HALESWORTH, SUFFOLK – John Savage Butchers Shop in Halesworth, Suffolk, is gearing up for a cinematic feast this year.
Seeking to inject a dash of drama into the festive meat market, the butcher is offering cuts from classic movies. Creating a menu that’s as eclectic as it is audacious.
For those with a penchant for animated nostalgia, Savage’s shop proudly features Rabbit from the iconic ‘Watership Down’. A choice that combines furry charm with culinary curiosity. Venison enthusiasts can sink their teeth into cuts sourced from none other than Disney’s beloved ‘Bambi,’ adding a touch of sick whimsy to the traditional Christmas roast.
Chicken flick
Savage’s audacious offerings don’t stop there. The butcher shop is promoting pork cuts straight from the heartwarming film ‘Babe. Ensuring that customers will have a side of nostalgia with their Christmas ham.
In a nod to the farmyard, lamb from ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’, chicken from ‘Chicken Little’, and duck from Disney’s Donald Duck films round out the cinematic selection.
As Halesworth locals debate the morality of dining on characters that have warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide. There’s a buzz of anticipation about what other movie-inspired delicacies might appear on the butcher’s counter.
Will there be chops from ‘Dumbo,’ steaks from ‘The Planet of the Apes,’ or perhaps a daring venture into the world of ‘Jurassic Park’ sausages?
Halesworth Anthropomorphist Christian Butcher
Critics argue that Savage’s cinematic approach to butchery blurs the lines between fiction and reality, but the butcher remains undeterred. “Our unique menu is a way to bring a touch of Hollywood magic to the festive table.
Even if it means confronting the uncomfortable reality that even in good Christian societies. Disney characters are ultimately dumb animals there to be eaten.” said the unrepentant anthropomorphist Christian butcher.
Beleaguered British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finally descended upon the sopping streets of Oxford this week. In a bid to fend-off growing criticism of his handling of widespread flooding across the UK
But his efforts to demonstrate leadership were swiftly overshadowed by a choice of transportation. That left locals choking on their bottled water.
Arriving in a spectacle of opulence, Sunak touched down in a gold-plated helicopter. Generously sponsored by major fossil fuel corporations, including British Gas, Shell, and BP. The choice of a gas-guzzling chariot for a leader preaching about energy conservation and championing net-zero targets didn’t escape the keen scrutiny of the public.
Body talk
Critics seized on the perma-grinned prime minister’s seeming hypocrisy. Highlighting the stark contrast between his ostentatious aerial arrival and the very environmental consciousness he advocates. Local residents, grappling with the aftermath of flooding that had affected 1,800 properties nationwide. They were caught on camera looking distinctly unimpressed by the grandiose entrance.
Special Welly for Flood across UK
In one photograph, a welly-booted gentleman who could easily have been a Tory councillor. Stood a distance away from the PM, hands firmly embedded in his pockets and his body language speaking volumes.
PM for the chopper
The gold-plated helicopter spectacle not only fueled accusations of Sunak being “out of touch” with the realities on the ground but also intensified the perception of an entitled leader more enamoured with lavish optics than practical solutions.
As the embarrassing images circulated in the press, the prime minister found himself trapped in a deluge of criticism akin to being in a puddle up to his middle. As fishy Rishi made a quick getaway in his chopper, locals were left questioning the sincerity of his commitment to addressing the urgent climate and environmental challenges facing the nation, and his competence in dealing with the basic needs of the British Public.
With Bitcoin halving right around the corner, the crypto community expects a significant upside in the markets. All eyes are on the current BTC live price waiting for it to start growing any day now. Consequently, we are seeing a rise in volumes and a considerable increase in interest from mainstream investors.
That said, the market offers much more than just Bitcoin. There are thousands of coins and tokens out there that might have better upside potential. Moreover, different types of cryptocurrencies provide different benefits. If you are interested in learning about the vast crypto landscape, you are in the right place.
This article will introduce you to different crypto categories, and their characteristics and provide some examples. This should demystify the daunting crypto industry and allow you to have a better overall understanding of the market.
