We need good news more than ever at the moment, so here are the latest Good News newsletters from Country and Townhouse, plus an added bonus of how to make your own facemask at home:

GOOD NEWS
YOU NEED RIGHT NOW

BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE

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: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

BOOST FOR WILD FLOWERS

The halt in councils mowing verges and parks may result in a boost for wild flowers across the country, predicts plant charity Plantlife. The charity has found that mowing is among the first activities to be ahem, ‘cut’, under the current crisis. Plantlife has been urging councils to cut grass less oftern, or delay cutting until flowers have had the chance to seed, for years. Source: BBC

CHOOSE LOVE

If you’ve been worrying about how the Covid-19 crisis will affect some of the most vulnerable communities in the world, here’s how you can help. The Choose Love shop gives shoppers the chance to buy hygiene and healthcare items such as a basic washbag and medical supplies to support refugees at risk from the disease. choose.love

WILLIAM & KATE 'VISIT' SCHOOL

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continue their virtual duties with a video call to a school to speak to the children of key workers. William and Kate called pupils and teachers at Casterton Primary Academy, near Burnley General Hospital. “To you and everyone who is in during this time, it must be such a relief for all the parents who are key workers to know that their children have the normality and structure and they’ve got a safe place for them to be,” said Kate. “So really, really well done and for all of you, I know it’s not easy circumstances, but it’s fantastic.” Source: Independent

AMALFI HOTELS RAISING FUNDS

Four Amalfi Hotels are doing their bit to aid Covid-19 relief, aiming to raise €200,000. Le Sirenuse, Hotel Santa Caterina, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Palazzo Avino are offering redeemable €5000 vouchers with all money raised going to the Fondazione Melanoma. Each of the 40 e-vouchers on offer will also include a dinner hosted by Michelin-starred restaurant Don Alfonso 1890.

BAFTA-WINNING FILM-MAKER BECOMES HOSPITAL CLEANER

Syrian film-maker Hassan Akkad, who won a BAFTA for his 2016 documentary Exodus, has siged up to become a hospital cleaner. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Akkad said: “The nurses and the ward hosts and the cleaners and the porters are the spine of the hospital, and they are from everywhere, the Caribbean, Chad, the Philippines, Spain, Poland. I hope if this teaches us one thing, it teaches us to be kinder to one another despite where we come from. I hope this changes us for the best.” Source: Guardian

MANCHESTER HOTEL DONATES PROVISIONS

A well-stocked new hotel in Manchester is putting its supplies to good use despite facing a disappointing opening season. The Hotel Brooklyn Manchester opened as the most accessible hotel in Europe in mid-February and due to enforced closure had plenty of food and provisions available. These are now being donated to front line workers and those in need through Manchester Marketing.

Above: NASA/YouTube

SPACE STATION LAUNCH GOES AHEAD

Russian cosmonauts Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy launched on a mission to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan as expected this morning. “The health and welfare of the crew is always paramount,” said NASA’s Courtney Beasley. “All of our crew must stay in quarantine for two weeks before they launch. This ensures that they aren’t sick or incubating an illness when they get to the space station, and is called ‘health stabilisation.'” Source: CNN & nasa.gov/nasalive

STYLE FOR SURGEONS

Boutique bespoke shirtmaker Emma Willis has adapted her business to start producing scrubs for NHS workers in a project dubbed Style for Surgeons. Emma and her team are using her factory in Gloucester docks to produce scrubs using luxury Swiss cotton fabric. A £30 donation covers the cost of one pair of scrubs and you can donate here. emmawillis.com

I WOULD WALK 5 MILES JUST TO BE THE MAN...

…That delivered school lunches to your door. One Grimsby primary school teacher is going the extra mile (five of them, to be precise) to make sure disadvantaged children get a daily healthy school lunch during the lockdown. Zane Powles is delivering 78 packed lunches to children who qualify for free school meals, containing a sandwich, a packet of crisps, a biscuit and an apple. “It encourages parents to stay in their homes with their children, and keeps everyone safe,” he said. Source: Sky News

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GOOD NEWS
YOU NEED RIGHT NOW

BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE

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.

