|
Dear Reader 2020! A new decade dawns and as we look back on the year gone past we can ponder on what the new year will bring us… This February will not only gain an extra day but also see the rare phenomenon of a palindromic date on the second. On a personal level, John and I will both have rather significant birthdays to celebrate in the coming year and, in April, Village Connect will celebrate its 15th anniversary of bringing local business to local villages. Anniversary celebrations are also marked in the pages ahead: Kettering Bedding Centre has its golden anniversary, see pages 20-21; Thrapston Plaza Opera celebrates its 10th anniversary with a production of Bizet’s Carmen, see pages 44-45; and St Botolph’s Church in Barton Seagrave hosts a series of celebrations with its 900+ Festival, see pages 74-75. Against the backdrop of political turmoil on an epic scale and reflecting back on 2019 when climate emergency entered the worldwide debate, the focus for the new year must be to be kind. Kinder to each other, to the planet but also kinder to ourselves. In our busy day-to-day life, with around-the-clock information overload, it becomes increasingly important to make time for yourself. To go for a walk in our beautiful countryside, sit down with a hot drink to read or to relax and just be. Ironstone Wellbeing Centre, see pages 8-9, is Northamptonshire’s first purpose-built wellbeing centre with something for you whether you fancy getting into a sweat to burn out the worries of the day or having a tranquil yoga session to nourish your mind and soul. Another lifestyle issue and a symptom of our stressful times is lack of sleep. Turn to page 30 to read Anne Widdup’s suggestions on how clinical hypnotherapy might help you solve your insomnia or sleep deprivation. For new parents, disrupted nights can be a real shock to the system, as described on page 14 by the Baby Sleep Consultant. If you’re looking for inspiration to start something new or take your favourite activity to a higher level, read about the Travers Foundation on page 62 who helps young people under 30 reach their full potential, or the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards on pages 40-41 applauding all that is great about local produce and recognising local excellence. Whatever your aspirations might be for 2020, may the new year and the new decade bring you love and light, health and happiness, tranquillity and kindness.
|
Hillcrest House Church Hill Geddington Northants NN14 1AH Tel: 01536 744700 |