1. Coins
Cryptocurrency coins are digital assets that are nested on a native blockchain. This means that they act as the main currency on this blockchain. Coins are integral to the security of the blockchain, as they are used as an incentive to the transaction validators that confirm transactions.
For example, in a proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain, miners use specialized equipment to create new coins and confirm transactions. In a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain, validators need to hold large amounts of coins to ensure the security of the chain.
In both types of networks, users will pay transaction fees with the native coin of the network.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is the first cryptographical digital asset or cryptocurrency released to the public. It runs on its own PoW blockchain, the Bitcoin network. Here, miners confirm blocks and mint new coins by completing complex mathematical puzzles.
Users settle transaction fees in BTC and pay the miners who manage to solve the puzzle. Over time, Bitcoin has become the most secure payment network thanks to its high adoption and decentralization. This has allowed it to remain at the top of the market by usage and market cap.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is the #2 cryptocurrency by market cap. It revolutionized the blockchain technology by introducing smart contracts. These pieces of software allow developers to deploy decentralized applications and tokens on the Ethereum network.
As a result, Ethereum has been pivotal to the rise of the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry. Moreover, the versatility of smart contracts allowed the use cases for blockchain technology to rise exponentially. Currently, the ETH crypto serves as the gas currency on the chain that is secured by PoS consensus.
2. Altcoins
Altcoins usually refer to any coin that is not Bitcoin or Ethereum. Interestingly, the crypto community regarded ETH as an altcoin at its inception. Its success, however, managed to bring it above that status.
BNB
BNB coin is the native cryptocurrency of the Binance ecosystem. Since its release in 2017, this cryptocurrency has undergone many redesigns and increased in use cases exponentially.
Initially, BNB ran on the Ethereum blockchain, as an ERC20 token. At that time, it provided limited utility, as a rebate token on the Binance exchange. However, it soon migrated to its own blockchain, warranting the “altcoin” moniker. After the release of the BNB chain in 2019, BNB gained more traction as a gas token.
Litecoin (LTC)
The crypto community considers Litecoin to be the first successful altcoin released to the public. Charlie Lee created LTC to be a lighter version of BTC, with faster transactions and smaller fees.
3. Tokens
Tokens are cryptocurrencies created on a “host” smart contract-capable network like Ethereum. They usually have some additional utility such as governance or staking incentives within their protocol.
Chainlink (LINK)
Chainlink is a blockchain company that provides oracle services to the blockchain industry. Oracles are indispensable for price discovery in DeFi. The LINK token runs on Ethereum and is used to pay data operators for their services.
UniSwap (UNI)
Uniswap is the most successful decentralized exchange in the world. It went live on Ethereum in November 2018. The UNI token came much later, in December 2020, when the exchange airdropped 400 UNI to any user that previously interacted with the protocol.
This marketing stunt propelled Uniswap to the forefront of the crypto industry, allowing UNI holders to participate in the governance of the dApp.
4. Stablecoins
Stablecoins are an essential piece of the blockchain puzzle. The value of these cryptocurrencies is pegged to fiat currencies (e.g. the US Dollar). They achieve this by backing every stablecoin in circulation with an equal amount of fiat in their reserves.
Tether (USDT)
USDT is the first widely used stablecoin and has been around since October 2014. Initially, on the Bitcoin Omni blockchain, this cryptocurrency has spread its wings on every major blockchain. It’s now the most widely accepted stablecoin in the industry, present on nearly all centralized exchanges.
USD Coin (USDC)
Circle created USDC in 2018, with the goal of providing the public with a fully-backed, regulated stablecoin. This tokenized US Dollar is popular in the DeFi industry, and boasts a market cap of $25b at the time of writing.
5. Meme Coins
Memecoins are whimsical cryptocurrencies that try not to take themselves too seriously. They provide little value than their potential for high volatility and skyrocketing profits.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin is the original meme coin and saw the light of day as early as December 2013. Billy Markus and Robert Palmer took the popular Shiba Inu “Doge” meme branding and based a crypto altcoin on it. The lighthearted approach resulted in immediate success, and DOGE has remained in the top 10 cryptos by market cap ever since. The best way to buy DOGE is through a trusted exchange.
