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GOOD NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW​​​​​​​ BY COUNTRY & TOWN HOUSE

We all need a little positivity, so we’re bringing you the best news stories from around the web. 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. Our daily good news roundup has moved to a new weekly roundup of positive stories from around the world, landing in your inbox on a Monday morning to start your week off right.

'THANK YOU' FLAGS & MESSAGES OF HOPE EMERGE ACROSS LONDON Over 200 ‘Thank You’ flags have been exhibited across the West End in celebration of the NHS’ 72nd Anniversary. The commemorative display also pays tribute to those NHS workers and #OurHeroes who have valiantly dedicated their efforts to helping those most vulnerable amidst the pandemic – you’ll find them displayed across Regent Street, Regent Street St James’s, Oxford Street and Bond Street. What’s more, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland have also unveiled a series of flags comprising messages of hope and thanks across Mayfair & Belgravia, created by award-winning designer Alex Fowkes and artist Adam Nathanial Furman.

SOHO IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Following a campaign that received support from more than 6500 people, Soho is officially back in business. From 5pm each evening, 17 Soho streets will be pedestrianised allowing for area wide alfresco dining this summer and giving the area’s hospitality businesses a chance to get back on their feet. Many of the area's restaurants and bars will be opening with weekend-long offers and free drinks on offer, while many businesses will honour the efforts of the NHS by offering summer-long discounts to staff. Street closures will be in effect from 5pm to 11pm. Find out more at saveoursoho.co.uk

"MIRACLE MAL" MAKES FULL RECOVERY You might have heard Sue Martin’s interview with the BBC back in April, where she spoke about her husband Mal’s battle with Covid-19. His outlook was bleak, his survival chances next to nothing, the family were granted permission to go to Mal’s bedside to say their goodbyes. But against all odds, Mal is due back to his family home this week. Sue received thousands of messages of support from around the country. She told the BBC: “We are so, so sad for the families who did lose their loved ones to Covid, we send them lots of love and our deepest sympathies. But throughout this ordeal support has also come from another, totally unexpected source. So what I’d really like to say is thank you to the thousands of people, complete strangers not only from the UK, but Australia, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand, around the world, who wrote to me, messaged me, left comments on social media, and others who held us in their thoughts for a moment. I can’t describe what a comfort and help that was.” Source: BBC

Photo: The PIG-at Bridge Place NHS STAFF CELEBRATE HOTELS OPENING NIGHT The Pig Hotels marked their reopening this weekend by hosting members of the NHS and care workers that live or work within a 25-mile radius of each hotel. Part of the #treatournhs initiative set up by founder Sarah White, there were 5,500 nominations on The Pig website. Robin Hutson, Chairman of The Pig Hotels said: “I think it’s true for most people in this country that in the past we have perhaps taken our NHS and Care workers for granted. Not so now! At this time when we really need them, the whole country is showing their deep appreciation and respect in many ways for how they put their lives on the line every day to keep us all safe.” For guests wanting to stay at The Pigs after they re-open visit thepighotel.com

5-YEAR-OLD AMPUTEE TONY HUDGELL RAISES £1 MILLION Tony Hudgell, five, has raised more than £1million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital by walking 10km with two prosthetic legs. He initially hoped to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life, and was inspired by his hero Captain Tom Moore who has since sent him a message of congratulations. Tony hugged adoptive parents Paula and Mark Hudgell at the finish line in his home town of West Malling in Kent. Paula said: “It is incredible to think that just a few weeks ago Tony could barely take a few steps. He is such a strong and determined boy and we are so proud. We’d like to thank everyone who has been so generous in supporting Tony’s fundraising and we couldn’t be happier that the money is going to a place that is so special to our family. I still can’t get my head around it to be honest, it still doesn’t seem real. I’m just so incredibly proud of him and everything he’s done has just been amazing.” justgiving.com Source: Evening Standard

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Where does super chef Simon Rogan go to drink his favourite tipple, and why you should have ex Nicky Clarke hairdresser, Anthony Forde’s number on speed dial

FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK Take a road trip to Goodwood, where Secret Cinema is launching its new drive-in cinema – set to be a new trend for summer 2020. In typical Secret Cinema style you’ll be sent tips on costume inspiration and car makeovers beforehand, with diner-style food, film-inspired tunes and interactive games all on the cards. Book your spot on the most exclusive summer holiday of 2020. Two weeks in the Maldives is sounding pretty appealing right about now, isn’t it? Join a one-off all business-class privately chartered 100-seater jet to exclusive villa accommodation on Malaidhoo Island Maldives or The Nautilus Maldives. Limited to 100 guests travelling 16-31 August, prices start at £45,000 based on two guests sharing a villa. Book through Abercrombie & Kent. Missing dining out, but not ready to return to busy restaurants? Book an experience with new concept APT, which sees top chefs cooking for private groups in an apartment at Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel. The roster of chefs includes Skye Gyngell (Spring), Jackson Boxer (Orasay) and Ravinder Bhogal (Jikoni). Now that staycations are allowed, check into Hampshire hotel Chewton Glen, which launches its new Veuve Clicquot Picnic Bike Ride this weekend. You’ll set off on an adventure around the New Forest and Dorset coastline, equipped with a freshly prepared picnic, blanket and some bubbly. £95 per couple, valid from 4 July-20 September. Reminisce on balmy evenings in Europe at The Berkeley’s new secret garden restaurant, a Mediterranean-inspired retreat in Belgravia lit with lanterns and lined with olive trees. We’ve rounded up some more great culinary spots opening this weekend here.

