Latest news with #CharlesDickens'
Glasgow Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Muppet Christmas Carol coming to SEC Armadillo Glasgow
The Muppet Christmas Carol will be performed live in concert with a full orchestra at the SEC Armadillo. The beloved holiday film will be screened on Wednesday, November 27, accompanied by a live performance of its original score. READ MORE: Retail giant set to open huge new Glasgow store with freebies Tickets go on presale Thursday, May 8, at 10am, with general sale beginning Friday, May 9, at 10am via The show brings Charles Dickens' festive classic to life through the Muppets' signature humor and heart. Kermit the Frog stars as Bob Cratchit, while Michael Caine plays the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Gonzo, portraying Dickens himself, narrates the tale alongside Rizzo the Rat. READ MORE: Mysterious Stormtrooper patrols streets in surprise visit The film also features fan favourites Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. As Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, he is guided on a journey of redemption and self-discovery, culminating in a heartwarming reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. The original score, composed by Miles Goodman, features songs by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winner Paul Williams, bringing unforgettable warmth and joy to this timeless tale.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
The 'family-friendly' Essex town named one of the country's best places to live
A town in Essex has been crowned one of the best places to live in the country. The Daily Mail has shared the report by Garrington Property Finders, highlighting the top 21 places to live across England and Wales. The annual report ranks 1,447 cities, towns and large villages of 5,000-plus residents. It uses five criteria to help with the ranking, these being: Natural beauty Wellbeing Heritage Schools and jobs Value for money The top 21 places to live revealed - and third place features houses for just £150,000: How does YOUR home rank among 1,500 cities, towns and villages in England and Wales? — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 7, 2025 The Mail notes how locations with a higher average property price perform better on Garrington's report. For the full story, head to the Daily Mail website. One place in Essex made the list, and that was Chigwell, and it even broke the top 10, ranking as the ninth best place to live. It was described as an "attractive choice for those seeking a family-friendly environment with access to excellent schools, parks and central London". Chigwell gained the most marks for house price quality and value, as well as natural environment. The list reads: "Falling within London's commuter belt, it benefits from good transport links with a Central Line tube station stopping at Bank and Tottenham Court Road. "One of the quaintest corners is Chigwell Village where you'll find plenty of period properties, shops, restaurants and green spaces." Visit Epping Forest notes Charles Dickens' depiction of Chigwell, describing it as "the greatest place in the world". Recommended reading: Why these three south Essex areas are among the best places to live in UK This south Essex village with a windmill is one of the best places to live in 2025 Essex town with 'rich culture' crowned the best place to live in the UK for 2025 It adds that the town boasts "elegant Georgian houses, pretty weather-boarded cottages, 12th-century St Mary Church, complete with an intact Norman doorway, and Chigwell School". The website also recommends combining a visit to Chigwell with nearby Buckhurst Hill. The nearby spot was a filming location for The Only Way is Essex.
The Independent
13-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Why not try these cracking wines this Easter?
I am not religious, but I find Easter utterly joyous, and I'm going to call it: I think it's better than Christmas. Please don't misunderstand me – I'm not a grinch. I adore Christmas and all its warmth and excess. But Easter is just a bit more laid back. Your diary isn't rammed back to back with 'pre-Easter' catch-ups. Instead, your social calendar can just remain calm and measured – as blissfully busy, or not, as you like. You don't haemorrhage your meager savings in gift-buying either. A Lindt chocolate bunny will leave you with enough change from a fiver to buy a bag of Mini Eggs or a Creme Egg – all three of which are a happy tick from me. And, in an entirely unscientific survey amongst friends, it seems I'm not alone. Many cited how much more 'relaxing' it was, that the bonus two days of bank holidays feel more indulgent than those at Christmas, and that if you have family stresses, there is minimal expectation to actually spend any time with them. It's a holiday that you can very much do on your own terms, without the pressure to please anyone else. And I haven't even mentioned the time of year that it takes place. It's the northern hemisphere's moment of absolute promise. I don't know about you, but the fizzing energy of spring is utterly intoxicating. I can't get enough of the sense of hope that's in the air (even through the mire of the two T's, Trump and tariffs). I find it fascinating that Easter never had the 19th-century makeover in the way that Christmas did. Why did one become the symbol of secular 'family time', a respectable moment for the burgeoning middle class, and the other just fade away? I think it's largely attributable to the fact that Easter didn't receive the literary freshening that Christmas did. If you think about it, many of our notions about Christmas are rooted in 19th-century novels, such as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and Clement Clarke Moore's The Night Before Christmas. Prior to that, both Christmas and Easter were admonished by puritans with one particularly joyful New England preacher, Cotton Mather, saying, 'the feast of Christ's nativity is spent in revelling, dicing, carding, masking, and in all licentious liberty... by mad mirth, by long eating, by hard drinking, by lewd gaming, by rude revelling!' That all sounds rather excellent to me. I like to think we can bring a little of this 'mad mirth' to Easter, too, but in a beautifully laid-back, chocolate egg-fuelled way. See, it is a time for feasting and merriment, but entirely in a way that suits you. But what to drink at such a time? I'm