inews--2020-05-07--XXI by ARTCELS unites Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Banksy - but it's more soulless investment portfo

XXI by ARTCELS unites Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Banksy - but it's more soulless investment portfolio than exhibition

XXI by ARTCELS unites Jeff Koons , Damien Hirst and Banksy - but it 's more soulless investment portfolio than exhibition The selection of art is disappointingly familiar and seems to have just been chosen for its potential to yield profit When New York artist Adam Parker-Smith said “ I feel like so many of my ideas start out as jokes , for better or worse ” , he may not have anticipated featuring in an exhibition that looks like the mother of all art-world pranks .
Parker-Smith , Damien Hirst , Banksy , Kaws , and Jeff Koons are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , advertised as “ the world ’ s first asset-based contemporary art exhibition ” , launched online this week by ARTCELS , a new digital broker for blue chip art investments .
By now you might have expected some mention of the work itself , or the narrative thread that ties together this unprepossessing selection of works arranged by artist , on lo-fi virtual walls , and includes three Banksy prints and some tiresome spot-painted skateboard decks of Hirst ’ s .
Well , they were all made in the 21st century ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large they are all vacuous .
The selection is disappointingly familiar , and no wonder – many of the pieces here are multiples made by artists responding to demand , with Jeff Koons ’ s shiny red Balloon Rabbit , itself a reworking of a much larger original , one of an edition of 999 .
Paintings made in collaboration with skateboard manufacturer Supreme serve as uninspiring vehicles for George Condo and Robert Longo , artists long past their best , and while Los Ne El Barrio ( 2019 ) , by street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it still looks ubiquitous .
Above all , XXI is an investment portfolio of artists selected not for their originality , or brilliance , but for their potential to yield huge returns .
ARTCELS launched in February , offering 1,000 shares while exhibiting the XXI portfolio at HOFA ’ s London gallery .
With shares priced at $ 500 ( £390 ) , ARTCELS pitches its investments at younger investors attracted by the rocketing value of the contemporary art market .
ARTCELS shares sold quickly enough that a further 400 were released in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of the art market , with online marketplace Artfinder this week reporting a doubling of online demand since the virus outbreak .
One senses that investors are not primarily interested in art , but even so , the opportunity to bask in your fraction of a Jeff Koons Balloon Rabbit has to come as part of the deal .
Given the trust issues endemic in the art world , the virtual exhibition performs a sort of habeas corpus , the low-resolution rendering making it unsuitable for anyone wanting to look for enjoyment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more important object is the digital token issued with each share , each containing the vital proof of ownership and authenticity that make the difference between junk and jewels .

XXI exhibition presented by ARTCELS, thehouseoffineart.com ★★
When New York artist Adam Parker-Smith said “I feel like so many of my ideas start out as jokes, for better or worse”, he may not have anticipated featuring in an exhibition that looks like the mother of all art-world pranks.
Parker-Smith, Damien Hirst, Banksy, Kaws, and Jeff Koons are among the 20 artists included in XXI, advertised as “the world’s first asset-based contemporary art exhibition”, launched online this week by ARTCELS, a new digital broker for blue chip art investments.
By now you might have expected some mention of the work itself, or the narrative thread that ties together this unprepossessing selection of works arranged by artist, on lo-fi virtual walls, and includes three Banksy prints and some tiresome spot-painted skateboard decks of Hirst’s.
Well, they were all made in the 21st century (hence XXI), and by and large they are all vacuous.
The selection is disappointingly familiar, and no wonder – many of the pieces here are multiples made by artists responding to demand, with Jeff Koons’s shiny red Balloon Rabbit, itself a reworking of a much larger original, one of an edition of 999.
Paintings made in collaboration with skateboard manufacturer Supreme serve as uninspiring vehicles for George Condo and Robert Longo, artists long past their best, and while Los Ne El Barrio (2019), by street artist Retna is an original work, it still looks ubiquitous.
Above all, XXI is an investment portfolio of artists selected not for their originality, or brilliance, but for their potential to yield huge returns. ARTCELS launched in February, offering 1,000 shares while exhibiting the XXI portfolio at HOFA’s London gallery. With shares priced at $500 (£390), ARTCELS pitches its investments at younger investors attracted by the rocketing value of the contemporary art market.
ARTCELS shares sold quickly enough that a further 400 were released in April. The high demand reflects the state of the art market, with online marketplace Artfinder this week reporting a doubling of online demand since the virus outbreak.
One senses that investors are not primarily interested in art, but even so, the opportunity to bask in your fraction of a Jeff Koons Balloon Rabbit has to come as part of the deal.
Given the trust issues endemic in the art world, the virtual exhibition performs a sort of habeas corpus, the low-resolution rendering making it unsuitable for anyone wanting to look for enjoyment.
For investors, one suspects, the more important object is the digital token issued with each share, each containing the vital proof of ownership and authenticity that make the difference between junk and jewels.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus UK: PPE shipment from Turkey proved useless, with 400,000 surgical gowns being returned

Coronavirus UK : PPE shipment from Turkey proved useless , with 400,000 surgical gowns being returned Focus settled on this delivery after minister Robert Jenrick used it as an example of supply at a press briefing The delivery gained particular prominence after it was mentioned at a Downing Street briefing on 18 April by minister Robert Jenrick as an example of the Government 's efforts to supply PPE .
However , it was beset by delays from that point onwards and , after arriving on 22 April , has been held at a facility near Heathrow Airport awaiting return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key workers remain a concern in the health system and at care homes , with the need potentially becoming greater in coming weeks after the Prime Minister signalled that lockdown could begin to loosen from next week .
The gowns , which an RAF plane was dispatched to collect , were produced by a garment factory in Turkey which had switched to making protective gear after the coronavirus outbreak , according to the story first reported in The Telegraph .
Mr Jenrick made the decision to publicise the shipment at a daily press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so could backfire .
`` We believed this equipment was going to be of the right standard , but when our experts here tested it , they found it was n't , '' Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told Sky News this morning .
Keir Starmer , the leader of the Labour Party , told LBC : `` I 'm really worried that we do n't have a robust plan in place for protective equipment .
It 's now 12 weeks since the Health Secretary declared that we had a health crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are beginning to say , why on earth is n't there a better plan ? ''
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said : “ This is a global pandemic with many countries procuring PPE , leading to shortages around the world , not just the UK .
“ We are working night and day to source PPE internationally and domestically , and brought together the NHS , industry and the armed forces to create a comprehensive PPE distribution network to deliver critical supplies to the frontline .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equipment meets the safety and quality standards our frontline staff need .
If equipment does not meet our specifications or pass our quality assurance processes , it is not distributed to the front line.
” The PPE shipment is being held in a warehouse near Heathrow Airport , awaiting return ( Photo : Getty ) The delivery of adequate PPE has been a running issue since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK .
The Department of Health has discouraged individual trusts from finding their own sources , instead asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid competition between different trusts .
Boris Johnson is expected to begin the slow process of loosening lockdown on Sunday evening , although the first steps are expected to be minor .

A shipment of 400,000 items of personal protective equipment from Turkey has proved to be useless, with the surgical gowns falling short of British safety standards.
The delivery gained particular prominence after it was mentioned at a Downing Street briefing on 18 April by minister Robert Jenrick as an example of the Government’s efforts to supply PPE.
However, it was beset by delays from that point onwards and, after arriving on 22 April, has been held at a facility near Heathrow Airport awaiting return to its supplier.
The Department of Health and Social Care will seek a refund, it said.
Shortages of PPE for key workers remain a concern in the health system and at care homes, with the need potentially becoming greater in coming weeks after the Prime Minister signalled that lockdown could begin to loosen from next week.
‘Experts here tested it’
The gowns, which an RAF plane was dispatched to collect, were produced by a garment factory in Turkey which had switched to making protective gear after the coronavirus outbreak, according to the story first reported in The Telegraph.
Mr Jenrick made the decision to publicise the shipment at a daily press conference in April despite warnings that doing so could backfire.
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has told LBC he’s "really worried" about access to PPE for the NHS after the 400,000 gowns flown from Turkey were not up to British standards. Read more: https://t.co/L2kY7mWR6D pic.twitter.com/sv8UbfuF2v — LBC News (@LBCNews) May 7, 2020
“We believed this equipment was going to be of the right standard, but when our experts here tested it, they found it wasn’t,” Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told Sky News this morning.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, told LBC: “I’m really worried that we don’t have a robust plan in place for protective equipment. It’s now 12 weeks since the Health Secretary declared that we had a health crisis, and 12 weeks down the line, people are beginning to say, why on earth isn’t there a better plan?”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “This is a global pandemic with many countries procuring PPE, leading to shortages around the world, not just the UK.
“We are working night and day to source PPE internationally and domestically, and brought together the NHS, industry and the armed forces to create a comprehensive PPE distribution network to deliver critical supplies to the frontline.
“All deliveries of PPE are checked to ensure the equipment meets the safety and quality standards our frontline staff need. If equipment does not meet our specifications or pass our quality assurance processes, it is not distributed to the front line.”
Running issue
The delivery of adequate PPE has been a running issue since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. The Department of Health has discouraged individual trusts from finding their own sources, instead asking them to rely on the central supply to avoid competition between different trusts.
Boris Johnson is expected to begin the slow process of loosening lockdown on Sunday evening, although the first steps are expected to be minor.
Businesses which may have shut due to coronavirus fears but are not technically closed by government guidance may be encouraged to re-open.
Requirements for non-specialist PPE may rise if workers are asked to return with the coronavirus outbreak still ongoing.


inews--2020-05-07--VE Day: British WW2 veteran, 95, flooded with surprise videos from Norway population to thank him fo

