Coffee morning with holistic twist
What is it about coffee? It seems to bring people together – fancy a coffee? – and is often at the hub of fund-raising on both local and national levels. Thousands and thousands of pounds are raised by sipping on a cup of coffee, nibbling on a homemade cake with your chums while waiting for the traditional raffle to be drawn.
However, there was a slightly different vibe to the recent coffee morning event in the Methodist Church Hall in Lymm, as noted in the online local news of the area. Of course some of the old favourites were there – the cakes, beverages and edible treats. However two things were different.
First, as well as raising money for charity, the event was organised by the Ladies of the Christian Singles Group. There has been a growing trend for single people to become more actively involved in life together and there is a growing popularity, too, of Christian Singles groups to form, meet, even form online databases, to help those in the area with similar views and beliefs find love.
However, that was not the mission of this coffee morning. In Lymm, a series of holistic treatments in ‘bite-size’ 20 minutes sample sessions were on offer. If you fancied learning about what a reflexology treatment was like – or if you wondered whether you would suit an Indian head massage – you were in luck.
Oh and while these ladies were pampering themselves and indulging in delicious food and drinks, they also raised almost five hundred pounds for the Marie Curie charity. Not bad, eh?
Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning helps Offaly Hospice
As reported in the local online news, great things have been done in Ireland to help charities in its Biggest Coffee Morning which took place in September this year. As with the Macmillan Cancer Support World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, it seems that the humble cup of coffee is making a significant difference to the very worthy charities that need funding and awareness raising.
The Offaly Hospice is a case in point – it has benefited from the coffee morning fund-raising and has expressed its gratitude to those who have helped to bring in funds on its behalf.
The Offaly Hospice is more than two decades old and was created with a particular goal in mind – it was intended to give financial assistance to the local Palliative Care team. What is such a team? It is a group of people who support those who are approaching the end of their lives, with the aim of giving them the best quality to the time they have left. The recent coffee morning is significant for the hospice – other than a fundraising weekend called Sunflower weekend (which took place in June this year) – this coffee morning is the main national event to create funds in this way. Otherwise funds come from individual efforts or that of other organisations.
It is said that the total generated by the coffee mornings from the Offaly Hospice is currently over 30,000 euros and more money is expected. A truly outstanding achievement.
Does drinking coffee increase your chances of avoiding endometrial cancer?
There is a hot new topic in the news at the moment, considering the link between endometrial cancer and the consumption of coffee. It has been argued that drinking over four cups of coffee on a daily basis can cut the chances of getting this sort of cancer.
Where has this information come from?
A study has been done, taking into account over 67,000 American nurses. Those who drank more than these four cups were 25% less likely to develop the cancer than those who had an average of under one cup daily.
These results are rather startling but already the analysis is pointing to qualifications to the findings. For example, it appears that the percentage of women contracting the cancer is relatively low in the first place. According to reports, it is 1% of a particular group of research participants.
It is also necessary to discover a more conclusive link between coffee drinking and reducing this form of cancer – it is not a ‘proven case.’ However it would be nice, wouldn’t it, if drinking a decent cup of joe was simultaneously reducing risks in this way? It is a far tastier medicine than most and it is unusual that a foodstuff that appeals to the senses and is delicious is also good for you.
Let the research continue and let us also keep our fingers crossed that caffeine may have an answer to unlock the hold of cancer a little.
Photo: Dixons Electrical
Animals and coffee
As reported in Sun Star Cebu, there is a link between animals and coffee that may be a good idea for those of us who love our pets and our cup of joe and could do with a bit of relaxation. What’s all this about? It’s about a new coffee house which has opened recently, called Ody’s Coffee House Wine and Beer. And why is the coffee house different? Because it is a fusion of two passions of the coffee owner, Ody Camarillo. And it involves animals and pets.
Camarillo is a vet by trade – hence reference to the animal part – and also a coffee lover. It is reported that coffee is his way of relaxing – and so the reference to coffee.
The Ody’s Coffee House Wine and Beer allows those with similar interests to enjoy both of their passions at the same time. Bring along your pet and sip on a cuppa to enjoy both simultaneously.
Camarillo is no stranger to business. He owns the Ceby Veterinary Doctors which is five branches strong and also a distribution company for related products. It is not the first time he has looked into the coffee industry for his next venture either. According to reports, Camarillo originally had a coffee and wine bar in his own home, but then wanted to move it to another venue.
The coffee house also sells beers and wines which were inspired but Camarillo’s travels and the venue can seat 60 people.
Is there a way to subscribe to your daily news?
Hello and thanks to Graham who emailed us asking ‘Is there a way to subscribe to your daily news or get alerts when new information is posted?’
The answer is yes and we have a few options available to you.
You can subscribe with your favourite RSS feed reader (personally we like Google Reader) by clicking on the Subscribe via RSS button at the top of our menu bar to the right or simply click this link World Coffee News RSS Feed and add us to your reader.
Second you can get our daily coffee news direct to your Facebook wall by liking our Facebook page, again simply click the Facebook link above the menu bar or follow this link World Coffee News Facebook Page and hit the like button.
Next you can have twitter let you know when our latest news is realised with a hand link to the article right there in the tweet. All you need to do is click this link World Coffee News Twitter and follow our twitter page.
Finally you can also get our daily coffee news through Google Plus, head over to World Coffee News Google Plus and add us to your circles.
We will be having a site redesign in the new year which will link to all of these options making it easier to get your daily cup of coffee news, but in the meantime hopefully this will help.
If you would like to see any other options available either drop us a message or leave us a note in the comments.
