Asda will see that all paramedics, police officers and firefighters will be able to get their hands on a warming cup of tea or coffee during their shifts this winter.
It's the least we can do for our emergency services.
The UK supermarket chain is giving away free hot drinks to Britain’s emergency responders to help them get through their shifts this winter.
The service will be available all day, every day — including in Asda‘s 24-hour stores.
Opening the scheme up from over 330 Asda Stores, cafes and Express shops to help make their shifts that little bit easier during the colder weather in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s a great idea that surely everyone can get behind.
Active from 1 November right up until 31 December 2023 when emergency responders are waiting in the wings to help during the ever-unpredictable New Year’s Eve, so long as they come in-store wearing their uniform, they’ll be able to grab a quick brew or two at no charge. Lovely stuff.
Better still, with countless crucial key workers inside the supermarkets also busy with their shifts, members of the police, ambulance or fire service can help themselves to free tea or coffee not only from the Asda Cafe but the self-service Costa or Leon machines as well.
Speaking on this kind and convenient scheme, Asda’s Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer, Hayley Tatum, said:“This initiative is a token of our appreciation for the tireless work that our emergency responders are carrying out in the communities in which we operate.
There’s been lots of praise on Facebook for 19-year-old home shopping driver Ted from Asda Chatham who delivered groceries to his customers on foot after his van broke down. pic.twitter.com/2aee8bEKHw
“Whether on duty, enjoying a break or finishing a shift, we invite them to pop in, say hi and grab a cuppa.”
Likewise, Asda and its customers are always spotlighting their own staff for a job well done as they know how needed their roles are and recognise their importance, especially during the holiday season.
Off-duty responders with a Blue Light Card can also receive 10% back in their Cashpot account on all fresh purchases including fresh meat, fish and ready meals when they scan their Asda Rewards app at the checkout — a deal that is on all year-round, not just this winter).
It’s great to see the supermarket putting together schemes like this and free drinks for emergency responders is by no means the only one; in fact, Asda has launched four different helpful initiatives to help local communities this year.
Another vital one that has just rolled out recently is their ‘winter warmer’ deal, where those over 60 can get similar access to hot drinks as the emergency services as well as a portion of soup for just a pound.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
Viral Yorkshire shop urges visitors to avoid weekends as huge queues form
Clementine Hall
A viral apothecary shop in Yorkshire has warned visitors about huge queues forming outside its doors, urging people to visit during the week if they want to avoid the crowds.
The Cabinet of Curiosities in Haworth has become a popular destination for those looking to really get into the autumn spirit.
And it seems like there's a lot of people who are looking to do so, as huge queues have been forming along the quaint cobbled streets of Haworth.
So much so, that owner Carolin had to issue a statement via The Cabinet of Curiosities Instagram page.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It reads: "Weekends in Haworth have become particularly busy during Autumn and we are so grateful to all those lovely souls who have patiently queued to visit the shop.
"We are so honoured that you are happy to wait to come in to our magical apothecary shop, and I can’t quite believe it when I look out of the windows and see the queue snaking up the cobbles. Be assured that the queue does move fast and it makes for a far more pleasurable visit if there are fewer people in the shop at once.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"If you would rather avoid the busy times it’s best to visit during the week if you can. Our shop is open 7 days a week 10-5, but to make sure all the shops in Haworth are open then Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are probably the best days to visit.
"We are doing our best to keep up with restocking and our fabulous workshop witches are busy blending, filling and packing every day to keep to keep the shelves stocked. We are humbled and forever grateful that you love our little shoppe, and hope you enjoy your potions and your visit to The Cabinet of Curiosities."
Danny Jones -
6th November 2023 
