2020 was a different kind of year. Here are some of the photos our expert cameraman, Elliott Howe, took across the 12 months. Follow him on Instagram @elliott.c.howe and us @gbzinsight.
There used to be a time when we would ‘save it for best’, meaning that the set of bone china you were gifted or the bottle of vintage port that you bought for an anniversary would be put away until it was deemed to be an appropriate occasion to bring it out to use or drink.
What happened, of course, was that the dinner service was never used and the bottle was never drunk because it was never the right time and before long it was too late to enjoy. We wait and wait until we assume the opportunity to do something has arrived, but as we all know, the longer you wait the less likely it is that the time will be right and then we have regrets.
Do we ever learn our lesson? The same principle can apply to anything in our lives… our careers, our hobbies, our passions. Why wait?
You may be in a job that you are good at, but do you love it? As the saying goes: “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Think about what you really enjoyed doing long before you had to worry about exams or getting onto the career ladder. Get back in touch with those instincts and consider pursuing a new vocation. Take a course at night school, look at an online learning prospectus, or go to pottery classes. It’s never too late.
The same adage can be prescribed to your relationships. Don’t wait to tell someone that you care or love them before it is too late. Tomorrow is never guaranteed and isn’t it nicer to tell someone in person what your feelings are rather than when they are gone. Celebrate life and those who matter to you every day.
We don’t know what’s around the corner and there are many unexpected things that can unfortunately get thrown our way during our lives. Wouldn’t you rather use a special item now than find it past its best at the back of a cupboard, or lost or damaged, before you were able to get some joy from it?
How many of us don’t invite friends over because we haven’t had time to clean the house or are ashamed of the old faded sofas? The truth is that they will just be happy to spend time with you and aren’t worried about the state of your home. Something as simple as sharing a good cup of tea or a glass of wine with friends can be extra special.
Travel is another area which many of us put off from doing, thinking that there will come a better time to follow our wanderlust. Another inspirational quote sums this up completely: “The only trip you will regret is the one you don’t take.” Make plans to go to those special places now because life can go by in the blink of an eye, leaving many dreams and plans unfulfilled. Also realise that if there is a particular place that you have always dreamed of visiting, it may no longer be as easy to do so when you are older, because in a world of political unrest it may not be a place that is open to travellers in the future.
Are you worried about wearing that silk shirt in case you get it dirty? Little girls don’t need an excuse to dress up in their tiaras and sparkly dresses, and neither should we. If you wait too long for the right occasion to come along, you could be waiting a long time. Why not bring out that sequined dress, put on those long dangly earrings and strut your stuff, even if it is just for a night out with the girls.
So get out those good plates, drink the Champagne you were given on your birthday, use the crystal wine glasses and even when you don’t have guests, put out the guest towels and use that expensive perfume. Embrace the good things in life, break out of the ordinary and make everyday a special day.
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” – Omar Khayyam
Although we don’t know what to expect from 2021 and many of us have put our travel plans on hold, it’s important to be optimistic and look forward to a time when we can travel once again.
Of course, the way we travel may also be very different. Socially distant travel will definitely be something that we have to take into consideration, as will travelling responsibly and sustainably. We will be embracing more eco-friendly, carbon-neutral methods of travel and will be sourcing destinations that take responsibility for their impact on the environment.
Travelling by road will be a top trend with ‘super-charged’ road trips becoming popular, and there has already been a rise in sales or rentals of Glampervans, luxury motorhomes, with bookings at camp sites sky high as people look for ways to continue to enjoy holidays without flying abroad.
For those of us who can’t wait until we can get out and explore the world, here are some top suggestions that you can add to your wish list that we hope will whet your appetite and inspire you to travel in the future.
Only a flight away, the UK offers some stunning cities and beautifully scenic rural areas to explore. Social distancing is possible if you book a country cottage rather than a hotel, or even consider ‘glamping’. Explore the picture postcard towns full of history and charm in areas such as the Cotswolds or Sussex.
The Peak District, at the southern end of the Pennines, is always a popular destination full of wide open spaces that makes it popular with walkers and for hardy hikers the views are worth the climb up some of the highest mountain peaks that tower over the rugged landscape. The area also includes some of Britain’s most impressive stately homes including Chatsworth House.
