A grandmother has left each of her grandchildren a special gift and a letter for when they turn 21 – before dementia stops her remembering who they are.
67-year-old Olive Munro was diagnosed with vascular dementia three years ago.
She has bought special antique keys for each of her six grandchildren, and is writing each a letter for them to read when they turn 21.
Olive wanted to gift them with these special items before her memory completely deteriorates. And she’s determined to make the most of her life while she’s still able.
Olive, from Ardtalnaig, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, said: ‘I was born in Scotland and in my family it was always a tradition that once you turned 21 you would receive a key – it’s an old-fashioned thing.
‘I did the same thing for my kids. So because of my personal experience I felt it was a good idea to do the same for my grandkids.
‘But because I have vascular dementia I’ve had to prepare it early. I went to an antique store in Edinburgh to get the keys for them.
Olive and Ronnie Munro with their grandchildren left to right Luka Munro, 7, Isla Munro, 4, Liam Colman, 8, Colin Swan, 12, Andrew Swan, 17, and Connor Colman 8 (Picture: Olive Munro / SWNS.com)
‘And I’m going to write letters to all of them too.
‘I really hope they will appreciate this special tradition and that they will also do it with their own children someday.’
Olive has been married to Ronnie, 74, for 41 years and she still keeps a close bond with her three children – Douglas, 46, Alene, 48, and Christopher, 43.
Her six grandchildren are Andrew, 17, Colin, 12, twins Liam and Connor, eight, Luka, seven, and Isla, four.
When she was first diagnosed with the illness, Olive said she felt her life had suddenly stopped.
She said: ‘When I first found out I was fed up and depressed. I didn’t want to talk about it with anyone.
‘I eventually sucked it all up and I thought if I decide to give up then I would have already been defeated.
‘You just never know which part of your brain will go first but I will enjoy today and worry about tomorrow later.’
Olive and Ronnie Munro at Santiago de Compastelo (Picture: Olive Munro/SWNS)
When Olive realised she was no longer good at mental arithmetic and struggled to remember words, she took it upon herself to find out if she had dementia – as there is a family history of the condition on the female side.
Grandmother-of-six Olive was referred for tests and, aged 63, was told she had a 10% memory loss at that stage.
In 2015, following further tests, she was officially diagnosed with vascular dementia.
But Olive is taking on each day as best she can. She recently walked the famous Camino de Santiago route through France and northern Spain to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Walking a minimum of 10km each day, she and Ronnie took two months to complete the 780km route – a month quicker than planned.
She said: ‘I was looking for ideas for something we could do to raise money.
(Picture: Olive Munro/SWNS)
‘There are some things I can’t do, but I watched the film The Way, starring Martin Sheen, where they trek the Camino de Santiago route, and I thought “I can walk, let’s go for that”.
‘The trek was very tough, but we got stronger and stronger each day.
‘The hardest point was early on when we both got sick.
‘Because we were focused on walking, we didn’t realise how ill we were. We had to stop and rest for three days.’
What is vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia and occurs when blood flow to the brain becomes reduced.
It’s estimated to affect about 150,000 people in the UK and is rare in people under 65.
For more information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or visit http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org
My name is Muhammad Fazeel Irfan, I’ve just turned 12.
My favourite things are riding my scooter, jumping on my trampoline, playing games with my family and friends, and watching and making YouTube videos – I am just a cool guy.
But I was also born with a rare medical condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB for short. My mum and dad found out about it a few days after I was born and because it’s so rare and requires specialist treatment, I was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where I’ve been looked after ever since.
If you haven’t heard of it, EB means your skin can rip really easily. If someone touches my skin, it can peel or even blister, and those blisters are sore and have to be popped.
We’re often called ‘butterfly children’, because butterfly wings are fragile, and so is our skin.
Fazeel was diagnosed with EB as a baby (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
I have dressings on my skin to keep it safe, and I have to take lots of medicine to stop my skin from getting an infection, and to stop it hurting.
If the cure for EB isn’t found by the time I’m older, I want to be the one who finds it. I’d love to be a doctor and scientist because I really love science. I don’t want EB to hold me back.
I’ve just started a new school, and I am worried people will just see someone with EB.
For as long as I can remember, people have called me ‘fragile’ but I don’t want to be defined by that label.
When I was younger, I didn’t understand fully what fragile meant, but now I know that this is not good.
My heart breaks whenever I’m told I can’t do something because I can get hurt. I have to think about everything before I try doing it, too.
I wish I was an ordinary child, and that EB would go away.
(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
One wish of mine is to join in with my dad and my brother when they are play fighting – it’s my dream to wrestle with them.
I would also love to go for a bike ride with my friends, but I can’t because if I fall off, I could really hurt my skin. I try to ride my scooter instead because that’s safer.
EB can make the skin in your mouth really sore and give you blisters there too, so I can’t eat the same things as my family like spicy food.
My mum makes me a separate dinner that isn’t spicy, and has softer vegetables, or I have something easy to chew like noodles.
Sometimes I get to have trifle for pudding though so that’s always a good day!
While, I have daily dressing changes that take two to four hours – in the morning and in the evening – and take a lot of pain killers, I try not to let my EB impact my life too much.
But being labelled fragile and having EB definitely change how other people treat you.
(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
People stare at me like they have seen something bad. I remember one time a bunch of kids came up to me and asked, ‘What’s wrong with you, did you fall out of a rollercoaster?’
I don’t mind if people ask me about my skin, in fact it’s better if they ask rather than stare and whisper because I think that’s really rude. It’s ok if they ask nicely, because then I can explain.
It’s not easy having a label and everyone treating you differently. Lots of people ask to touch my skin and it’s hard to have that every day.
It’s very difficult to have this one word, fragile, shape my entire life.
I recently got to go on a TV programme that was filmed while I was at hospital. It was really good to go on the show because it meant I could show people what EB actually is, and that I can join in, I just have to be really careful.
I told one of my old teachers I was in the show and he contacted my family to send a message saying I did a fantastic job and he was really proud of me.
(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
I have noticed that sometimes people give up at the smallest thing, but I won’t do that.
Having EB is just what happened to me – it’s life, you just have to get used to it.
I’d like to give a message to everyone: if you get something like EB, or even if it’s something else that’s hard, I really don’t want you to give up.
You can’t let the little things stop you – and let labels define you. You have to be brave. Try your hardest and believe in yourself.
That’s what I do, and that’s why I won’t let EB or being ‘fragile’ stop me from reaching my dreams.
Fazeel appeared on Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes. You can catch up on the ITV Hub now.
Labels
Labels is an exclusive series that hears from individuals who have been labelled – whether that be by society, a job title, or a diagnosis. Throughout the project, writers will share how having these words ascribed to them shaped their identity — positively or negatively — and what the label means to them.
Bob Money’s heart is failing. Doctors say he has only a few months left to live.
Living in an assisted living home in Nebraska, he’s always keen for visitors.
His family decided to give him what he wanted – but in a dramatic way.
Bob had asked his nephew, Richard, if he’d be able to bring up some of his biker friends to the home.
Richard managed to get 300 bikers to turn up to the home on Sunday.
The group of bikers, most of whom were total strangers, managed to plan the 40 minute bike ride from Omaha to Wahoo in the space of six days.
(Picture: Robert Todd Wilke)
They turned up en masse to meet Bob, a veteran, shake his hand, thank him for serving the country, and give him the send-off he deserves.
