Grantham's News, History, What's on, Community Website
Sgt Dan McCormack of Grantham Police says..
This vehicle pulled out in front of me, then stopped at a red light before driving through it.
Vehicle stopped.
No insurance, provisional licence (unsupervised) & positive drugs wipe for cannabis & cocaine.
Sometimes opportunities just present themselves!
One in custody
This is at Great Northern Court where my mother lives
It’s disgusting and becoming a dumping site.
The council doesn’t seem interested and my mum and another resident have told Morrisons about their trolleys but they are not interested either!
This is the carpark side, just as bad at the main entrance.
Plus its starting to block the path, there are disabled residents and people with pushchairs, its a danger and hazard.
Eight out of ten people are failing to adequately apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, according to a survey carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists to mark Sun Awareness Week
The poll found that 80 per cent of us don’t apply sunscreen before going out in the sun and then shortly afterwards. This is the approach recommended for three key reasons which the public should be aware: to make sure that the product is fully absorbed before skin is exposed to sun, to help reduce the chances of areas of skin being missed, and to ensure a thick enough layer is applied.
The survey also found that 70 per cent of people fail to reapply sunscreen every two hours as recommended.
NHS Lincolnshire CCG is highlighting the signs and symptoms of melanoma during Sun Awareness Week which runs from 3 – 9 May 2021.
The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but the back, legs, arms and face are most commonly affected.
In most cases melanomas have an irregular shape and more than one colour. They may also be larger than normal moles and can sometimes be itchy or bleed.
An “ABCDE checklist” has been developed for people to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma this checklist can be found by visiting www.nhs.uk
Melanoma happens when some cells in the skin begin to develop abnormally. It is thought that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from natural or artificial sources may be partly responsible.
Certain things can increase your chances of developing melanoma, such as having:
• lots of moles or freckles
• pale skin that burns easily
• red or blonde hair
• a family member who has had melanoma
Dr Dave Baker, GP and South West Lincolnshire Locality Lead, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said:
“We would urge any patients to go to see their GP if they notice changes to any moles that they have. You can help protect yourself from sun damage by using sunscreen and dressing sensibly in the sun. Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided.
“Regularly checking your moles and freckles can help lead to an early diagnosis and increase your chances of successful treatment. In most cases, a suspicious mole will be surgically removed and studied to see if it is cancerous. This is known as a biopsy. You may also have a test to check if melanoma has spread elsewhere in your body. This is known as a sentinel node biopsy.”
The main treatment for melanoma is surgery, although treatment will depend on individual circumstances. If melanoma is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, surgery is usually successful.
If melanoma isn’t diagnosed until an advanced stage, treatment is mainly used to slow the spread of the cancer and reduce symptoms. This usually involves medicines, such as chemotherapy.
Once you have had melanoma, there is a chance it may return. This risk is increased if your cancer was widespread and severe. If your cancer team feels there is a significant risk of your melanoma returning, you will probably need regular check-ups to monitor your health. You will also be taught how to examine your skin and lymph nodes to help detect melanoma if it returns.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK with around 13,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed each year.
More than a quarter of cases are diagnosed in people under 50, which is unusual compared to most other types of cancer. It’s also becoming more common in the UK over time, thought to be caused by increased exposure to UV light from the sun and sunbeds.
More than 2,000 people die every year in the UK from melanoma. Melanoma is not always preventable, but you can reduce your chances of developing it by limiting your exposure to UV light.
More information about melanoma can be found on www.nhs.uk
Her decision to become a nurse appalled her parents, but as we mark the 201st anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale it’s clear that this remarkable Victorian trail-blazer is a heroine for today. Former primary school teacher Laura Steele of education resources experts PlanBee says why not mark the day with your children
Born into wealth
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 into a wealthy family. She was named after the city she was born in – Florence, in Italy. Her family moved back to Britain in 1821. In the Victorian era, girls from families like the Nightingales were expected to get married and spend their days looking after the home and children, with some occasional charity work. However, Florence had other ideas…
A break with tradition
Florence decided not to get married. She was deeply religious and believed that God wanted her to do important work. In 1844, she announced she was going to become a nurse, a decision that horrified her parents. Doctors performed operations with no anaesthetic (which stopped a patient feeling pain). Most people who went to hospital died there. Nurses were rarely trained, and it was not seen as a respectable profession.
