The spring is sprung, the grass is riz.
I wonder where the boidie is.
They say the boidie’s on the wing.
But that’s absoid. The wing is on the bird.
(anonymous)
Words: Jean Hill
Who knew that Easter eggs were not part of an essential food shop!
Whilst we are exploring that elusive inner-life (should I pour the milk into the mug before or after the coffee), the outside world is altering. We thought we would highlight some of the sterling charities out there. Since exchanging Easter eggs is a little tricky this year, we thought we might suggest donating to some great charities and some enterprising restaurants that are responding positively to the Covid-19 crisis.
We did a little research on Easter traditions, some of them pagan and some that pre-date Christianity. Sixty thousand years ago, in the Kalahari desert, ostrich eggs were used as water flasks, and were coloured and decorated with engraved patterns. We know this because, astonishingly, some survived. Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Easter coincides with Jewish Passover, which celebrates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.
Fabergé eggs were created by the House of Fabergé in St Petersburg, as presents for wives of Russian Tsars. The splendid, bejewelled eggs always contained a surprise. No not a soft centre, but an expensive item of jewellery. We can only dream.
In Poland, folk used to fill a blessing basket with coloured eggs, sausages, bread and other food and the priest would bless the basket the day before Easter. There was possibly a bit of a tussle when the priest had to give back the basket.
Easter is a time to celebrate the rituals of spring. Those bunnies represent re-birth and fecundity. It is the lambing season: the early mornings are filled with bird-song. This is traditionally a time of gratitude and new hope. Difficult times make us all appreciate those out in our communities doing everything they can to help those in need, and those who are vulnerable.
For this year, these are some of the charities out there doing great work to support people in communities, somewhere near or dear to you. We can all have a chocolate related festival, when we are out and about again.
We would like to acknowledge the wonderful work done by Mowgli owner Nisha Katona. Mowgli Street Food restaurants are closed right now, because of corona virus. Nisha Katona has consistently worked to support Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Thousands of customers agreed to make a £1 discretionary donation to help transform cancer care. Nisha spoke about her commitment: “Mowgli absolutely thrives on strong community, therefore we recognise that we should give our local community something more than just good food.
“Charity lies at the heart of our ethos and we are all honoured to support The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in an area where one in two of us will live with cancer.” I cannot wait to be queuing up outside Mowgli, and we will be proud to donate.
James McEvoy donated £275,000 to this NHS crowd-funding initiative: ‘Masks for NHS Heroes’, #masksfornhsheroes. Making a difference starts with one step and providing protective equipment to the NHS has to be a priority.
British Red Cross are distributing care and food packages and supporting safe and rapid discharge from hospital. The Trussell Trust are keeping their food-banks open wherever they can. West Cheshire and East Cheshire seem to be still operating food banks, and we can imagine the effort going into doing this. All money donations help tremendously: www.trusselltrust.org › get-involved › ways-to-give
There are refuges around the country. They do remarkable work to protect the victims of domestic violence and trafficking.
NHS Charities Together supports NHS workers with well-being packs, costs with travel, parking and accommodation (where needed). Crisis is providing emergency supplies, and trying to help to find rent money for those who are homeless. UNHCR is the UN refugee agency, and refugees are particularly at risk for the duration of the crisis. UNICEF do brilliant work in 190 different countries to save and support children.
The Fire Fit Hub in Toxteth, an arm of Torus Liverpool, is currently closed to the public, but is still doing outreach work in the community. They are providing care packages, and food deliveries, and doing what they can to make a positive difference. For more information, visit: www.liverpoolmutualhomes.org/ and www.firefithub.org.uk/about-us
You will all have your own favourite charities. To finish with some good news: Guinness has pledged £1 million to support bar staff across Great Britain. The Monro, a Liverpool gastro-pub is providing a click and collect service and delivery service. Justino’s, Aigburth Road, Liverpool: #stayingathome #takeaway is doing deliveries through Deliveroo. This is a family restaurant that cooks wonderful Italian food. 200 Degrees, Metquarter has an offer – 50% off Coffee To Your Door for three months. Their intention is to introduce good coffee to those in isolation, working from home or just relaxing after looking after the rest of us. Just visit our website and use code: TWOHUNDREDFF before 30/04/20.
We have related articles with details of restaurants that deliver in Liverpool and the Wirral.
Peace and love.
Related reads:
Restaurants in the Liverpool area that deliver the goods
Restaurants delivering culinary delights in the Wirral & Waterloo