recommending a couple of whites with a little touch more body and depth, but still lifted and enjoyable. And for the reds, if you're having some form of roast lamb, you can jump beautifully from deeper reds such as a châteauneuf-du-pape, through to lighter examples like the juicy mencia from Ribeira Sacra, northern Spain, which is – for me – one of the most exciting wine regions in the world. Specially Selected Godello, Baron Amarillo, Spain, 2024 Available at Aldi (in-store only), £9.99, 13.5 per cent ABV From Bierzo, a region bordering Galica and Castilla y Leon in north-western Spain, this is Spain's most northernly wine producing region. It is green, wet, and whipped by the Atlantic ocean. Godello is a grape variety native to this area. Think ripe stone fruit such as apricots, a lovely citrus kick and wafts of springtime blooms – reminding me of early morning springtime walks full of lovely scented freshness. The Society's Exhibition Chenin Blanc, South Africa, 2022 Available at The Wine Society £14.50, 13 per cent ABV I don't use the phrase 'legendary winemakers' lightly, but it's an accurate description of Chris and Suzaan Alheit, the talented duo behind this outstanding wine. Located in Hemel-en-Aarde, translated as meaning 'heaven on earth', near Hermanus in South Africa, this is a stunning dry farmed old bush vine chenin blanc and I just love it. It has strips of lemon rind alongside a soft, honeyed edge and something that reminded me of vanilla french toast. It's generous, but not overpowering thanks to lively acidity, and just leaves you feeling a little bit decadent and sumptuous, one to wow your guests, and is outstanding value for money. Ponte da Boga Mencía, Ribeira Sacra, Spain, 2023 Available at The Wine Society £11.95, 12 per cent ABV If you love pinot noir, gamay, lighter syrah and sangiovese (indeed my list could go on), then you must try mencia – actually, scrap that, everyone should try mencia. A beautiful red grape from northern Spain that delivers in flavour, but shows great restraint in alcohol level. This has a bright red cherry nose with a lively floral note too, but it's not just flowers and fruit here – it has a luxurious smoothness to the tannins and an energetic pepperiness. Keep an extra bottle or two of this kicking about, as I think your guests will love it. M&S Clocktower Marlborough Southern Valleys Pinot Noir Available in-store at M&S and online via Ocado, £15, 13.5 per cent ABV A solid pinot noir, made by Wither Hills, a respected producer in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Think muddled black cherries, blueberries and black currants, with a soft sprinkle of cinnamon spice. The tannins are fine, and there's good acidity to keep everything upbeat. A fine accompaniment to a leg of lamb. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Le Moulin Teyroud, France, 2023 Available at Aldi (in-store only), £9.99 from 14–20 April (usual rrp £16.49), 14.5 per cent ABV If you're craving something a little fuller, you can't go wrong with this classic châteauneuf-du-pape, especially at this offer price. An opulent and intense, but not heavy, grenache dominated red with ripe red plums, morello cherries, smooth edged tannins and the hint of something a bit more savoury. You can thank me later for introducing you to this great value, little-known, sweet red wine, which is ideal for pairing with Easter eggs, and all things chocolate. Serve this chilled (it'll keep in the fridge well), and revel in its dried figs, concentrated dates and inky blackcurrant goodness as you indulge in your chocolate stash.
Local France
26-03-2025
- Local France
French Word of the Day: Tricoteuse
Why do I need to know tricoteuse? Because this French term has a long, bloody history. What does it mean? Tricoteuse - roughly pronounced tree-koe-tuzz - is the French term for a woman who knits, or a knitting woman. The masculine version would be tricoteur . While the word may appear to have a simple translation - and can be used for people interested in knitting and crafts - it has a very interesting backstory that might make you think twice before using it to describe your French mother-in-law knitting by the fireplace. Historically, tricoteuse goes back to the French Revolution and refers to a group of women who would sit and knit at meetings of the Revolutionary Tribunal, and allegedly sat next to the guillotines during the Reign of Terror and watched the executions, still while calmly knitting. The idea is that, due to sexism, they were not allowed to participate in the action, but they wanted to be involved nonetheless. Advertisement The term has taken on a wider - and negative - connotation, due to the implication that these women were bloodthirsty, seeking to witness and participate in the public executions. It was popularised in the English-speaking world through Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two Cities. These days it can be used to describe anyone - although it is usually used for women - who is seen as taking pleasure in the misfortune of others, or who is seeking to bring down a public figure or group. It's sometimes used to reference online 'pile-ons' or lynch mobs. It's perhaps more commonly used in English than in French, but it surfaced during the recent mass rape trial of Dominique Pelicot in southern France - a defence lawyer described the feminists protesting outside the court as tricoteuses , which was denounced as a misogynistic insult. Nevertheless, you technically can describe yourself or someone you know as a tricoteuse , if they are actually a knitter, though beware of the possible historical implication. It comes from the verb tricoter (to knit) while détricoter (literally 'un knit') can be used as 'unpick' or 'unravel' is in English, to denote something being weakened or watered down. It's often used in relation to laws or regulations eg Il est hors de question de détricoter nos lois - It is out of the question to unravel our laws Colloquially, tricoter can also describe 'preparing something thoroughly', oftentimes an argument or a speech. Use it like this Ma mamie est une tricoteuse. Elle m'a appris tout ce que je sais. - My grandma is a knitter. She taught me everything I know. Il a qualifié les militantes de tricoteuses, affirmant qu'elles n'étaient intéressées que par la vengeance. - He compared the activists to the female knitters during the Revolution, claiming that they were only interested in revenge.