MY WEEK IN FOOD BY SIMON ROGAN Each week we ask a special guest to share a handful of top picks from their field. This week it’s Simon Rogan of the Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cartmel with his favourite food spots – both in London and in the Lake District.  In London, The Monocle Café in Marylebone does a superb almond croissant, or for later in the day – a G&T, which is my ultimate favourite tipple. And there’s no Wi-Fi, which is ideal when I’m after a quiet hour or two before or after a busy service. In Cartmel, The Mason’s Arms ticks all the boxes for me – I’ll often visit here with my wife Penny and we’ll sit down at lunchtime and stay for several hours. Another favourite is Higginsons of Grange in Grange-over-Sands: it does the best breakfast bap which I will often pick up on my way to work. It’s run by a husband and wife team and they sell homemade sausages, pies, venison, pork and beef – all from the Lakes.

WHAT’S COOKING? Simon Rogan’s butter-poached brill and asparagus with watercress sauce. A fresh, seasonal summer recipe made with brill, which is at its best quality between June and August. INGREDIENTS Butter-poached brill 500g unsalted butter 4 portions of brill, about 80g each Griddled asparagus 20 spears of green asparagus Rapeseed oil A pinch of salt Watercress cream sauce 50ml double cream 100ml white chicken stock 150g watercress with stalks A pinch of salt Baby watercress and cornflowers, to serve (optional) METHOD Place a large, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the butter and cook until it foams. Once foaming, reduce the heat and let the butter cook for another 10–15 minutes until it reaches a very dark brown colour and has a nutty aroma. It will be extremely hot. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool. When cool, strain through a muslin-lined sieve and discard the milk solids. Leave to one side. To make the sauce, put the cream and stock in a small, heavy-based saucepan over a low heat and reduce by half. Transfer to a blender with the watercress and blend until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve and season. Click here for the full recipe…

This week Online Editor Rebecca Cox is watching new BBC3 Comedy Pilot Behind The Filter starring Phoebe Walsh. “If you’ve been thinking that just about everyone has a podcast nowadays, Behind The Filter is a timely reminder of why they shouldn’t. ‘Phoebe (Bridge) and I met a few years ago and quickly realised we were obsessed with the same corners of the internet (very cool girls with small sunglasses) and also disgusted by what the internet does to us. We found a lot of online white feminism quite nauseating and self-serving so wanted to poke fun at that culture,’ co-creator Harriet Gibsone told us. Starring co-writer Phoebe Bridge with guest appearances from Sex Education’s Patricia Allison and Edward Bluemel, tune in for 14 brilliant, uncomfortable minutes in the life of a wannabe influencer. (And if you were thinking of launching a lockdown podcast, step away from the mic.)”

PS: YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT Longing to get your roots sorted out? Jet off on a yoga retreat? Get a new job? Here Caroline Phillips investigates the post-lockdown services to know now.

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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

We all need a little positivity, so we’re bringing you the best news stories from around the web. 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.

Above: Daunt Books by Alexandra Kirr on Unsplash UK BOOKSHOPS SEE SALES SOAR Almost four million books were sold in the first week back trading in reopened bookshops in England. Reni Eddo-Lodge’s anti-racism book is still topping the charts, with total sales up 30% on the same week in the UK last year, despite the fact that shops in Wales and Scotland are still closed. “It’s so lovely to see all of our customers as we’ve really missed them, but we’ve also had the chance to meet a lot of customers who used us for the first time during lockdown and have come back to us again now that the shop is open,” said James Ashmore at independent bookshop Read, in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Source: The Guardian

13 SPANISH NEIGHBOURS CROCHET 50 METRE LGBQT+ FLAG Carmen Romero and other residents of Aguilar de la Frontera in Spain spent the early days of lockdown sewing masks to aid coronavirus efforts. But when masks were no longer needed they moved on to another project. Carmen and 12 neighbours decided to team up and create a huge rainbow crochet project in celebration of Pride month. The 50 metre rainbow banner covers and shades an entire street of the municipality. “It gave me a lot of emotion to see the awning put on this Monday, it has been my biggest entertainment of the quarantine”, said Verne Romero, 59. Source: Verne

Above: The Bath Priory, Bath HOLIDAY SEASON IS BACK ON It’s official! From the 4 July we will be allowed to holiday in England, with a host of hotels, rentals and campsites opening up again. But where will you go first? To help you choose we’ve rounded up some of our favourite hotels’ reopening plans and found some cute seaside rental options to get you started. We’re all going on a summer holiday (and staycations are in for 2020).

BARCELONA'S OPERA FOR PLANTS Barcelona’s Liceu opera is open for the first time since mid-March, but there is one major difference. The first post-Covid performance at the Gran Teatre del Liceu was to an audience of 2,292 plants. The audience of flora (probably) enjoyed being serenaded with Giacomo Puccini’s “Crisantemi", with a human audience following along on the livestream. A statement from the Liceu said: “After a strange, painful period, the creator, the Liceu’s artistic director and the curator Blanca de la Torre offer us a different perspective for our return to activity, a perspective that brings us closer to something as essential as our relationship with nature.” The plants will be donated to 2,292 health care professionals at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. Source: NPR

5 FRIENDS RUN NHS MARATHON A group of five friends spelled out the letters ‘NHS’ with their marathon running route and raised almost £15,000 for NHS Charities Together. Tom Fender, Susie Pajares, Steven Penketh, David Robbins and Ben Grew, a chef and four company directors, came together to run the marathon route to do their bit to support the coronavirus efforts. Tom said: “The reason for running the NHS is obvious. Members of my and Susie’s families were struck with Covid-19 in late March. I also have family members who are working on the front line at the Royal Brompton Hospital. The freedom to run every day has become a valued privilege – a moment of escape and exhilaration. Running past our local hospital, we know many others are working hard to save the simple things in life.” virginmoneygiving.com

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Copyright © 2019 Country & Town House, All rights reserved.  You are receiving this email because you entered one of our competitions. Our mailing address is:  Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list