VE Day: British WW2 veteran, 95, flooded with surprise videos from Norway population to thank him for role in their liberation 75 years ago

VE Day : British WW2 veteran , 95 , flooded with surprise videos from Norway population to thank him for role in their liberation 75 years ago Kenneth Foster , 95 , was just 17 when his destroyer was sent to Norway to help liberate the country 'We marched through the town with people lining the streets' At 17 , Sheffield-born Kenneth Foster , known as Ken , joined the Navy and began his service as a telegraphist on HMS Viceroy in 1944 .
By that stage in the war there were only one hundred men in the ship 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Sick Berth Attendant ( SBA ) .
Mr Foster only got to know the men in his mess : the telegraphists ( known as `` sparkers '' ) , signalmen ( the `` bunting tossers '' ) , and coders .
His action station was at the hoist for a gun turret , where he had to take the 37lb shells from the hoist which raised them to deck level and , with a rope sling , convey them to the loader in the gun turret .
Kenneth Foster was 17 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VE Day ( Photo : Kenneth Foster ) “ Just before VE Day our destroyer was sent out to Norway and we just happened to be on hand when Prince Olav was ready to return , '' he said .
`` We picked him up from a naval base in Scotland and took him to Stavanger .
Mr Fosters ' memories of VE Day were distinctly sober ones , as he recalls how the men on the ship celebrated the end of the war with rum when they heard the news , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his age .
“ After Stavanger , the next place we visited was Trondheim and they were very pleased to see us .
The town band turned out and we marched through the town with people lining the streets , '' he said .
`` It was all quite strange because when we arrived there were German soldiers in their grey uniforms and we didn ’ t really know what to do with them , so they ended up being in the crowd when we marched through .
I think they were actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
'No feeling that their sacrifices have been forgotten' '' We were proud to step-up and offer our KOMP technology as a means for Norwegians to digitally say thank you and ensure that the current health crisis does not result in Kenneth - or any of his generation - feeling that their sacrifices have been forgotten .
Takk , Kenneth !
” This will not be the first recent contact Mr Foster has had with the country .
After the war ended and the veteran worked for the Post Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Foster visited Norway regularly , and still has many friends there .

A 95-year-old WWII veteran is about to be flooded with thousands of video messages of thanks from people in Norway as part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Kenneth Foster, 95, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and his colleagues who helped to liberate Norway in 1945 were due to be commemorated as part of celebrations for the anniversary, but planned events were curtailed amid the coronavirus outbreak.
To ensure veteran Mr Foster is not forgotten, a free one-button computer filled with messages including videos, written messages and pictures from Norwegian citizens has been set up by his daughter to the veteran can read them on the Friday anniversary.
‘We marched through the town with people lining the streets’
At 17, Sheffield-born Kenneth Foster, known as Ken, joined the Navy and began his service as a telegraphist on HMS Viceroy in 1944. By that stage in the war there were only one hundred men in the ship’s complement, and no doctor, just a Sick Berth Attendant (SBA).
Mr Foster only got to know the men in his mess: the telegraphists (known as “sparkers”), signalmen (the “bunting tossers”), and coders. His action station was at the hoist for a gun turret, where he had to take the 37lb shells from the hoist which raised them to deck level and, with a rope sling, convey them to the loader in the gun turret.
“Just before VE Day our destroyer was sent out to Norway and we just happened to be on hand when Prince Olav was ready to return,” he said. “We picked him up from a naval base in Scotland and took him to Stavanger.
“After that, the destroyers were given different places to liberate and we had military on-board to make sure the towns were adhering to the surrender conditions and following instructions.
Mr Fosters’ memories of VE Day were distinctly sober ones, as he recalls how the men on the ship celebrated the end of the war with rum when they heard the news, but he was only allowed juice because of his age.
“After Stavanger, the next place we visited was Trondheim and they were very pleased to see us. The town band turned out and we marched through the town with people lining the streets,” he said. “It was all quite strange because when we arrived there were German soldiers in their grey uniforms and we didn’t really know what to do with them, so they ended up being in the crowd when we marched through. I think they were actually glad to see us as well,” he added.
‘No feeling that their sacrifices have been forgotten’
The Mayor of Stavanger, Karri Nessa Nordun, will be among those sending messages of thanks for the veteran to stream on the 75th anniversary on Friday.
Mr Foster will stream the messages on a KOMP, a one-button computer by Norwegian tech company No Isolation, which is typically used to allow elderly people to receive images and video calls from family members.
Karen Dolva, CEO and co-founder of No Isolation, creator of KOMP said: “We are grateful for the sacrifices made by Britons like Kenneth in helping liberate our country seventy-five years ago.
“We were proud to step-up and offer our KOMP technology as a means for Norwegians to digitally say thank you and ensure that the current health crisis does not result in Kenneth – or any of his generation – feeling that their sacrifices have been forgotten. Takk, Kenneth!”
This will not be the first recent contact Mr Foster has had with the country. After the war ended and the veteran worked for the Post Office and as a war pensions officer, Mr Foster visited Norway regularly, and still has many friends there.
In 2017, Mr Foster was also awarded a Norwegian Medal of Honour for his work.


inews--2020-05-07--What is a social bubble? How the UK coronavirus lockdown rules could be eased to allow you to see so

What is a social bubble? How the UK coronavirus lockdown rules could be eased to allow you to see some family and friends

What is a social bubble ?
How the UK coronavirus lockdown rules could be eased to allow you to see some family and friends Social bubbles mean people could see family and friends in a controlled way There has been much discussion about the economic impacts of the lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus .
But the social effects should not be underestimated .
Many people , who have followed the rules to stay at home and not mix with anyone outside their own household , have not seen their family and friends for weeks .
One idea being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubbles '' .
With no firm plans in place , how the bubbles would work in the UK remains speculative for now .
However it is likely that everyone would have to agree to be in just one social bubble and not meet anyone outside that group to avoid spreading the virus .
In the first instance , it 's likely that the bubbles would be able to meet outside , where risk of transmission is lower than in indoor spaces .
Social distancing measures - such as keeping two metres apart - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bubbles .
And if anyone in the group shows symptoms of coronavirus , it is likely that all members will have to self-isolate .
Is the UK considering this ?
When asked at the end of April about whether social bubbles would be considered under relaxed lockdown measures , the Prime Minister 's official spokesman said : `` We have said that there is extensive work going on in Government to look at the next phase of the coronavirus response and we have also talked about how we could relax measures in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're also very alive to the issue of social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing as people help us to deal with the spread of this pandemic .
`` But in terms of specific details you will have to wait until such a time as we have the full medical and scientific advice and we are ready to set out what happens next . ''
The coronavirus lockdown in the UK is set to be eased on Monday but it is thought any changes will be centred around getting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is anywhere else considering social bubbles ?
`` We are considering if and how we could make changes to allow people to meet with a small number of others ( the number is under consideration ) outside their own household in a group or 'bubble ' that acts as a single , self-contained unit , without connections to other households or 'bubbles ' .
It is possible that this option would be introduced first for outdoor meetings , ahead of any change to permit indoor meetings of the bubble , '' it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group developed symptoms of the disease , those people would need to self-isolate immediately for seven days , and the remainder of the bubble for 14 days , '' it adds .

The Government has announced that some of the lockdown conditions to slow the spread of coronavirus are to be eased for people living in England.
One of the changes is that individuals can meet up with one person from another household in an outdoor space as long as they stick to social distancing rules.
Many people, who have followed the rules to stay at home and not mix with anyone outside their own household, have not seen their family and friends for weeks.
Larger reunions remain off the cards for now but the Government has said it is looking at how to allow people to safely see their friends and family in the future while “continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission”.
One idea that could be considered is social bubbles, which is being used in some other countries.
With no firm plans in place, how the bubbles would work in the UK remains speculative for now.
What is a social bubble?
At the moment, the people you live with form your social bubble.
Expanding that bubble as the country seeks to gradually ease its lockdown restrictions would allow you to see more family and friends. The group could be made up of people from two or more households.
“Social bubbles are based on the idea that people have ‘close friends and family’ with whom they interact most frequently. On the other hand there are strangers with whom people interact once or twice then never see again,” says Dr Joshua Moon, a research fellow in sustainability research methods in the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex Business School.
It is likely that everyone would have to agree to be in just one social bubble and not meet anyone outside that group to avoid spreading the virus. It means that socialising can take place in a controlled way, and it will make contact tracing efforts easier.
Dr Moon says: “The notion of social bubbles means that those individuals with whom you interact most frequently are part of your ‘bubble’. These are both the people you are most likely to infect and the people who are easiest to track down when contact tracing.”
“Strangers are less likely to be infected but [are] also harder to recall when you’re being interviewed by a contact tracer. When it comes to easing lockdown, it is therefore easier for people to be allowed to meet with individuals in their social bubbles because those contacts can be traced and isolated more easily, thereby reducing onward transmission,” Dr Moon adds.
Social bubbles could lead to difficult decisions about group formations, with some family members and friends being left out.
In the first instance, it’s likely that the bubbles would be able to meet outside, where risk of transmission is lower than in indoor spaces.
Is the UK considering this?
The Government says it recognises the lockdown has affected people who are isolated, vulnerable and who live alone.
It’s 50-page Covid-19 recovery strategy says it has asked the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies to “examine whether, when and how it can safely change the regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include one other household in the same exclusive group”.
“The intention of this change would be to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, and to reduce the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, while continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission. It would also support some families to return to work by, for example, allowing two households to share childcare,” the plan reads.
This could be based on the bubbles model in New Zealand.
Is anywhere else considering social bubbles?
Scotland
A paper from the Scottish Government’s Framework for Decision Making, on options for easing lockdown restrictions, suggests allowing people to socialise within “bubbles” of named people outside their own household.
“We are considering if and how we could make changes to allow people to meet with a small number of others (the number is under consideration) outside their own household in a group or ‘bubble’ that acts as a single, self-contained unit, without connections to other households or ‘bubbles’. It is possible that this option would be introduced first for outdoor meetings, ahead of any change to permit indoor meetings of the bubble,” it reads.
Maintaining hygiene measures and social distancing should continue within the group, the document says.
“If anyone in the group developed symptoms of the disease, those people would need to self-isolate immediately for seven days, and the remainder of the bubble for 14 days,” it adds.
Guernsey
On the Channel Island of Guernsey, households can socialise with members of another. But the bubble applies to entire households so individuals cannot form separate groups.
However social distancing measures do not have to be observed.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, households can expand their bubble to include people who ideally live nearby.
The government gives the following examples: “If a relative or loved one lives locally and is currently alone, you can extend your bubble to include them.
“If you are returning to work and need to make childcare or other care arrangements for those already in your bubble, a care provider can join your bubble,” it adds.
Belgium
According to a leaked memo, the Belgian government has been considering allowing people to form social bubbles of 10 people to spend time together on weekends.
All 10 people must agree to only socialise within their bubble – they cannot meet people outside the group of 10.
Germany
In Germany, measures to ease the lockdown include allowing people from two households to meet.
However, the country has also launched an “emergency brake” mechanism, which would allow the government to renew restrictions if the rate of infection begins to climb again.
This article was updated at 10:50am on 12/05/2020 following the Government’s changes to the lockdown restrictions in England


