Country and Townhouse Good News newsletters

Here are the latest Good News newsletters from Country and Townhouse:

GOOD NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE 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 send any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass.  CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TRIALS BEGIN The first European coronavirus vaccine human trial has begun in Oxford. The first two of more than 800 people were injected yesterday in a trial where half of volunteers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine, and half a control vaccine. Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at the Jenner Institute said: “Personally I have a high degree of confidence in this vaccine. Of course, we have to test it and get data from humans. We have to demonstrate it actually works and stops people getting infected with coronavirus before using the vaccine in the wider population.” Source: BBC Above: Windjammer Landing Villa Resort | Gilly & Mike Pickup ST LUCIA HOTEL HELPS IN VIRUS FIGHT The Windjammer Landing Villa Resort in St Lucia has collaborated with other partners on the island in a number of initiatives to help less fortunate residents. The Resort team were involved in preparing 3000 meals for under-privileged St. Lucians, as well as contributing perishable food items for the St. Lucia Police Officers and to to NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization).   ROLLING STONES RELEASE NEW SONG The Rolling Stones have released their first new single in eight years. The track, called 'Living In A Ghost Town', references the coronavirus crisis. “Life was so beautiful, now we all got locked down / Feel like a ghost, living in a ghost town.” Sounds about right, Sir Mick Jagger. The band has said they recorded the track a year ago, but that it has been completed in lockdown. “We thought would resonate through the times we’re living in,” Sir Mick said. “It wasn’t written for now but it was written about being in a place which was full of life, and then now that’s all bereft of life, so to speak. And when I went back to what I’d written originally lyrically, it was all full of plague terms and things like that. Keith Richards and I both had the idea that we should release it. But I said, ‘Well I’ve got to rewrite it – some of it is not going to work and some of it was a bit weird and a bit too dark’.” Source: BBC Above: Home House | Astrid Templier YOU'RE INVITED: HOME HOUSE LIVE EVENTS Exclusive members club Home House is opening up its new online live events to Country & Town House readers this weekend, with two exciting workshops to choose from. This Saturday 25 April and Saturday 2 May at 10am, get involved with Home House Reinventing Yourself Through Change, with Dr. Nicola Bunting, international executive and personal coach, founder of La Vita Nuova Coaching, and author of “Who Do You Want To Be? How To Embrace Change And Live Your Dream”. Or on Sunday 26 April or 3 May at 10am, take part in Soul Sundays, where you can experience a Sound Healing Meditation with In-House Meditation Mentor Elizabeth Martin. Just what we need in these times. C&TH readers can get involved by RSVPing to Sarah@homehouse.co.uk.     MORE HOTEL BREAKS FOR NHS STAFF Yet more hotels are getting involved in campaigns to reward NHS staff for their service throughout the coronavirus campaign. Debbie Robinson, founder of 10 or More, has launched the #HotelsThanksTheNHS campaign, with over 100 hotels offering free hotel breaks across the UK. Hotels are donating complimentary dinners, lunches, and spa treatments in addition to the free accommodation in hotel rooms and suites. Hotels involved include The Standard, London, The Landmark, London, Nobu, Cliveden, Chewton Glen, The Lygon Arms, The Merry Harriers, Beachcroft Beach Huts and Hastings Hotels. FRENCH ACCESSORIES BRAND DONATES MASKS French accessories brand Le Colonel, usually known for its bow ties and hair accessories, has switched to mask making from its Lille apartment in an effort to help protect those working on the frontline. Le Colonel is distributing the masks through its first-floor apartment window where people in need are collecting them. The brand’s London store is in the process of making masks for the NHS, too. Thus far, Le Colonel have made and donated over 500 masks. Above: @popthebulldog BIG POPPA THE BULLDOG GOES VIRAL Thought you were finding lockdown hard? Just wait until you see this picture of Big Poppa the English bulldog, who has gone viral after a dejected isolation photo was shared from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Ms Ellis wrote on Instagram from Pop’s perspective: “All I want to do is play with the kids in my building but due to Covid-19 I can’t. I just watch them from the patio. Flatten The Curve please.” Source: Evening Standard   TODDLER HEARS FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING LOCKDOWN  An 18-month-girl has had her cochlear implant switched on remotely due to the lockdown, and has been able to hear for the very first time. Professor Helen Cullington from the University of Southampton’s auditory implant service switched on the device from home, linking remotely to Margarida Cibrao-Roque’s parents for the appointment. “Usually we do the switch-on of a cochlear implant at our clinic at the university, but with some technical creativity and some advice from colleagues in Australia, we were able to do everything necessary over the internet,” she said. “The session went really well and everyone was thrilled with the outcome.” Margarida’s mother Joana Cibrao, said: “The possibility of Margarida calling me Mummy one day would mean the world.” Source: Guardian GET CREATIVE WITH McQUEEN Week four of Alexander McQueen’s McQueen Creators project series is here, and this week the challenge is to draw a silhouette and interpret a favourite look. Sarah Burton has chosen images from the women’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection and the men’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collections for inspiration. London based artist Howard Tangye, best known for portraits in a variety of mediums and Head of BA Womenswear at Central Saint Martins for seventeen years, shares his expertise in a tutorial, shown on the Alexander McQueen YouTube channel from this evening. youtube.com Need something to look forward to? Stay tuned for an exciting new launch from Country & Town House next week... More Uplifting News This Way... Here's How You Can Help... YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus seven supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12. Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2020 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 BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE 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 send any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. Above: Prince Louis photographed by The Duchess of Cambridge | @kensingtonroyal PRINCE LOUIS' RAINBOW TRIBUTE Prince Louis has marked his second birthday by making a rainbow handprint poster. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s son is pictured with his artwork and paint on his hands wearing a blue gingham shirt in the images released to mark his birthday. Prince Louis was photographed by mum Kate, who recently spoke about how they were coping with homeschooling and lockdown life. “It’s just having that bit of structure, actually. It’s great, there are so many great tips online and fun activities that you can do with the children so it hasn’t been all hardcore,” she said. Source: BBC  NHS PORTRAIT GALLERY FLOODS INSTAGRAM Artists across the country are sharing portraits of NHS workers in a tribute to their fight against coronavirus. The #PortraitsforNHSHeroes project was started on Instagram by Tom Croft who offered a free oil portrait to the first NHS frontline worker to message him. Now, more than 500 artists have contributed portraits in all styles. “It’s grown quicker than I could have imagined. It’s been amazing. It’s been moving to read all of the messages from NHS key workers about how this is brightening up their day, or at least giving them something positive to look forward to in these incredibly tough and challenging times,” said Tom. “I knew the art community would respond in this way but it’s still wonderful to see it happen in reality.” Source: Guardian Above: KAL VISUALS on Unsplash JELLYFISH SPOTTED IN VENICE CANALS The big Venice canal clean-up due to lockdown continues with less boat and tourist traffic than usual giving the canals the chance to clear for the first time in years. The latest development? Jellyfish have been captured moving through the canals amongst schools of fish. Source: CNN   THE WOOL HOTLINE Run out of people to call in the evenings? Zoom quizzes drying up? Allbirds is helping people stay connected with their free ‘The Wool Hotline’ number. Callers are invited to call to chat about absolutely anything for a little break from isolation or alternatively can opt to listen to to the “soothing” voices of sheep or birdsong to bring nature in. There will also be quizzes, special guests and stories, with the hotline up and running until mid-May. Call 0800 141 3370 to get involved. Above: Dormy House, Cotswolds NHS STAFF RECEIVE THANK YOU PRIZES The Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds is running an initiative enabling people to thank NHS workers with regular “thank you” giveaways from their hotels. Members of the public can nominate NHS workers to win a prize on the Dormy House, The Fish Hotel and Foxhill Manor Facebook pages, with prizes including spa days, movie nights, dinners and afternoon teas, as well as overnight stays when lockdown lifts.   THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONIONS EVER? With a lot of us using our phones more than ever during lockdown, it’s only to be expected that younger members of the household would want to get involved. One-year-old Alice decided to have a go on her dad’s phone and ended up placing a Deliveroo order from some onions. The onions cost just £1.50 but due to the small order fee, the onions set the family back £19.99. You might wonder how some £20 onions have made it onto a ‘good news’ roundup but Alice’s parents have confirmed they have since used the onions to make a nice curry, so all’s well that ends well. Source: BBC More Uplifting News This Way... Here's How You Can Help... YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus seven supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12. Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2020 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 BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE 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 send any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass.  POTENTIAL CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TO START HUMAN TRIALS A possible coronavirus vaccine in development at the University of Oxford will begin human trials this week, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock. “We are going to back them to the hilt,” he said. “In normal times, reaching this stage would take years and I’m very proud of the work taken so far. The upside of being the first country in the world to develop a successful vaccine is so huge that I am throwing everything at it.” Source: Evening Standard Above: Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa | Xavier Coiffic on Unsplash MORE DISCOUNTS FOR NHS STAFF We’ve previously reported on hotel offers and giveaways for NHS staff to look forward to once we’re through the pandemic. Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels in Mauritius is the latest to get involved, offering 50% off for all NHS and private health care workers to say thank you for putting themselves on the front line.   