In 1853, she was asked by a friend to run a hospital in London that cared for sick ‘gentlewomen’. Florence received no money for doing this, but was able to put the nursing skills she had learnt into practice, and made many useful changes to the way the hospital was run.
War in the Crimea: 1853
As Great Britain, France and Turkey were went to war with Russia, British newspapers reported appalling conditions in the hospitals in Turkey, where those wounded in battle were sent to be treated. More soldiers were dying from the diseases they caught in the hospital than in the battles they were fighting.
Minister of War Sidney Herbert, a friend of Florence, asked her to take a team of nurses to Turkey to try to improve the conditions there. In 1854, she and 38 volunteer nurses travelled to Scutari Hospital. There were not enough beds and many soldiers lay on the dirty floor. Their bandages were filthy, they had no clean water and only mouldy bread to eat. There were no proper toilets, and rats were everywhere. The soldiers were hungry, cold and in pain.
A clean sweep
Florence and her team cleaned the kitchens, and she hired a chef to cook better meals for the patients. She began a laundry to ensure that clothes and bedding were kept clean. The patients were washed, and their bandages were clean and changed regularly. She made sure that everyone washed their hands frequently.
Florence worked for up to 20 hours a day. At night, she walked around the wards with a lantern, making sure that the men were comfortable, and helping them to write letters home – hence ‘the lady with the lamp’. There was a marked fall in the hospital death rate.
An enduring legacy
When the war ended in 1856, Florence returned home a national hero. She began a campaign to improve the quality of nursing in all military hospitals. She conducted research on food, death rates and doctors’ training and campaigned for reform.
In 1857 she presented her research to the Sanitary Commission, which led to the establishment of the Army Medical College in Chatham. As a result of Florence’s work, the army began training doctors, hospitals became cleaner, and soldiers received better food and clothes.
In 1860, with the money she received from the government for her services during the Crimean War, she helped to found the Nightingale School and Home for Nurses in London. It was one of the first places to teach nursing as a formal profession. Thanks to Florence, nursing was now seen as a respected and honourable career.
She died on 13 August 1910, aged 90. Respecting her wishes, her family held a small funeral, despite the offer of an official burial in Westminster Abbey.
Nightingale Hospitals and Covid
Florence Nightingale’s devotion to nursing has inspired, and continues to inspire, nurses around the world. She is often regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
Her insistence on good hygiene and hand-washing remains relevant today. We were all told to reduce the spread of Covid 19 by washing our hands regularly.
The seven emergency NHS Nightingale hospitals that were opened in response to the pandemic were named after Florence. The improvements she made to both nursing and the running of hospitals back in the 19th century have helped us to cope with the current pandemic today.
10 Fascinating Facts about Florence Nightingale
● Florence developed an interest in helping others from an early age. As a child, she cared for sick pets and servants whenever she had the chance.
● Florence was well-educated and could speak French, German and Italian.
● Florence had an older sister called Parthenope (affectionately known as ‘Pop’). At first she was opposed to Florence’s decision to become a nurse, but later became supported her sister’s work during the Crimean War.
● When travelling home from Turkey, Florence gave her name as ‘Miss Smith’ so that no one knew who she was – she didn’t want a fuss.
● In 1856 she met with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, discussing with them her time in Scutari, and her ideas for improving the military hospitals in Britain.
● By the time she was 38, Florence was bedridden for most of her days due to an infection she never completely recovered from.
● In 1859 Florence published a book called Notes on Nursing. At 76 pages long, it was full of hints and tips on nursing, for both nurses and the ‘ordinary woman’.
● In 1870, Florence supported the founding of the British Red Cross, and gave advice on nursing and running hospitals.
● In 1907, Florence was awarded the Order of Merit (a special award given by the monarch for her work in the development of nursing. She was the first woman to have received the honour.
● A famous Nightingale quote: ‘I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse.’
Check out PlanBee’s ‘Florence Nightingale’ History scheme of work for Year 2, or the lesson focusing on Florence Nightingale in our British History Heroes scheme of work for Year 3 and Year 4. We also have a FREE ‘Pictures of Florence Nightingale Display Pack’ for you to download.