inews--2020-05-07--Warburtons crumpet recipe revealed after 30 years as UK asks for baking tips during lockdown

Warburtons crumpet recipe revealed after 30 years as UK asks for baking tips during lockdown The food manufacturer has been making crumpets to the same recipe since 1988 Warburtons will become the latest brand to reveal a previously secret recipe , joining the likes of McDonald 's and IKEA in releasing a guide to one of its best-known products .
The bakery , based in Bolton , will post its crumpet recipe on Instagram on Thursday , a creation made to the same specifications since 1988 .
Warburtons was keen to mention that Google searches for “ how to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest they have ever been '' , according to retail analysts Kantar .
A public service , then ?
Savvy marketing , certainly .
Although given its factories already produce more than 700 million crumpets every year , we wonder whether the manufacturer needs to bother .
Brands want us to make their food at home Still , Warburtons is n't alone in parading its wears .
Last month , McDonald 's released a recipe for its famous Egg McMuffin , and IKEA sent out a `` how to '' guide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleasure for those about to embark on a journey through one of its maze-like stores .
Throughout lockdown , meanwhile , Greggs has been posting videos to show the public how to recreate some of its most popular bakes .

Warburtons will become the latest brand to reveal a previously secret recipe, joining the likes of McDonald’s and IKEA in releasing a guide to one of its best-known products.
The bakery, based in Bolton, will post its crumpet recipe on Instagram on Thursday, a creation made to the same specifications since 1988.
Warburtons was keen to mention that Google searches for “how to make a crumpet” have risen to “the highest they have ever been”, according to retail analysts Kantar. A public service, then? Savvy marketing, certainly.
Although given its factories already produce more than 700 million crumpets every year, we wonder whether the manufacturer needs to bother.
Brands want us to make their food at home
Still, Warburtons isn’t alone in parading its wears. Last month, McDonald’s released a recipe for its famous Egg McMuffin, and IKEA sent out a “how to” guide for its Swedish meatballs, a near cult-like pleasure for those about to embark on a journey through one of its maze-like stores.
Throughout lockdown, meanwhile, Greggs has been posting videos to show the public how to recreate some of its most popular bakes.
Warburtons crumpet recipe
Ingredients (makes 6 crumpets):
150g plain white flour
200ml water
½ tsp salt
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp dried yeast
Method
Stage 1 – How to make the crumpet batter:
Add Flour, Water and Salt to a mixing bowl
Mix vigorously with a whisk until your arm aches (at least five mins) to create your crumpet batter
Mix a few mls of water into to your dried yeast
Add sugar, baking powder and yeast mixture to bowl and mix for another 30 seconds until you have a clear batter (and your arm aches even more!)
Cover mixing bowl and put into a warm place for 15 mins (top tip – make sure youre mixing bowl is bigger than you need as it will expand)
Stage 2 – How to bake your crumpets:


inews--2020-05-07--Brassic season 2 cast: who stars with Michelle Keegan in the new series on Sky One, and what time it

Brassic season 2 cast: who stars with Michelle Keegan in the new series on Sky One, and what time it starts tonight

Brassic season 2 cast : who stars with Michelle Keegan in the new series on Sky One , and what time it starts tonight Vinnie and his band of small-time criminals are back in Hawley and crime is on the menu once again Sky bosses were so confident of the show 's success that they renewed it for season two before a single episode had even aired - and it turned out they were right to do so .
Vinnie and his band of small-time criminals tried everything from stealing a horse to bare knuckle fighting to scrape together some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brassic back on TV ?
The first episode airs on Sky One tonight - Thursday 7 May at 10pm .
Like the first season there will be six episodes , showing weekly at the same time .
However if you do n't have the patience to wait there is god news , the whole season is already available to watch on your Sky box , Sky Go and Now TV .
Vinnie has a new look for season two ( Photo : Sky ) All the main cast are returning for season two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new additions .
Gilgun plays the main man , Vinnie O'Neil , ringleader of the Hawley gang and the brains behind most of their operations .
Michelle Keegan ( Our Girl , Coronation Street ) is back as single mum Erin Croft , and Damien Maloney ( Being Human , GameFace ) returns as her on and off boyfriend Dylan .
Rounding out the gang are Tom Hanson ( Murder on the Orient Express ) as food lover Cardi , Aaron Hefferman ( Solo : A Star Wars Story ) as Ash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) as S & M club owner Tommo .
Joining the case are Bill Patterson , who played Phoebe Waller-Bridge 's character 's dad in Fleabag , and John Thomson , known for Cold Feet , Men Behaving Badly and The Fast Show .
What should we expect ?
Vinnie finds himself in a bit of a sticky situation , having faked his own death to try to throw local gangster Terry McCann off his scent .
He is brought back into action from the depths of his `` weed shed '' when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a disgruntled clown to rob a circus in order to buy the lease on a pole dancing club .
Want some more good news ?
Brassic is far from done at the end of this season - it has already been renewed for a third , which will be eight episodes long instead of the usual six .

Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst’s hit Sky One comedy, Brassic, is back for a second season.
Sky bosses were so confident of the show’s success that they renewed it for season two before a single episode had even aired – and it turned out they were right to do so.
Vinnie and his band of small-time criminals tried everything from stealing a horse to bare knuckle fighting to scrape together some cash in season one.
Here’s what to expect from Brassic‘s return…
When is Brassic back on TV?
The first episode airs on Sky One tonight – Thursday 7 May at 10pm. Like the first season there will be six episodes, showing weekly at the same time.
However if you don’t have the patience to wait there is god news, the whole season is already available to watch on your Sky box, Sky Go and Now TV.
Who’s in the cast?
All the main cast are returning for season two, and there are also a couple of new additions.
Gilgun plays the main man, Vinnie O’Neil, ringleader of the Hawley gang and the brains behind most of their operations.
Before Brassic Gilgun played Eli Dingle in Emmerdale, Woody in This is England and Rudy in E4 superhero show Misfits.
Michelle Keegan (Our Girl, Coronation Street) is back as single mum Erin Croft, and Damien Maloney (Being Human, GameFace) returns as her on and off boyfriend Dylan.
Rounding out the gang are Tom Hanson (Murder on the Orient Express) as food lover Cardi, Aaron Hefferman (Solo: A Star Wars Story) as Ash and Ryan Sampson (Plebs, Glitchy) as S&M club owner Tommo.
Parth Thakerar (Gangs of London) plays garage owner JJ and Dominic West (The Wire, The Affair) is back as Vinnie’s hopeless doctor Chris Cox.
Joining the case are Bill Patterson, who played Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character’s dad in Fleabag, and John Thomson, known for Cold Feet, Men Behaving Badly and The Fast Show.
What should we expect?
Vinnie finds himself in a bit of a sticky situation, having faked his own death to try to throw local gangster Terry McCann off his scent.
He’s undergone something of an image change (read: bleached his hair) to do so, but don’t expect Vinnie to lie low for long.
He is brought back into action from the depths of his “weed shed” when the gang decides to enlist the help of a disgruntled clown to rob a circus in order to buy the lease on a pole dancing club.
Want some more good news? Brassic is far from done at the end of this season – it has already been renewed for a third, which will be eight episodes long instead of the usual six.


inews--2020-05-07--What's on TV tonight: A second series of Brassic sees Vinnie and the gang up to more shenanigans