Above: Sincerely Media on Unsplash

NHS VOLUNTEER ARMY IS GO

The 750,000 people who signed up to join the NHS ‘volunteer army’ in response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis have started receiving tasks. Those that signed up are using the GoodSam app to flag when they are ‘on duty’ at times of availability and can pick which tasks they are able to complete, from delivering food and medicines to driving patients to appointments and phoning those in isolation. The volunteers will support 2.5 million at risk people across the UK. Source: BBC

FASHION FOR GOOD

More brands are stepping up to help those in need throughout the coronavirus crisis. The De Beers Group has launched an initiative to contribute $2,500,000 across Botswana and Namibia to aid the response to the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation has announced that they will be donating $1M to COVID-19 Relief, allocating $750,000 to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation and $250,000 to The New York Community Trust’s NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund. Other fashion brands doing good include MOSCOT, who are providing free eyewear to COVID-19 front line medical personnel throughout the crisis, and Mackintosh, who are producing NHS nurses uniforms ‘smock tops’ at their factory in Nelson, UK.

Above: Flaunter on Unsplash

EVERY DAY IS A RUNWAY

Struggling to keep your spirits up when you never get to leave your own home? How about putting on your glad rags and tuning your hallway into a runway? Alexander McQueen has launched McQueen Music, allowing followers to stream music taken from its iconic fashion shows across the years. (Just recreate the robot spray-painted dress scene with caution.) open.spotify.com

Above: Getty Images

FROM SAVING THE OCEANS TO SAVING LIVES

Last month, Dr Hilary Nash returned from Galapagos, where she partook in Leg 6 of eXXpedition, a two year all-female sailing mission to fight the plastic in the ocean. The Brighton-based locum GP has now joined the fight against Covid-19 on the frontlines, working in Intensive Care to save lives. All the best, Dr Hilary.

MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY PLAYS VIRTUAL BINGO WITH CARE HOME RESIDENTS

The coronavirus crisis is hitting care home residents particularly hard, with visitors having to stay away for the safety of residents. Enter actor Matthew McConaughey, who gave elderly residents in quarantine at a Texas care home a morale boost by playing a game of virtual bingo with them. Residents of The Enclave at Round Rock Senior Living had previously invited the actor in for bingo, and he used the opportunity to take them up on their offer, virtually. A Facebook post by the care home said: “During a time when we are all working to make lemonade out of lemons, we are so humbled that Matthew took the time to play our favourite game with us." Source: Evening Standard

Above: Valentin Jorel on Unsplash

WILDLIFE GARDENS OPEN FOR (ONLINE) BUSINESS

Great Yarmouth’s Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens has opened its doors for virtual visitors to give people a look at the daily life of its endangered animals. Visitors will be able to enjoy feeding time with the tigers, watch the gibbons at play and view the Red Pandas in real-time action via Facebook live streams and pre-recorded videos. facebook.com/thrigbyhall

DIGITAL SUPPORT FOR THE NHS

Inspired by the weekly Clap for Carers? A new website has been created that displays digital support for NHS staff and care workers across the UK who are helping to fight COVID-19. Visit www.thankyouNHS.online to add your thanks.

GRENADA SWITCHES SPIRITS FOR SANITSERS

Three Grenada distilleries have taken it upon themselves to divert production of spirits to produce hand sanitising solutions in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. Grenada Distillers Limited, Blue Light Gin and Westerhall Estate Grenada have each started production of hand sanitiser for local distribution to help keep residents safe.

FASHION PICK-ME-UP FOR NHS WORKERS

Kurt Geiger, who previously encouraged its employees to use their free time to volunteer, has pledged to give £5million worth of shoes and bags to NHS workers in the coming months. The accessories will serve as a thank you for their efforts in keeping the UK healthy and safe. More than 1,000 bags and pairs of shoes have already been given to NHS workers in the last week.

