We think that this week’s hump day news is particularly joyous, and we hope you agree! From mature north London rockers to a young Devonian camper – and some wild bison in between – at least one of our highlights is sure to put a smile on your face.
Top of the OAPs
View this post on Instagram
Since care home residents haven’t been allowed visitors these past few months, you might presume that they’ve been playing a bit more bingo or watching daytime television instead, but for the hip pensioners at Sydmar Lodge Care Home in Edgware, such activities are outdated. Staff and residents have been passing the time by recreating iconic album covers, including those by Adele, Madonna, David Bowie and The Clash. Models include Sheila, 93, who met one of her favourite artists Rag’n’Bone Man, backstage at a concert last year – she thought it was only fitting to don fake tattoos and emulate his Human album cover for the occasion.
Gorillas in our Midst
View this post on Instagram
A rare subspecies of gorilla, feared extinct for many years, has been pictured in the Mbe Mountains in south Nigeria. The images were captured by a camera trap that was set up by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and they show both Cross River gorilla adults and babies. The discovery instils hope for future generations of the endangered animal.
Have an Adventure
View this post on Instagram
A ten-year-old boy from Devon has spent 100 nights camped in a tent in his garden to raise money for North Devon Hospice. Max Woosey decided to take up the challenge after the hospice looked after his neighbour Rick, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Rick had gifted the tent to Max and told him to have some adventures – we think that raising over £11,000 is a pretty exciting way to begin!
Good day!
View this post on Instagram
Sydney city centre is now entirely powered using renewable energy from local wind and solar farms. The Australian city’s new AUS$60m deal with Flow Power will mean that by 2024, it will have reduced its emissions by 70% – six years earlier than its initial target. Let’s hope that major cities throughout the rest of the world follow Sydney’s example!
New Homes and New Hope
View this post on Instagram
Six micro homes have been built in Cambridge to accommodate homeless people until they get back on their feet. A number of charities and donors, including Allia and Jimmy’s Cambridge, have helped to make the development possible, and it’s hoped that a similar scheme could be replicated in other cities across the country. The properties – which feature a fitted kitchen, living area, bathroom, separate bedroom and washing machine – were actually built by employees at the New Meaning Foundation who have experienced homelessness themselves.
The Bison, the Birds and the Bees
View this post on Instagram
Bison roamed the UK around 6,000 years ago, and they’re set to return in 2022 as part of a rewilding scheme. One male and three female European bison (the closest genetically to the ancient steppe bison) will be introduced to an enclosed area in the Kent countryside, which the public will be able to view from platforms, but not walk through. It’s an unconventional rewilding method, since the bison will kill the current trees, but this will allow insects to feed on dead wood and a new pine forest to grow. It’s hoped that a number of native plants will return to the land, and birds – including nightingales and turtle doves – will thrive.
Wild Britain
View this post on Instagram
A new initiative called B-Lines aims to restore some of the 97% of wildflower meadows that were lost after WWII; this loss meant that numbers of pollinating insects like butterflies and bees diminished severely. The scheme intends to create wildflower corridors throughout the UK that will connect up like pathways for the insects, and will add up to around 150,000 hectares of beautiful, blooming flora.
And finally…
This heartwarming video shows how a girl in Manchester learnt sign language so that she could converse with delivery man Tim Joseph, who is deaf…
This is our @Hermesparcels delivery man, we see him 1 or 2 times a week, start of lockdown Tallulah drew him a #thankyou ?, he still has it proudly on show in his van, they have built up quite a friendship over these last few weeks @ststephensaud #proudmum pic.twitter.com/JELmaibyIM
— Amy Roberts (@mummybear1903) June 19, 2020