Ireland is a must-visit destination for 2021. If you haven’t been before there’s a wealth of magical places to see. For a relatively small country, there is plenty do, from sightseeing in Dublin, to visiting the Voya Seaweed Baths in Sligo to the unmissable landmark and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway in Antrim.
The Burren EcoTourism Network in County Clare has been named one of the best places to travel to next year by Lonely Planet where it was described as the best in ‘regenerative travel’. One of six national parks in Ireland, The Burren is an area of glaciated limestone which looks like a moonscape and is completely dissimilar to the landscape in the rest of Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher situated along the Atlantic Way, are Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction, and alongside Burren are part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with outstanding geology
Separated from us by the Strait of Gibraltar, much of the African continent relies on tourism and the coronavirus pandemic saw this sector hit particularly hard.
Kenya is an incredible destination where you can enjoy spectacular wildlife amid breath-taking scenery and definitely one to consider if you have always wanted to tick a safari off your bucket list. Have you heard about Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, a unique boutique hotel famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild giraffes who often pop their heads in through the restaurant windows to join you for breakfast or afternoon tea?
If you have a yearning to follow in Joanna Lumley’s footsteps after watching the television series that featured her travelling around Japan, 2021 may be the just the right time to do so. Japan is reportedly thinking about reopening to international tourists in the spring ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games that were postponed from 2020. Whether you want to go to the Olympics or not, there are some good deals and great savings to be had as the country tries to revive the tourism industry. The best time to visit Japan is from March to May during the late spring and also in the autumn months from September to November.
South Africa has been listed as one of the best places to go next year by Forbes and also came eighth in the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards for the Top 20 countries in the world. Not only does it have some of the best wildlife reserves in Africa but it also has endless miles of coastline, perfect for joining in the whale watching season which runs from June until November.
New Zealand, famously known as the setting for the Lord of the Rings fantasy trilogy, is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world and no wonder, with its majestic beauty and unspoiled natural wonders. The North Island is home to the country’s largest city, Auckland, surrounded by bays and islands, it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’. At its southern tips is the harbour side capital Wellington, home to government.
If you want to experience the best of the South Island’s striking natural landscape, consider taking a ride on the TranzAlpine, a train with large reclining seats and huge panoramic windows that goes between Christchurch and Greymouth in just under 5 hours.
Most of us were unable to travel overseas last year due to travel restrictions constantly changing, meaning that we had to cancel or defer holidays Let’s hope that 2021 will be a brighter year for all of us and we will be able to get back to travelling again. Just a reminder that it is more than likely that some travel restrictions will remain, so keep an eye on what is going on and if in doubt get in touch with a reputable travel agent for assistance.
The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has announced a new series of BEAT COVID measures to support local businesses and to help ease the financial burden caused by the pandemic over the coming months. The new measures came into effect on 1st December and will continue until 31st March 2021. In an address to Parliament, the Chief Minister said that these were designed “to protect jobs and our economy as best we can.”
“These measures are timed to assist business through what we hope will be the last period of serious disruption as we turn a new leaf and emerge from the pandemic-induced slump.”
The new scheme, BEAT 4.0 will enhance BEAT 2.0 and BEAT 3.0 and will continue to be paid as a grant which will but it will be increased from 20% to 30%.
The Chief Minister stated that the Gibraltar Government recognises that the longer the pandemic goes on, the harder that trading has become for businesses. The total amount that a business receives will be based on the amount calculated from the first BEAT payments during the first lockdown.
Businesses which were able to participate in previous BEAT schemes will have already received emails to enable them to confirm their participation in BEAT 4.0 and they had until midnight on Friday 18th December to confirm their participation. The first round of BEAT 4.0 payments will have been made to businesses in the week commencing 21st December.
Apart from the December payment, all remaining payments will be made at the end of each relevant calendar month as with previous BEAT payments. The Chief Minister also announced that the employee termination threshold will be increased from 30% to 50% for wholesale, retail, hotel, bar and restaurant sectors. These sectors will also benefit from a rates waiver between 1st January and the 31st March, while the rates discount of 25% will continue to apply to all businesses. The additional rates discount and waiver does not apply to supermarkets and pharmacies. The commercial rent discount scheme and the moratorium period for insolvencies have also been extended.
The Chief Minister (CM) added that Gibraltar is going through times of uncertainty and stated that “Christmas hospitality will not be so strong in the industry this year,” adding that there will be fewer tourists coming to eat or shop and that retailers will most likely be less active, despite the local captive audience.