As they drove off, the bikers let Bob lead the way in his wheelchair.
‘I should be crying already, but I held back,’ Bob told Wowt News.
‘He always wanted people to visit him in Wahoo,’ said Richard. ‘I asked some friends to get bikers together. It exploded into an enormous amount of participation from all kinds of bikers. It’s totally amazing.’
‘The real goal for us was to give him a send-off,’ added Richard’s wife, Linda. ‘To maybe help ease the way as he’s passing and that the memory will be front and center in his mind.’
An Instagram post showing a black man resting atop a black woman’s back has attracted almost 1,500 comments, the first of which says: ‘He needs a light skin girl for the aesthetics of the picture.’
This type of behaviour – the belief that light skin is better or more attractive – is colourism.
A small proportion of the comments followed in this light, berating the female model’s dark skin. Almost every other single comment, however, hit back at the colourist and anti-black sentiments expressed.
After trawling through the comments, I found five hurtful comments. The rest of them were by people – mostly black people – slamming the trolls, being proud of and reclaiming dark features.
Such as in the snap, colourism rears its ugly head in minority communities often. But every time it happens, there are those doing the work to unlearn the behaviours and dismantle this attitude in wider society.
When colourism stains the community, people are speaking up against it.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
When you grow up in certain communities such as the south Asian one I was reared in, you have a mixed relationship with the sun.
You’re told not to spend too long under the sun, you hear derogatory terms thrown against darker skin people, and all the light skin members of the family or from your friendship circles are praised, as if they’ve achieved something by being born whiter than the rest of us.
Despite problematic upbringings and throwaway comments deployed by the older generation, young people from minority groups are doing the work to dismantle these attitudes.
Whether on social media or by activism or simply opening a dialogue with those perpetuating the belief that light skin is better, people are educating others, unlearning toxic behaviours, learning self-acceptance, and celebrating their melanin.
Dismantling colourism is helped by the success of dark skin role models like Viola Davis, Nadiya Hussain, Lupita Nyong’o, and Octavia Spencer, and hashtags like #melaninpopping and #praisingtheAsian.
It’s why actresses like Zendaya and Amandla Stenberg are praised for turning down roles when they know they were only offered them because they’re light skin/white-passing actresses but their darker counterparts are not afforded the same opportunities.
These are all ways that we prove white does not simply equal beautiful, that all skin colours are deserving of time, attention, and success.
(Picture: EA Illustration for Metro.co.uk)
A south Asian student, S.Begum, 24, told Metro.co.uk her journey of self acceptance after she began using Fair & Lovely, one of Asia’s leading skin-lightening creams, as early as year eight. She stopped using it in university.
‘I stopped because it wasn’t permanent so every time I washed it off it was gone. I soon learned about all the chemicals in it, and how it could cause cancer and skin thinning,’ she tells us.
‘Self acceptance also helped. I didn’t want to use it but felt like I had to. I was relieved when I read they were harmful because that gave me the push to stop.
‘I still struggle but with time I’ve learned to love myself and my skin. Now when I see dark women I compliment their skin tone but I couldn’t accept it with myself when I was younger.’
Talking to her friends helped her to break down this way of thinking. The popularity of tanning in the west has also contributed to her realisation that her own brown skin is enough for her, she added.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Tobi Akingbadé, a journalist with Nigerian origins, told Metro.co.uk that colourism is prevalent in Black and Asian communities.
‘In some African cultures, older generations would scold younger kids for playing in the sun for too long in case they tanned too much, as darker skin is supposed to signify a lower class,’ she said.
Though she has noticed a movement for acceptance, she said it’s not enough.
‘I think changes are happening in my generation and people are more aware of the painstaking notion of colourism but I don’t think a change in mentality has made being a dark skin black women a safe haven…yet.
‘There are movements on Instagram to celebrate highly melaninated black men or women but that doesn’t mean the privilege of being light skin has magically vanished.’
Ali Farah, a Somali English graduate, 26, told Metro.co.uk he is a little less optimistic about efforts to deconstruct colourism.
‘I feel like it’s a problem that gets trivialised in minority groups, there’s no community that is not affected by it. Most people don’t talk about it seriously other than in jokes.
‘Also, it’s the internalisation of racism and the harm of it is so insidious that it can go unrecognised. It’s a dangerous idea to think that the lighter the skin, the more worth that person has intrinsically.
‘I don’t know what work is being done on a broader level, but on a smaller scale I feel like there’s some progress, if you look to music and social media, there seems to be an embrace of darker skin. It’s harder for dark skinned people to be the butt of jokes these days, for example.
‘However, I feel like the new generation of minority groups are tackling the issue head on but that the remnants of it will exist for a very long time because it has pervaded the culture of people of colour for so long.’
Colourism is still a major issue and it plagues even young people who have the tools to unlearn it (by reading literature and being on social media) but choose not to.
Some youngsters, while not believing in colourist ideals themselves, do nothing when they’re exposed to such vile attitudes. But inaction in morally unjust situations is almost as bad as active participation.
It’s great that people are starting to become active. But we still have a long way to go.
The difference between racist, anti-black, and colourist
Racism is about a system of oppression or a derogitray attitude towards a minority person.
Anti-blackness refers to those from non-black minority backgrounds who are opposed to or hostile to black people. Because power dynamics are similar between black and non-black minority groups, it’s referred to as anti blackness, which is a racist phenomenon.
A black person being racist towards a Chinese person, for example, would be considered racist and not anti-Asian as anti-Asianness is not a common enough phenomenon.
Colourism is the belief that lighter skin is better, perpetuated in minority communities.
Emily credits CBD capsules and homemade skincare for the reduction of her acne (Picture: Collect/PA Real Life)
Could CBD oil be the secret remedy to acne?
One woman says yes.
Emily McClarron, 25, has struggled with acne for the last eight years, first experiencing angry red spots on her cheeks and chin at 17.
Through the years she tried every skin treatment she could find, going to her doctor for everything from antibiotics to gels, but found that nothing helped.
Her skin was sensitive, reacting to everything she tried with rashes and swelling.
‘I had a rash all over my body and my face swelled up like I had been stung by a wasp,’ says Emily.
‘With one gel I even felt like the top layer of skin had burnt off.
‘I begged my doctor to refer me to a dermatologist, hoping they would be able to suggest something else.
Emily had tried everything to treat her acne, which appeared when she was 17 (Picture: PA Real Life)
‘I was at my wits’ end. My skin was so bad, strangers asked me “what’s wrong with your skin?”, called me a “spotty freak” and “pizza face” which hurt a lot.’
Emily’s skin had a dramatic effect on her mental health. Her low self-esteem triggered anxiety, which in turn worsened her acne.
‘It was awful,’ she said. ‘I tried everything, but nothing seemed to help.
‘I’d try and cover up the spots with makeup and just felt so down and depressed about how I looked. All I would see when I looked in the mirror was the acne.’
A specialist recommended Roaccutane this year, but having read about the powerful drug online, Emily worried about how it would affect her mental wellbeing.
She decided not to take the risk.
Her sensitive skin had bad reactions to every treatment she tried (Picture: PA Real Life)
Instead, she turned to her own kitchen cupboard to make her own skincare products, feeling helpless having tried every other option.
‘I started researching how to treat acne online and read that honey and turmeric can help,’ Emily remembers. ‘I was honestly at the point where I would have tried anything.’
Emily started using honey and turmeric as a face mask, and made a face wash with honey, jojoba oil, evening primrose oil, and lavender oil.