What 's on TV tonight : A second series of Brassic sees Vinnie and the gang up to more shenanigans There 's also a rerun of the BBC 's adaption of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth as Mr Darcy and Devs comes to a dramatic close The petty criminals of the fictional Lancashire town of Hawley return for a new run of Danny Brocklehurst and Joseph Gilgun ’ s witty caper , and this time they plan to buy a lap-dancing club .
For this they need £10,000 , which means robbing a circus with the help of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarming wig .
There ’ s a terrific cast to these semi-Shameless shenanigans , including Gilgun as Vinnie , who ’ s been in hiding out for months in one of farmer Jim ’ s barns ( Steve Evets with some cracking one-liners ) and Our Girl ’ s Michelle Keegan .
Oh , and Dominic West revisits his drama school days by impersonating a dog .
Shifting to an earlier slot and with a new title , the arts forum formerly known as Front Row Late finds Dame Mary Beard again broadcasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of poetry in a time of pandemic , with Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke , poet Lemn Sissay and historian David Olusoga .
Plus , poetry performances from Dame Helen Mirren and Brian Bilston .
Andrew Davies ’ 1995 screen version of Jane Austen ’ s novel turbocharged Colin Firth ’ s career , cemented Davies ’ position as our literary-adapter-in-chief , and is still as fresh and wonderful as it was when it first wooed the nation .
Jennifer Ehle deserves ample credit as the spirited Elizabeth Bennet , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes of Alison Steadman , Benjamin Whitrow , David Bamber and Julia Sawalha .
Have I Got News For You The satirical news quiz is brought forward a day from its usual Friday slot because of tomorrow ’ s VE Day commemorations .
David Tennant is the guest presenter , with comedy actor Chris McCausland joining regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton to “ poke fun at the week ’ s events ” .
Yes , well… It ’ s the final showdown in Alex Garland ’ s stylish , intelligent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confronts Forest , Katie and her own seemingly pre-determined destiny .
The first words we hear are spoken by Stewart , quoting Yeats ’ s `` The Second Coming '' , which gives you an idea of what to expect , as Lily challenges Forest ’ s messiah complex .
Eddie Marsan , his sons Blu and Bodhi , and David Threlfall star in the last of these short dramas .
A grandad ( Threlfall ) resolves to bring his broken family together by… being a grandad .
Able to pass by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the shop , he stops off outside their window to lark about and make his grandkids smile .
But his son-in-law ( Marsan ) , still suffering after his wife left him , does not welcome these daily visits .
What with Pride And Prejudice , First Dates Hotel ( C4 , 9pm ) and the return of Outlander , it ’ s quite a night for romantics .
Season four finds time-travelling Second World War nurse Claire ( Caitriona Balfe ) and Highland warrior Jamie ( Sam Heughan ) shipwrecked off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Claire and Jamie are shocked by the slavery in what was then a British colony .

Pick of the day: Brassic
9pm, Sky One
The petty criminals of the fictional Lancashire town of Hawley return for a new run of Danny Brocklehurst and Joseph Gilgun’s witty caper, and this time they plan to buy a lap-dancing club. For this they need £10,000, which means robbing a circus with the help of a clown played by John Thomson in an alarming wig. There’s a terrific cast to these semi-Shameless shenanigans, including Gilgun as Vinnie, who’s been in hiding out for months in one of farmer Jim’s barns (Steve Evets with some cracking one-liners) and Our Girl’s Michelle Keegan. Oh, and Dominic West revisits his drama school days by impersonating a dog.
Lockdown Culture With Mary Beard
7.30pm, BBC Two
Shifting to an earlier slot and with a new title, the arts forum formerly known as Front Row Late finds Dame Mary Beard again broadcasting from her study, remotely discussing the power of poetry in a time of pandemic, with Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, poet Lemn Sissay and historian David Olusoga. Plus, poetry performances from Dame Helen Mirren and Brian Bilston.
Pride And Prejudice
8pm, BBC Four
Andrew Davies’ 1995 screen version of Jane Austen’s novel turbocharged Colin Firth’s career, cemented Davies’ position as our literary-adapter-in-chief, and is still as fresh and wonderful as it was when it first wooed the nation. Jennifer Ehle deserves ample credit as the spirited Elizabeth Bennet, while there’s great support from the likes of Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow, David Bamber and Julia Sawalha.
Have I Got News For You
9pm, BBC One
The satirical news quiz is brought forward a day from its usual Friday slot because of tomorrow’s VE Day commemorations. David Tennant is the guest presenter, with comedy actor Chris McCausland joining regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton to “poke fun at the week’s events”. Yes, well…
Devs
9pm, BBC Two
It’s the final showdown in Alex Garland’s stylish, intelligent tech-nightmare drama as Lily enters Devs and confronts Forest, Katie and her own seemingly pre-determined destiny. The first words we hear are spoken by Stewart, quoting Yeats’s “The Second Coming”, which gives you an idea of what to expect, as Lily challenges Forest’s messiah complex.
Read More This Morning, Four in a Bed and no BBC before Pointless: the beginner’s guide to daytime TV
Isolation Stories
9pm, ITV
Eddie Marsan, his sons Blu and Bodhi, and David Threlfall star in the last of these short dramas. A grandad (Threlfall) resolves to bring his broken family together by… being a grandad. Able to pass by his son-in-law’s house on the way to the shop, he stops off outside their window to lark about and make his grandkids smile. But his son-in-law (Marsan), still suffering after his wife left him, does not welcome these daily visits.
Outlander
9pm, More4
What with Pride And Prejudice , First Dates Hotel (C4, 9pm) and the return of Outlander, it’s quite a night for romantics. Season four finds time-travelling Second World War nurse Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Highland warrior Jamie (Sam Heughan) shipwrecked off the coast of North Carolina in 1767. Claire and Jamie are shocked by the slavery in what was then a British colony.


inews--2020-05-07--'We are free people because of what they did': How the nation can remember VE Day and offer gratitud

'We are free people because of what they did': How the nation can remember VE Day and offer gratitude

'We are free people because of what they did ' : How the nation can remember VE Day and offer gratitude From sombre reflection to singalong , Cahal Milmo and Dean Kirby report on the day ahead It is a commemoration that will start in silence and end in song .
On the day that the war in Europe was declared to be at an end 75 years ago , Britain will mark victory over Hitler with tributes modified by its current battle with Covid-19 .
Some 10 hours later , after the Queen has delivered a speech at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked VE Day in 1945 with a broadcast from a bomb-scarred Buckingham Palace , the nation will be asked to gather on its doorsteps to sing We ’ ll Meet Again .
Two young women Joyce Digney ( nee Brookes ) ( left ) and Cynthia Covello ( nee Lowe ) , who were famously photographed celebrating VE Day with two sailors in a fountain in Trafalgar Square , London ( Photo : IWM/PA Wire ) On the UK ’ s 46th day of lockdown , it will be for many a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died from Covid-19 in hospitals , care homes and the community now nearly matches the 32,000 who perished in the Blitz .
Many will also be able to look to the skies as RAF Typhoon jets make flypasts in Edinburgh , Cardiff and Northern Ireland .
In the capital , the Red Arrows will perform above streets emptied by the pandemic .
Boris Johnson has called on public to show veterans ' spirit in face of virus threat ( Photo : DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ) “ This country triumphed thanks to the heroism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this , hundreds of millions of people now live in peace and freedom today , ” he said .
“ Today we must celebrate their achievement , and we remember their sacrifice .
We are a free people because of everything our veterans did – we offer our gratitude , our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge : you will always be remembered.
” While the privations of the Second World War far outstripped the difficulties that have been imposed by the pandemic , historians have pointed out parallels between VE Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Robert James , senior lecturer in social and cultural history at the University of Portsmouth , said : “ When the war ended , people could go out and behave as they had done pre-war , albeit within streets that still had bombed buildings .
He said : “ We commemorate those who stood together for a better future .
We remember this service , and also their sacrifice .
We also pay tribute to those that rebuilt and renewed our country after the war .
Theirs is an incredible legacy – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , the recognition of human rights.
” Among the many poignant moments will be a poetry reading .
Edward Blunden , a First World War veteran who fought at the Battle of the Somme , wrote an unpublished poem – “ V Day ” – to mark the conclusion of the Second World War in Europe which will be read by Mr Johnson .
Blunden concluded his verse : “ Thence shall the final victory ever new/ Sing in the lives of all that live , ‘ We have come through ’ @ @

It is a commemoration that will start in silence and end in song. On the day that the war in Europe was declared to be at an end 75 years ago, Britain will mark victory over Hitler with tributes modified by its current battle with Covid-19.
The “VE 75” celebrations will begin at 11am with a two-minute silence led by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall as the nation is asked to pause in remembrance of those who died.
Some 10 hours later, after the Queen has delivered a speech at the same hour her father King George VI marked VE Day in 1945 with a broadcast from a bomb-scarred Buckingham Palace, the nation will be asked to gather on its doorsteps to sing We’ll Meet Again.
Sombre moment of reflection
On the UK’s 46th day of lockdown, it will be for many a day of sombre reflection. The numbers who have died from Covid-19 in hospitals, care homes and the community now nearly matches the 32,000 who perished in the Blitz.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it had been planned that the 75th anniversary of VE Day – marking the formal end of hostilities with Nazi Germany some nine days after the suicide of Adolf Hitler – would involve veterans’ parades, street parties and church services.
Instead, the tributes will be paid inside homes and via video chats as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior members of the Royal Family make calls to the surviving veterans who find themselves confined to quarters by the virus.
Many will also be able to look to the skies as RAF Typhoon jets make flypasts in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northern Ireland. In the capital, the Red Arrows will perform above streets emptied by the pandemic.
‘Celebrate their achievement’
In a letter to veterans to mark VE Day, Boris Johnson, who is expected to attend Westminster Abbey before observing the two-minute silence from Downing Street, outlined the enduring debt of gratitude owed to the wartime generation.
“This country triumphed thanks to the heroism of countless ordinary people, and because of this, hundreds of millions of people now live in peace and freedom today,” he said. “Today we must celebrate their achievement, and we remember their sacrifice. We are a free people because of everything our veterans did – we offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered.”
While the privations of the Second World War far outstripped the difficulties that have been imposed by the pandemic, historians have pointed out parallels between VE Day and Britain’s current situation. Dr Robert James, senior lecturer in social and cultural history at the University of Portsmouth, said: “When the war ended, people could go out and behave as they had done pre-war, albeit within streets that still had bombed buildings.
“I think the difference with this will be the fact that lockdown can’t just end, restrictions are going to have to go on.
“That has parallels with things like rationing – some of the things that weren’t even rationed during wartime were rationed post-war.”
Invoking the war spirit
Mr Johnson, a biographer of his wartime predecessor Winston Churchill, invoked the war to say that Britain needs the “same spirit of national endeavour” to see off the coronavirus pandemic.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer issued his own video address in which he highlighted the legacy of those who fought and then rebuilt post-war Britain.
He said: “We commemorate those who stood together for a better future. We remember this service, and also their sacrifice. We also pay tribute to those that rebuilt and renewed our country after the war. Theirs is an incredible legacy – the National Health Service, the welfare state, the recognition of human rights.”
The day will be marked in Parliament with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle due to read extracts from a speech given by Sir Winston in the chamber to announce the surrender of Germany.
Read More ‘Everyone was so happy’: VE Day veterans recall celebrations ahead of 75th anniversary
Prince Charles will also read extracts from his grandfather’s diary entry written on VE Day, in which George VI spoke of his relief that the conflict in Europe was over and recounted his lunch that day with Mr Churchill.
Among the many poignant moments will be a poetry reading. Edward Blunden, a First World War veteran who fought at the Battle of the Somme, wrote an unpublished poem – “V Day” – to mark the conclusion of the Second World War in Europe which will be read by Mr Johnson. Blunden concluded his verse: “Thence shall the final victory ever new/ Sing in the lives of all that live, ‘We have come through’.”