“The long-term, economic consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic are highly uncertain to our community.”
Despite ‘severe pressure’ on the economy, the CM hoped that the ‘mass vaccination’ campaign could help kick-start the fight. “It is by keeping our economy on this life-support system that we can avoid a longer term increase in our welfare spending. We will continue to work together to support our business community in a prudent and responsible manner.”
The CM concluded by saying that: “We have many challenges to navigate, each with their own difficult consequences and we will measure our response appropriately. Together I am confident that we will all see better times to come.”
Divorce is an incredibly painful and sad event for any couple. Many find it challenging, often impossible to part in an amicable way that is kind to each other and less traumatic for any children involved.
Bhavna Radia lives in Hertfordshire. Bhavna has three children with her ex husband. Their children are now 10, 15, and 19 years.
The end of the marriage was a decision I reached after lots of thought.I believed that we were not compatible anymore although my ex husband felt that we could make things work.
As you can imagine, we were both quite emotional to start off with. It wasn’t an easy decision for me. We had been married for 15 years and had three very young children (ages 9, 6 and 18 months at that time). There is also a massive stigma in the Asian community around divorce which puts pressure on you to continue in your marriage even if it isn’t working. I knew that my family, friends and society would frown on divorce.
Despite all this, when I made it clear to my ex husband that the divorce would be happening we spent hours talking through everything and he understood that this was something I needed to do.
We didn’t rush into starting any formal divorce proceedings. Instead we allowed our emotions to settle over quite a period of time. We made a short term plan so that living arrangements were agreed. We agreed what we would do around finances over the next few months.
This gave us time to go through some of the stages of grief before dealing with anything else. At this point, I really worked on my emotions and mindset through NLP therapy and counselling. This help me work through pain and devastation that I was experiencing with the relationship coming to an end. I felt that my dreams, hopes and future plans had all been taken away.
At this point my children were 9 years, 6 years and 18 months.I had given up my work as a family solicitor so that I could look after the family while my ex-husband progressed in his career. Because of this I had a fear of the future and how I would manage financially.
We agreed we did not want the stress and cost of court proceedings or to use solicitors, as we feared this would add hostility. My legal experience meant that I understood the process.
After unsuccessfully using a mediator we kept working through the practical steps. Plans for contact as well as the financial settlement, always placing the children as our primary focus.
Whilst we agreed the basic arrangements for my ex husband’s contact with the children, I left it open for both him and the children to spend more time together and that parenting could not always be squeezed into a schedule.
We have enjoyed days out and travelled abroad together as a family since we have separated. We celebrate the children’s birthdays together. We visited Corfu and made sure we each had some time alone with the children and some time away from everyone. In Rome we celebrated my eldest daughter’s 16th birthday. It was a surprise trip for the children.
My eldest daughter struggled the most being nearly 10 years old and she did need help from a professional. My 7 year old daughter would voice that she loved both mum and dad. As long as they both loved her she was fine. We both hoped that if we could stay amicable then the children would be minimally affected.
As a a single mum of three very young children, I really struggled with how I would cope on my own. I was really fearful of the future and how I would manage financially. I wasn’t working and the children were so young.
Divorce is emotionally traumatic. The legal process makes everything harder. Nothing was offered to couples who didn’t want separate solicitors but wanted comprehensive divorce guidance. Mediation did not fully engage a couple because the sessions are so far apart in time and the mediator does not fully support throughout.
After fully understanding how difficult divorce is emotionally and financially, this is why as a former solicitor and mediator I wanted to find a better way to help couples.
Through my legal and personal experience it was important to me that I offer people a different, more amicable way to divorce. I now offer services to couples so they can achieve divorce with kindness.
With my guidance, couples can work together and cooperate to deal with everything from the legal divorce, plans for the children, agreements about assets and finances, through to the practical aspects of the separation. I include different therapy sessions so couples arrive with a better mindset. I also arrange sessions with a financial adviser to empower them before discussion.
Whilst the divorce process was so difficult it allowed me to work on my mindset, what I wanted for my life and I was determined to come out of it in a positive way. I think there are a myriad of reasons that led to us being able to have an amicable divorce.