That helped, but her makeshift skincare treatments didn’t provide the transformation she hoped for.
So Emily decided to try cannabis capsules.
Emily began to take cannabis capsules every day (Picture: PA Real Life)
Emily says that taking CBD oil tablets every day helps to lower her stress levels, which in turn reduces her acne.
She credits the combination of homemade skincare products and cannabis tablets for her dramatically clearer skin.
‘Since I started taking the capsules, combined with homemade skin products, people have told me how amazing my skin looks,’ says Emily.
‘When I tell them it’s down to cannabis capsules, they do ask if it’s legal, which of course it is.
‘Before this, if I was feeling anxious, I’d have a really bad breakout, but the tablets have made me feel much calmer, so I am not getting the terrible acne I was.
‘The cannabis hasn’t cured me, but it has helped take control of my severe acne once and for all.’
She says CBD has lowered her levels of anxiety, reducing her acne as a result (Picture: PA Real Life)
Emily’s skin isn’t entirely free of blemishes, but it is much clearer than it was before. Even when spots do pop up, Emily doesn’t experience the same hit to her confidence she once did.
‘The cannabis capsules make me feel more relaxed and stress was a huge trigger for my skin breakouts,’ she explains.
‘I read online that cannabis oil can help relieve inflammation, provide pain relief and reduce anxiety. There may not be many conclusive scientific studies on it, but it’s certainly worked for me.
‘Now my skin is 99% better. I still have some scarring, but now I have been able to have treatment to help them, and even finally feel confident to go out without makeup on, which I never did before.
‘I have got to the point where I don’t care what people think, I feel so happy with the way I am.’
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol – CBD for short – is one of the most common compounds found in cannabis and hemp leaves
It works by binding to cell receptors in the body that affect everyday functions such as sleep and appetite, as well as pain and mood regulation
CBD has been used to treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain
It is taken as oil that you drip under the tongue, but can also be consumed as gummies, or inhaled using a vape
It is not psychoactive, unlike the cannabis compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so CBD does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis
CBD is legal to buy in the UK, but legal restrictions mean it is sold online as a food supplement, rather than a medicine
Research is ongoing, but more investment into clinical trials is needed to explore CBD’s full potential as a medicine.
Initial trials suggest CBD may be useful in helping people stop smoking, and even lessen withdrawal symptoms from painkiller addictions
CBD is used by sportsmen because of the effect it has on pain, inflammation and recovery
CBD is also being trialled for its use as a potential anti-cancer agent.
Hark! What’s that sound a few rows of desks over from you?
Oh, it’s the rumblings of a looming sickness; one sole worker trying desperately to suppress a spluttering cough.
The scent of blackcurrant Lemsip fills the air. You notice your deskmate smuggling a pack of tissues up their sleeve.
Days pass and your coworkers drop like flies.
It’s happening: The office bug has taken over.
I’ll be straight up with you. At this point you’re likely already doomed. If your evil coworkers haven’t done the right thing and pulled a sickie, instead choosing to come in to the office and take you all down, those cold and flu symptoms are spreading fast.
But there are ways you can protect yourself.
If you haven’t yet felt the scratch of a sore throat or the rumblings of a tickling cough coursing through your body, follow this wisdom. Save yourself.
Encourage sick people to go home
This is a big one.
If you’re in a senior position where you work, your job is to change the working culture and make it okay to take the damn day off.
Tell people not to be work warriors and force themselves in when they’re feeling rubbish. Don’t encourage a culture of guilt for having time off. Don’t praise people for being troopers when they show up dripping mucus and hacking up phlegm.
The second you see signs of sickness, remind people that going home and resting up would be doing everyone else a massive favour.
If your deskmate looks pale and sickly, tell them you can pick up the slack but they need. to. leave.
Stop the spread of sickness at its source and it’ll be contained to just the one or two, rather than turning your entire office into a cesspit of germs.
Make sure people don’t return to work before they’re recovered
Same thing, but it needs to be reiterated. When someone calls in to say they’re still feeling rough but will drag themselves in for the day, tell them to stop and stay in bed.
If someone’s still showing symptoms of a cold or bug, they’re able to infect everyone else. Get out and stay out until you’re 100% better, sickos.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Wash your hands
We know, you don’t need a lecture on washing your hands, but so many of us become lax about our hygiene at work – and that’s when we get sick.
‘Don’t just rinse your hands under the tap after you’ve been to the loo,’ says Shamir Patel, founder and pharmacist at Chemist-4-U. ‘Use soap and hot water and rub your hands properly, going up to your wrists and getting under your nails.’
It’s tempting to just make do with hand sanitiser, which is effective, but a combo of washing and sanitising is the best approach to kill germs and clear them from the skin.
Wash your hands before eating your desk lunch or grabbing office snacks, wash after going to the toilet, wash after going to the office gym and using other equipment drenched with other people’s sweat.
You might think you’ve solved that issue by giving your mug a scrub in the office kitchen. You are wrong.
The sponges in your office are also likely to be covered in germs, and by swishing them around your drinks receptacle you’re putting that gross stuff right into your tea or coffee… which you then drink.
If you’re using a communal mug from the cupboard, things get even filthier. You can’t trust people to give their crockery a proper clean. The mug you’re sipping from may have just been rinsed under the tap, with no attempt to scrub away the imprint of your sick coworker’s mouth. Grim.
The solution is simple: Have your own mug that only you use, and take it home each night to give it a proper wash.
Wipe down desk furniture
Keep a stash of antibacterial wipes and give your keyboard, mouse, and desk surface a once-over.
This is especially important if you hot-desk, as you may be sitting where someone coughed all over the place just a day before.
‘If you can, ensure door handles and knobs on drawers – and anywhere else your poorly colleagues may touch – are cleaned regularly,’ says Shamir.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Get outside on your lunch break
Your mum had a point when she said fresh air will do you a load of good. That’s especially true when you’re sitting in an enclosed space with sick people.
Skip the desk lunch and go out and about. Not only will this give you a break from the germy environment, but it could also lower stress. Stress has a negative effect on your immune system, so the more chilled you are, the better you’ll be able to fight off infection.
Call people out on their coughing technique
If you spot your deskmate coughing without covering their mouth or sneezing in the direction of their computer screen, do feel free to politely ask them to cover up.
It might be worth asking your boss for tissues to be placed in communal places (because the scratchy toilet paper doesn’t seem too tempting).
Don’t bring your work home
‘Another thing I suggest is getting out of your work clothes and putting them in the wash as soon as you get home,’ says Shamir. ‘If you’re sat in your germ-ridden clothes all evening there’s more chance you’re going to pick up the office cold.’
It makes sense when you think about it. If your office is packed with germs, anything you bring home will be risky, too.
If you bring files, the cardigan you hang on your deskchair, the pens that you nicked from the stationery cupboard, whatever, home, make sure you keep ’em clean before they go into the safe space of your home.
Get plenty of sleep
An exhausted person is a person with a sh*t immune system.
Your stress levels are higher, your body is weaker, and you’re generally not your best.
You should always be getting a decent night’s sleep, but it’s especially important when you notice your colleagues looking a bit poorly.
And of course, go home if you’re sick
You ache all over and feel like death.
Practise what you preach and go home. Don’t be a hero, don’t battle through, and don’t turn up at the office just to show your face before going home.
Only you can prevent the spread of the office bug. Even if you didn’t manage to save yourself, you can still save your coworkers – and speed up your recovery by heading home and resting up.
