As the world shows overwhelming solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion of this country, the situation on the ground becomes increasingly dire. Over 1.2 million refugees have crossed  the Polish border, with hundreds of thousands more reaching Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and other European countries. While the response in Poland has been overwhelmingly positive and open to people seeking refuge from war, humanitarian help is needed from around the world. 

Kinoteka understands that every donation counts in such desperate times, and decided to answer this call by donating ALL of the festival proceeds to SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine emergency appeal. Each ticket purchased for the Polish film showcased at the Kinoteka will result in a direct donation to supporting children and their families in Ukraine.

This call has been met with immense support from our partner cinemas in London: ICA, the Prince Charles Museum, Riverside Studios, BFI Southbank and JW3.

The Price Charles Cinema director Gregory Lynn decided to match Kinoteka’s pledge and said: “We will donate all net receipts, Kinoteka’s and ours, to the charity supporting Ukrainian refugee children. Sounds like a good cause and we were already looking for a way to do something in support of Ukraine.”

SOS Children’s Villages provide urgent support to Ukraine: helping to evacuate children and families to safety, providing those still in Ukraine with food and other supplies so they can stay in lockdown and providing constant trauma support for staff, families and children whose lives have been thrown into chaos. The need for support is growing by the hour. Millions of people are expected to flee the war in the next weeks. As well as the children and families already cared for by SOS Children’s Villages prior to the invasion, large numbers are expected to need help as a direct result of the war.

Learn more about the charity here.

The Polish Cultural Institute in London is a proud organiser of the 20th Anniversary Kinoteka Polish Film Festival 2022, supported by the Polish Film Institute and IKH Productions. The Festival is opening on the 9th March and will last until 3rd April 2022. It will not only screen in some of London’s premier and most popular venues including the ICA, Prince Charles Cinema, Riverside Studios, JW3 and BFI Southbank but this year a select number of titles will play at Edinburgh Filmhouse cinema.

As always, Kinoteka brings an eclectic mix of films across all genres from drama, comedy, social issues and documentary through to classics and will showcase the very best that Polish cinema has to offer. In addition to screenings there will also be special events such as Q&As and panel discussions.

You can watch the official Festival trailer here,

Explore the full programme and book tickets online on Kinoteka website.

You can help  tireless Boyen  Help Ukrainians  too, HERE   –   Read on:

The world of Ballroom and Latin dancing is international, and tight-knit – people look out for each other. So perhaps I was not surprised to discover that Bartosz (Boyan) Bojanczyk – 3x Ballroom & Latin Vice-Champion of Poland and London-based dancing coach has temporarily hung up his dance shoes to ferry refugees out of Lviv, Ukraine into Poland.

Boyan has been posting videos (access the link:  videos ) when he can – sharing his experience in a war zone, usually whilst speeding far too fast through road blocks, or catching a few hours sleep in a refugee camp – if he is lucky, or else in his car. 

The emotion in Boyan’s voice tells a story in itself. He admits he was not prepared for the ‘conversations and pains he has witnessed’. As we watch his videos we are racing with him past impossibly long lines of cars, using his hazard warning lights to indicate he and his fellow volunteers are not queue-jumpers.

He has been driving back and forth all week, transporting a lucky few (if you can call having to leave everything and risk being shot lucky) from hell to sanctuary.

He tells of the lines of hundreds of people walking hour by hour along a major highway – normally reserved for cars, then a police control point, then a man in a horse and cart – bizarre juxtapositions of ‘normality’ with anything but.

He struggles to control his voice when he describes the piles of hand-luggage by the side of the road – the only remaining possessions of exhausted mothers, abandoned so they can use their last remaining energy just to carry their frightened, bewildered children.

He has been wearing the same clothes, socks and underwear for three days – he didn’t think he would be here this long – but how can he leave, when every trip he makes is salvation for mothers with children, and old people who simply can’t walk the 70km from Lviv to the border? He tells how each group of passengers visibly relax as they join the (5 hour) queue to cross the border into Poland.

Boyan buys desperately-needed medicines, dressings and antiseptics in Poland to take into Ukraine each time he goes back for more evacuees. But prices are high – really high – petrol in the area is now crazy expensive, and even one large Elastoplast costs £2 – because everyone is trying to buy them. Boyan is working tirelessly and he needs your help. There are many requests for your money I know, but I can vouch that money sent to Boyan via his Bartosz Boyanczyk JustGiving page will go directly towards driving refugees out of danger and providing essential medical supplies (just click  here. Or on the above link)

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Joffe’s  book of the week this week is THE SOUTH BANK MURDERS, the gripping new crime mystery from bestselling author Biba Pearce, out now for just 99p | 99c.

His mentor slain. A detective out for revenge. A criminal mastermind always one step ahead. Retired Chief Superintendent Sam Lawrance, Rob’s friend and mentor, has been shot dead.
And when the body of a young man is found on the south bank of the Thames near the London Eye, Rob suspects the cases may be related. Their suspect is not some amateur criminal, but someone with terrifying reach, known only as The Wolf.

His baby won’t sleep. His partner needs him. Can he be there for them and bring a killer to justice?