Above: Tobias Adam on Unsplash

ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS CONTINUE

With Zimbabwe currently on Covid-19 lockdown, the government has included wildlife security as an essential service. Wilderness Safaris’ Sustainability Fund has allocated urgent funds to ensure that Hwange’s Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit can continue to operate for the next eight months.

HORRIBLE HISTORY LESSONS

Struggling with homeschooling? Getting your history dates in a pickle? Radio 4 is here to help. The BBC station is launching a new history programme presented by the expert behind the Horrible Histories TV show, Greg Jenner. ‘Homeschool Hisory’ will provide 15-minute history lessons across topics including The Space Race, The Stone Age and Charles Dickens. “It’s difficult for everyone – for mums and dads and carers, for the kids themselves, so we’re trying to offer something short, fun, lively, educational, but also a nice distraction that the whole family can listen to together,” said Jenner. Source: iNews

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Copyright © 2020 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.

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Good News You Need Right Now

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.

FREE SAFE HAVEN FOR NHS WORKERS

London NHS workers looking for somewhere to stay to keep loved ones safe while they work on the frontline can now hole up in style at the St Pancras Hotel group’s Kings Cross hotels. Operations manager Christian Kaberg has taken the decision to offer The Gyle, The California and The Megaro as self-service apartments to NHS workers, with no pre-booking required and rooms available for as long as they are needed.

Above: GettyImages

PANDAS MATE UNDER LOCKDOWN

Many people face long battles to become parents, but for two pandas, a 10-year wait may be over. Ying Ying and Le Le, longtime residents of Ocean Park Zoo in Hong Kong, have finally succeeded in naturally mating, with the park currently closed to visitors. “The successful natural mating process today is extremely exciting for all of us, as the chance of pregnancy via natural mating is higher than by artificial insemination,” said Michael Boos, executive director for zoological operations and conservation. Source: CNN

"YOU CAN SURVIVE THS" SAYS COVID-19 PATIENT

A coronavirus patient has spoken out to let people know that they “can survive this” after spending almost a week in intensive care. Andrew Hodge, 54, who is a father of two, spent six days in an induced coma and is now recovering at home in Laleham. He said he wants people to know that being ventilated for Covid-19 complications isn’t a death sentence. “I don’t want to dilute the seriousness of it, but I want people to realise they can survive this,” he said. “There is so much negative communication about how many people have died, as opposed to how many have survived.” Source: Evening Standard

GIN CLEAN

Cornwall’s Tarquin’s Gin has swapped from producing spirits to hand sanitiser in the fight against coronavirus, creating a World Health Organisation recipe using their signature gin botanicals – juniper and orange. The hand sanitiser, which is designed to lift the spirits of those most in need, is being supplied for free to frontline workers across Cornwall.

Above: Ashan Avi on Unsplash

PINK SUPERMOON TONIGHT

If the sun has been raising your spirits over the last few days, how about a pink supermoon tonight? The biggest and brightest full moon of the year will rise over the skies this evening, so make the most of the chance to view 2020’s most impressive supermoon. Tonight and tomorrow, the moon will get as close as 221,772 miles to the Earth, making it appear bigger and brighter than ever. Known as the ‘pink moon’ due to its spring timing, the best time to see the spectacle will be moonrise tonight and moonset on Wednesday. So look out from 6pm tonight. Source: Independent

CHINA REPORTS NO NEW CORONAVIRUS DEATHS

China has reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since January. The country recorded 32 new cases but said all of these were imported from abroad. China has now recorded a total of 81,740 cases and 3,331 deaths, according to China’s National Health Commission. Source: CNN

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Good News You Need Right Now

GRAND NATIONAL VIRTUAL RACE RAISES £2.6 MILLION

Saturday’s special Virtual Grand National race raised more than £2.6 million for NHS Charities Together. The annual racing event was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, so this virtual race was scheduled in its place, with the computer-simulated event being ‘won’ by 18-1 contestant Potters Corner. Bookmakers donated profits from losing bets to the charity. Source: BBC