Pushing yourself to work when you’re not feeling up to it will only make your sickness worse and stress you out, slowing your body’s ability to battle a bug.
Don’t be the person everyone turns on when they’re taken down by the sniffles.
Should I be embarrassed because I earn less than my son’s mother?
For a long time, I have pretended that it doesn’t bother me. But the truth is, it does.
I care that my partner earns more than me – it’s a genuine frustration. But it shouldn’t be – why does money and status antagonise me so much?
I consider myself a 21st century man; I gave up a high-pressure full-time job, so that I could work part-time and look after my two-year-old son.
It’s an increasingly familiar story, with stay-at-home dads (SAHDs) like myself all over the UK.
We have an image – probably self-perpetuated – of being hip, ‘right on’ types, blazing the trail for gender equality.
Which to a great extent, we are.
I genuinely believe it’s vital for men and women to share both family and (traditional) work roles. Yet, despite all of this, there’s still the niggling doubt in my gut.
There’s the feeling that a man should be defined by what he does – and looking after a child just doesn’t cut it.
I still crave the kudos that comes with having a more ‘valid’ occupation.
It’s important that I say this, because if someone as liberal as me – a stay-at-home dad, writer and parenting blogger – can feel this way, then surely there’s still a lot of work to be done on what it means to be a male in our society.
We shouldn’t do this, but somewhere in our minds, we as men still define ourselves by old-fashioned qualities: what we do, what we have and where we are in the pecking order.
As a SAHD, I find it difficult to define myself by this criteria, and although I actively fight the impulses to judge myself in these ways, I still do.
So here I am, trying to function in a modern age and fighting against software I was programmed with that is no longer fit for purpose.
I’ve come to the conclusion that – like it or not – I’m the product of my generation.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, the definition of what it takes to be a man, a father and a husband was different to how we see it now.
My mum stayed at home, while my dad went to work. He had a cheque book, a car and any acts of financial largesse all came from him – it was part of the role.
On some level, I expected the same; that much of my week is spent with nappies, toys and cuddles, was not part of the training.
So here I am, trying to function in a modern age and fighting against software I was programmed with that is no longer fit for purpose.
All of this makes me aware of how I portray myself to my son.
I wrestle with ensuring that my son isn’t out of sorts if he ends up in a position similar to mine, 30 years time from now.
How I teach this is constantly evolving.
My core tenant is making it clear to him that jobs which in the past were associated with one gender or the other, are now genderless.
As such, I try to widen the scope of my son’s expectations regarding what his future as a man might look like.
That’s the plan, anyway.
And me? What will I do with my frustrations around finance and status?
It seems to me that talking about them is key.
Vocalising and stepping beyond the taboo can only help.
There is no godly reason why I should expect it my right to earn more than my partner – solely based on my gender.
So as I see it, it is down to me to fix my preconceptions, not change my financial position.
One thing’s for certain, if we are going to have true gender equality, there is a lot of nonsense – like my own frustrations – to be overcome.
Kym’s is the second restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong.
Situated in Bloomberg Arcade, the new opening features more of that delicious, modern Chinese food from the acclaimed chef.
Taking inspiration from around China, there are dishes such as Xian City ‘lamb burger’ and Sichuanese spiced aubergine, and you can even order a small selection to take away.
The team behind The Clove Club are opening a third restaurant in Shoreditch, this time serving up modern American fare inspired by chef Chase Lovecky’s background.
The menu is eclectic though, and will feature dishes such as Hereford beef tartare and togarashi and sardine katsu sandwiches.
Washing it all down is a bar serving up snacks and a biodynamic-centric wine list.
Lovers of fine food will be excited by the new Notting Hill opening from husband and wife team Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari.
Roux is the daughter of Michel Roux Jr, while Ferrari previously held the title of head chef at Le Gavroche.
The result is a combination of French and Italian influences found in a tasting menu and a la carte dishes that include the likes of seared ox tail ravioli with beef consommé, bone marrow and fresh herbs.
Flipside is the new plant-based restaurant coming to Farringdon – and it’s no coincidence that it’s right on the doorsteps of Smithfield Market.
Catering to diners from breakfast to dinner, you will find everything from mocha morning oats to a whole selection of meat-free burgers in the evenings.
They will even have a mac bar where guests can customise their mac and cheese.
Berenjak will be bringing with it a reinterpretation of Iranian food when it arrives in Soho.
There’s a focus on kebabs, with skewers of meat from the mangal barbecue served alongside the breads from the tanoor oven.
And it turns into a real feast with the addition of small plates such as blackened aubergine with whey or walnuts and dried mint.
Notable recent openings…
(Picture: Pittabun)
The team behind Marylebone’s Opso and the two Michelin-starred Funky Gourmet in Athens have opened a new Greek street food spot in Soho.
Pittabun has pitta breads at the heart of its menu, stuffed with fillings like charcoaled slow cooked pork neck with tzatziki spread, tomatoes and fresh herbs, and panko-crusted fried cod fillet with walnut and garlic spread and beetroot ketchup.
There are even sweet pitta buns to finish.
(Picture: RedFarm)
Much has been written about American Chinese restaurant RedFarm’s soup dumplings, which conveniently come with straws to help you get at the soup.
But now that this New York phenomenon is open in Covent Garden, you can go try it yourself.
And while you’re there, it’s worth knowing that their other signature dish is Pac Man dumplings. You’re welcome.
(Picture: Thomas Bowles)
Chick ‘n’ Sours have opened their third site, this time in Islington, and with that comes a few changes.
The menu is bigger than ever (though favourites like Seoul Destroyer and dripping fries remain on the menu), though a few of the dishes are smaller so you can try even more items in one go.
Or if you’re feeling lazy, they now have a ‘no brainer’ set menu that features all the best dishes and takeaways are available as ever.
(Picture: Iron Bloom)
Taking shape inside a former iron factory in Shoreditch is the new restaurant and bar Iron Bloom.
The menu is concise and made up of small sharing dishes like tuna tartare with lime and samphire and charcoal lamb chop with fig jam.
Expect to come for dinner and stay on to party though, as there are resident DJs curating the music.
(Picture: Patricia Niven)
Bakery and restaurant Jolene in Newington Green comes from the team behind Westerns Laundry and Primeur.
Like its sister restaurants, there’s a daily changing menu of small and large plates focusing on the seasons.
But grains are at the centre of the menu – as well as being milled to flour for the fresh baked goods, the restaurant will serve it up in handmade pasta, stews and salads.
(Picture: Genesis)
If you’re after some vegan fast food, Shoreditch has a new outfit in the shape of Genesis.
It ticks off pretty much every kind of comfort food, from burgers and hot dogs to tacos and noodles, soups and salads, and everything is organic.
Yes, that means even the wines and cocktails are organic too.
(Picture: Selfridges)
Masterchef winner Ping Coombes has opened a new restaurant and deli in Selfridges.
Ping Pan-Asian is inspired by Malaysian Chinese food and features dishes such as Nasi Lemak and Hainanese chicken rice.
And on the deli side, you can pick up duck spring rolls, freshly made chicken satay and assorted dim sum to take home for dinner.
When you see a public wedding, you can’t help but look. Especially if it’s in the park, you want to see what the bride’s wearing, whether the groom is looking lovingly into their partner’s eyes.
But if it is in an outside setting, chances are, you’re doing your own thing, like yoga in the park.
