Postcrossing

Postcrossing is a great idea I read about in a recent article in the weekend ‘i’ newspaper. Basically you send and receive postcards from all over the world, keeping the art of writing alive!

The idea is simple: for each postcard you send, you will receive one back from a random postcrosser from somewhere in the world.

I have sent five postcards to date and received my first one from Hong Kong –

The only downside in the UK is the cost of postage as £1.35-£1.65 per card is a tad expensive, but then posting items is generally nowadays.

It is all administered by the Postcrossing website and perfect for any age. Give it a try!

Stoke City pre-season fixtures 2019

26 June squad report back fror pre-season training

July 6-13 European based training camp

Wed 17 July Wrexham (A) 7pm

Wed 24 July Lincoln City (A) 7:45pm

Sat 27 July Leicester City (H) 3pm

Didcot Town announce new manager Jamie Heapy

Didcot Town have announced their new manager, former player Jamie Heapy. Paul Bedwell joins as his assistant manager, another former Didcot Town player. You can read more here

‘Let Nature Sing’ makes the Uk singles chart

Let’s celebrate bird song’s chart-topping success! Join the chorus

You did it! We’re sending you a huge, heartfelt thanks for helping get our pure bird song track Let Nature Sing into the charts at #18. What a feeling! It’s such a thrill to see what’s possible when people who love nature come together. Keep nature’s music alive We released Let Nature Sing to make more people aware that there are 40 million fewer birds in the UK today than 50 years ago. You helped the track create a sensation – and now everyone is talking about it, and what needs to change. This is a real success. Keep the chorus going! Join the Chorus Hub to get exclusive articles on Let Nature Sing and nature’s rock stars. You’ll also get our fortnightly email – the perfect way to tune in to what’s happening. Join in the #LetNatureSing conversation on social media and let everyone know what bird song means to you.

You helped make history!

Everyone needs to listen to this. Every year fewer birds are singing Adrian Tissier, Facebook

Played this to my grandsons. Lots of smiles and laughter Elizabeth J, Twitter

It’s lovely. It’s quite the rave at some points Donna Quinnie Quinn, Facebook

This party’s just getting started… Let Nature Sing is coming back for an encore this summer. We can’t wait to tell you about it. Be the first to know by signing up for the Chorus Hub now. Join the chorus

Adam, Fletcher and Haugaard all leave Stoke

Charlie Adam, Darren Fletcher and Jacob Haugaard will all leave the club this summer when their contracts expire. Shame regarding Adam as he would have made a decent coach, although he is keen still to play regular football which he wouldn’t get at Stoke.

Fletcher was a free transfer signing from West Brom two seasons ago and although another good character like Adam to have in a team, he never really shone for us and was probably past his best footballing wise. Haugaard is a goalkeeper only a goalkeeping coach could love as he never instilled confidence when between the sticks!

Former player Gareth Owen has been named as the new head of Stoke’s academy which does seem to be producing some exciting young players for us like Tom Edwards, Nathan Collins and Tyresse Campbell.

Move over the ‘Birdie Song’ there is a new song in town…

‘Let Nature Sing’, two and a half minutes of birdsong, is being released by the RSPB to highlight the 44m birds lost since 1966 and the many more at risk.

 More than 80% of people said birdsong made them feel positive, according to YouGov.

The track was put together by Bill Barclay, the music director at Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Mercury-prize-nominated folk artist Sam Lee.

Could it be a top 40 hit?

Andy Ballard to step down as Didcot Town manager

Manager Andy Ballard will leave Didcot Town at the end of this season to become the assistant manager at Oxford City, a club he has made over 300 appearances for in his playing career.

A passionate player manager when on the pitch he has brought some talented players to the club. Good luck in the future and now the hunt is on for a new manager at Didcot Town. Hopefully neither Mark Hughes or Gary Rowett will be approached 😉

You can read more here on the official club website