Above: GettyImages

SHAKESPEARE FOR FREE

Shakespeare’s Globe is screening Hamlet for free this evening on its YouTube channel. In addition, check out the Globe Player to rent or purchase productions or check out the free content. Upcoming free streams for your diary include Romeo & Juliet (Monday 20 April at 7pm, available until Sunday 3 May), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Monday 4 May 7pm until Sunday 17 May) and The Winter’s Tale (Monday 1 June 7pm until Sunday 14 June), among others.

TOM KERRIDGE ORGANISES FREE NHS MEALS

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge and a large group of Marlow volunteers have raised more than £100,000 in just 48 hours to fund free meals for NHS workers and vulnerable groups in local communities. “I know the people of Marlow are a very generous group, but I’m astonished by the speed and the kindness,” said Tom. “People realise that as well as looking after our own neighbours, we need to help the frontline in the big hospitals where NHS teams are doing astonishing work. Thank you, Marlow, I’m proud of you.” The project has committed to providing 600 meals a day for 6 weeks for NHS workers in nearby hospitals and needy people in Maidenhead, Marlow and surrounding villages, but will now try to expand to 1,000 meals a day for a longer period.

COMPLETING THE TOUR DE FRANCE FROM A ONE-BEDROOM FLAT

One man is staying fit and healthy during lockdown while also helping others, by cycling the distance of the Tour De France in his one-bedroom flat. Jacob Hill-Gowing is raising money for Big Issue vendors, who cannot sell the magazine due to the ongoing pandemic. Jacob is aiming to complete the 3,500km (2,200 miles) on his exercise bike before the lockdown period is over, with a target of raising £5000 for charity. You can donate here. Source: Independent

MIAMI FIREFIGHTER GETS VISIT AT HOSPITAL WINDOW

One Florida firefighter who is in hospital battling Covid-19, received an unexpected visit from his colleagues to brighten his day. His team at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 36 drove to the hospital in their fire truck and raised their ladder to his fourth floor hospital window to display Get Well Soon cards and a ‘Your New Firehouse’ sign. “This is love. This is the only kind of love you can get from the brother and sisterhood at the firehouse. There’s just no other way to explain how this makes me feel,” he said. Source: CNN

DUKE & DEXTER: SHOES CAN WAIT

Shoe brand Duke & Dexter has retrained its craftspeople in the UK to make masks instead of shoes, pledging to donate 5,000 masks a week to the NHS, hospices, care homes and front-line staff. Their ‘Shoes Can Wait’ Facebook statement read: “For the first time, we’re all fighting the same thing together, so whether you’re washing your hands, staying home or looking after those most at risk, we all have a part to play”. Source: Facebook

JAGUAR LAND ROVER MANUFACTURING PROTECTIVE VISORS FOR NHS

Jaguar Land Rover has started production of protective visors for NHS workers at its Gaydon prototype build facility. Home to one of Europe’s most advanced 3D printing facilities, the team will initially print 1,300 NHS-approved protective masks for key workers every week, with the aim to partner with other facilities to increase these numbers. Source: Auto Express

HOSPITALITY FOR HEROES

Not-for-profit initiative Hospitality for Heroes has been launched by the hospitality industry using independent chefs to create healthy restaurant-quality dishes for NHS frontline staff. The project was founded by OtherClub’s Oli Coles and spearheaded by Social Pantry’s Alex Head and Carousel’s Ollie Templeton, and has already raised £10,000 through videos that have amassed 80,000 views. The recipes being created are being prepared at Social Pantry and Carousel and delivered by MealHub. hospitalityforheroes.com

EASTER EGGS FOR NHS

Television Centre and White City Place developers Stanhope, Mitsui Fudosan and Aimco are rolling out charity initiatives to support those at the front-line of the fight against Covid-19. For starters, over 1000 Easter eggs are being gifted to NHS staff at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust hospitals, Hammersmith and Charing Cross. Meanwhile, both the WestWorks building in White City Place and the iconic façade of Television Centre will be bathed in a bright blue light, from dusk until dawn for the foreseeable future to pay tribute to the emergency services.