One couple who got particularly acrobatic during their morning meditation has been criticised for photobombing a couple’s special day.
The athletic duo was spotted in a public park at Carlton Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, while the wedding pictures were being taken in the background.
But people weren’t happy that the couple didn’t move out of the way.
‘This pose apparently had to be done in the background of the wedding photos and immediately stopped once the party had left,’ wrote the person who posted an image of it all on Facebook.
‘It was a pretty d*** move for them not to relocate, even though they were there first,’ she said.
‘It’s not like they were even using the light/background like the wedding party was.
‘It made for an entertaining scene for our picnic, at least and we were not subtle about watching the whole scene go down.’
While many others watched the special party from a distance, the yogis began doing some acrobatic moves such as the reverse star.
According to Acropedia, this move involves the person on the bottom lying on their back and holding up the one on the top by their shoulders.
The person is propped up, holding on the bottom person’s quads and splits their legs open in the air, forming a Y shape.
But people weren’t impressed with the athleticism. Some felt the yogis should have simply practiced elsewhere.
‘I would move and everyone I know would too. Are people that self-absorbed?’ wrote one user.
‘A d*** move. Public space or not, normal people don’t deliberately try to ruin other people’s photos, even casual snapshots,’ another person said.
But there were some who thought it was the newlyweds’ responsibility to find a space that works for them without expecting others to accommodate them.
‘If you have your wedding in a public space you’d better be ready for anything,’ one person said.
‘You literally have no right to tell people to move – you can ask nicely but they don’t have to. There are plenty of rentable outdoor venues – pay up.’
‘I mean, they were there first. Why should they have to move? It’s not like the bridal party couldn’t have found a different spot, there’s no way they couldn’t see the yoga people.’
For transgender people, transitioning can be a complicated journey.
Navigating relationships can be all the more difficult.
For Jamie Raines, 23, who was born in a female body and transitioned to male, finding love in the form of his best friend Shaaba Lotun, 23, was easy.
The pair hit it off when Jamie was female and didn’t expect to fall in love after he transitioned. They had their respective obstacles to overcome though; for Shaaba, a Muslim woman, it was hard to explain to her parents.
It can be difficult for Muslim women to marry outside of their race for cultural reasons. Marrying someone of the same sex or identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community is further looked down upon.
Jamie presents as male, but Shaaba’s family has had trouble accepting their relationship.
The engaged couple, who featured on Channel 4 documentary Bride and Prejudice, spoke to Metro.co.uk about their journey.
Jamie, 23, (right) transitioned from female to male in 2011 (Picture: Jamie Raines/Shaaba Lotun)
So, how did you meet?
Shaaba: We met in college when we were 17. Funnily enough we had terrible first impressions of each other! Jamie, who hadn’t transitioned at the time, was with his other friends, and I was the cliché new girl who was being ignored
Jamie: I strongly deny this ignoring claim! Regardless, we had a mutual friend and met again. We got to know each other better and have been great friends since.
What were the difficulties in being with someone transitioning, Shaaba?
Shaaba: Jamie and I faced so much resistance from my mum’s side of the family, that was a real difficulty.
It was really hard having to choose all the time between my family and my partner, and by refusing to decide, it was almost like the decision was made for me because I was shut out by my family for it. That kind of hostility really affected me.
Jamie and Shaaba, 23, met in college when he was female-presenting (Picture: Jamie Raines/Shaaba Lotun)
It was a tough time, but we’ve managed to make so many improvements since then. My mum has learnt about what being trans means, that it’s not a choice, and has started to accept my relationship with Jamie.
And this wasn’t just difficult for me, but for Jamie too. In the early stages of our relationship, before Jamie was happy with his appearance, he lacked so much confidence and it was really hard to see him not being happy with himself.
After a few years though when Jamie progressed with his transition, it was really beautiful to see just how much he grew in confidence. I was able to support him and watch him grow into the best version of himself, and I’m so proud of him for it.
The couple have now bought a house and live together (Picture: Jamie Raines/Shaaba Lotun)
How did Jamie come out?
Shaaba: Jamie came out to me in the summer between college years. He’d already told our other friends earlier. When I went to his place, Jamie was really nervous.
He asked me ‘do you know what LGBT means?’ Knowing it was roughly about sexuality, I told him that I knew, which is when he said ‘well I’m the T’.
I felt like such an idiot, because I had no idea what the ‘t’ even stood for! But when we spoke about it, he explained what it meant, and what he planned on doing in terms of his transition, and it all just made sense.
What are the difficulties of being in a relationship with a trans person?
Jamie: Pretty much all the difficulties of being in a relationship where one person is trans are the perceptions and judgements of other people.
Between the two of us, the only issue is discussions around how we’re going to have kids one day, just like any other couple.
(Picture: Jamie Raines/Shaaba Lotun)
What are the positives? Is society more accepting?
Shaaba: For me, the biggest positive is seeing Jamie grow into his full potential, and be so dedicated towards helping others feel the same way. People always assume that being with a trans person must be so complicated, but the reality is, it really doesn’t affect our relationship at all now.
Jamie’s content with his physical transition, we’re getting on with both of our families, and the only reason we talk about trans stuff now, is because we go out of our way to promote LGBT+ education and awareness.
Jamie: Society is definitely more accepting now than it used to be, I appreciate the more fortunate position that trans people are in now in comparison to twenty years ago, but there’s still a long way to go.
Whilst people are a lot more accepting, there are certain parts of the world where trans people are really unprotected, and don’t have the rights they deserve.
(Picture: Jamie Raines/Shaaba Lotun)
What are you most looking forward to in your relationship and engagement?
Jamie: I’m so excited to just see what life brings, to be honest. I’m really excited about having kids one day, and just cliché things like going on adventures together, having a puppy, the milestones that all couples want to reach!
Shaaba: I agree, I love the idea of traveling together and just making fun memories, and then settling down and starting our own family. I’m also really excited to plan our wedding, now that my family’s accepting Jamie a lot more, I’m looking forward to celebrating our commitment.
If you want to see more of Jamie and Shaaba, you can follow their YouTube channel.
The Sidecar cocktail at La Maison Rémy Martin – it’s a classic and it’s now Bar Fox’s new favourite cocktail. Loving the revival
Frankly still recovering from last Thursday’s launch of the La Maison Rémy Martin bar for Claude Bosi at Bibendum – but already know where we’re going tonight.
French cognac house Rémy Martin has just opened La Maison in a sassy little side room at this South Kensington restaurant.
It’s enough to make your night just turning up, to be honest – Bibendum is in Michelin House, a 1960s beaut of a building with imposing stained glass windows and ornate interior (complete with oyster and caviar bar). And fun fact – Terence Conran, who actually owns the building – he promised Michelin when he bought it that he would keep faithful to the honesty and style of the original building – designed the Rémy Martin bar.
The Terence Conran-designed La Maison Remy Martin bar at Bibendum, once a pop-up, now a permanent fixture
Once inside though, the real fun begins because Rémy have created 9 cocktails for La Maison while Bibendum head chef Claude Bosi has created a food pairing for each one. It’s safe to say we have tried them all, which means we can honestly say you should too.
La Maison Remy Martin at Claude Bosi is designed by Sir Terence Conran, who owns the beautiful Michelin building that houses Bibendum
Trust us and start with the Royal Sidecar – Remy 1738 Accord Royal, Cointreau and lemon juice. Punchy, tart, but not too sour – a perfectly balanced cocktail and dangerously moreish. Stopping at one is impossible.
