. Stay safe, and please share any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send them to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. Featured image: GettyImages / Above: photo by Sabrina Mazzeo LONDON'S AIR POLLUTION LEVELS PLUMMET London’s air pollution levels are plummeting as motorists stay off the roads due to self-isolation and social distancing. According to readings from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), quantities of air pollutant nitrogen dioxide were lower on Monday than Sunday, and 165 air quality sites across the UK are recording low levels of air pollution. Source: Evening Standard FREE PE FOR KIDS Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach has announced he will be providing virtual PE classes from Monday to help keep kids fit from home as schools close for the foreseeable future across the country. “Hello everybody, I’m Joe Wicks The Body Coach and I’ve got an exciting announcement to make. Starting Monday, every single day from Monday to Friday I’m going to do a live workout called PE with Joe on my Youtube Channel, TheBodyCoachTV. It’s a workout specifically designed for kids because when the schools are closed there is no PE. Don’t worry, I’ve got you – I’m going to take this over. I’m going to get your kids moving, feeling energised, positive, optimistic. So, tune in Monday morning 9am and everyday Monday to Friday.” That should burn off some energy first thing to keep the kids quiet for a while, right?! Source: Twitter FREE STORIES FOR KIDS With the prospect of kids at home for months on end, keeping them entertained is going to be no easy task. Stories help. Audible has pledged to make its collection of kids’ titles available to stream for free online for as long as schools are closed. A statement on their site reads: “For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening. It’s that easy.” audible.com Above: photo by Risen Wang COULD GYMS MAKE WAY FOR EMERGENCY HOSPITALS? As many gyms face suspensions and closures, one gym owner is trying to find a positive use of his facilities to help support the NHS through the Covid-19 crisis. 1Rebel Co-Founder James Balfour has announced that he is willing to hand over the keys to all 1Rebel’s London clubs for use by the NHS as Covid-19 spreads across the capital. James says: “We estimate that, across our seven studios in central London, we could make space for 300–400 beds. There are also extended changing facilities, showers, and areas for IT facilities. There is great lighting and even the fact that we have sound systems – offering the opportunity to play music – could lift people’s spirits.” Source: 1rebel-nhs.com GET YOUR THEATRE FIX FROM HOME Missing your theatre fix and worried about how the industry will recover from all of this? Every little helps. The stars of Waitress, Wicked and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie are just some of those getting involved in a festival of live-streamed concerts to keep actors working throughout theatre closures. Leave a Light On will be a series of paid-for live streamed piano concerts from The Theatre Café in London. The 45-minute performances will cost £7.50 to stream from home. Lambert Jackson Productions and the Theatre Cafe said: “This is a really dark time for the theatre world and we want to help wherever we can, as much as possible.” Source: The Stage SOME GOOD NEWS FOR FOOTBALL FANS As the global sporting calendar grinds to a halt, many fans have been left in need of some weekend entertainment. Luke Lambourne, who looks after the social media for League Two club Leyton Orient, came up with the idea of starting an online FIFA tournament. His league has gone global and there are now 128 teams from around the world involved, with the likes of Andros Townsend and Neal Maupay signing up to represent their clubs. And the best news? No VAR in sight. Source: BBC More uplifting news this way... Here's How You Can Help SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to the digital edition for only £29.99.   Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: Country & Town House Studio 2 Chelsea Gate Studios London, SW6 4QL United Kingdom