inews--2020-05-07--VE Day celebrations: Boris Johnson calls on UK to show veterans' 'spirit of endeavour' to defeat cor

VE Day celebrations: Boris Johnson calls on UK to show veterans' 'spirit of endeavour' to defeat coronavirus

VE Day celebrations : Boris Johnson calls on UK to show veterans ' 'spirit of endeavour ' to defeat coronavirus PM pens letter to Second World War veterans on muted 75th anniversary celebration Boris Johnson has written to veterans to mark VE Day .
He told them , despite the continued UK lockdown because of Covid-19 , their efforts to defeat a “ ruthless enemy ” would “ always be remembered ” .
Before the coronavirus outbreak , the Government opted to move the early May bank holiday , usually held on the first Monday of the month , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations .
But the ban on mass events , brought in on March 23 to stem the spread of the deadly virus , means the celebrations will be more low-key than initially anticipated .
In his letter to surviving veterans , Mr Johnson wrote : “ On this anniversary , we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago .
“ We can not pay our tribute with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past ; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person .
Boris Johnson will soon announce the easing of some lockdown measures ( Photo : Getty ) “ But please allow us , your proud compatriots , to be the first to offer our gratitude , our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge : you will always be remembered.
” VE Day will be marked with small commemorations in Parliament , with Speakers of both the Commons and the Lords expected to offer tributes .
They will be followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hall , led by the Speaker ’ s Chaplain , the Reverend Tricia Hillas , to coincide with the two minutes ’ silence at 11am .
A trumpeter from the Band of the Scots Guard will sound the Last Post and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is due to read extracts from a speech given by then-prime minister Winston Churchill in the Commons on May 8 , 1945 , in which he announced the surrender of Germany , bringing the Second World War to an end in Europe .
It will be broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time her father , King George VI , gave a radio address in 1945 to mark the cessation of hostilities on the continent .

The Prime Minister has said the country must show the “same spirit of national endeavour” to overcome coronavirus as Second World War veterans demonstrated to defeat Hitler.
Boris Johnson has written to veterans to mark VE Day. He told them, despite the continued UK lockdown because of Covid-19, their efforts to defeat a “ruthless enemy” would “always be remembered”.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, the Government opted to move the early May bank holiday, usually held on the first Monday of the month, to May 8 to allow the country to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations.
Muted celebrations
But the ban on mass events, brought in on March 23 to stem the spread of the deadly virus, means the celebrations will be more low-key than initially anticipated.
In his letter to surviving veterans, Mr Johnson wrote: “On this anniversary, we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago.
“We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person.
“But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered.”
VE Day will be marked with small commemorations in Parliament, with Speakers of both the Commons and the Lords expected to offer tributes.
Royal address
They will be followed by a wreath laying service in Westminster Hall, led by the Speaker’s Chaplain, the Reverend Tricia Hillas, to coincide with the two minutes’ silence at 11am.
A trumpeter from the Band of the Scots Guard will sound the Last Post and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is due to read extracts from a speech given by then-prime minister Winston Churchill in the Commons on May 8, 1945, in which he announced the surrender of Germany, bringing the Second World War to an end in Europe.
In the evening, the Queen will deliver a personal address from Windsor Castle.
It will be broadcast on television at 9pm, the same time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945 to mark the cessation of hostilities on the continent.


inews--2020-05-07--VE Day 2020: Britons refuse to let coronavirus spoil household celebrations

Households up and down the country will mark the anniversary of the end of WW2 in Europe , despite the country being in lockdown The UK will commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a roster of events that can be enjoyed at home ( Photo Getty ) Communities across the country will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe by throwing 1940s-inspired tea parties , performing the Lindy Hop in their front rooms and singing along with classic wartime songs .
British households previously intending to attend bustling street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary despite the country being in lockdown after making contingency plans that will see them pay tribute to veterans and remember loved ones in their homes and gardens rather than in public places .
The Government has made clear VE Day 75 celebrations should take place “ in our homes and on our doorsteps , rather than in parades and street parties ” , prompting Britons to find alternative ways to commemorate the occasion that comply with social-distancing rules .
Droves of people will deck out their houses in bunting and Union flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in demand for decorative items like these , with sales rivalling those witnessed during the London 2012 Olympics – with many enjoying tea parties featuring traditional British fare .
Commemorative Tommy figures for VE Day prepared for shipping at the Royal British Legion ( Photo : Getty ) In Mansfield , Nottinghamshire , a “ huge virtual party ” will take place following the cancellation of a council-organised celebration at a local shopping centre .
Residents attending the Virtual VE Day Party can take part in a range of family-friendly activities , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hairstyle tutorials .
Anyone living further afield keen to pick up some classic moves , or finesse their techniques , can join English Heritage online for a Lindy Hop dance tutorial .
The charity is holding the class via its Facebook page at midday , and at 5pm it will invite the public to get up off the sofa and show off their skills during an online mass participation event , Dance for VE Day .
Museums and libraries are also offering a host of activities people can enjoy from the comfort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museum , the Royal Air Force Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy will be hosting their first tri-services celebration .
The Virtual VE Day 75 Festival kicked off yesterday and will run today and tomorrow .
Highlights include a live swing dance class and a singalong concert with vintage vocal harmony trio the Bluebird Belles .
Meanwhile , Libraries From Home , an initiative from arts charity Libraries Connected , will offer an array of entertainment and activities from libraries across the UK .
Members of the public can listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local band in Windsor , war poetry readings from Staffordshire , and can access wartime recipes being posted throughout May in a project run by Wokingham library in Berkshire .

Communities across the country will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe by throwing 1940s-inspired tea parties, performing the Lindy Hop in their front rooms and singing along with classic wartime songs.
British households previously intending to attend bustling street parties and busy parades will mark the anniversary despite the country being in lockdown after making contingency plans that will see them pay tribute to veterans and remember loved ones in their homes and gardens rather than in public places.
Bunting out
The Government has made clear VE Day 75 celebrations should take place “in our homes and on our doorsteps, rather than in parades and street parties”, prompting Britons to find alternative ways to commemorate the occasion that comply with social-distancing rules.
Droves of people will deck out their houses in bunting and Union flags – multiple retailers have reported a spike in demand for decorative items like these, with sales rivalling those witnessed during the London 2012 Olympics – with many enjoying tea parties featuring traditional British fare.
Virtual parties
In Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, a “huge virtual party” will take place following the cancellation of a council-organised celebration at a local shopping centre. Residents attending the Virtual VE Day Party can take part in a range of family-friendly activities, from an Army-style workout to 1940s dance and hairstyle tutorials.
Anyone living further afield keen to pick up some classic moves, or finesse their techniques, can join English Heritage online for a Lindy Hop dance tutorial. The charity is holding the class via its Facebook page at midday, and at 5pm it will invite the public to get up off the sofa and show off their skills during an online mass participation event, Dance for VE Day.
Family activities
Museums and libraries are also offering a host of activities people can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. The National Army Museum, the Royal Air Force Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy will be hosting their first tri-services celebration.
The Virtual VE Day 75 Festival kicked off yesterday and will run today and tomorrow. Highlights include a live swing dance class and a singalong concert with vintage vocal harmony trio the Bluebird Belles.
Meanwhile, Libraries From Home, an initiative from arts charity Libraries Connected, will offer an array of entertainment and activities from libraries across the UK.
Members of the public can listen to recordings of 1940s songs performed by a local band in Windsor, war poetry readings from Staffordshire, and can access wartime recipes being posted throughout May in a project run by Wokingham library in Berkshire.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus in the UK: Opening schools too early could hit poorest and BAME community, teacher union

Coronavirus in the UK: Opening schools too early could hit poorest and BAME community, teacher union warns

Coronavirus in the UK : Opening schools too early could hit poorest and BAME community , teacher union warns Patrick Roach , the general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union , said it would be highly regressive if poor children were put at risk The push to reopen schools is being `` driven by economic concerns '' and could hit the health of black and minority ethnic people and those in the poorest communities , a union leader has claimed .
Patrick Roach , the general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union , said that an “ experiment with reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk .
In a blog post shared with i , he writes : `` We have witnessed in the UK and elsewhere how the coronavirus has impacted disproportionately adversely on the poorest , and especially on black and minority ethnic communities .
“ It would therefore be a highly regressive measure to insist that the children of the poorest should be those who should be put at greatest risk by prematurely reopening schools when it is not safe to do so . ''
According to the Office for National Statistics , black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to die with coronavirus as white people in England and Wales In his blog , Mr Roach says it is “ becoming increasingly clear ” that the argument for reopening schools “ is being driven by economic concerns and has very little to do with extending educational opportunity for the poorest '' .
He argues that the coronavirus crisis has highlighted `` searing inequalities '' in education , `` but , the answer for disadvantaged children doesn ’ t lie in misplaced , short-term measures designed to appease political malcontents , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Government is believed to be targeting 1 June as the date to begin reopening schools in England , with the decision due to be confirmed by Boris Johnson on Sunday .
However , teaching unions have raised concern about the health of their members , with the NASUWT saying that setting an “ arbitrary date ” such as 1 June “ is wholly premature ” .
On Thursday the Welsh Government said it would not be reopening schools on 1 June .
In England , the Department for Education has insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a date for schools reopening '' , and that it will only happen when `` the scientific advice indicates it is the right time '' .
The Bank of England has predicted the coronavirus could result in the sharpest recession on record .
Some commentators have argued that the economic damage from the lockdown could rival the public health impact of Covid-19 .