From hot hobs to sharp counter edges, sockets and loose wires, your house is filled with potential dangers for children.
A new report by The Compensation Experts has questioned parents on the safety features they have and haven’t installed in their homes to help reduce accidents.
The % of parents not installing safety equipment around the home, and the potential hazards this can cause:
The Compensation Experts questioned 1000 parents with children to reveal how many homes aren’t installing injury preventing equipment such as stair gates.
The below table reveals the percentage of parents who have not installed basic protection features around the home, as well as the hazards this can cause:
| Safety feature | % of parents who have never installed this feature | % of parents who claim their child has been injured in this area |
| Hob safeguard | 50% of parents have never installed a hob safeguard | 16% of parents state that their children have burnt themselves on a hob before |
| Table corner guards | 42% of parents have never installed rubber table corner guards. | 27% of parents state that their children have injured themselves by hitting their heads on table corners. |
| Cupboard safety locks | 41% of parents have never installed cupboard safety locks | 13% of parents state that their children have accidentally consumed detergent pods |
| Electrical plug socket guards | 40% of parents have never installed electrical plug socket guards | 13% of parents state that their children have injured themselves on electrical sockets before |
| Stair gate | 37% of parents have never installed a stair gate | 33% of parents state that their children have injured themselves falling on the stairs |
| Bed/crib barriers | 34% of parents have never installed bed/crib barriers | 23% of parents state that their children have injured themselves falling from a bed or crib. |
Injury Prevention Top Tips
These inexpensive plastic locks will prevent children from opening cupboards and trapping their fingers.
Place childproof covers on oven hobs and stoves to prevent nasty burns.
Keep all electrical cables out of reach and insert plastic socket covers to prevent your child touching electrical outlets.
Childproof all sharp corner edges with rubber corner guards to prevent head bumps and injuries to the eye.
A baby gate is an efficient way to stop children getting into a room on their own. A baby gate will allow you to rest easy, knowing that your child is safe.
Full information at: https://the-compensation-experts.co.uk/hidden-household-dangers/
Is your pooch a ruff traveller? With 84% of Brits considering a staycation this year1, our dogs will be spending more time than ever in cars up and down the country.
Below experts at Canine Cottages have revealed 7 dog-friendly travel top tips to make sure you enjoy pooch-pawfect travel this year!
1. Do your research
Before taking your dog away, it’s important to do your research on the area you’re thinking of visiting. It’s a good idea to check out dog-friendly attractions, pubs, and events before your trip and discover which walks and activities you’d like to do once you get there. This way, you avoid any nasty surprises of visiting places that don’t allow dogs!
2. Be prepared
It’s always best to be prepared in case the worse happens while you’re away. Having pet insurance is the best way to ensure you’re covered if anything happens to your pet while you’re away, and it’s a good idea to scope out where the nearest vet office is too just in case.
3. Secure your dog when driving
Many people let their dog roam freely in the car, but having a crate, harness, or guard for your dog to sit in comfortably will make the long journey safer and more comfortable for you and your pet. Not only that, but it can also help stop your dog distracting you while driving – or worse, escaping to sit with you while at the wheel!
4. Stop for frequent breaks
Just like us, dogs need to have breaks during long journeys too. Make sure you take frequent stops every few hours so your dog can have a bathroom break and stretch their legs – it may even help them sleep while in the car. Just remember to keep them on a lead when stopping for a break.
5. Never leave your dog alone
Perhaps one of the most important rules when travelling, make sure you never leave your dog alone in the car. Even with a window cracked open, cars become extremely hot in the summer, and it can take just 15 minutes for a dog to suffer a fatal heatstroke. Even in cooler months, leaving your dog alone can leave them vulnerable to theft, so never leave them unaccompanied.
6. Take plenty of water and treats
Having fresh water during the journey is essential for your dog to keep them hydrated, so make sure you’re giving them some during your breaks. If you are travelling for many hours, make sure you have food to hand, and reward your dog with treats if they’re being good too.
7. Help them relax
Being in a new environment can be stressful for dogs, so certain things like sticking to the same feeding and walking routine as you have at home can really help your dog relax while away from home. Make sure you’re giving your dog plenty of love and cuddles will also help them relax in the unfamiliar environment.