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Shiba Inu is a Dogecoin copycat that came in the market at the most opportune time possible. It came out in August 2020, as the crypto market was preparing for a historic bull run. SHIB confirmed that there was a high demand for memes in the industry. Maybe more so than Dogecoin, it opened the door to thousands of meme coins in the industry.
Ways to Use Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that have opened a new way to look at the financial world. They require no intermediaries and offer full custodianship to their holders. They are also incredibly useful in various situations:
Cross-border money transfers with crypto are both cheap and fast.
You can tip your favorite content creators on Reddit or Twitch with meme coins
You can use them to buy goods and services at the thousands of stores that accept them.
It’s possible to use them to access advanced financial instruments in DeFi.
In short, cryptocurrencies are versatile financial assets, and provide much more utility than speculation for profit. With all of the knowledge shared in this article, you should have a good idea of what type of cryptocurrency you want to invest in. As you might have noticed, there’s a whole industry beyond Bitcoin that warrants your attention.
Do you own Land in the Babergh or Mid Suffolk regions? Would you like to see if that Land has Development potential? If you have answered yes, then good news, YourLandAgency (a specialist Land Consultancy company) can help you achieve this.
Currently, Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils are currently inviting Land site submissions as part of their ‘Call For Sites’ process. Here, Landowners can submit their sites to be put forward for Residential land use and ultimately, consideration for future development. This process is known as the Call For Sites process.
Further Guidance for Landowners
Owners should note, this process will not in itself determine whether a site should be allocated for development. All sites will need further assessment and the overall ratings process, and strategy for the Local Plan will be informed by several evidence-based procedures and various consultations. The submission of a site through the Call For Sites process does not immediately achieve approved planning status, but it begins the process, and indication of future likelihood of planning approval. Finally, all completed submissions must be by Friday 2nd February 2024, and as such time is very much of the essence!
How YourLandAgency can help Landowners
Currently, YourLandAgency are assisting Landowners looking to submit their sites as part of the Call For Sites, both in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, and in Colchester. The Call For Sites process seldom presents itself, and as such a thorough initial land assessment and subsequent detailed application is the best way of achieving a favourable rating of your site. YourLandAgency can undertake a free of charge, desktop-based assessment of your land in the first instance. Herein, we shall look at various planning policy aspects, such as land designation, checking adopted settlement boundary, local amenity, flood risk, special protection areas, public footpath, highways issues, to name but a few. We can then get a feel for the likelihood of future planning approval and advise if a submission through the Call For Sites is suitable.
YourLandAgency have been offering advisory services to its clients for well over a decade and bring a wealth of knowledge in terms of planning policy, planning applications, an understanding of buying and selling land, property development and many other associated matters. We have experience in consultations with Parish Councils, an in-house Architect, specialised consultants to assist with problematic and challenging land sites and an excellent firm of Auctioneers for future sales.
What if my site is not suitable for conventional Residential Development?
Not all landowners will have sites which Babergh and Mid Suffolk council will deem suitable for future residential development, as part of the Call For Sites process. However, with the benefit of your free site assessment, YourLandAgency might be able to unlock alternative development options. This might include the conversion of Agricultural outbuildings to residential property, industrial possibilities, tourism potential sites and rural exception policy sites (where Affordable Housing provision might be possible). With the correct policy knowledge and creative mindset, there are always different avenues which can be explored.
I’m concerned about future costs to obtain Planning Approval
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, where budgets are being stretched, many Landowners will be concerned about the potential costs of Planning. YourLandAgency can offer a variety of options to alleviate this and have a range of products and deal structures. These include Joint Venture agreements, Land Options, Promotional Agreements, and various Finance options. These can be discussed in detail with all prospective clients.
Further information and Contact details
For Landowners wishing to read guidance notes from Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils, please click this link for further details: https://www.babergh.gov.uk/w/call-for-sites.
Should further advice or guidance be required, please contact Darren Milne at YourLandAgency.