The push to reopen schools is being “driven by economic concerns” and could hit the health of black and minority ethnic people and those in the poorest communities, a union leader has claimed.
Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said that an “experiment with reopening schools” early would also put teachers at risk.
In a blog post shared with i, he writes: “We have witnessed in the UK and elsewhere how the coronavirus has impacted disproportionately adversely on the poorest, and especially on black and minority ethnic communities.
“It would therefore be a highly regressive measure to insist that the children of the poorest should be those who should be put at greatest risk by prematurely reopening schools when it is not safe to do so.”
‘Economic concerns’
According to the Office for National Statistics, black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die with coronavirus as white people in England and Wales
In his blog, Mr Roach says it is “becoming increasingly clear” that the argument for reopening schools “is being driven by economic concerns and has very little to do with extending educational opportunity for the poorest”.
He argues that the coronavirus crisis has highlighted “searing inequalities” in education, “but, the answer for disadvantaged children doesn’t lie in misplaced, short-term measures designed to appease political malcontents, or an experiment to kick-start the economy”.
‘Arbitrary date’
The Government is believed to be targeting 1 June as the date to begin reopening schools in England, with the decision due to be confirmed by Boris Johnson on Sunday.
However, teaching unions have raised concern about the health of their members, with the NASUWT saying that setting an “arbitrary date” such as 1 June “is wholly premature”.
On Thursday the Welsh Government said it would not be reopening schools on 1 June.
In England, the Department for Education has insisted that the Government has “not set a date for schools reopening”, and that it will only happen when “the scientific advice indicates it is the right time”.
The Bank of England has predicted the coronavirus could result in the sharpest recession on record. Some commentators have argued that the economic damage from the lockdown could rival the public health impact of Covid-19.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus and furloughed workers: Options available to Rishi Sunak this summer, from extending Job

Coronavirus and furloughed workers: Options available to Rishi Sunak this summer, from extending Job Retention scheme to allowing staff to work part-time

Coronavirus and furloughed workers : Options available to Rishi Sunak this summer , from extending Job Retention scheme to allowing staff to work part-time The Chancellor has to decide within days how to modify the coronavirus Job Retention initiative He has to decide within days how to modify the coronavirus Job Retention initiative that is paying 80 per cent of the wages of more than six million workers whose employers have stopped or cut back trading during the lockdown .
But it would be ruinously expensive – the scheme is already projected to cost more than £40bn – and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer , increasing the economic pain already faced by the UK .
This option looks highly unlikely , despite Mr Sunak ’ s pledge to do “ whatever it takes ” to safeguard jobs .
Cut the wage subsidies to 60 per cent or below Furloughed staff could be prompted to look for new jobs if payments from the Treasury are reduced and their employers do not make up the difference .
However , with millions of people in the same position it is hard to envisage what vacancies they could all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This would also be a costly move for the Treasury .
The same arguments apply if the Chancellor was to opt to reduce the maximum £2,500 monthly payment .
He could cut it to around £1,800 a month .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer grilled the PM on the death stats in the Commons ( Photo : PA ) Business chiefs and the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have argued for greater flexibility in the scheme by permitting staff to work part-time while picking up some furlough money .
Furloughed staff are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sweden and some US states to enable them to maintain links with their employer and keep the business ticking over .
This would be attractive to companies planning to step up operations without returning to pre-pandemic levels .
Officials fear this compromise could be open to abuse as some unscrupulous employers could demand staff work close to full hours , but with the taxpayer subsidising their salaries .
This would protect staff in parts of the economy which will be last to emerge from the lockdown – such as hotels and hospitality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while ending support for sectors including the construction industry and largely office-based companies which are preparing to resume work .
This option has been advocated , for example , by the UK Live Music Group which has warned that hundreds of music venues are at risk of closure because of the pandemic .
It would be supported by pubs , clubs and restaurants which are bracing themselves for closure until the autumn .
But it could commit Mr Sunak to payments lasting for much of the year at the cost of piling up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on taxes and public spending .
Mr Sunak has ruled out this option , reassuring businesses that there would be no “ cliff edge ” end to the initiative at the end of June .

Rishi Sunak is to retain a version of the Government’s hugely expensive furlough scheme throughout the summer as warnings mount that the coronavirus pandemic will trigger Britain’s worst recession for three centuries and cost 1.5 million jobs.
He has to decide within days how to modify the coronavirus Job Retention initiative that is paying 80 per cent of the wages of more than six million workers whose employers have stopped or cut back trading during the lockdown.
But what other options are available to the Chancellor?
Extend the furlough scheme in full
This would avert huge job losses over the summer, with much of the economy cushioned from disaster.
But it would be ruinously expensive – the scheme is already projected to cost more than £40bn – and would signal that the lockdown would extend through the summer, increasing the economic pain already faced by the UK. This option looks highly unlikely, despite Mr Sunak’s pledge to do “whatever it takes” to safeguard jobs.
Cut the wage subsidies to 60 per cent or below
Furloughed staff could be prompted to look for new jobs if payments from the Treasury are reduced and their employers do not make up the difference.
However, with millions of people in the same position it is hard to envisage what vacancies they could all fill in a post-lockdown and economically-scarred Britain. This would also be a costly move for the Treasury.
The same arguments apply if the Chancellor was to opt to reduce the maximum £2,500 monthly payment. He could cut it to around £1,800 a month.
Allow furloughed staff to work part-time
Business chiefs and the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have argued for greater flexibility in the scheme by permitting staff to work part-time while picking up some furlough money. Furloughed staff are allowed to work shorter hours in Germany, Sweden and some US states to enable them to maintain links with their employer and keep the business ticking over.
This would be attractive to companies planning to step up operations without returning to pre-pandemic levels. Officials fear this compromise could be open to abuse as some unscrupulous employers could demand staff work close to full hours, but with the taxpayer subsidising their salaries.
Extending furlough sector by sector
This would protect staff in parts of the economy which will be last to emerge from the lockdown – such as hotels and hospitality – because of social distancing rules, while ending support for sectors including the construction industry and largely office-based companies which are preparing to resume work.
This option has been advocated, for example, by the UK Live Music Group which has warned that hundreds of music venues are at risk of closure because of the pandemic. It would be supported by pubs, clubs and restaurants which are bracing themselves for closure until the autumn.
But it could commit Mr Sunak to payments lasting for much of the year at the cost of piling up Government borrowing, with the potential knock-on effect on taxes and public spending.
Read More: Rishi Sunak prepares to wind down coronavirus furlough scheme amid warnings withdrawing support could trigger unemployment crisis
Scrapping the furlough scheme entirely
Mr Sunak has ruled out this option, reassuring businesses that there would be no “cliff edge” end to the initiative at the end of June.
An abrupt stop would risk millions of furloughed staff moving on to benefits and hundreds of thousands of companies going to the wall because they cannot operate under continuing social distancing rules.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus lockdown: Holiday hotspots tell people to stay away this weekend

Coronavirus lockdown : Holiday hotspots tell people to stay away this weekend Devon and Cornwall Police warned tourists to stay away during what is shaping up to be a hot and sunny weekend Health officials , frontline workers and police from some of the UK ’ s most popular holiday destinations have warned Boris Johnson that relaxing the lockdown “ too far and too fast ” could lead to a new peak in infections across the country .
The Prime Minister will reveal in an address to the nation on Sunday how the Government intends to ease the lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ stay at home ” message must remain until the contact tracing technology being trialled on the Isle of Wight is proven to work .
Colin Cox , the director of public health for Cumbria , said that any relaxation of the rules should happen only “ when it is safe to do so ” and when all of the contact tracing measures , including the new 18,000-strong army of tracers , are “ working and fully up and running ” .
Mr Cox pleaded with tourists to stay away from the picturesque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new bridge is being completed to re-join the two halves of the tourist haven for the first time in five years .
The original 300-year-old crossing was destroyed during Storm Desmond in December 2015 .
Cornwall is likely to enforce social distancing rules for visitors when lockdown restrictions are relaxed ( Photo : Getty ) Mr Cox said : “ We still need people to stay close to home .
We had our peak of infections in early April .
Relaxing the lockdown too much would risk a second peak here.
” Devon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away during what is shaping up to be a hot and sunny weekend in the South West .
Assistant chief constable Glen Mayhew , said : “ We need to do all we can to prevent this virus from gaining the ability to escalate further .
So I am asking you to think twice before you consider leaving your home.
” Alistair Handyside , of the South West Tourism Alliance , advised potential visitors : “ We have said that we want to open not a day too early , and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rest assured , we will be ready for you , but until then , please do stay where you are until we are told that we can welcome you all back.
” The message from English tourist hotspots was echoed in Scotland by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon , who said any change to the Government 's key stay-at-home message on coronavirus could prove to be a “ catastrophic mistake ” by confusing the public .