Thanks
World Coffee News
Movember and coffee
It’s that time of year again. Your work colleagues and male friends and relatives begin to develop some stubble on the skin above their upper lip and before you know where they are, they are growing quite splendid moustaches. Yes, it’s Movember.
As reported in the local online press, one coffee owner is taking the charitable event very seriously. Aron Sharma, of Espresso Lounge, has decided to run to work from his house in Aylesbury (and the return journey) for the rest of November in aid of the charity. This is a 20 mile round trip, apparently and he’s already done a good job of keeping up his promise so far this month. In total, he expects to cycle 440 miles in the month.
Movember is a popular charity with a serious message. Thousands of men all over the world take part in the scheme and grow moustaches in November. They register on the first day of the month at the online register with a clean shaven look and then let their moustaches grow. Fondly named Mo Bros, these moustaches are described by the charity as a sort of ‘billboard’ for the cause.
Movember seeks to raise funds and also to make people more aware about issues relating to men’s health. In particular, the charity focuses on cancers and notably the prostate and other types that especially affect men.
What happens at the end of the month? As a rule, the Mo Bros throw a party to mark the end of their charitable endeavour. Movember also organises some parties, the Gala Parties too.
Take a look at the Movember website
New Zealand barista is top of the Wild Bean pops
As reported recently in the Daily Post, the New Zealand chain of Wild Bean cafes (there are said to be almost 80 shops around the country) are organising competitions to find out who is the best of the barista bunch.
Apparently, Odette Olsen is ticking lots of boxes and has been named the best barista in the Rotorua area in the Wild Bean competition. She is no newcomer to success either as she also won this title in 2010. She works at the Fairy Springs branch of the chain and will fight it out with other baristas against five other regional winners for the national title. The event is to take place in December in Auckland.
It seems that the world is becoming increasingly interested in the baristas craft. Each year, of course, there are the national and World Barista Championships (the 2011 event took place in Bogota in Columbia and the next one, in 2012, is to take place in Vienna).
In the meantime, quotes from Miss Olsen indicate that she is delighted with her success. She has worked at the café for four years and finds herself at home there, making around 300-400 cups of coffee on a daily basis. She ascribes her success partly to her client service – that is to say, she listens to the requirements of each customer so that she delivers just what they want.
We wish Miss Olsen well in her next competition for her barista skills.
Deeping Age Concern raises funds in coffee morning
If someone asked you to name the number one local fund-raising activity, what do you think is the first thing that would spring to mind? Personally, coffee mornings are up there for me and so they should be – many good causes and charities benefit enormously from this traditional and welcoming fund-raising event.
For example, in Deeping, as reported in the local Peterborough news, the Age Concern gang organised a coffee morning recently to bring more money into the coffers of their organisation. The event was a success too – apparently £654 was collected for the charity. It all took place at the Open Door Church in Spalding Road and many of the traditional coffee morning elements were in place – the beverages, the home-made cakes and preserves, plus stalls with gifts. According to reports, over a hundred people came to support the charity at the coffee morning.
The Deeping Age Concern is certainly an active organisation. Recently it has also been in the news as it was awarded a 5 star rating by South Kesteven District Council in terms of its food hygiene rating earlier in the year. The branch organises a Luncheon Club which gathers every Thursday at Benedict Court and welcomes visitors from the over 60 age group. It prides itself on value for money and good home cooked food. Of course, there are also opportunities for the older population to socialise and get to know new friends.
Long may Age Concern Deeping be so industrious!
Environmental success in Bermuda
The news is that something rather special is happening in terms of coffee cup designs. Everyone is interested these days in the environment. People are increasing the amount that they recycle – how many of us feel a little guilty if we leave too many dustbin bags out to be collected for landfill rather than filling our recycling boxes? We are at pains to reduce carbon footprints and there are whole rafts of inventions to create alternative sources of ‘clean’ energy.
So what is happening in terms of the humble coffee cup?
According to reports, the Compleat cup is on its way to being patented because it may be of interest to the environmentally minded coffee-seller and coffee-drinker.
What’s so special about this design? Well Mr Bascome along with his team, have come up with the design. Apparently, it is constructed so that there is no need for a plastic lid. The result is that it would not be as expensive to make AND benefits the environment.
Good hey? Mr Bascome thinks so and he and his business partners have put their money where their mouths are and have, allegedly, invested over $100,000 in the product from personal funds.
Mr Bascome is a graphic designer and is the owner of a brand-creating company located in Boston. His business, named Proverb, has an impressive list of clients who are said to include the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
National Trust coffee shop in school
As reported recently in the Westminster Chronicle, the National Trust has a delicious new endeavour. As well as contributing significantly to the upkeep of stately homes and other precious and valued jewels of the country, it seems that the organisation is also contributing refreshments to the community.
The coffee shop which has just been opened is a first for the National Trust – it is the first such shop in central London. Where is it? The location is a former school which dates back to the 1700s, called Blewcoat School and it is based in Caxton Street.
As well as offering a range of refreshments in the form of beverages, cakes and suchlike, the coffee shop also offers information about the National Trust organisation itself. There are many such venues to explore and experience in and around London. There is also a selection of books at the shop to entice book-worms and avid readers. The Blewcoat School is also in the process of organising a programme of book-related events.
Reports from the organisation’s consultancy manager indicate that a great deal of thought goes into the content of each shop. The aim of the National Trust is to make the shops pertinent to their environment and surrounding town, city or local environment.
The Blewcoat School is said to be a calm place and the architecture can be enjoyed by the general public. At the same time, visitors to the venue will be supporting a grand British Institution, the National Trust.
Photo: Tkeator