An independent artist from Prestwich has produced an incredible kaleidoscopic wall hanging to commemorate national spirit in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
The perspex ‘Bird of Hope’, designed by Chava Erlanger, has been created to serve as a lasting memento to the time spent indoors during lockdown.
Featuring the ubiquitous rainbow of hope, the artwork captures the hopeful side of the British public’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A percentage of purchase revenue will be rerouted to the NHS – creating additional funds for the health sector.
Chava – whose previous work is on permanent display at Imperial War Museum North – has been shielding at home for months to protect the health of her son, and is hoping her latest piece will encourage people to keep hold of the lessons learnt in 2020.
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“For many, lockdown has been a time of reflection,” says Chava.
“So many of us plan to make changes to our lives, to be happier, healthier, closer to loved ones and more engaged in our communities. There are lots of positives to take from this time, and my artwork is reflective of these hopeful intentions.”
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Chava, who grew up in Israel during the Gulf War, uses art as a tool to help those going through traumatic life events.
“Through my work, I examine the human response to disaster, both good and bad,” she explains.
“We have collectively, globally, been through a trauma. Personally, I have been contemplating my own family history – the loss of my freedom of movement leading me to reflect on my grandmother’s experience during the holocaust, which she survived. I am interested in the way we move from darkness to light.
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“This piece focuses on the brighter side of our recent experience; the kindness and goodness of people, and the ways we come together to strengthen each other.
“As restrictions ease, I hope that we’ll continue to think of each other and the need for continued focus to keep each other safe. My aim is to bring that feeling of hope and togetherness into our homes permanently.”
Chava’s artwork is priced at £45 and is available to buy from her website.
The artist will also be taking commissions for spectacular LED versions of the piece, which will measure 1m x 60cm.
Only five limited edition LED birds will be produced – priced at £5,000 – with 10 per cent of the profits being donated to the NHS.
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Reality TV personality Kim Woodburn has died at the age of 83
Emily Sergeant
Kim Woodburn has died at the age of 83, it has been confirmed.
The reality TV personality and presenter, also affectionately known by the nickname ‘The Queen of Clean’, and most-commonly known as one half of the presenting duo for Channel 4’s How Clean Is Your House? as well as being a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, has passed away following a short illness.
Her passing was announced by her representatives this morning, and she was described as being ‘incredibly kind, caring, and charismatic’.
Announcing the TV star’s death in a statement today, Kim’s representatives wrote in tribute: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness.
“Kim was an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person.
“Her husband Peter is heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate. We are so proud of the amazing things Kim achieved in her life and career.”
The statement concluded by asking that Kim’s husband and close friends be ‘given the time and privacy they need to grieve’.
It was also confirmed that no further details will be released to the public following this initial statement.
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Met Office says UK heatwave is ‘likely’ this week with highs of 30°C expected
Emily Sergeant
Much of the UK will be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend, according to the latest Met Office forecast.
It’s been a real mixed bag of weather since June arrived, it’s safe to say, with the continuous and unseasonably warm and dry temperatures of April and May finally being broken with spells of heavy downpours and thunderstorms, but now it’s official… a heatwave is ‘likely’ on its way.
The Met Office is predicting heat will build throughout this week, and by the time the weekend has arrived, some parts of the UK will probably be in heatwave conditions.
According to forecasts, the highest temperatures values in the UK tomorrow (Wednesday 17 June) are expected to be around 27ºC, but then on Thursday this will rise to 29ºC, and by Saturday, it’s expected to increase again in more locations until heatwave values are exceeded.
High pressure means for many it will be a dry week with temperatures rising to heatwave level in some areas by the weekend☀️
It’s thought that the highest temperatures in some parts of the country could reach 30ºC on Saturday, potentially even earlier.
So, what exactly is considered to be a heatwave? Well, heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Across much of the north and west of the UK this threshold is 25ºC, but across Greater London and the Home Counties, the threshold is higher, at 28ºC.
“The rising temperatures this week are a combination of several factors,” commented Tony Wisson, who is a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
“Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.
“We could very well see several places exceeding 30ºC, which will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.”
Tony also confirmed that by the beginning of the weekend “we could very well be meeting heatwave thresholds in places”.
When it comes to how long this’ll all last, that’s a little more up in the air, as while forecasters know that high pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week, which will result in temperatures falling, there is uncertainty, however, in how quickly this happens.
The Manc -
13th July 2020 