2024 is set to become a promising year for the world of sports. Numerous tournaments and marathons will take place across the country, drawing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of spectators. From the London Marathon to the Premier League Finals and Wimbleton, these sporting events are not to be missed.
The London Marathon
Ever since its introduction in 1981, the London Marathon has become one of the most emblematic sporting events in the UK. In over four decades, more than a million people have completed the course and over a billion pounds have been raised for charitable causes. It is an event with several components, including races for professional long-distance and under-17 athletes as well as elite-level wheelchair runners and the general public.
The marathon’s 2024 edition will take place on April 21st. Spectators are welcome to watch from almost any point along the race’s 26.2-mile stretch, which covers several of the capital’s landmarks. Those unable to join in person can follow the event’s broadcast by BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Online and iPlayer.
FA Cup Finals
Summer will be a busy season for Wembley Stadium. Not only will the historic venue host the Champions League final, but it will also host two other high-profile football matches: the Adobe Women’s FA and the men’s Emirates FA Cup finals.
The women’s match will kick off on Sunday, May 12th, and will be broadcast by the BBC across BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport. The 2023 edition of the tournament saw Chelsea F.C. defeat Manchester United 1 to 0 in front of a record-setting crowd of 77,390 spectators (the biggest audience for a domestic women’s match). 2024 will be even more competitive, as the FA has doubled the winners’ prize pot to £430,000.
The men’s Emirates FA Cup finals, on the other hand, will take place on May 25. Also known simply as the FA Cup, the knockout competition is the oldest football competition in the history of the world. Manchester City are the deafening champions, having defeated rivals Manchester United 2 to 1 at Wembley.
The Champions League Final
The very best of European football will be crowned at London’s Wembley Stadium on the first of June as the 2023/23 UEFA Champions League season comes to an end. The match will kick off at 8 PM at the historic venue, which has hosted the event eight times prior. The 69th edition of the tournament will see Manchester City defend their title. While they are positioned as the favourites to win, there is still a long road ahead, and prolific teams such as Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have high odds of lifting the 7.5-kilogram trophy. The winners will also earn the right to play against the winners of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League and will automatically qualify for the 2025 expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final
The last match of the maximum competition of English rugby returns on June 8. The 2023/24 final will be hosted at Twickenham Stadium, known as the “home of England Rugby”. Ten teams started the season in October 2023, including title defenders North London’s Saracens who defeated Sale Sharks last May. This year, however, the Northampton Saints have positioned themselves on top of the Premiership table, closely followed by Exeter, Sale Sharks, and Bath. The competition will be broadcast by TNT Sports and ITV.
Wimbleton
This year, Wimbledon will last two weeks, starting on the first of July. In 1870, with just 22 men, the inaugural Championships took place at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, where Spencer Gore became the first Champion watched by 200 people. Today, Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis competition, drawing in royalty, celebrities, and the wider public.
It includes five main events, four junior events, and seven invitation events. In 2023, Marketa Vondrousova claimed her first Slam title, while Carlos Alcaraz defeated legend Novak Djokovic in the men’s final at Wimbledon. Due to the high demand, tennis enthusiasts can only get tickets by participating in the public ballot, which has already closed. Alternatively, it is possible to catch the action on BBC One, BBC Two, or BBC iPlayer.
International Cricket matches
Brits have been playing cricket, the “gentleman’s sport”, as early as the 16th century. Throughout the years, the sport has garnered global attention, amassing a fanbase that rivals that of football. There will be numerous domestic and international matches in 2024, including England vs the West Indies (1st Test) from 10 to 14 of July at Lord’s, England vs Sri Lanka (2nd Test) from August 29 to September 2nd, and England vs Australia (2nd ODI) on September 27 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, the women’s team will take on New Zealand’s T20 side at the Oval and Lord’s in May.
SUFFOLK, UK – In its slavish pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Suffolk Council has unveiled its solution to accommodate conjoined twins in public facilities—the introduction of “Siamese toilets.”
By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent
The lavatories boast two connected toilet bowls, specially designed to facilitate the unique needs of Siamese twins who wish to answer nature’s call in tandem.