Commenting, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages says: “With international travel still uncertain, more and more people will be embarking on long UK-wide journeys with their furry friends this year. Travelling with dogs can be a stressful time, with many dogs anxious or uncomfortable while in the car. We hope these dog-friendly travel tips will help anyone looking to take their dog on holiday know how to keep their pooches safe and sound while travelling.”
To find out more dog-friendly travel tips, please click here
A new report published today (28 April) reveals the Government is on the wrong side of popular opinion on compensation for bereaved families.
“There is a postcode lottery when someone is wrongfully killed in the UK. Only a very rigid, prescribed list of relatives qualify for statutory compensation for their untimely loss in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland,” explained Sam Elsby, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) a not-for-profit campaign group behind the report Bereavement damages: A dis-United Kingdom.
“Unmarried fathers are ignored by the law if their child is killed, for example” he explained. “Step-parents, parents of adults, brothers, and sisters are also left out. Unmarried partners must have lived together for two years before they qualify for bereavement damages,” he went on.
“The law fails to recognise that people who are single and do not have children are still loved, missed, and grieved for by other relatives. It is woefully discriminatory and out-of-date,” said Mr Elsby.
“England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are trailing behind Scotland on this issue, where the law has no difficulty in recognising the closeness of different relationships.
“The time for reform to drag the rest of the UK into the 21st century is long overdue but ministers continue to resist change,” said Mr Elsby.
Publication of Bereavement damages: A dis-United Kingdom follows a recent increase in support for reform, including from the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Research carried out by YouGov found that:
· 85 per cent of British adults think a father should still receive compensation, even if he was not married to the mother of his child.
· 69 per cent of British adults think the fixed statutory sum of bereavement damages in England and Wales (£15,120) is too little compensation.
· 73 per cent of British adults think the amount of compensation for grief and trauma should vary according to the circumstances of each case.
I was astounded today by the lack of help a poor woman received today.
As I came through the bridge near the old wasp garage I saw a young woman in the road with her bike and it was clear that she had come off and was in distress.
What shocked me where the amount of cars that drove around her!!!!
I stopped and helped get her out the road and on to the path for safety.
Yes! My car was blocking the road and I don’t care.
I was more concerned about the woman who had blood coming from her head!!
There had been a collision between her and another cyclist.
Luckily two other people stopped to help and called an ambulance and stayed with her,
I had to go and collect my son and was pleased she was being looked after.
I hope she is okay and want to thank the two other people who stayed with her.
Disbelief on my drive home as to how people ignored her you should be ashamed
How has gender impacted work life during the pandemic? This is the question WorkL For Business’ annual report into gender inequality in the workplace answers, taking data from over 20,000 employees during the lockdown; some based in the office, some working from home.
Men have won in the happiness at work race over the last 12 months, coming out as slightly happier than females at work (69.4 v 67.9). However, when looking at the scores from just the home workers, women are happier than men (72.1 v 71.4).
The biggest differences between males and females’ happiness at work are connected to Lord Mark Price’s (Founder of WorkL for Business) Six Steps to Workplace Happiness. Three of these steps, Empowerment, Well-being and Reward & Recognition all differ significantly between genders.
More specifically, females score lower than males on Empowerment, Well-being and Reward & Recognition while the scores are very similar for Information sharing, Instilling pride and job satisfaction.
In contrast, women feel more Empowered when working from home compared to the office (74.8 WFH v 66.5 WFO) and they feel that their Well-being is better (78.5 WFH v 64.1 WFO).
The data has shown that the happiness at work gap between genders is driven by the types of jobs that females and males do. Females are more likely to work in Admin and Sales & Customer Service, and less likely than males to be Managers & Directors, Skilled Trades or Machine Operatives. In the Construction, Agriculture & Utilities and Professional & Scientific sectors, females are less happy than their male counterparts.
This suggests that as these sectors have more male than female employees, that women are happier working in an environment with a more balanced workforce. The Happiest employees are Managers & Directors, who are more likely to be males (74.6).
How does workplace happiness differ between managers and non-managers when looking at gender?