Health officials, frontline workers and police from some of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations have warned Boris Johnson that relaxing the lockdown “too far and too fast” could lead to a new peak in infections across the country.
The Prime Minister will reveal in an address to the nation on Sunday how the Government intends to ease the lockdown. But one health expert believes that the “stay at home” message must remain until the contact tracing technology being trialled on the Isle of Wight is proven to work.
Colin Cox, the director of public health for Cumbria, said that any relaxation of the rules should happen only “when it is safe to do so” and when all of the contact tracing measures, including the new 18,000-strong army of tracers, are “working and fully up and running”.
Mr Cox pleaded with tourists to stay away from the picturesque Lake District this weekend, where a new bridge is being completed to re-join the two halves of the tourist haven for the first time in five years. The original 300-year-old crossing was destroyed during Storm Desmond in December 2015.
‘Stay close to home’
Mr Cox said: “We still need people to stay close to home. We had our peak of infections in early April. Relaxing the lockdown too much would risk a second peak here.”
Devon and Cornwall Police also warned tourists to stay away during what is shaping up to be a hot and sunny weekend in the South West.
Assistant chief constable Glen Mayhew, said: “We need to do all we can to prevent this virus from gaining the ability to escalate further. So I am asking you to think twice before you consider leaving your home.”
Alistair Handyside, of the South West Tourism Alliance, advised potential visitors: “We have said that we want to open not a day too early, and not a day too late.
“So, rest assured, we will be ready for you, but until then, please do stay where you are until we are told that we can welcome you all back.”
The message from English tourist hotspots was echoed in Scotland by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said any change to the Government’s key stay-at-home message on coronavirus could prove to be a “catastrophic mistake” by confusing the public.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus and business: Rishi Sunak to extend furlough support but may cut wage subsidy

Coronavirus and business : Rishi Sunak to extend furlough support but may cut wage subsidy Rishi Sunak reassuring business chiefs there will be no 'cliff edge ' end to scheme He has to decide within days how to modify the Coronavirus Job Retention initiative which is currently paying 80 per cent of the wages of more than 6 million workers whose employers have stopped or cut back trading during the lockdown .
The Chancellor has made clear that there will be no “ cliff-edge ” exit from the scheme which is currently scheduled to end on 30 June , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be amended from July .
He is considering reducing the percentage of wages that furloughed workers receive to around 60 per cent or below or alternatively reducing the £2,500 maximum monthly payment they can receive .
A further option being examined by the Treasury is to reduce the payments further but to allow recipients to work part-time .
Around four million people in the UK have been furloughed as Britons have been urged to stay home to contain the virus ( Photo : Getty ) The Chancellor is having to balance the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the lockdown with intense pressure to relaunch an economy largely in deep freeze .
The stakes were underlined by a Bank of England warning that the economy could contract by 30 per cent in the first half of the year in the steepest and most rapid recession since the early 1700s .
Officials are also considering whether to phase out the furlough scheme sector-by-sector in an effort to support those areas of the economy , such as the hospitality industry , which will be released last from lockdown conditions .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank , who said : “ It ’ s not easy to do it by sector but they should certainly do all that they can to achieve that.
” He added : “ You could , outside of those sectors that are fully locked down , move to some cost sharing - Government will pay half of the salary if , and only if , employers pay some fraction of the salary.
” Ministers have been taken aback by the uptake of the initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a cost so far to the taxpayer of £8bn .
The Northern Ireland Secretary , Brandon Lewis , said on Thursday that the Government had not made any final decisions on when and how the scheme would end .
But he added : “ The Chancellor has been clear , if we need to extend furlough beyond June we will do that .
“ But we ’ re going to do this in stages when we have a better understanding of where we are in terms of the cycle of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stage.
” “ And the key thing I think is to continue , probably on a tapered basis , with some of the assistance to industry , and carry on with that until the recovery actually gets a grip and is self-sustaining , ” he told the BBC .

Rishi Sunak is to retain a version of the Government’s hugely expensive furlough scheme throughout the summer as warnings mount that the coronavirus pandemic will trigger Britain’s worst recession for three centuries and cost 1.5 million jobs.
He has to decide within days how to modify the Coronavirus Job Retention initiative which is currently paying 80 per cent of the wages of more than 6 million workers whose employers have stopped or cut back trading during the lockdown.
The Chancellor has made clear that there will be no “cliff-edge” exit from the scheme which is currently scheduled to end on 30 June, but has yet to settle on how it will be amended from July.
He is considering reducing the percentage of wages that furloughed workers receive to around 60 per cent or below or alternatively reducing the £2,500 maximum monthly payment they can receive.
A further option being examined by the Treasury is to reduce the payments further but to allow recipients to work part-time.
Economy in deep freeze
The Chancellor is having to balance the need to protect viable industries from collapsing because of the lockdown with intense pressure to relaunch an economy largely in deep freeze.
The stakes were underlined by a Bank of England warning that the economy could contract by 30 per cent in the first half of the year in the steepest and most rapid recession since the early 1700s.
Contraction on that scale would double unemployment levels, it calculated.
Officials are also considering whether to phase out the furlough scheme sector-by-sector in an effort to support those areas of the economy, such as the hospitality industry, which will be released last from lockdown conditions.
This approach was backed yesterday by Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, who said: “It’s not easy to do it by sector but they should certainly do all that they can to achieve that.”
He added: “You could, outside of those sectors that are fully locked down, move to some cost sharing – Government will pay half of the salary if, and only if, employers pay some fraction of the salary.”
Final decisions not made
Ministers have been taken aback by the uptake of the initiative with nearly one quarter of workers furloughed at a cost so far to the taxpayer of £8bn.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis, said on Thursday that the Government had not made any final decisions on when and how the scheme would end.
But he added: “The Chancellor has been clear, if we need to extend furlough beyond June we will do that.
“But we’re going to do this in stages when we have a better understanding of where we are in terms of the cycle of the virus and the impact on the economy at that stage.”
Tapered scheme
The former Conservative Chancellor, Lord Lamont, argued that the furlough scheme should continue in a tapered form.
“I think the key point is actually to get the recovery going and to make sure that you don’t obstruct it.
“And the key thing I think is to continue, probably on a tapered basis, with some of the assistance to industry, and carry on with that until the recovery actually gets a grip and is self-sustaining,” he told the BBC.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus in the UK: Universities may need second bailout to save them from going bust

Coronavirus in the UK : Universities may need second bailout to save them from going bust One vice-chancellor told i it would be ' a result ' if his uni managed to recruit 50 per cent of the international students it had expected One vice chancellor told i that a collapse in the number of international students would create a “ huge black hole ” in the sector , and that if help was not forthcoming some universities “ won ’ t survive ” .
The request for support could include a plea for the Government to give students extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the autumn .
The Government has agreed a financial support package for universities in England which includes allowing them to continue charging full fees ( Photo : Chris Radburn/PA Wire ) One university vice chancellor - who asked not to be named - told i : “ If we end up with 50 per cent of the international students that we expected then that would be a result , ” he said .
The leader said his university was “ less reliant ” on international students compared to many others , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pounds .
He said the Government ’ s current package - which does not offer new money - would not be enough for some universities .
“ If you lose 20 per cent of your income and there ’ s no way of recovering that during that year ... then moving the timing around about when you get money is not going to solve the problem , ” he said .
He pointed out that some universities had “ strict covenants ” on their loans , giving banks “ the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop in income , while restricting universities ’ ability to take on extra debt in the form of government loans .
“ We don ’ t actually know how bad the pain is going to be in the next academic year until we know how many students are going to enrol , ” he said .
He said the Government ’ s current package had been used to “ buy everybody time ” , but “ it might not necessarily be the final word ” .
The vice chancellor said that higher education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special case ” in requesting extra support , and that new money would have to come with conditions .
The money could be used to scale up universities ’ “ blended learning ” - mixing face-to-face and online teaching - which he predicted would be more popular in the wake of the pandemic .
This would allow British universities to recapture international students in 2021 .
“ What the Government must do is make sure the university sector is strong to recover that international income in a year ’ s time ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want it to result in is all the teaching and learning expertise to go , programmes to close , and then ... it takes us 10 years to regain that market.
” And he said the Government should look at “ putting in some incentives ” for students , such as an “ additional grant ” to make sure they take up their offers and do not defer them for a year .