Next up, a Maison Old Fashioned – light, refreshing twist on a regular Old Fashioned using Remy Martin XO cognac in place of whiskey, salted honey syrup, fig liqueur and bitters. Served over ice with a fig half to garnish, which makes it incredibly photogenic as well. Both style and substance, a beautiful thing.
For another long mix that’s a lighter touch, try the Baptiste – Rémy, lemon, maple syrup, orange bitters and French cider or the Vagabond – Rémy Martin 1738, rose-infused Dolin vermouth, lemon and grenadine.
If like us you prefer flavours to be intense and come with a kick, have the pure XO Remy Martin, served straight up with frozen grapes to chill without diluting.
The Rémy Martin cognac Old Fashioned
Be responsible adults and do have the food pairings by Claude Bosi – not least because they include the likes of crispy ravioli with nduja sausage, fried chicken with crab mayo, Petrossian caviar and Morecombe bay oysters.
The cocktail list is also on offer at the first floor restaurant Claude Bosi.
The Rémy Martin Collins cocktail by for La Maison Rémy Martin
There are more to tick off too: a Rosemary Collins, a cognac and tonic, a Rémy and rum punch… but look, you’re only human.
Start with these and come back next week.
As ever, send us pics of your favourites, send us your recommendations or just send us some love.
THE SIDECAR
Our new favourite cocktail. Yes, it’s a classic. But so many bars don’t list the classics – they list the inventive ones that get people excited, but they can always make the classics – we just need to know what to ask for. And that is very much now the Sidecar.
Jack Charlton, brand ambassador of Rémy Martin (can we have your job pls Jack, thx bye) says: ‘Cocktails that are simple, yet balanced and elegant will always stand the test of time and the sidecar is a subtle little number that doesn’t disappoint.
‘It’s a perfect balancing act of wonderful spirits. The aromatic intensity of Rémy Martin cognac, the brightness of freshly squeezed lemon juice and all tied together with the wonderful balance of Cointreau.
Truly iconic, made famous in London and Paris and loved the world over, the Sidecar is having a resurgence at the moment and we hope it’s here to stay.’
Here is his recipe for the Sidecar:
Shake 35ml Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal with 30ml Cointreau and 15ml lemon juice with ice, then strain into your best coupe glass.
Simple.
La Maison Rémy Martin Residency at Claude Bosi is at Bibendum, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3 6RD.
Opening times – Monday to Saturday: 4:30pm to 12:00am and Sunday: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
@RémyMartinUK #LaMaisonRémyMartin
GOT YOUR OWN INSIDER TIPS?
‘The Barbary in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden. very buzzy, relaxed atmosphere, friendly and counter dining, which I love – so much more relaxed than sitting opposite each other at a table, plus you really get to perv on the open kitchen in the middle where the action. The dishes are a real mix, but all rooted in the culture of the Barbary Coast – the areas settled by Berbers in the Atlas mountains or Morocco, Tunisia and Libya.
We ordered Moroccan cigars filled with salmon (£7.50) and lamb pitas (arayes, £6.50) while waiting for our table (we were told the wait would be an hour and a half, it was actually just an hour) and slightly regretted it when it was time to sit – we just didn’t have enough room left to eat all we wanted.
We took the waiter’s recommendations for all our orders – and had zero regrets. Ikra (cod roe, £7) and chicken liver pate with a gorgeous hot, light pita.
Fragrant mussels thrown in flames before our eyes. Seared pata negra neck (£19.50, you HAVE to have this one). Braised and deep-fried spiced cauliflower (£7.50. There was not a dish among them we wouldn’t have again – and in fact, we are going back with emptier bellies just to have a rerun of the dishes we had the first time. It’s the sister restaurant to the famous Palomar – but consider this the cooler, more fun sibling. V good for a date, if you don’t mind hanging out for a table. – JA, by email.
Why not give us your own suggestions and reviews, or just say hi.
Hit us up at hello@barfox.co.uk. Include pics, details and your twitter/facebook/insta page and we’ll give you a link up.
If you’re a firefighter and you’re getting married in a fire station, chances are you’re going to hear about a nearby blaze.
Groom Jeremy Bourasa, 39, who rescues people daily as part of the St. Paul Park Volunteer Fire Department in Minnesota, USA, couldn’t switch off from work mode when he heard about a house burning down.
The 39-year-old had just tied the knot to bride Krista Boland, 32, and dropped everything to change into his uniform.
He ran outside of the venue – which was, conveniently, the fire station where he is based – and jumped into the same fire truck Krista had arrived in a few hours earlier.
(December Orpen Photo/ SWNS.com)
After three hours, the newlywed returned to the site just in time for the first dance with his new wife.
The 120 guests in attendance gave him a standing ovation after he and his team managed to handle the fire without any casualties.
Kristy, who has two children with Jeremy, explained it was just in his nature to want to help: ‘The fire was really bad, and I could hear the crew saying that they needed more guys.
(December Orpen Photo/ SWNS.com)
‘I looked over at Jeremy, and I could tell what he was thinking. He looked so torn. I said “just go”‘.
‘It’s about knowing when to put someone else before yourself. I would hope that anyone would do the same in my position.
‘Someone’s home was in flames, so at that moment, they needed him more than I did. I felt so proud.’
(December Orpen Photo/ SWNS.com)
‘Once it was all over and I was sitting there with my jacket off and a wet towel on my head drinking water, I was like, “dang, I just got married!”,’ said Jeremy.
‘I got quite a few high fives from the other guys. It shows respect.
‘It proves that you’re not just there because you want to be a cool fireman.
Jeremy with Krista and their children Kaden, 8, and Knox (Picture: Krista Bourasa/ SWNS.com)
‘When I walked into the reception everyone just stopped what they were doing and stood up and started clapping. I was on cloud nine.’
On deciding to hold the wedding at his place of work, Jeremy said he was a bit skeptical as it seemed cheesy.
‘Now that I look back on it, I wouldn’t want it any other way. It was a super cool experience,’ he said.
‘I’m not a really emotional guy, but when I saw her come down the aisle, I cried.’
The newlyweds added that the fact Jeremy was able to help out with the emergency made their wedding a day they’ll remember forever.
Jeremy said: ‘I can’t wait to tell my grandkids down the line. Just to be able to give a helping hand is so rewarding.’
A teacher and Harry Potter fan has turned her classroom into Hogwarts.
39-year-old Tressa Mellow Barella, who teaches at Valley View Intermediate in Pensylvania, US, loves Harry Potter so much that she transformed her entire third grade classroom into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
When her ten-year-old students came back to school from their summer holiday, they were amazed to find their classroom has been decorated with a Nimbus 3000 broomstick, a sorting hat and a wizard which took twelve months to make.
Tressa says she’s keen on finding ways to make school more exciting for kids.
(Picture: Caters News)
She said: ‘I love Harry Potter and wanted the kids to get involved more for personal academic and life lessons.’
It took her all summer to craft the classroom with the majority of the props being handmade.
She ended up spending 15 hour days working on the classroom, staying up until 11pm some nights to decorate.
It wasn’t just the classroom pulling off the Harry Potter theme – Tress got into character, too.
(Picture: Caters News)
She said: ‘All the children get excited when I put on my “British glasses and accent”. They’re all well behaved and love it!’
The classroom, which took £379 of her own money to design, has gone viral on social media with 135,000 likes already.