Full of twists and turns, this really is unputdownable from an author who is bound to find a place amongst your ‘favourites

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE SOUTH BANK MURDERS BY BIBA PEARCE FOR JUST 99P | 99C.
                                                 

Detective Sarah Quinn 1-4  by Maureen Carter    OUT NOW — ONLY 99P | 99C

Get FOUR excellent mysteries set in the buzzing city of Birmingham, full of twists and turns you’ll never see coming, in one great-value box set.

“One of crime fiction’s best-kept secrets.” Sharon Wheeler, reviewingtheevidence.com

OUT NOW — ONLY £1.99 | $2.99

Constable at the Fair by Nicholas Rhea

All’s not entirely fair out on the North Yorkshire moors . . .  A long-dead body turns up on the moors, clutching a jar of priceless Tudor coins. He was peddler who never made it to Scarborough Fair. How did he meet his end?

Can Constable Nick piece together the puzzle while keeping the peace? Read a favourite author of mine Nicholas Rhea with his latest  village mystery.

Some exciting author news from team Joffe who are delighted to announce the acquisition of Gaynor Torrance’s DI Jemima Huxley crime thriller series in a five-book deal! Ooh, can’t wait.

Many more new offerings at joffebooks.com

For the last 20 years, Nick Fewings has been working with teams around the world to motivate and inspire them to transform how they work,  and so achieve even greater success. He has also shared his knowledge and experience of teamwork at many conferences, providing delegates with practical tips and suggestions on how to increase their team’s effectiveness.

Asked, “Have you written a book about how to achieve high performance teamwork?” His answer has always been no, but that has all changed.

Team Lead Succeed is for anyone who works in a team and wants to make a positive difference to the effectiveness of their teamwork. It provides tools, learning and practical suggestions to help teams achieve even greater success by understanding both WHO is in their team and HOW effective their teamwork is.

Team Lead Succeed helps teams appreciate those areas of their teamwork that are working well, while also highlighting areas that could be working better and need to be shared with the whole team, discussed and if agreed, changed.

As I read it, I thought about this, and  I  feel I could have used it when my kids were teenagers… It might have stopped me from tearing my hair out. Most useful, readable and sound.  Nick says “I believe everyone in a team has a voice, which needs to be heard, especially when things aren’t working as well as they should be. After all, nothing will change if you do not take action and speak up.”

  Author Nick Fewings, Director of Ngagementworks, has for the last 20 years facilitated team development. He calls himself a teamologist, someone who specialises in the study of the dynamics of teamwork, using this knowledge to help teams become more effective.

Nick is also the creator of the Team DyNAmics Model, used by teams to measure their effectiveness in 16 areas of teamwork. This allows teams to understand whether they are dysfunctional, average or high performing.

So back to this book,  Team, Lead, Succeed.

Read it, learn from Nick’s experiences as a worldwide team coach. Be guided, we don’t have to make ALL the mistakes in order to make a better job of it when this is on hand.

Team Lead Succeed by Nick Fewings is out now.

Kate’s book grabbed me in the first few lines:

‘Menopause is transformative…an opportunity to evolve & grow. Menopause is a loud call to re-evaluate who we think we are, and to become our true selves with authenticity & grace.’

‘Yes!’ I thought & grabbed my highlighter, I knew I was going to like this book.

Kate Codrington  invites the reader to consider the seasons of our life like the seasons of our year: active & adventurous in Spring & Summer, quieter, more inwards in the Autumn & Winter, emerging, reborn if you like, into our Second Spring.

Peri-menopause is our Autumn phase, menopause our Winter stage. We are being called to slow down, turn inwards, take stock, re-evaluate. This is something I absolutely believe in.

Taking the time to nurture & nourish ourselves in our Autumn & Winter stages allows us to emerge again with vitality, vibrance & a lust for life.

Kate takes us on a holistic journey, exploring the psychological & physical issues as well as the emotional, mental, spiritual aspects of the separation encountered during peri-meno; surrender during the menopause & emergence of post-menopause.

It’s broken into short, really easy to digest sections, quotes, anecdotes, so it’s really easy to pick up when you have 5 minutes & just as easy to get lost in. I went through 3 highlighters reading it!

There are facts & figures, tips & advise & down to earth suggestions of a more traditional & more holistic approach.

In my own meno journey, I had very little experience of menopause until it was apparent I was up to my ears in it. As soon as I started talking to friends I realized I wasn’t alone. I started doing lots of research & doing the work: turning inwards, slowing down, making changes so that I could live my best life for the rest if my life.

But I had never really considered my peri-meno journey. Having been diagnosed over a decade ago with severe agitated depression, I had however begun to question this diagnosis, as I began to understand that many women are misdiagnosed with mental health issues in their peri-menopause.

Reading Kate’s own description of being peri-menopausal with babies resonated so profoundly with my own experience. Finally something made sense. I carried a lot of shame for being a bad mum, letting everyone down, unable to cope when in fact I was experiencing the peri-menopause. Wow that was powerful – such a relief, finally I could let go of all those old story lines.