Universities may need a second bailout later this year to stop them going bust, i can reveal.
One vice chancellor told i that a collapse in the number of international students would create a “huge black hole” in the sector, and that if help was not forthcoming some universities “won’t survive”.
The request for support could include a plea for the Government to give students extra money to make sure they turn up in the autumn.
At the start of this week the Government announced a support package for universities in England, bringing forward £2.6bn of forecast tuition fee payments, along with £100m of research funding.
The Scottish Government also announced a one-off £75m increase in research funding to help Scotland’s universities make up income lost due to the coronavirus.
International students
However, higher education experts have said another, more substantial package may be needed.
One university vice chancellor – who asked not to be named – told i: “If we end up with 50 per cent of the international students that we expected then that would be a result,” he said.
The leader said his university was “less reliant” on international students compared to many others, but the fees still contributed tens of millions of pounds.
He said the Government’s current package – which does not offer new money – would not be enough for some universities.
‘Some won’t survive’
“If you lose 20 per cent of your income and there’s no way of recovering that during that year… then moving the timing around about when you get money is not going to solve the problem,” he said.
He pointed out that some universities had “strict covenants” on their loans, giving banks “the right to foreclose” if there is a big drop in income, while restricting universities’ ability to take on extra debt in the form of government loans.
“Bringing forward income on a reduced income basis is just not going to be enough,” he said. “I think some [universities] won’t survive.”
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think-thank, told i the “real pain” for universities would come in the autumn.
“We don’t actually know how bad the pain is going to be in the next academic year until we know how many students are going to enrol,” he said.
He said the Government’s current package had been used to “buy everybody time”, but “it might not necessarily be the final word”.
Bail-out conditions
The vice chancellor said that higher education “cannot think it is a special case” in requesting extra support, and that new money would have to come with conditions.
The money could be used to scale up universities’ “blended learning” – mixing face-to-face and online teaching – which he predicted would be more popular in the wake of the pandemic. This would allow British universities to recapture international students in 2021.
“What the Government must do is make sure the university sector is strong to recover that international income in a year’s time”, he said.
“What we don’t want it to result in is all the teaching and learning expertise to go, programmes to close, and then… it takes us 10 years to regain that market.”
Student incentives
And he said the Government should look at “putting in some incentives” for students, such as an “additional grant” to make sure they take up their offers and do not defer them for a year.
He said it would be a “major problem” for the Government “if a large number of kids are on the doll”
“They should be educated in preparation for a recovery,” he added.
Some people have predicted that applications from British students could remain buoyant this year as people flee from an unforgiving jobs market.
However, some institutions remain concerned that school leavers could opt to defer a year over fears they will not be able to enjoy a normal university experience if social distancing continues into the autumn.
The Government has said it will only intervene further to save universities “where we find there is a case to do so” and “as a last resort”.
Such interventions would involve a “restructuring regime” with “attached conditions”.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus has rewritten the rules of competition as JD Sports and Deliveroo decisions show

Coronavirus has rewritten the rules of competition as JD Sports and Deliveroo decisions show It is still unclear how the regulator should respond to the current situation The executive chairman of JD Sports , Peter Cowgill , made no secret of his anger this week after his firm ’ s takeover of Footasylum was blocked by the competition regulator .
One target of his ire was “ a notoriously vocal competitor ” , a thinly veiled allusion to Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley , who had been outspoken during the proceedings .
But he reserved his longest string of unflattering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself , describing the watchdog ’ s decision as “ absurd , alarming , erroneous , extraordinary and outdated ” .
His frustration was understandable .
The acquisition was announced in March last year and now those many months of work will go down the pan as JD sells off its newly-gained prize .
There were always likely to be some raised eyebrows over the combination of two sports retailers .
But nobody could have predicted this time last year that a CMA decision would come in the middle of a global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of competition .
The problem is that nobody seems to know exactly what the new rules are .
The CMA only a few weeks ago waved through Amazon ’ s investment in Deliveroo , citing the latter business ’ s need for fresh cash after it warned it was at risk of collapse because of the coronavirus crisis .
So although the CMA said it did not believe the current crisis alleviated its concerns when it came to the JD Sports/Footasylum merger , from the outside it is still confusing to see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ failing firm ” card in the way Deliveroo did , but it had been struggling and had issued a profit warning following a poor Christmas before JD agreed to buy it .
Now the situation – for all retailers , not just Footasylum – is immeasurably worse .
The latest data from BDO ’ s high street sales tracker show that overall sales , including in stores and online , are down by almost a third .
And even when stores are able to reopen , the lingering economic impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wallets for months or years to come .
The CMA said it had taken the situation into account , but that does not change the fact that Footasylum may be in trouble without JD ’ s backing and a new buyer could be hard to find in this climate .
This all raises the question of whether the regulator should be easing up on its objections to tie-ups between companies .
After all , it ’ s no use objecting to a merger because it lessens competition if one or both parties then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike a balance .
It would be a shame if good businesses went to the wall because a potential saviour was not allowed to buy them , but it would also be unacceptable if consumers were left worse off .

The executive chairman of JD Sports, Peter Cowgill, made no secret of his anger this week after his firm’s takeover of Footasylum was blocked by the competition regulator. One target of his ire was “a notoriously vocal competitor”, a thinly veiled allusion to Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley, who had been outspoken during the proceedings.
But he reserved his longest string of unflattering adjectives for the Competition and Markets Authority itself, describing the watchdog’s decision as “absurd, alarming, erroneous, extraordinary and outdated”.
His frustration was understandable. The acquisition was announced in March last year and now those many months of work will go down the pan as JD sells off its newly-gained prize.
There were always likely to be some raised eyebrows over the combination of two sports retailers. But nobody could have predicted this time last year that a CMA decision would come in the middle of a global pandemic.
Coronavirus has now rewritten the rules of competition. The problem is that nobody seems to know exactly what the new rules are.
The CMA only a few weeks ago waved through Amazon’s investment in Deliveroo, citing the latter business’s need for fresh cash after it warned it was at risk of collapse because of the coronavirus crisis.
So although the CMA said it did not believe the current crisis alleviated its concerns when it came to the JD Sports/Footasylum merger, from the outside it is still confusing to see it rejected. Footasylum may not have played the “failing firm” card in the way Deliveroo did, but it had been struggling and had issued a profit warning following a poor Christmas before JD agreed to buy it.
Now the situation – for all retailers, not just Footasylum – is immeasurably worse. The latest data from BDO’s high street sales tracker show that overall sales, including in stores and online, are down by almost a third. And even when stores are able to reopen, the lingering economic impact of coronavirus will be felt in consumers’ wallets for months or years to come.
The CMA said it had taken the situation into account, but that does not change the fact that Footasylum may be in trouble without JD’s backing and a new buyer could be hard to find in this climate.
This all raises the question of whether the regulator should be easing up on its objections to tie-ups between companies. After all, it’s no use objecting to a merger because it lessens competition if one or both parties then disappear altogether.
The CMA has to strike a balance. It would be a shame if good businesses went to the wall because a potential saviour was not allowed to buy them, but it would also be unacceptable if consumers were left worse off.


inews--2020-05-07--Coronavirus latest: Somerset artist sews enough face masks for village of 600 people

Coronavirus latest : Somerset artist sews enough face masks for village of 600 people Shelley Dyer-Gibbins suggested her colourful 'art masks ' could be 'less intimidating ' than surgical alternatives Shelley Dyer-Gibbins turned her art studio into a sewing room to help supply residents of the village of Croscombe in Somerset with face masks ( Photo : Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Shelley Dyer-Gibbins turned her art studio into a sewing room to help supply residents of the village of Croscombe in Somerset with the face coverings .
She was aided by six other sewers who worked separately in their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplied all the village ’ s residents , which number around 600 , with masks to wear when they visit the shops or perform other essential chores .
The masks are made with colourful fabric , with some even featuring an award-winning artwork by Ms Dyer-Gibbins , who began sewing them at the end of March using material she had in a cupboard .
A few days into the project she saw a post online from a local manufacturing firm , Westfield Medical , offering off-cuts of medical-grade fabric .
This material is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are being provided free of charge to all Croscombe residents .
Enough for everyone The artist said she had received requests from across the UK from people wishing to buy a mask ( Photo : Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Ms Dyer-Gibbins and her team have produced around 800 masks so far .
The artist , who has lived in the village for 20 years , said : `` There are enough masks for everyone in the village and we have a stockpile.
” Ms Dyer-Gibbins refers to the coverings as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colourful appearance makes them “ less intimidating ” than surgical masks .
`` People have said they 'd rather wear a piece of art than something plain and boring too .
My work is usually on people 's walls and now they are walking [ around ] wearing it , ” she said .
“ The most important thing for me is hopefully the masks will keep everybody safer .
They also mean people are n't taking surgical masks away from NHS staff and other key workers . ''
The artist said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people wishing to buy a mask .
She is planning to send these through the post , with all proceeds going to a local foodbank .

An artist and a team of sewers have kitted out their entire Somerset village with fabric face masks.
Shelley Dyer-Gibbins turned her art studio into a sewing room to help supply residents of the village of Croscombe in Somerset with the face coverings. She was aided by six other sewers who worked separately in their homes around the village.
Spare fabric found in a cupboard
Ms Dyer-Gibbins has supplied all the village’s residents, which number around 600, with masks to wear when they visit the shops or perform other essential chores.
The masks are made with colourful fabric, with some even featuring an award-winning artwork by Ms Dyer-Gibbins, who began sewing them at the end of March using material she had in a cupboard.
A few days into the project she saw a post online from a local manufacturing firm, Westfield Medical, offering off-cuts of medical-grade fabric. This material is now being used to line the masks, which are being provided free of charge to all Croscombe residents.
Enough for everyone
Ms Dyer-Gibbins and her team have produced around 800 masks so far. The artist, who has lived in the village for 20 years, said: “There are enough masks for everyone in the village and we have a stockpile.”
Ms Dyer-Gibbins refers to the coverings as “art masks” and suggested that their colourful appearance makes them “less intimidating” than surgical masks.
“People have said they’d rather wear a piece of art than something plain and boring too. My work is usually on people’s walls and now they are walking [around] wearing it,” she said.
Donating profits
“I feel really proud,” Ms Dyer-Gibbins continued.
“The most important thing for me is hopefully the masks will keep everybody safer. They also mean people aren’t taking surgical masks away from NHS staff and other key workers.”
The artist said she had received requests from across the UK from people wishing to buy a mask. She is planning to send these through the post, with all proceeds going to a local foodbank.
Additional reporting by PA