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Good News You Need Right Now

THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE WEEK? BIN NIGHT

Missing the chance to get dressed up and let your hair down? Australians aren’t letting lockdown spoil the party and have found a way to bring some extra fun into their week for one of the only legitimate reasons to leave your house. Aussies across the country are getting dressed up to put their bins out, streaming their efforts on social media. From dinosaurs to black tie attire, bin night is the new Friday. Source: BBC

Above: Andy Warhol, Marilyn Diptych

TOUR THE TATE MODERN'S WARHOL EXHIBITION

Missed the opportunity to tour the Tate Modern’s headline Andy Warhol exhibition before the gallery was forced to close? Fear not. Tate has announced the release of two new films giving access to the gallery’s latest exhibitions from the comfort and safety of home. A free online tour of Andy Warhol at Tate Modern launches on 6 April with a curator-led video tour with Gregor Muir, Director of Tate’s Collection of International Art, and Fiontán Moran, Assistant Curator. tate.org.uk

SECOND CLAP FOR CARERS TRIBUTE

Last night saw the second ‘Clap for Carers’ tribute across the UK, with people taking to their doorsteps, balconies and windows to show support for those working on the front line through the Covid-19 crisis. People beat pots and pans with wooden spoons for extra noise and the editor writing this took the opportunity to hand a large piece of chocolate cake (wrapped after washing hands at least a dozen times) to an elderly neighbour who came out to show solidarity from isolation. Source: BBC

GAIL'S, RAPLH LAUREN AND THE CONDUIT CLUB FEED THE NHS

GAIL’s bakery has produced almost 2,000 meals and baked over 2,000 loaves of bread which have already been delivered to frontline NHS health workers and is continuing efforts alongside coordination from The Conduit club to deliver end-of-day meals to NHS workers. Ralph Lauren is a long term partner of The Conduit and has donated funds to support the cause. Globally, Ralph Lauren has donated $10million to Covid-19 relief.

Above: Christian Wagner on Unsplash

HARRY POTTER AT HOME HUB

JK Rowling is doing her bit to keep the nation entertained with a brand new resource for fans called Harry Potter at Home. The hub gives teachers an open license to read all seven books aloud for their classes on virtual lessons, and makes the first Potter audiobook free for all. The site also has crosswords, puzzles, word searches, guides, quizzes and videos. Source: Good Housekeeping

CHEFS IN SCHOOLS

Charity Chefs in Schools, that works to improve the health of children through better food and food education in schools, is bringing together volunteers, schools and chefs to support vulnerable children through the coronavirus crisis. Chefs involved, including co-founder Nicole Pisani (ex NOPI / Ottolenghi) are making hot and healthy meals to be distributed to children who need them through their ‘Lunch Box Scheme’. indigoeight.com

ROYAL ACADEMY FROM HOME

The Royal Academy of Arts might be closed for the foreseeable, but it has announced that it will continue to share video tours, interviews and exhibition highlights to encourage the nation to keep creativity alive from home. royalacademy.org.uk

PRIVATE JETS PROVIDE SUPPORT

The travel industry might be on hiatus right now, but jets are still very much involved in the fight against Covid-19. From medical evacuation and air ambulances to the repatriation of British and foreign nationals across the globe, on-demand air charter service Victor is supporting individuals, families and government officials all over the world to reach home or medical assistance safely and rapidly, where the airlines cannot.

WEE GRANNY SPEAKS FOR THE NATION

“I hope you’re all keeping well and doing what you’re told. Keep to the rules and yous’ll all be fine. It’ll all pass.” Twitter user @islaanee1 shared a video of her 93-year-old Granny and we just couldn’t have put it better ourselves. View at twitter.com

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