Well, managers tend to be happier than non-managers and females are also less likely to be managers (29 compared with 41 for males). For managers, the scores are very similar for males and females, while for non-managers females have notably lower scores for Well-being (62.2 v 65.2), Empowerment (63.3 v 65.7) and Reward & recognition (65.3 v 66.9).
Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL For Business comments; “Our report reveals that on the whole, men have been happier with their working life compared to women during the pandemic. However, as we look closer, women working from home overtake men also working from home in the happiness score.
“The scores show that Empowerment is a big driver here; females are being given more autonomy over their work at home, so are scoring happier overall. Will we see more women permanently ditch the commute and create a home office rather than work 9-5pm in the office with a commute?
“Men appear to be happier at work from the office away from home life, so time will tell if we’ll also see a gender split as we return back to the office.”
This week the UK passed another COVID-19 milestone with 10 million people across the country having received a second vaccine dose. Locally, we have now seen over 63,000 people in this constituency receive at least one dose and so things continue to go well.
This of course continues to help us fight back against the virus and it has been such a relief to see our shops, hairdressers, and other businesses reopen their doors. It has been a real pleasure walking around town with people out and about again, seeing friends, family, spending money, and getting much overdue haircuts.
Our joy at reaching the next phase in the roadmap out of restrictions was however tempered by the very sad loss of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who after 99 years of remarkable life and service, passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle. Like so many, I watched the deeply moving funeral on Saturday afternoon, not just sad for our country at the loss of a Prince, but sorrowful that a family had lost a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Many have said to me throughout the past year that they have an enhanced appreciation for time spent with family and friends, as well as the outdoors. Whether walking around Grantham’s Wyndham park, or sat in the sunshine on the Stamford Meadows – I have enjoyed seeing people come together in our parks and outside spaces and I hope their use will continue long after the threat from COVID-19 has gone.
Some of you may have seen my question to the Prime Minister about littering last week. This is something that unites us all in dismay and I continue to applaud those who give up their time to clear it up and keep our community tidy. I fully support the Grantham Journal’s Great Grantham Spring Clean campaign and I love reading about local people of all ages, across the town and our villages taking to the streets to help pick up litter.
Ultimately though, these volunteers would not be needed if everyone played their part in keeping our area tidy by putting rubbish in the bins provided. These open spaces and parks are for us all, and their use comes with a responsibility to keep them nice and tidy for everyone else. So please, if you go out this weekend, take your rubbish away with you.
In addition to these groups keeping our local community tidy, there is another group who help keep Stamford in particular looking beautiful. The Stamford in Bloom volunteers do so much, planting flowers and maintaining many of our grass verges. I went to meet them and see their latest project and came away so impressed at their dedication.
Similarly, last Friday I went to hear plans for a new skatepark in Bourne, which after many years is finally coming to fruition with an impressive amount of fundraising activity driven by a small but incredibly committed group of local community volunteers. Their plans will provide an outdoor facility for young people to let off steam and hang out with friends and that is certainly something many will welcome.
As the nights get longer and the sun starts to shine brighter, I hope we will all continue to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes, to make them enjoyable places to see our friends and family.
Disappointed to hear of more criminal damage found in Wyndham Park this morning.
The parks should be a place for all people to enjoy but unfortunately some people do not seem to feel the same.
It takes time and money for these things to be replaced and the volunteers do a wonderful job of looking after the parks.
Help us keep the parks a safe place to visit and treat all that is there with the respect it deserves.
If you see or have heard of anything in relation to damage caused at any of our local parks, please let us know.
You can do this via 101 or you can use our online reporting system via the Lincolnshire Police website.
Who was St George, and how did he become patron saint of England? Former primary school teacher, Laura Steele of education resource experts PlanBee has the low-down
Who was St George?
Very little is actually known about the life of St George. However, we do know that he wasn’t English – he was born in what is now Turkey, in approximately AD 280. He was raised as a Christian and joined the Roman Army as a young man. He was tortured and then killed by the Emperor Diocletian, for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.
What is his connection to England?
St George’s emblem was a red cross on a white background. Legend has it that during the First Crusade to Jerusalem in 1098, St George appeared as a vision to lead the Christian knights during a siege. About 100 years later, King Richard III fashioned his army’s uniform on the cross of St. George.
How did he become the patron saint of England?