Tress said: ‘I’ve spent a lot of money but I didn’t think about it.
‘I travelled all summer between yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets.
‘I live in a small town and have a following and people were very helpful and supportive.
(Picture: Caters News)
‘People are from all over the world have been getting in touch, sharing their personal stories about being in school.
‘Last year only one child had read Harry Potter, but thanks to the classroom all the kids were obsessed with it by the end of the year.
‘Three children even went to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios, and sent pictures in because they loved it that much.’
Remember thinking you looked like an absolute snack walking around the block in your trackies with Juicy Couture emblazoned on the back?
While Gen Z might be less enthusiastic about velour tracksuits, we millennials loved the brand’s eponymous bejewelling on our clothing.
Now get ready for some 90s and noughties nostalgia as the Juicy Couture makeup line has launched.
So bring out the bedazzled rhinestones and sequins, people.
After launching its first perfume, Oui Juicy Couture, the company is releasing its first, limited edition, cosmetics line.
Keeping to its flamboyant style, the range includes an eyeshadow, highlighter palette, and a glitter velour lipstick.
You’ll be treated to five new lipstick colours in the form of: Girls Stuff, a deep pinky red color; UV Darling,a bright purple; Happily Ever After, in peachy nude tones; Not Your Babe, a hot pink; and Ripped and Zipped which is a deep mauve.
(Picture: Juicy Couture)
Unfortunately for UK shoppers, the range is only available at American department store Macy’s but that doesn’t mean you can’t order it online.
In it, you’ll find all the bright shimmery colours you would expect in a Juicy Couture palette, including a range of range of pink, red, and blue shades, and of course, they’re pigmented AF.
If that’s got you buzzing then you’ll have to wait until 1 October when you can order the full line.
That’s right, there’s more to be released, so keep your eyes peeled.
These have all been featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide (Picture: White Hart Bargate, The Flying Horse Hotel, The Cricketers Arms, The Fountain Inn/Facebook)
CAMRA are the OGs when it comes to pubs.
They’re the authorities on the best watering holes in the UK, whether it’s the beers and ciders they serve, the atmosphere, or whether cute pets are allowed in.
The consumer group release a Good Beer Guide each year, and their 2019 edition is now available. It’s the 46th instalment, and is a huge honour for pubs to feature.
Atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix, and quality real ale were all judged by CAMRA’s nearly 200,000 volunteers, and those on this list will go on to the next stage in hopes of becoming the best pub in the country (announced in early 2019).
It’s regionally divided, so you shouldn’t be too far away from any of the winners and can go enjoy a pint there. One of them might even be your local.
Central Southern – Nag’s Head, Reading
This pub have already won best pub of the year with CAMRA, as well as other awards from the body.
Google describes it as a ‘no-nonsense local boozer’ and members praised the 12 taps at the venue, with plenty of options updated regularly.
East Anglia – Chequers, Little Gransden
This village pub has been in the same family for the last 60 years, and has been on the Good Beer Guide for 24 of those years.
Locals praise their fish and chips and Son of Sid brewed beers.
Craft beer porn in Stockon-on-Tees (Picture:The Golden Smog/Facebook)
East Midlands – White Hart, Bargate
With an ever-changing beer list and a great big beer garden, this is a favourite in the area.
The friendly staff also have brilliant feedback.
Greater London – Little Green Dragon, Enfield
Enfield’s first ‘micropub’ is named after an 18th century venue in the area that was closed down by property developers.
As the micro moniker suggests, it’s just one little room, with a focus on conversation and great drinks.
Greater Manchester – Flying Horse, Rochdale
Who doesn’t love a pub with a log fire?
The Flying Horse also has homemade pies and live music.
Can’t beat a pub with hanging baskets outside (Picture: The Flying Horse Hotel/Facebook)
Kent – Lanes, Dover
This pub is big on Kentish produce with five ales from the area, ten ciders, and wine and meads to boot.
They also have something called a ‘feasting board’ which you can order with 48 hours notice.
Merseyside – Cricketers Arms, St Helens
This is the current CAMRA pub of the year award holder, and they’ve got a rare 5 star rating on Tripadvisor.
They regularly hold beer festivals, and have activities like pool and darts going on.
North East – Golden Smog, Stockton-on-Tees
Named after the smog of the North East, this is another micropub.
This pub is all about the beers, with a selection of local and Belgian real ales, as well as tasting selections available.
It’s a tiny, tiny micropub (Picture: The Little Green Dragon pub/Facebook)
Scotland and Northern Ireland – Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh
Run by the same family since 1855, the Volley is a local treasure.
There’s also a more modern lounge which opens on weekends and plenty of beers on tap.
South West– Fleece Inn, Hillesley
With great food, live music, and a big drinks selection, the Fleece Inn is very popular.
There’s a safe play area for kids out back, so you can enjoy the sunshine with the little ones.
Surrey and Sussex – Surrey Oaks, Newdigate
The Oaks has low ceilings and cosy corners, so is perfect for intimate drinks with friends.
Tasting notes of the different beers are posted on the walls to help you make your choice.
The Volunteer Arms in Musselburgh, Scotland (Picture: Google)
Wales – Bridge End Inn, Ruabon
This Inn is located near Wrexham, and won pub of the year 2011.
They have an impressive in-house brewery, and dogs are welcome (as long as they’re well-behaved).
Wessex and the Channel Islands – Wonston Arms, Wonston
160 is the amount of gins the Wonston Arms has available, so G&T lovers will have to visit.
Each day has a different food special (a fishmonger even visits on Thursdays and curries are delivered Fridays) or activity like darts.
West Midlands – Fountain Inn, Leek
You can stay over at this pub if you’ve had a few too many of their eight real ales on offer.
There’s also a great real fire for when it gets chilly.
West Midlands winner The Fountain Inn (Picture: The Fountain Inn/Facebook)
West Pennines – Little Bare, Morecambe
The third micropub on the list, the Little Bare still has its old shop window from when it was converted.
The rules are no food, no music and no machines, but plenty of good beer and chat.
Yorkshire – George & Dragon, Hudswell
After a community takeover, this venue has a library, shop, and even allotments.
There are 90 whiskies to choose from and the food is highly recommended.
You can buy the CAMRA Good Beer Guide on their website, or to discover all of the pubs listed, and more, with CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide app, download it on both iOS and Android.
Dogs bring all sorts in after their walks; leaves and mud being the general things.
Asha, a five-year-old golden retriever, gave her owner the shock of her life recently, bringing home an abandoned baby koala she’d saved.
Asha’s owner Kerry McKinnon, 45 from Victoria in Australia, hadn’t even woken up yet when she had a call from her husband to come downstairs.
She says, ‘I didn’t know what he was talking about at first but then I saw this tiny koala snuggled on top of Asha.
‘I just burst out laughing. Poor Asha didn’t know what to think, she just kept looking at me with such a confused look.
Asha gets all the pats for her heroism (Picture: Kerry McKinnon / Caters News)
‘She looked a bit guilty when I came out to see what was going on. Her expression was hilarious.’
While Asha had been out sleeping on the porch, it’s likely the marsupial – who had been abandoned from its mother – was looking for somewhere warm.
Temperatures at night in the area can go below 5C, and Kerry says the koala ‘never would have made it through the night’ without Asha’s cosy fur to cuddle up in.
It’s likely the joey fell out of its mum’s pouch, and due to the foxes or other predators in the area could’ve suffered a much worse fate without the goldie stepping in.