THREE-WEEK-OLD BABY BEATS CORONAVIRUS A three-week-old baby, who was born eight weeks prematurely, has recovered from Covid-19. Peyton Maguire was delivered by C-section at University Hospital Wishaw on March 26 and at just 3lb 11oz was diagnosed with coronavirus on 15 April. “Peyton is the most precious person in the world to me and it shows the trust I had in the midwives and the other staff that I put her care in their hands – because that is what they are trained to do,” said Peyton’s mum. Peyton is now at home with her parents. Source: Evening Standard ITALIAN FOOTBALL CLUB ADOPTS YOUNG FAN'S SHIRT DESIGN A six-year-old boy has reason to celebrate after his football shirt design was adopted by Italian club Pescara. Luigi D’Agostino entered a competition run by the club with the motto “give a kick to Covid-19″ and his shirt, featuring a dolphin and a rainbow, will be worn by the Serie B team next season. Source: BBC   'BANKSY' STREET ARTIST REVEALED IN PONTEFRACT Rachel List has revealed herself as the artist behind colourful NHS tribute murals in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, which some believed to be the work of Banksy. The 29-year-old self-employed artist creates the artworks early in the morning as part of her daily exercise routine and has been painting on businesses closed for the lockdown. “I want a bit of positivity for them. I want them to thrive again when all this is over,” she said. “I think people just want to show their appreciation for the NHS. Hopefully I have, in some small way, allowed that message to travel.” Source: Guardian Above: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai GET THE HOTEL EXPERIENCE AT HOME Missing the luxuries of hotel stays? Four Seasons is helping you get some home luxuries with their weekly Instagram series Four Season Connects At Home. You can get involved in a number of different daily workshops, from recipe tutorials to live meditation sessions. We’ll be tuning into Sunday’s, in which Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC’s Brad Harrel will give tips for a full turndown service in your own home. Actually, get the kids watching that one.   CAPTAIN TOM RECIEVES MORE THAN 25,000 BIRTHDAY CARDS Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old war veteran who has raised more than £27million for the NHS with his garden walk, has been sent more than 25,000 cards ahead of his 100th birthday next week. Hundreds of thousands of cards are expected for the coronavirus hero, and staff at the South Midlands Mail Centre have re-programmed sorting machines to re-route his mail into a dedicated collection box. Source: BBC More Uplifting News This Way... Here's How You Can Help... YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus seven supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12. Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2020 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 BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE 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 send any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass. Above: The Lanesborough HOSPITAL STAFF TO RECEIVE ST GEORGE'S DAY TEA  If an afternoon tea at The Lanesborough is sounding pretty appealing right now (we agree), NHS staff at St George’s Hospital are in for a treat. On Thursday 23 April, St George’s Day, The Lanesborough will be delivering the NHS staff of St George’s Hospital, Tooting, the hotel’s limited-edition Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea. Staff will enjoy egg and cress mayonnaise, mint yoghurt and cucumber, coronation chicken and cheddar cheese & pickle finger sandwiches, plain and raisin scones with strawberry jam plus ‘Peggy’s Pink Pavlova’, lemon & elderflower tartlet, strawberry and Champagne cupcake, and slices of Peggy’s famous lemon, raspberry and rose layer cake. The Lanesborough is also supporting the St George’s Coronavirus Appeal, which you can get involved with at justgiving.com.   DAMIEN HIRST CREATES 'SYMBOL OF SOLIDARITY AND HOPE' In support of the Evening Standard and the Independent’s charity food appeal, Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst has created a new rainbow artwork. The design can be downloaded and printed from the artist’s website to be displayed in support of the NHS, and he will be selling limited edition copies of the design to raise money for charity appeals. Damien, who is self-isolating at home, said: “I am in  awe of charity workers and community groups across the country who are risking their lives and health to deliver food to the most vulnerable in this time of crisis. I want to pay tribute to them with this rainbow heart, a symbol of solidarity and hope, and support the Evening Standard and Independent’s campaign to raise money for these vital organisations.” Source: Evening Standard Above: Joshua Reddekopp on Unsplash NOT-FOR-PROFIT PLATFORM SUPPORTS NEW MOTHERS With many expectant mothers facing the prospect of giving birth in understaffed units or with no birth partners, Little Earth Baby has set up a not-for-profit Birth and Newborn Support Platform. The platform will offer support and advice from leading professionals including: midwives, doulas, Drs., lactation consultants, maternity nurses and more. littleearthbaby.com   FIREFIGHTERS SURPRISE 100-YEAR-OLD WITH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Warwickshire firefighters have rescued Betty Gutteridge’s birthday celebrations after they were cancelled due to coronavirus. Since her 100th birthday party had to be postponed, the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service set up a special surprise to help her mark the day, attended (with social distancing in operation) by fire crew and members of the local community. Happy birthday Betty! Source: BBC FOOTBALL CLUB DONATE STADIUM AS MATERNITY CLINIC West Bromwich Albion has donated its stadium for use as a maternity clinic to help expectant mothers avoid hospitals during the pandemic. The Championship football club is providing space in the East Stand suites to deliver antenatal and postnatal care. Helen Hurst, director of midwifery at the trust, said: “We wanted to provide an alternative space for women who are having antenatal and postnatal care. Women are slightly anxious about coming to hospital in the current climate, so we wanted to find a safe space away from the hospital.” Source: Guardian More Uplifting News This Way... Here's How You Can Help... YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus seven supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12. Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2020 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 BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE 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 send any stories you think we might like to share with our readers on Twitter @countryandtown or send to intern@countryandtownhouse.co.uk. This too shall pass.   NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS IN LONDON FALLS BY NEARLY 1,000 IN ONE WEEK Covid-19 statistics show that there has been a ‘sharp fall in the number of London patients in hospital with the virus’. Whilst there were 4,813 patients recorded in the capital’s hospitals on 8 April, 3,445 were recorded on Saturday – a decrease of almost 1,000 following six successive daily reductions. Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said: “For London particularly, it demonstrates not only the very significant amount of work that our hospitals have been doing, particularly in the first and second weeks of April, but the success that is occurring now in the number of cases that is coming down.” Source: standard.co.uk Above: Olivia Bauso on Unsplash NEW YORK COUPLES GET GO-AHEAD FOR WEDDINGS New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has given the go-ahead for online marriages, allowing couples to pursue with weddings under lockdown. From now on, those living in the state of New York can apply for marriage licences remotely and clerks will be able to conduct ceremonies virtually. “You can do it by Zoom. Yes or no?” he said in his briefing on Saturday. Source: BBC   BBC BITESIZE DAILY LAUNCHES  The BBC opens its doors for virtual learning today with the arrival of BBC Bitesize Daily, with more than 200 teachers and a host of well-known faces. Professor Brian Cox will teach key science topics including force and gravity, Manchester City footballer Sergio Aguero will teach children to count in Spanish, while music stars Mabel and Liam Payne combine music and reading for secondary school kids. The resource has been compiled in just four weeks and will offer 14 weeks of curriculum-based learning for kids across the UK. Danny Dyer, EastEnders actor and direct descendant of King Edward III, delivers the facts on another historic king, Henry VIII, while Sir David Attenborough will help youngsters to learn about the oceans, mapping the world and why animals look the way they do. bbc.co.uk/bitesize SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LAUNCHES PROGRAMME TO FEED VULNERABLE RESIDENTS Award-winning social enterprise Goldfinger Factory in West London has launched a programme to feed vulnerable residents of Trellick Tower and surrounding tower blocks on Golborne Road throughout the pandemic. The programme launched yesterday, the 19 April and will run on ten Sundays, feeding up to 2,000 residents. You can donate meal tokens at ​goldfingerfactory.com. SPANISH CHILDREN TO BE ALLOWED OUTSIDE AFTER SIX WEEKS OF LOCKDOWN Children in Spain who have been confined to their houses for six weeks are to be allowed outside following an emotive ‘free our children’ campaign in the media. Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau, a mother of two, started the campaign with a Facebook post which she signed off with “Wait no longer: free our children!”. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that children may be allowed to go outside for “a little fresh air” as of 27 April, in what he described as “a small relief”. Source: Independent Above: The Pig at Combe HOTEL DONATES 190 OVERNIGHT STAYS TO #TREATOURNHS The PIG Hotels group will mark its reopening (whenever that will be) by giving the first night across every hotel to members of NHS staff nearby. The scheme is part of the #treatournhs initiative set up by Sarah White to encourage holiday letting companies or travel companies to donate stays to frontline staff. EVERY MIND MATTERS With more and more people finding it hard to stay positive throughout the Covid-19 crisis, Public Health England and the NHS has launched a national mental health campaign fronted by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The couple have narrated a film in support of campaign to encourage people to look after their mental and physical wellbeing through the scheme. On the Every Mind Matters NHS website, people can take a tailored COVID19 Mind Plan which gives them support for specific mental wellbeing issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping. nhs.uk SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORTS HOMELESS SINGLE MUM IN NEED Social enterprise Beam.org is enabling members of the public to fund emergency care packages for homeless families throughout the pandemic. Stefany, a 24-year-old homeless single mum was able to raise more than £500 from strangers to allow her access to essential items for her newbown. Stefany said: “Three years ago I was working, looking after myself and enjoying London life! That was until I found myself in an abusive relationship and became isolated. I tried to run away many times only to find myself running back to my ex-partner as I did not know where to go for help. It was only when I fell pregnant that I knew I had to protect the future of my unborn son. The biggest challenge Coronavirus has created for me is getting the essentials for my baby, as a lot of charities who were previously supporting me are now closed. His nappies are a miracle to find now – the same goes for baby food. These items will help me so much as I can’t afford anything at the moment.” beam.org/coronavirus More Uplifting News This Way... Here's How You Can Help... YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus seven supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12. Subscribe to C&TH Copyright © 2020 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.    Our mailing address is:  Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom