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Bletchley Park wins not one but two UK Heritage Awards
Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, the former top-secret home of Britain’s World War two Codebreakers and now a museum and heritage attraction has won two UK Heritage Awards.
The UK Heritage Awards honour the very best historic houses, gardens, museums, and heritage sites in the UK. The 2020 UK Heritage Awards categories included: ‘Best Family Day Out’, ‘Great Place to Eat’, ‘Most Improved Heritage Development’, ‘Best Wedding Venue’, ‘Contribution to Heritage’ and ‘Finest Place to Stay’.
The annual UK Heritage Awards are hosted by Visit Heritage, the UK’s leading heritage, tourism and destination marketing company. Visit Heritage publishes best-selling heritage guide Hudson’s and the UK’s longest-running independent hotel guide, Signpost.
Why is Bletchley Park so revered?
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, which is normally open daily to visitors. It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make ground-breaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war. The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
About the UK Heritage Awards 2020
The winners of the UK Heritage Awards 2020 were crowned across twelve categories, which were adjudicated by a panel of judges formed of leading figures and experts on UK Heritage including:
Paul Bridle – CEO of Excellence Squared Group Ltd and Director of Visit Heritage, the UK’s leading heritage, tourism and destination marketing company.
Lizzie Glithero-West – Chief Executive at The Heritage Alliance, an NGO representing the biggest coalition of heritage interests in England.
Annie Reilly – Manager at Heritage Open Days for the National Trust, an independent charity and membership organisation for environmental and heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jeremy Musson – An Architectural Historian, author and consultant, plus former Country Life Architecture Editor (1998 – 2007) Jeremy also presented the BBC Two series The Curious House Guest.
Norman Hudson OBE – Chairman of the Historic Houses Foundation and consultant to the Heritage Sector.
The winners, and commended venues
Family Day Out
Winner: Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria
Great Places to Eat
Winner: Levens Kitchen, Kendal
Highly Commended: Askham Hall, Penrith
Wonderful Places to Stay
Winner: Broughton Hall, North Yorkshire
Highly Commended: Larchfield Estate, Belfast
Most Improved Heritage Development
Winner: Winchester Cathedral, Winchester
Hidden Gem
Winner: Accessing Aiden Project, Northumberland
Best Wedding Venue
Joint Winner: Victoria Baths, Manchester
Joint Winner: Goodwood, Chichester
Outstanding Customer Experience
Winner: Goodwood, Chichester
Best Event, Festival or Exhibition
Winner: Eltham Palace “Our House”, Greenwich
Contribution to Heritage
Winner: English Heritage – Speaking with Shadows podcast
Best Corporate Experience
Winner: Thirlestane Castle, Scottish Borders
Must Visit
Winner: Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
Judges Discretionary Award – Best of Heritage
Winner: Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
Sting is bringing his My Songs World Tour to Bedford Park for a sensational outdoor show.
The rock icon will play on Saturday June 24. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 18 via bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Sting’s ‘My Songs’ concerts are an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
Following a sold out six-night residency at the London Palladium, My Songs was hailed “a masterclass” by The Times who said “Sting remains an undeniably skilled performer with a gold-plated back catalogue.”
A musical journey taking in hits like Fields of Gold, Shape of my Heart, Roxanne and Demolition Man, the concert was described as “a rare treat” by The Telegraph and saw Sting praised as “near peerless” by The Guardian with “sublime pop alchemy”. Fans can also expect to hear Englishman In New York, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Message In A Bottle and many more.
For more dates and information about Sting’s My Songs World Tour – visit sting.com
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Bedford Park Concerts 2023
Sting joins George Ezra as part of the ‘Bedford Park Concerts’ series of shows next summer. With three UK No.1 albums Wanted On Voyage (2014), Staying At Tamara’s (2018) and Gold Rush Kid (2022) under his belt, George Ezra has toured the world, toured it some more, then met himself coming back the other way. He’s felt the green, green grass under his feet and the blue, blue sky on his back. A traveller, an entertainer, he’s a man in pursuit of happiness, and of sharing that happiness. Other headline artists include Sister Sledge and The Jacksons.
On 5th November, the newly opened Barrio venue will launch its bingo brunch concept, La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch, in Watford. Translating to ‘The beautiful island’, La Isla Bonita Brunch aims to recreate that perfect tropical holiday feeling, with food and cocktails galore, bingo mayhem and 80s music all afternoon-long.
Already a popular party experience at Barrio Shoreditch, the 80s themed musical brunch is scheduled to run every Saturday from 12pm, and will include a two-course brunch, welcome cocktail and a variety of bottomless drinks (prosecco, spiced rum sangria and Sol beer).
Once guests have finished tucking into a menu of delicious burgers, including Queso Libre as a vegetarian option and Saint and Sinner as the vegan burger plus Barrio Churros, the musical bingo commences, brought to life by a captivating host and nostalgic 80s tunes by Barrio’s best DJs. Brunch goers can expect witty bingo calls, group singalongs and impromptu tableside performances. Prizes for winning the brunch also include a very tasty £100 bar tab.
For £35 per person, over-21s can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and then eat, bingo and party until 5pm.
Those interested can book the first La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch at Barrio Watford for a special launch price of £25 (valid for 5th and 12th Nov brunch dates).
More about Barrio Watford
On 20th October 2022, Barrio Familia opened its first out-of-London venue in Watford, bringing Latin-inspired cocktails, authentic Mexican eats, a killer happy hour offering, live entertainment and DJs, plus an immersive 80s Bingo Bottomless Brunch.
Following the announcement of the group’s flagship site, and world’s largest tequila bar, in Covent Garden which is set to launch in early November, Barrio Familia has opened Watford’s first Tequila bar this month.
Bringing the spirit of the Latin Quarter into Watford, the new venue will have space for up to 200 guests to enjoy a brand new, freshly crafted cocktail menu, delicious Mexican inspired food creations, including their signature tacos, and famous Latino party vibes.
The outside terrace is also being turned into Barrio’s popular tropical yard, offering the perfect space for another 80 guests to gather with like-minded ‘amigos’ and sip cocktails, enjoy a meal and experience a fiesta like never before.
Barrio Familia was acquired by Nightcap in November 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength. New venues; Barrio Watford and Barrio Covent Garden will add to their growing portfolio of sites in Shoreditch, Soho, Angel, and Brixton. After opening the first Barrio site in 2007, the group’s vision was to have a Barrio in every big party neighborhood in the UK and Watford will play a huge role in that exciting expansion.
Each of the Barrio Bars sites offer a full-colour, full-flavour experience, and of course, plenty of Tequila. The group plans to open seven days a week and be the perfect new spot in Watford for all occasions, from lunches and daytime drinks to brunches and late night partying.
Jim Robertson, Managing Director of Barrio Familia, commented:
“We are incredibly excited to be taking our Latino party outside of London for the first time. This is a fantastic venue and we can’t wait to welcome the residents of Watford into the Barrio familia and bring the party! I believe Barrio will be a fantastic addition to Watford High Street that will suit all types of occasions and bring a feel good bar that welcomes everyone. We have some amazing things planned for Barrio Watford, so watch this space and get ready for the biggest fiesta in town!”
IV Boost – a renowned IV therapy clinic on London’s Wimpole Street – has opened at The Wellness Hub in Berkhamsted. Founded in 2005 by medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz, IV Boost takes a holistic approach to health and wellness to help boost and restore the body’s natural ability to be well, energised and able to resist ageing.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Josh and the IV Boost to The Wellness Hub and are excited to be offering our customers these fantastic IV therapies,” says Emma James, MD and owner The Wellness Hub on Lower Kings Street. “IV Boost prides itself on its medical skills and personalised approach which mirrors our commitment to offering bespoke wellbeing solutions. I have no doubt its services will prove popular in complementing and enhancing our existing range of therapies which include physiotherapy, massage, beauty therapy, sports massage, Pilates, personal training and yoga.”
“We have been very impressed by The Wellness Hub and have been made most welcome here,” says Dr Joshua Berkowitz. “IV therapy is increasingly popular as a means to achieving optimum health and we have been looking for a new clinic outside London to meet the growing demand for our services.
“The Wellness Hub is the perfect site for IV Boost and we look forward to meeting its customers. We recognise that IV therapy will be new to many people and clients can rest assured they will have a consultation before any therapy to ensure it suits their exact needs.”
IV Vitamin Therapy
Intravenous (IV) Vitamin Therapy has been practised for many years, often to support conventional medical treatment of a wide range of health conditions. It is the fastest way to deliver nutrients throughout the body because it bypasses the digestive system and is 90-100% absorbed directly into the organs (compared to 20-50% absorption if taken orally).
Vitamin Shots
A vitamin shot is an intramuscular injection that treats various vitamin deficiencies. It is absorbed into your bloodstream via your muscles. Unlike vitamins taken orally, vitamin shots bypass the digestive system and result in a 90-100% absorption rate. Many people feel the effects within hours of the treatment which takes just a few minutes to administer.
Ozone Therapy
Medical grade ozone is a highly active and reactive form of oxygen which is prepared by a highly skilled practitioner just before being administered. Ozone therapy can restore optimum oxygen levels in the body by increasing the red blood cell count and this, in turn, stimulates the release of oxygen into the body’s tissues.
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic testing gives a very clear picture of your health and can help pinpoint problems that may be missed through consultation or ‘standard’ blood tests offered by GPs. IV Boost uses a leading London laboratory which offers a very quick turnaround of precise, accurate results.
Aesthetic Treatments
IV Boost can deliver a range of non-surgical treatments to enhance the appearance and treat the visible signs of ageing. These rejuvenating treatments use the latest evidence-based products and cutting-edge technology to deliver safe, effective and long-lasting effects. Performed to the highest standard, each treatment plan is tailored to address individual concerns to optimise results.
About IV Boost
IV Boost is located in The Wellness Hub, 26 Lower kings road, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2AE