St George was declared a saint in AD 494 by Pope Gelasius. But it was not until 1350 that St George became the patron saint of England. King Edward III, who was the reigning monarch in England at that time, chose St George as the country’s patron saint as he was admired by many for his bravery in the face of terrible suffering. King Edward also created the Order of the Garter, which to this day is the highest order of chivalry. The badge representing the order shows St. George on horseback, slaying a dragon.
How do we celebrate St George’s Day?
St George’s Day has been observed in England since the early 15th century, and at that time was considered as important as Christmas. While it has lessened in significance, it is still celebrated by many, with activities such as traditional morris dancing, Punch and Judy shows, flying the English flag, and singing the hymn ‘Jerusalem’.
And what about the dragon?
This is the story that is most famously associated with St. George:
A knight named Sir George was travelling the land and came across a town that was being terrorised by a dragon. The inhabitants told him that a young maiden had to be sacrificed to the dragon every day, or the beast would destroy the entire town. Each day, the next poor girl was chosen by a lottery. That very morning, the King’s own daughter’s name had been called. On hearing this, Sir George vowed to save the princess and slay the dragon. He found the beast in his lair, and threw his spear at him. However, the dragon’s scales were so hard that they shattered the spear. Undeterred, Sir George unsheathed his sword and charged at the dragon, driving his weapon into the soft underbelly of the beast, killing him dead. Sir George took the princess back to the King, and the town celebrated.
This story did not appear in popular culture until around 500 years after St George’s death. Many historians believe it was developed and embellished in the Middle Ages. Regardless of whether the tale is true or not, due to this legend, as well as the manner of his death, St. George is a symbol of courage in the face of adversity, as well as the English ideals of honour, bravery and gallantry.
Flying the flag
The flag of England is derived from Saint George’s Cross, which is a red cross on a white background. It has been associated as an emblem of England since the Late Middle Ages, and was used alongside the Royal Banner in Tudor times. Today, the English flag is widely used at sporting events as a way of supporting English teams and participants.
Did you know?
St. George is also the patron saint of scouting. He was chosen as the qualities of St George reflect those desirable in a Scout: responsible, truthful, devoted to duty, brave, noble and dedicated to helping others. Every St George’s day, Scouts remind themselves of their Promise and Scout Law.
If you are a parent or teacher looking for some FREE St. George’s Day resources, check out St. George’s Day Activity Pack, which includes the story of St. George and the Dragon, a word search, some diary templates, colouring pages, and a template for making your own dragon!
As Lockdown restrictions begin to ease, what better way to enjoy the glorious British Summer than with a game of Cricket!
Welby Cricket Club are a small, friendly, inclusive cricket club, and are looking for new players for the forthcoming season in the Grantham and Melton Sunday League Division 2.
We offer a relaxed, sociable atmosphere to all cricketers, young and old, and of any experience and skill level, to enjoy playing cricket in a traditional local village environment.
If you are interested in getting involved, or would like some information about nets/practice sessions please contact Rob on 07484 687422, or email welbycc@gmail.com
It’s time to celebrate the life and work of our most renowned playwright, actor and poet. Former primary school teacher Laura Steele of education resource experts PlanBee gives you the lowdown on his life and work and tests your knowledge with a great quiz
Many people consider Shakespeare to be the greatest writer of the English language. His work is studied in schools and universities, and his plays are still performed in theatres across the world – many of them have been made into television programs or films.
Date of birth a mystery
His exact birth date is not known, but is believed to be 23rd April, 1564. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon to parents John Shakespeare, a well-to-do leather worker, and Mary Arden, a wealthy heiress. William was the third of eight children. Little is known about his childhood, but it is thought that he received a good education.
Family man
When he was just 18, William married Anne Hathaway. She was eight years older than him. They had three children together: a daughter called Susanna, and twins named Hamnet and Judith. After the birth of the twins, there are no further records of Shakespeare’s life or movements for many years – historians call them the ‘lost years’.
Who were the Lord Chamberlain’s Men?