In a commendable effort to uphold inclusivity for all Suffolk residents, the Siamese toilets are open to universal use, allowing all members of the public to experience the peculiar convenience of paired potties. However, early assessments suggest that, aside from Siamese twins, the primary patrons are likely to be ‘trans women,’ who have displayed a certain fascination with restrooms designed for other segments of society.
Pass the bog roll
The term ‘Siamese twins’ comes from the twin conjoined brothers Chang and Eng Bunker who were born in Siam, now Thailand. When, in the 19th Century, they first arrived in England to become circus exhibits, they were called “The Siamese Twins.”
As the Siamese toilet initiative takes its place in the annals of progressive public planning, it remains to be seen whether these dual thrones will be embraced, or shunned, by the wider community.
Siamese toilets and criticism
Some critics argue that the move, while well-intentioned, may be more symbolic than practical, considering the limited number of Siamese twins and the broader public’s traditional preference for the privacy of a solitary bathroom experience.
If you can’t beat ‘em … conjoin ‘em!
Nonetheless, Suffolk Council stands firm in its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, and the Siamese toilets are poised to become an unexpected symbol of the county’s dedication to accommodating diverse needs.
As the flush of progress continues, one can’t help but wonder what other novel solutions the ever-evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will bring to public services.
WEST BERGHOLT, SUFFOLK – A jubilant family said they received a “Christmas miracle” when their cat, ‘Westlife’, returned home after being missing for SIX years.
Westlife, who disappeared in 2018, thrilled his owners when he turned up on Christmas morning, albeit with one leg missing.
Old food bowl
Owner Nelly Piston, of West Bergholt, Suffolk told the SUFFOLK GAZETTE that just after the family had swapped gifts from under the tree. They heard a scratching sound at their back door.
Christmas miracle
When youngest daughter Fiona (3) opened the door, the missing moggie tipped forward and fell face-first into its old food bowl which had remained untouched since its disappearance six years earlier. “My daughter just screamed as she had never seen a cat before, let alone one with three legs – a triped – and let alone one that used to be part of our family, long before she was born.” Said Piston, holding back tears of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
We wanted to know more, so we contacted veteran Welsh television presenter, Johnny Morris
OBE, who was best known for talking to animals on his hit 1970s BBC zoological kids’ show, Animal Magic. Unfortunately, Morris died in 1999 but he nonetheless agreed to translate cat into English for us for the purposes of this story.
SG: Why did you disappear and and where have you been?
WL: Miaw, miaw, Queen miaw miaw beatings miaw.
JM: I’ve been to London to look at the Queen. I left because the Piston family used to beat me.
SG: Why didn’t you contact the RSPCA?
WL: Miaw, miaw, miaw miaw miaw, miaw phone number miaw.
BLUNDESTON, SUFFOLK – The Suffolk Council has announced that the area around Bridge Road, Blundeston, will be officially designated as a nature reserve due to its perpetual flooding.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among locals and environmental enthusiasts alike. For years, frustrated residents have been pleading with Suffolk council to address the persistent flooding that renders the road impassable.
While environmental campaigners are celebrating the move as a victory for local ecology and wildlife, residents are fuming at what they perceive as a bureaucratic washout. The decision effectively transforms their once-accessible road into a scenic swamp, complicating the daily task of reaching their homes.
Four-eyes all for it
One disgruntled resident, Thomas Crinch, chair of the campaign group Residents Against Everything (RAGE), standing knee-deep in water outside his house, quipped, “This is POPPYCOCK! Utterly INTOLERABLE! I always dreamed of a waterfront property, but this isn’t what I had in mind. HANG THE COUNCILLORS RESPONSIBLE!!!!!” However, a bespectacled passing eco-warrior argued that the decision will enhance the local ecosystem, providing a haven for aquatic life and turning what was once a road into a unique wetland paradise.
The wetter the better
As the community navigates the consequences of the Suffolk council‘s decision, Bridge Road, Blundeston, seems destined to become a symbol of the delicate balance between human convenience and environmental preservation—or, in this case, a soggy compromise that leaves both residents and wildlife feeling waterlogged.