Right at the beginning we gave ourselves quite a few months to settle in the emotions of the separation prior to trying to reach any agreements. We spent time talking through our relationship and accepting each other’s thoughts and behaviours. This was only possible because I had worked on my mindset and getting different help with my emotions such as NLP and counselling.
We agreed to reach agreements ourselves with the needs of the children as our primary focus so we minimised adding hostility. It wasn’t easy and there was still huge amounts of pain and emotions through our discussions. My family law background definitely helped.
I allowed the children to see their dad as much as possible.I believe that whatever happened in our relationship, it should not have any bearing on their relationship, as long as they were safe and happy.
I hope we can continue to navigate our way through this journey. As separated parents hoping to do the best by our children. Some day we will be watching our children graduate, get married and have children of their own. My hope is that we can both be present in the children’s lives.
My links:
Free ebook “The Definitive Guide to an Amicable Divorce” Download here or visiting our website or this link:
https://www.divorceright.co.uk/how-to-have-an-amicable-divorce
Website: www.divorceright.co.uk
2020 has been a very odd year. In fact, the energy of 2020 has been completely unprecedented in living history. The global upheaval has had far reaching consequences so far and they will continue well into the future. Indeed, things will never go back to normal as we knew it or as we perceived ‘normal’ to be.
While this is devastating in many ways and many people have suffered terribly during this period, I believe that, for our sanity alone, it is essential to put events of this last year into a new framework.
Mother nature, like most mothers, has a range of amazing guidelines to keep her family in order. Mothers teach respect and good manners, they teach their offspring to be kind, caring and considerate, to not take advantage and to not be greedy. To understand that life moves in circles, each year has its seasons and the moon and the tides wax and wane on a balanced basis.
When these guidelines are not followed, when the balance is tipped too far, when people forget or are misled and become selfish and greedy there are consequences ……
It seems that however we perceive the phenomenon of Mother Nature, this balance has been severely tipped in 2020. Many have seen it coming for a long time but did any of us truly grasp the severity that those consequences would wreak upon the world … upon mankind.
And so to move forward. We cannot go back – would we want to? Even if we did want to move back, we can only go forward. But in what way and in what frame of mind?
It seems clear that there has been huge takeover bid by the darkness in the world to block the light. Many, many people, led by lightworkers and healers, have acknowledged their Invisible Power, acknowledged their Inner Light and are growing confident in sharing their Light, Love and Joy with everyone they come into contact with. And beyond. One of the amazing things that has come through this great crisis has been the rising awareness across the globe that we are indeed spiritual beings having a physical experience.
Many people, myself being one of them, believe that this upheaval has been Mother Earth saying enough is enough! That the planetary energies are now ascending from a 3D to a 5D frequency. What does this mean? Well, the 3D or Third Dimension is focussed on the ego. On self – serving and fear – based actions. On lack of compassion, on judgement and conditional love, not trusting, insecurity. 5D or Fifth Dimension focusses on no ego, on serving others, on gratitude, fearlessness and unconditional love. At the moment the world is caught in the transitional phase of 4D or Fourth Dimensional energy, Many know that 3D no longer has a place but are not yet fully confident enough to release themselves into 5D energy. And so there is a lot of unrest and confusion, misinformation and misguidance.
So, while remaining aware of the physical and material things going on around us it is essential that we understand and develop our awareness of the spiritual nature of these happenings. Fear is trying to hold us in the materialism of 3D but Mother Earth is taking us forward. The transition cannot be held back any more than the moon can be held back or the tide caused to cease ebbing and flowing. Humans cannot stop the flowers from growing in springtime or the buds sprouting on the trees. Or the cyclical nature of the seasons.
Therefore, it is in the best interests of all if we embrace these changes without fear. When we can understand what is really happening then we can aid in the rebirth process just as the midwife helps the new baby into the world. Birthing is a messy process with fear and uncertainty and often a lot of pain ….. but when the mother breathes correctly and flows with the surges as the baby makes its way down the birth canal then so the birth is supported, baby delivered with ease and new life emerges.
And so it is with all of us in 2020. We are in a period of rebirth, of transition and we must ease it in with Light, Love and Joy. When you look back at 2020 and you take stock of what has affected you, what has changed, what you have lost …. Think then on what has worked for your good. What have you learned over these last months, what has made you stronger, what opportunities have presented themselves that you can move forward with into the next year knowing that you can and will impact those around you in a positive way creating a glorious future?
Go into your heart centre and feel the love inside. Breathe in more of that love and allow it to spread and then send it out from your heart to the hearts of others … to the Universal heart and hep the planet to heal. Do not underestimate the power within you, your Invisible Power. Remember that we are all unique and yet we are all dots of glorious light on the one body of consciousness and together we are an indomitable force. You are Rare, you are One of a kind, you can Never be remodelled or repeated, you are an Angel of the universe.
You are a magnet for Love, Light and Joy and YOU ARE ENOUGH.
Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH Spiritual coach, teacher and healer. katemch@gmail.com / Tel: +44 7712889534. Facebook: The University of Light Group / Readings at The University of Light (@tarotangelspiritreadings).
About two in the afternoon, the enemy’s van gave way to ours, and the battle ended with the day, when the enemy went away, by the help of their gallies, to the leeward. In the night, the wind shifted to the northward, and in the morning to the westward, which gave the enemy the wind of us.
We lay by all day, within three leagues one of another, repairing our defects; and at night they filled and stood to the northward. On the 15th in the morning, the enemy was got four or five leagues to the westward of us; but a little before noon we had a breeze of wind easterly, with which we bore down on them till four o’clock in the afternoon; it being too late to engage, we brought to, and lay by with our heads to the northward all night. On the 16th in the morning, the wind being still easterly, hazy weather, and having no sight of the enemy or their scouts, we turned and bore away to the westward, supposing they would have gone away for Cadiz; but being advised from Gibraltar, and the coast of Barbary, that they did not pass the Straits, we concluded they had been so severely treated, as to oblige them to return to Toulon. The admiral says, we must do the officers the justice to say, that every man in the line did his duty, without giving the least umbrage for censure or reflection; and that he never observed the true English spirit so apparent and prevalent in our seamen as on this occasion. This battle is so much the more glorious to her Majesty’s arms, because the enemy had a superiority of six hundred great guns, and likewise the advantage of cleaner ships, being lately come out of port, not to mention the great use of their gallies, in towing on or off their great ships, and in supplying them with fresh men, as often as they had any killed or disabled. But all these disadvantages were surmounted by the bravery and good conduct of our officers, and the undaunted courage of our seamen.
Although on the return of Sir George to England, he was graciously received by the Queen and the Lord High Admiral; and although the victory was completely destructive of the French power by sea, it could not impress on the minds of the Whig party a sufficiently due sense of it to induce them even to mention it in their addresses to the Queen, on the success of her arms. The memorable battle of Blenheim had been added to the victories of the Duke of Marlborough that year, and the Whigs were either really or politically insensible of any other. The Tories were more just, as will appear by the following address, presented by Sir Richard Vivyan, Bart, and James Buller, Esq. Knights of the shire for the county of Cornwall, and written by the poet Granville, afterwards Lord Lansdown :
TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY :
Permit, Madam, the landlords, bounders, adventurers, and whole body of the tinners of Cornwall, with hearts full of all dutiful acknowledgments, to approach your Majesty, who want words to express their gratitude, their joy, their admiration, for the wonderful success of your Majesty’s arms, under the conduct of his grace the Duke of Marlborough.
Never was success greater in all its circumstances, a design more secretly carried on, so effectually supported from home, so vigorously executed abroad, on which no less than the liberty of Europe depended; a cause worthy the best of princes, a victory worthy the greatest of generals, which will transmit to all future ages your Majesty’s name truly great; great for deliverance, not for oppression. But it is not enough that your Majesty triumphs at land; to complete your glory, your forces at sea have likewise done wonders. A fleet of much inferior, in so ill a condition! by being so long out, in such want of ammunition, by taking Gibraltar without gallies, which were of so great service to the enemy; all these disadvantages considered, nothing certainly could equal the conduct of your admiral, the bravery of your officers, the courage of your seamen during the engagement, but their conduct, their bravery, and their courage after it, whereby they perfected a victory, which otherwise, in human probability, must have ended in an overthrow; an action as great in itself as happy in its consequences. May your Majesty never want such commanders by sea and land, such administration in the management of the public treasure, which so much contributes to the success of armies and of fleets.