This koala brings a new meaning to the term dog bed (Picture: Kerry McKinnon / Caters News)
When Kerry tried to separate the new buddies, she says the koala put up a ‘huge fuss’ and didn’t want to leave her new safe haven.
She says, ‘When we took the koala off to wrap it in a blanket, it hissed at me and carried on.
‘I think it would have been happy to have just slept there all day. It was really an amazing thing to see and so uniquely Australian’
The abandoned joey was checked over by a vet and is now being looked after by a local rehabilitation worker before it can be released again.
Kerry posted the incident online and it garnered hundreds of likes and comments.
Who knows if Asha and her Aussie sidekick will see each other again, but it’s lucky for the little koala that they had their original fateful meeting.
Last week, a photograph went viral of a woman holding up a sign.
What was on the sign was fairly innocuous, but managed to rile up a lot of people. Why? Because it was a perfect example of mum privilege.
It reads, ‘Moms should get a fast pass to the front of the line at coffee shops.
‘Honey, you’re 22 & slept 10 hours last night? Get to the back of the line.’
Well, honey, no they shouldn’t.
I’m childless and I’m 24. On weekends I’ve been known to sleep for twelve hours solid, and I still deserve my place in line just as much as you.
The person behind you who works 70 hours a week deserves their place as well, as does the retired person behind them.
Similarly, one parent went viral recently for complaining about being ejected from a Costa Coffee after she sat down, didn’t buy anything, and began breastfeeding.
Not sure why it seems to be coffee shops at the heart of all of these, but again it brought to light the idea that some mums and dads believe they deserve to be held to a different standard to the rest of us.
Rather than the fact she was sat in a business without being a patron, this mum used the fact she was breastfeeding as an excuse (although I absolutely believe breastfeeding mums are discriminated against, this wasn’t what happened this time around).
There’s a level of entitlement emanting from these people – and from plenty of other ‘frazzled mum’ forums online – that grates on those who have no children.
For me it’s because I know that, for many in our society, having children is a choice. You conceived, you went to the scans, you decorated the nursery.
The same way someone going to law school knows they’ll be putting in the extra hours, people like this woman should be aware that children are effort.
I feel empathy, but not sympathy for both the law student or the new mum, because they’re both doing what they want and achieving their goals. I also don’t want any part in their struggle because it’s not how I’ve chosen to live my life.
For some reason, though, parents have carte blanche to say they have it worse than everyone else.
I wouldn’t want to wait in line with little Tarquin eating play-dough and tugging at my jacket for a babycino either. That’s why I use birth control.
Having children is not a disability. Getting a latte is not a necessity. This is all a middle-class, made-up problem of mummy bloggers’ own making.
There are people out there who want to have children but can’t. They’d give anything to have a Tarquin – as annoying as he is – of their own, and you equating having children to some sort of ball and chain is offensive to them.
It’s also offensive to the multitude of people who suffer from illnesses (both seen and invisible) as it negates what they go through every day just to live life in relative comfort.
To me – a very privileged person – it’s not offensive. It’s just rude to suggest that the world, and everyone else’s problems, must come second to your bundle of joy.
Many people will say ‘but you were a child once’ and denounce me as some Miss Trunchbull-esque figure who wants to lock your little ‘uns in the chokey. Not so; I just believe that you don’t deserve special treatment for procreating.
You have every right to enjoy your children growing up and doing everything you can to make them smile. Last time I checked the Geneva Convention, though, the right to flat whites wasn’t written down.
It’s important to note that there’s only a specific type of pumpkin-spiced person that makes these quips about mum’s ‘wine time’ or how you can’t speak to them before they’ve had caffeine because they’re more tired than everyone else.
They’re the ones we’ve all experienced: Whether ramming into us in a double buggy or bringing their children into a pub to throw chicken nuggets at the other punters and saying ‘ooh, isn’t he/she sweet’ when you aren’t too pleased.
It’s a case of #NotAllParents here, so to those not forcing their mummy privilege down everyone’s throats, thank you and all the best.
To the others – Get a coffee maker, stop letting Tarquin play Grand Theft Auto while you nip to Starbucks, and realise that kids or no kids, we all have our struggles.
No, Brewdog aren’t giving free beers to Trump supporters (Picture: Getty/PA)
Oh what a morning for the Brewdog publicity team.
Earlier today, journalists received a press release from Frank PR on behalf of American beermakers Scofflaw.
The brewery said it would be hosting six events across Brewdog’s UK venues offering free beer to punters… But only to those who support Trump.
Scofflaw, who calls itself a redneck brewer, said that the reason for the stunt was because ‘There’s a little dissent in everything [they] do.’
It wasn’t clear in the release how people would prove their affinity to Trump (a MAGA hat, perhaps?) but the company said it planned to get the UK ‘beered up redneck style’.
The free beer parties were billed to be at Brewdog Shoreditch, Brewdog Soho, Brewdog Shepherd’s Bush, Brewdog Outpost Tower Hill, Brewdog Manchester, and Brewdog Leeds over the next week.
At the end of the release, Scofflaw and BrewDog’s owners (Matt Shirah and James Watt, respectively) were said to be collaborating to bring American craft beer across the bond, and Brewdog were also supposed to be running various Scofflaw tipples in its venues on a longer term basis.
Chaos ensued on Twitter, as people wondered if this was another of Brewdog’s edgy PR stunts which failed to meet the mark (anyone remember Pink IPA or Speedball?).
Later, it transpired that Brewdog were claiming not to have authorised the release from Scofflaw, and Frank PR swiftly issued a retraction of their statements.
Just to confirm the Scofflaw release came from their agency not ours and we had zero knowledge of any of this this. And as soon as we knew, we cancelled the events. The agency @WelcomeToFrank called me to say the release came form a 'rogue' element in their team. What a mess.
Following Scofflaw's Fake News earlier, we're going to run a very real promotion today – one free beer for anyone who supports LOVE not hate. Simply tell our staff, and enjoy a pint of Punk, or any other headliner on us!
The official Brewdog Twitter account stated ‘we will of course be cancelling all the events and sending all of the beer back.’
In terms of the collaboration, there was evidence on the Brewdog site, where a blog post announced the launch of the beer but didn’t mention any offer to do with Trump or free beer, but the page now leads to a 404 error.
Very confusing indeed, and a real headache for Frank and Mr. Watt.
Whether the ties with Scofflaw are completely severed has yet to be seen, but at least the ‘fake news’ has resulted in a real free beer for those who don’t like the current POTUS.
Metro.co.uk reached out to BrewDog for comment but have received no response.
Over the last couple of months our Instagram has taken a road trip across the UK.
Thanks to your snaps we have seen the best sites and landmarks each county has to offer finding the most picturesque and sort after places across the country.
We have already ventured across the South, through Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire and now we are exploring the North.
Just in case you’ve missed anything, here are some of our best images from our trip across the North East!
To join in on our adventure use #MetroRoadTrip to share your pictures on the next part of our journey, Scotland!
Durham
The stunning High Force waterfall in Durham is within the Northern Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Shot by @sam_iveson
Newcastle
The Angel of the North is an iconic contemporary statue designed by Antony Gormley. It stands 20 metres tall with its wings measuring 54 metres across. Photographed by @robbiewatson
Another iconic Northern work of art is the Lady of the North. It’s the largest land sculpture in the female form in the world at 400 metres long! Captured by @micknaisbitt
The next stage of our #MetroRoadTrip will be in Scotland.
