Well, we’ve made it past Blue Monday and the end of the month is starting to feel within reach! Today marks a historic day in American politics, when Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president. Here are some other hopeful news stories from around the world that might lift your spirits today…
The Adventure Continues
View this post on Instagram
You may remember a story we included in our Happy Hump Day News way back in July, about a boy called Max who was camping in his garden to raise money for North Devon Hospice. The hospice had cared for his neighbour, who — before he sadly died — gave Max a tent and told him to have an adventure. Well, six months later, Max is still spending each night out in his garden and has almost hit the 300-day mark! He’s raised almost £135,000 so far and plans to continue sleeping under the stars until he manages a whole year… at least!
Paw Patrol
Pet mayors help Vermont town raise $100k for playground https://t.co/r5OHCeJecn pic.twitter.com/Lg6PH2Rnil
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) January 18, 2021
In the small town of Fair Haven in Vermont, residents recently voted for their new honorary mayor, and the results revealed that Murfee — a Cavalier King Charles spaniel — will take over the role from Lincoln the goat, who was elected in 2018. This duo of adorable pet mayors has raised around $30,000 between them through t-shirt and mask sales, plus basket raffles, while the town has chipped in another $20,000 to go towards the renovation of the local playground.
Teenage Ninja Turtle Breeders
View this post on Instagram
A pair of teenagers in Staffordshire have set up a company that aims to restore some of Britain’s reptiles and amphibians that are virtually or completely extinct. Celtic Reptile & Amphibian hopes to bring back species including the pool frog, moor frog and the agile frog on wetlands that have been developed and nourished by the recent boom in the Beaver population. You can follow their fascinating journey via their YouTube channel.
Dreaming of a Beach
View this post on Instagram
A lockdown photography competition organised by Positive View, a charity that runs photography-based programmes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, has produced some fantastically creative results. The nationwide competition was won by 25-year-old photographer Alma Rosaz who depicted a beach scene in the window of her London flat (above). The charity has now launched another lockdown competition that focuses on the area Westminster in London – for more details visit the website.
Luminary Bakery
View this post on Instagram
A bakery opening on our doorstep in London is always good news, however this one is especially sweet… Luminary Bakery is a registered charity founded by Alice Williams that trains and supports disadvantaged women, including those who have suffered from domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, trafficking and honour based violence. Women are taught baking and life skills, and then are helped to find work when they’re ready. Luminary has also recently released a cookbook called Rising Hope, which you order here. Oh, and did we mention they make incredible cakes and coffee too?
Greenground Map
View this post on Instagram
Since we’re all aimlessly walking a lot more than we used to, we probably need a ground level map more than we need an underground map at the moment. Luckily, graphic designer Helen Ilus has created just that: a Tube map-inspired diagram linking all of the wonderful green spaces that our capital has to offer. It includes routes between the areas as well as distances, view points, cycle paths and watersports facilities. Ilus became inspired to create the map when London became the world’s first national park city. You can buy pocket and poster versions here.
Sympathy Pains
— The Sun (@TheSun) January 19, 2021
After Russell Jones injured his ankle, he noticed that his lurcher Bill appeared to also be limping. Worried that there was something wrong, Russell took Bill to the vets to get him X-rayed, however the vet discovered that there was nothing wrong with Bill’s leg. When Russell’s wife recorded a video of Bill running around energetically the garden, the couple realised that Bill had been copying Russell’s limp out of sympathy. True best friend behaviour!
And Finally…
One revival that we definitely didn’t see coming this year is sea shanties. As demonstrated by Scotsman Nathan Evans who started the trend on TikTok, the rhythmic songs can be rather soothing! Even Ronan Keating and Gary Barlow have got in on the action.
@nathanevanssThe Wellerman. ##seashanty ##sea ##shanty ##viral ##singing ##acoustic ##pirate ##new ##original ##fyp ##foryou ##foryoupage ##singer ##scottishsinger ##scottish♬ original sound – N A T H A N E V A N S S