May your Majesty never want, what sure you never can, the hearts, the hands, the purses, of all your people. Had not we, Madam, of this country, inherited the loyalty of our ancestors, which your Majesty has been pleased so graciously to remember, such obligations must have engaged the utmost respect; and such all of us will ever pay to your sacred person and government, as with one voice we daily pray,
LONG LIVE QUEEN ANN, to whom many nations owe their preservation.
The ministry, who should hate been the most sensible of Sir George’s services, and among the first to acknowledge them, were alarmed by this and similar addresses; for while the House of Lords, in which the Whig interest prevailed, was totally silent on the merits of Sir George Rooke, the Commons were honestly addressing the Queen to bestow a bounty upon the seamen and land forces who had behaved so gallantly in the late actions at sea and land.
This could not but be grateful to Sir George, but the increasing animositity between the Whigs and Tories, both in the cabinet and in the House of Peers, elicited by the consideration of his services in the Battle of Malaga, finally determined him to a resignation of his command, and to retire from public business. Even the Queen herself was offended at the mention, in an address from the University of Oxford, of Sir George Rooke’s victory with that of the Duke Of Marlborough whose wife was now become her chamber-counsellor. Mr. Hornby, the reputed author of the famous “Caveat against the Whigs,” which is now extremely scarce, gives the following reflections on the disgrace of this great admiral. “In 1704,” says he, Sir George Rooke, with a crew of cabin-boys, took the almost impregnable fortress of Gibraltar; so that, at the same time, British trophies were erected eastward as far as the banks of the Danube, and her flags were seen waving on the towers of the most western part of Europe, where Hercules fixed his ne plus ultra. After this, under great disadvantages, both in the number, rates, and condition of his ships, and, above all, in the want of ammunition, he so far convinced the French how unequal a match they were for us on the watery element, that they never after ventured to equip another royal navy; yet, how were his services undervalued by the faction here! Gibraltar, which was able to defy the power of Spain, and to baffle and waste their army in a fruitless siege, and which is likely to continue to future ages, an honour to our arms and a safeguard to our commerce, was a place of no strength or value, and the engagement at sea was celebrated with lampoons, instead of congratulations. Neither his actions in this war, nor in the last, his conduct in saving our Turkey fleet, or his courage in destroying the French ships at La Hogue, could prevail with them to allow him any share of skill or bravery; so that he is to wait for justice from impartial posterity, not only in these qualities, but in one much more rare in this age, which he showed in refusing to ask a privy seal for a sum of money remaining in his hands of what had been remitted to him; as he had not wasted it in monstrous bowls of punch, so he scorned to enrich himself by converting the public treasure to his own use.
Over the last weekend one of Albert Hammond’s greatest songs charted in the UK album charts. This would make it the third time lucky for the composer. I ponder on some special musical memories as I write this. First I am reminded by my phone that it’s exactly six years ago (Nov 7) since Albert Hammond came to play two live concerts here at the now disappeared Queen’s Cinema.
I remember going with my daughter Vanessa who has just texted me…”What a night that was”. It came up on her FB memories too. Indeed, those two shows were a long time coming and it took a shrewd and brave James Neish, then of GBC and now an established UK journalist and a colleague Chronicle feature writer, a giant leap of faith to have staged the ‘Hammond’ concerts. They were a resounding success.
Albert’s ‘homecoming’ concerts had been long overdue and they were what everyone expected and more because we had never seen the man sing his legendary songs made famous by many other great artists. His melodic and bilingual songs are in fact the soundtrack of our lives. His earliest hit ‘Little Arrows,’ which was sung by Leapy Lee, is now fifty two years old! Yes it was released in 1968 and time flies like a thieving crow! Let’s take a moment to assimilate the hugely successful catalogue of hits written and sometimes produced for major artists by Albert Hammond.
Last weekend the prestigious UK paper ‘The Guardian’ wrote that Sir Cliff Richard, now 80 “has become the first artist to reach the Top 5 of the UK album chart across eight consecutive decades. His new album ‘Music…The Air That I Breathe’ reaches No 3 this week” (Nov 6). The title of the new hit album is inspired by one of Hammond’s greatest songs and it’s featured on Cliff’s album as a duet with Albert. I spoke to him recently and asked him why he still tours, as he plans to start touring again as soon as the Covid crisis allows. All concert touring has stopped and artists worldwide have been cancelling shows because of social distancing rules.
