Features - Page 142

During Margaret Thatcher’s 11-year term as prime minister of the United Kingdom, spanning 1979 to 1990, she described the Chequers Estate as one of “the twin centres” of her “personal and professional life”, alongside Number 10.

So often it is said that Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that spirit of sharing should not be limited to those that we love and care for, nor merely be restricted to the latter weeks of the year.

After a tempestuous 2020, it is safe to say that all of us are relishing the festive season this year, even if Christmas celebrations are to be different compared to the norm. As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas will once more come as a novelty to the many pets occupying households across the UK, as they become accustomed to the annual outing of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, decorations, and the occasional morsel from seasonal foods.

Labour politician James Callaghan served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from April 1976 to May 1979. It is a known fact that he would spend his Christmas celebrations at the prime ministerial estate of Chequers, but it is the last of his holiday seasons at the country retreat which was by far the most politically significant.

With the Second World War in Europe having finally drawn to a close in May of 1945, the Christmas of that year was one of hope, despite rationing remaining in force.

December 25 approaches. Thoughts turn toward opening presents on Christmas morning, tucking into a traditional Turkey dinner, eating chocolate and sipping sherry, with eyes and ears nationwide ready to tune in to the Queen’s address to the nation. However, after the advent period of 2020 was dominated by questions over whether families can come together in spite of coronavirus restrictions across the country, it begs the question: what does the prime minister actually do at Christmas?

While the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccination programme in the UK offers genuine hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight, the significant amount of effort it has taken from all to reach this point must not be forgotten.

In response to the immense disruption that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused, innovation and adaptability has been seen on an unprecedented scale within British industry. Whole businesses over the last few months have become accustomed to a remote working model, with some having to make wholesale changes to systems and procedures practically overnight.

While the UK government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic in Great Britain and Northern Ireland has come under much scrutiny throughout 2020, the support measures provided by the Treasury to help keep business and the country running have been of immense importance.

The Leith Group have been hired by one of the largest action groups in the UK to help continue the fight to save Green Belt land across Greater Manchester.

Chiswick-based property sales and lettings firm Acre Properties, first founded in 1988 by Alastair Kerr, has built its business on a philosophy of treating all tenants as if they were brothers and sisters. It was no surprise, therefore, when Kerr looked to broaden the business’ reach by partnering up with charitable organisations.

In a year dominated by restrictions across the globe as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, Red Rock Entertainment have been certified Carbon Neutral Plus, won Film Finance company of the year by the Innovation and Excellence Awards Guide 2020 and all of this following on from 2019 when Gary Collins was awarded top CEO of the year for London.

Speaking exclusively to The Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, PDK Shellfish managing director Paul Knight warns that the new regulations governing the export of live produce to the EU following the post-Brexit transition period could spell doom for numerous industry operators.

London based online market research agency FlyResearch has been issuing weekly polls to its research panel of over 3000 people throughout the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, in order to project how the outbreak and the implementing of social distancing has been impacting the daily life of UK citizens.