Kate also offers practices to try out at the end of each chapter. In all honesty, I have a good solid self-care practice. I know what works for me & I’m unapologetic about claiming the time for this. So I definitely got more from the body of the book than these sections.

However, if you don’t prioritize yourself regularly, try not to be overwhelmed by the suggestions, pick one that resonates & give it a go. Nurturing & nourishing yourself through this transition is absolutely key.

At the end of the day, I always think if you come away with a couple of good ideas from a book like this it’s done its job.

So, what have I come away with? A great deal & can’t recommend this book more highly because even if you’re not menopausal, I bet you know someone who is – after all approx. 1/3 of the female population are estimated to be surfing their Autumn, Winter or Second Spring phase.

I love Kate’s vision for the menopause, it’s absolutely what I believe in;  embracing this life changing transition as an opportunity to create a life you absolutely love, because you are absolutely worth it.

Buy it, learn from it. I have.

Second Spring by Kate Codrington. Available from all good book stores and online too.

If you would like to find out more Alex Bannard and a creating your own self-care practices check out Alex’s FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessyoga4selfcare

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/

Incorporate short yoga sequences & meditations as part of your self-care toolkit with guided practices on Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

For more info check out www.alexbannard.com

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Having used her training & knowledge to navigate her own menopausal journey & create a life in which she is thriving, Alex is devoted in supporting other’s in this life changing transition.

If ever there was a time for comfort food, (as opposed to comfort eating,) it is probably now, battered by the elements, courtesy of various storms and stubbornly low temperatures, I want a healthy, but robust breakfast in the morning and a tasty dessert in the evening. Yes, even during the week.

Fortunately, Lizi’s Low Sugar Nuts & Seeds Granola is capable of fulfilling both of these demands

With less than 2g of sugar per 50g serving, this granola is perfect for anyone trying to keep their sugar intake low this Winter, without having to compromise on taste and texture. In fact, had I not read the label, I would not be aware of this, as it was so well balanced even to my sweet tooth.

Lizi’s Granola is full of pecans, almonds, toasted oats, and sunflower, pumpkin seeds and desiccated coconut, presenting a bowl full of flavour without sacrificing nutrition.

Bake it in the oven for a warming bowl of happiness on a dark morning, or simply top with a favourite yoghurt for a quick fix before the morning commute.

The versatility of this Granola really comes to the fore when making a quick and easy recipe for Maple baked Pears with Granola Crumb. Pears baked in the oven with Maple syrup, butter and topped with granola crumb can be prepared and on the table within 40 minutes and that includes the 10 minutes preparation time.

So, whilst the cold weather persists, and even when it gets better this hot dessert accompanied with crème fraiche or sour cream will certainly fill the gap.

Lizi’s Breakfast Range is available from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Ocado, Asda, Morrisons, Whole Foods, Co-Op, Booths and all good health stores.

Low Sugar Nuts & Seeds – RRP £3.89 for 500g.

Joffe’s  book of the week this week is MIDNIGHT LIES, the utterly gripping new detective mystery from #1 bestselling author Chris Collett.

Secrets, lies, bodies. Nothing stays buried forever . . .   On an abandoned campsite in Norfolk, developers unearth a human skeleton. The remains are those of an eighteen-year-old girl. Her name was Robina Scanlon — a blast from the past that shocks Detective Tom Mariner to his core.   Back in the summer of 1976, a teenage Mariner fell in love with Robina. He thought she was the one who got away. Now he realises she never even left. What happened to his his first love? As midnight approaches, someone out there will do anything to keep the past buried.

This really is an intensely gripping book.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF MIDNIGHT LIES BY CHRIS COLLETT FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

Murder under the Palms by Paula Lennon 99p/99c

The beautiful Caribbean Sea laps lazily against the verandah where Jamaican Supreme Court Judge Everton Wrenn lies dead. Someone strangled him with their bare hands.  But who wanted to squeeze the life out of him? Detectives Raythan Preddy and Sean Harris are determined to find out . . .

A TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICK.

A Welsh Murder Mystery Box set 1-4 by Cathy Ace for just 99p/99c

This appealed to me enormously. So, let’s meet the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency . . .
in  FOUR brilliant cozy mysteries set in Wales, filled with humour, suspense, and brilliant characters, in one great value box set. Just what we need to lift us at this dramatic moment in world events.

The Langstone Harbour Murders  by Pauline Rowson  99p/99c

The headmistress of a school is found brutally murdered in Portsmouth’s Langstone Harbour. The evidence points to a killer who wanted to leave a very clear message.  Renegade detective Andy Horton finds himself in a race against time to stop the killer. As the clock ticks, he is forced to make a decision that will put his life on the line . . .

Heavens, Langstone Harbour used to be an old stamping ground of mine – if only I’d known what lurked beneath the surface!!!

And finally, exciting news from team Joffe.

Joffe announces  the acquisition of four gripping psychological thrillers from Amazon Top Ten bestselling author Patricia MacDonald, author of From Cradle to Grave, Cast Into Doubt, and Missing Child. They will be sharing them with us soon.  Can’t wait.

Honestly, Joffe is a force of nature as it brings us such a wide selection of new books each week. Those I have picked are just a few. Go to Joffe Books for more.