“You know that I no longer do this for fame or money, I do it for the time when backstage after a concert, a grieving mother comes to collect an autograph and asks me to sign an album which she tells me that she will treasure because my songs remind her of good times and her son. That time that I spend with my fans is my legacy. That’s worth more than an award or chart hits for me. I have earned that reward by putting in the effort to write the best songs that I can write so that I can continue to make people happy.”
In our privileged chat where many other things were discussed, I picked up on that reply and asked whether I could use it because it struck me that tender moments like these really are the ultimate validation that artists receive. They all want to be appreciated and when someone tells them that they are then it makes everything worth it.
Coming back to the memory of his two concerts here six years ago, I remember being impressed with the quality of his voice which was in peak form at the two ‘Legend’ album sessions, CDs which saw him re-launch his solo career and later take to the road with a full symphony orchestra behind him touring Europe to sold out theatres. Through live steaming we were able to enjoy a concert from that tour here on TV and it was called ‘Albert Hammond in Symphony’.
If his success at that time ever needed a boost that tour and the ‘Symphonic’ record of his best hits put the gold seal on a career as a solo artist and legendary composer who has now been famous for over fifty years. He doesn’t fall short of Sir Cliff’s enduring longevity but then Cliff has not written the big songs that have inspired so many A-list artists internationally. Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves about a number of major artists who scored hits with songs by Albert Hammond.
Think Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, The Hollies, Leo Sayer, Starship and you are in the ballpark of what it means to be the composer whose songs are now considered classics and are destined to be around for a long time. Hammond has no intention of stepping down any time soon and although Covid has put his concert tours on a temporary hiatus, the big wheels are still turning in the background so that when he emerges onto the concert trail again his status as an enduring music legend will not have diminished one iota.
It’s that time of year again, you know; the time where you have to come up with gift ideas for your partner or friends and really; what do you get the person who has everything?
This year I’m going to be your gift guru and we’re going retro for some low cost and fun….
I’ve delved through the memory banks and come up with a few old faves that I think I would enjoy playing as a slightly older kid.
Realising that we can actually categorise them in to groups I’m starting with one of my absolute favourites in the “strategy” group:
Another game which is certainly worthy of a mention in this group is the old family favourite:
MONOPOLY
Originally created as an educational tool in 1906 there were two versions; one, the “anti- monopolist” where everyone benefited from the creation of wealth and the other the “monopolist” where you created your own wealth, kept it and crushed everyone else.
It wasn’t until 1935 when Parker Brothers in the USA bought the the patent for $500 and in turn sent a copy to Waddingtons in the UK to test, that we got the version we know today.
Now dads everywhere attempt to deprive the rest of their family of property and cash and indeed crush them to prove they are indeed a true Capitalist.
CLUEDO
Dating way back to 1949 and, although it’s had several re-launches over the years, remains basically the same murder mystery game where up to six players must use their powers of deduction to name the murderer, murder weapon and location to win.
Cards are secretly drawn and hidden in an envelope which determine the crime details. Players move around the mansion and can use secret passages to get to a room where they make a suggestion of the crime details. There are 324 possibilities and it’s up to the other players to disprove their opponents theories by secretly showing cards they have to one other player.
Now; if either of those two games is way too much exercise your grey matter then we’ll move on to the next group of games. I’m not sure what this category should be called but I’m going for the “suspense” group. Games that are designed to make you jump when something kind of unexpected happens and my first one in this group is:
BUCKAROO
Dating back to 1970 this game very simply consists of a spring loaded mule which you take turns to load up with items like a crate, pan, shovel and the like. If the mule “bucks” when you put your piece on then you’re knocked out, the mule is reset and the remaining players start to load the mule again, the last player remaining is the winner. No matter how many time us kids played we all squealed when the mule BUCKAROO’D….!
KER-PLUNK
A large clear plastic tube with rods crisscrossing through the holes in the middle of it was loaded with marbles which sat amongst and on top of the plastic rods. The idea of this game, which dates back to 1967, was to remove the plastic rods without any marbles falling in to your tray at the bottom of the tube. The player with the fewest number of marbles was the winner. You touch a rod you have to remove it – that was about the only rule….! Simple uncomplicated fun.
Other great family games to try are: Jenga, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Risk, Yahztee, and The Game of Life and unlike the PS5 you’ll probably be able to buy them on Main Street…
Have a game filled Merry Christmas
Christmas is a time of year that conjures up numerous images and emotions. The festive season bombards all of our senses, be it glorious decorations, scrumptious food or the fun of wrapping up gifts.