In 1592, records show that Shakespeare was working for an acting company in London called Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The members worked together to create and perform plays. Shakespeare both wrote and acted for the company – some of his early plays include ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Saving the Globe Theatre
Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed their plays in a theatre that was on land owned by a man called Giles Allen. Unfortunately, Allen wanted to clear the land and intended on tearing down the theatre, despite the protests of the acting company. One night, some of the members dismantled the theatre and moved it across the River Thames to a different location! They rebuilt it, and called it the Globe Theatre. It opened in 1599. The new theatre could seat up to 3,000 spectators, had musicians to create special sound effects, and there was even a cannon which fired blanks!
How many plays?
Altogether, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays. They can be grouped into three main genres: histories, tragedies and comedies. Many people think that he wrote some of his best plays in his later years; for example, the tragedies of ‘Othello’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘King Lear’ and ‘Macbeth’. All 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets were published together in a book in 1609.
When did Shakespeare die?
Due to the success of his plays, Shakespeare became a wealthy man. Some time after 1611, he left London and retired to his house and family home, New Place, in Stratford-upon-Avon. Like his birth date, the exact date of his death is unknown, but it is thought that he died on 23 April 1616 – his 52nd birthday.
Inventor of words
Shakespeare’s works provide the first recorded use of over 1,700 words in the English language, and he is credited with inventing many of these himself, by combining words, changing nouns into verbs, or adding prefixes or suffixes. Here are just some of the words that he is thought to have introduced or invented:
dwindle, gossip, swagger, rant, fashionable, lonely, freezing, bloodstained, coldhearted, majestic.
Do you know your Shakespeare quotes?
See if you can name the plays these famous lines come from
Answers:
For a fabulous FREE Shakespeare quiz and Shakespeare word search, click on the links below.
Come and join us on Wednesday evenings and relive those memories with a game of netball, new friends and lots of FUN.
All Covid precautions in place to keep you safe.
Numbers of spaces are limited so book your spot Now!
https://engage.englandnetball.co.uk/sessionfinder…
Home improvement experts outline why you should upgrade your windows now
Homeowners considering their next improvement project should look to double glazing to add value and kerb appeal to properties, according to home improvement experts.
With the latest home improvement research showing that the value of homes could be reduced by over £9,000* if properties don’t have double glazing – the specialists at Stormclad have outlined top reasons why properties would benefit from this upgrade, whether you are looking to sell in the future or simply wish to improve it in the here and now.
With a roadmap out of lockdown well underway, now is the ideal time to consider investing in improving your home – and double glazing is a valuable feature for any property that will last for years to come.
From energy efficiency, to increased security and aesthetic value, experts have highlighted the main reasons why it’s worth investing in double glazing for your property to ensure added value and a better quality of living.
Mr and Mrs Edwards, Edwalton – 9
Managing director of Stormclad, John Evans, said: “While we have spent more time at home over the last twelve months, many homeowners have come to realise their properties could do with improvement, and we have seen an increase in the number of people wishing to upgrade their abodes.
“As restrictions are gradually lifted, now is the ideal time to action new and valuable home improvements, and double glazing comes with many benefits as it performs well in terms of energy efficiency and security, and looks good for decades. The latest data also shows that not having double glazing could knock a significant amount off of the value of your home*, so it’s certainly a worthwhile investment for the future.”
Here are the reasons your home needs double glazing:
1.Aesthetic value
One of the more obvious, immediate effects of new double glazing is the impact it will have on improving the look of your property. Sparkling new windows will look add a great deal of kerb appeal to your home, giving both the interior and exterior a fresh new look.
2.Energy efficiency
Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home – an old single paned window will emit around 84% of a room’s heat into the cold air outside, so swapping old, inefficient single glazing for double glazing will undoubtedly have a massive impact on the heat retention in your home.
Double glazing works by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass, which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease in heat loss across the window.
With modern double-glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even more, so you will find yourself needing to switch the heating on less often, saving you money on energy bills and ensuring your home is more eco-friendly.
3.Security
Typically, modern double-glazed windows are much harder to force open from the outside, so you can rest assured that criminal opportunists will not be able to break their way in to your home easily. There are also double-glazing options that come with toughened glass, which is stronger and shatterproof – giving you peace of mind.
4.Adding value to your home
The latest Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report highlights that as much as £9,144 could be knocked off the value of your home if you don’t have double glazing*, so by installing double glazing, your home will increase in value compared to a single-glazed property, and you will save yourself money on energy bills moving forward too.
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