However, the most poignant aspect of Christmas are the relationships that are at the very heart of it. Our emotions are heightened because of the expectation and the nostalgia associated with Christmas. It is often the emotional moments that stay with us, no matter how insignificant they might appear to others.
As a first time mother, Ann Dignan, 38, from Hertfordshire, was excited and overwhelmed at sharing her first Christmas with her partner and three month old daughter Lily. She brought huge joy to the couple, especially as Ann had been told she was sub fertile several years earlier. ‘When I discovered I was expecting a baby I was truly happy, if a little shocked. There was a part of me that had accepted I would never be a mother. A feeling that made me feel not only incredibly sad but somehow empty, hollow. The discovery of my pregnancy felt literally miraculous. I was a little frightened, hoping everything would go well and desperate that nothing would happen to my unborn baby’. For Ann, the safe arrival of her daughter was incredible and a huge relief. Being a September baby meant that Christmas was not too far away, adding to the wonder of the season. ‘Although my daughter was only three months, she was absolutely integral to everything that Christmas. All the silliness and fun that can easily be forgotten as adults, rushed back and I felt like a little girl again. We bought her a special Christmas dress and a sparkly clip for her hair – of which she had lots! No doubt she didn’t notice any of it but let’s be honest – it’s more for the parents benefit and seeing their child look gorgeous!’ The first Christmas was magical for Ann, as it is for all first time mums and dads. The usual routines and rituals are honoured but having a baby to share this special season adds some fairy dust onto all of the proceedings. As adults we are lucky enough to enjoy Christmas through the eyes of a child. ‘With Lily, I felt a sense of completion. Christmas was a whole experience again, having a gurgling, inquisitive baby amongst us gave us so much joy and definitely provided an extra loving bond between us. I can’t wait until Lily is old enough to help decorate the tree!’
When we think of Christmas, we often – if not always – picture a family scene with family members of all ages gathered together. However, for some individuals, their Christmas looks significantly different. For them, Christmas is just as enjoyable and equalling fulfilling but in a way that works for them.
Tony James, 54, from Brighton, grew up in a tight knit family with parents, a brother and sister. His brother and sister eventually left the family home when they met their partners but Tony, remained in the family home. In time, his role as son was replaced as one of their carer. ‘I adored my parents’, says Tony, ‘my personal situation was different to my siblings and to be honest I was content to stay with my parents. They were happy to give me the privacy and space to live with them whilst living my own life. When their health started to decline, I didn’t feel obliged to stay and care for them, I wanted to be there. It was challenging at times, no question. Mum became ill first but dad followed quite soon after. With mum her illness was impacted by dementia so this was another difficult aspect to her health and my caring for her’. Sadly, Tony had lost both of his parents by 2017. The first Christmas without them created a lot of mixed feelings for him. Tony felt lost, rudderless and to some extent, emotionally redundant. He had dedicated so much of his emotional and physical time and energy to them, he felt on shaky ground. ‘Christmas is a hugely emotional time and this was the first one I had experienced without mum and dad. I developed this odd sense of guilt that I did not have to cook or buy gifts on their behalf. To be honest, I was unsure how I should approach the festive season’. Tony’s siblings invited him to join their families and although warmly appreciated, Tony felt it would be cathartic to spend Christmas by himself. ‘In one way, I wanted to prove I could do it. The thought of being on my own during such an important time of the year felt strange but like a challenge in some ways.
I made arrangements to see friends during the run up to Christmas. It was important to fuel myself with good cheer and a sense of support. By Christmas Eve I had bought and distributed presents already so I had the luxury of a leisurely visit to a favourite local cafe followed by a walk through nearby woods. Usually, I would be conscious to return home if I had already been out for several hours’. Although this felt like a very different kind of Christmas for Tony, he realised he rather enjoyed not only the freedom but his own company. ‘It is interesting that previously, my idea of a miserable Christmas would be to spend the day alone, watching television and bolting down Christmas dinner on a tray. Now, as that person, I can see there are real positives to spending the day exactly how you want to. Having spent some wonderful festive seasons with my parents and family, I can equally appreciate there is another version of Christmas that is very different but feels just as precious’.
