Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath
Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath
With the wearing of face coverings mandatory from today in shops, we include the official guidance and links to a sample of providers supporting charities.
We also focus on the possible outcome of the government’s announced Capital Gains Tax review.
Our regular readers may have spotted the use of albums or songs as our newsletter titles. Today’s headline is borrowed from the excellent new album by The Blinders and felt apt for a light-hearted lockdown reflection.
This time, Carrie Quick shares her songs, book and luxury item in the HarperLees Desert Island Discs. An eclectic mix of music and the only member from our team, so far, to choose a memory prompt rather than a ‘thing’ as her luxury.
Our distraction ideas include material from Carol King, Jarvis Cocker, The Blinders and Lianne La Havas. We also have suggestions for the children now that school is out for Summer!
Please click the links on all songs, films and activities throughout the Newsletter for your enjoyment.
HarperLees Wellbeing HUB
The Government has issued new guidance – Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own. Read the guidance here
We found the following examples of face covering providers, which are also raising funds for a selection of charities:
CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably
GOSH – Great Ormond Street Hospital
Simplifying the tax?
On 13 July 2020, Richi Sunak wrote to the Office of Tax Simplification requesting a ‘review of Capital Gains Tax and aspects of the taxation of chargeable gains in relation to individuals and smaller businesses’. He guided that OTS ‘identify and offer advice about opportunities to simplify the taxation of chargeable gains, to ensure the system is fit for purpose and makes the experience of those who interact with it as smooth as possible…….’
Whilst few will be surprised by the need to raise taxes given the extensive support provided through the pandemic, and we have grounds to raise an eyebrow to the ‘simplification’ message, this extract is perhaps more interesting:
‘I would be interested in any proposals from the OTS on the regime of allowances, exemptions, reliefs and the treatment of losses within CGT, and the interactions of how gains are taxed compared to other types of income’.
We believe that planning decisions should be driven more by lifestyle choices and individual desires rather than the tax treatment. However, there may be an opportunity to provide a focus on your own planning, ahead of any potentially detrimental changes.
We have detailed our planning thoughts and ideas for potential implications on our website here.
Desert Island Discs From HarperLees
Continuing our series, Carrie Quick shares her 8 songs, book and a very special luxury item.
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder – Always liked Stevie’s unique music, but this song is a true celebration of our daughter born in 1981 and granddaughter in 2010.
Boogie Wonderland – Earth Wind & Fire – A turn back in time when Adrian and I went to the local Disco to dance the night away.
Handbags and Gladrags – Rod Stewart & Stereophonics – Just an amazing combination of these two gravelly voices.
Pachelbel Canon in D Major – Johann Pachelbel – A beautiful piece of calming music. However, I have seen a classical busking quartet playing this in the Pit at Covent Garden. The charismatic lead celloist creates a completely different mood!
Rain On Me – Ariana Grande & Lady Gaga – I enjoy this playing in a good weight training session…it has a really good beat.
A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay – I love the song and Chris Martin’s awesome energy.
Surfin’ USA – Beach Boys – Wonderful memories of a trip to California to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We drove down the Big Sur in a convertible, playing the Beach Boys. Magic moments!
One Day Like This – Elbow – Something different. A feel-good song to start the day. Thanks to our great friend Lucia for introducing us to their wonderful music.
Book: Something a bit different for me. I’m more drawn to non-fiction…art along with garden design, evoking passion, creativity, emotion and inspiration. I especially love French garden design…from Monet’s breath taking free flowing gardens at Giverny and his waterlily paintings to the classical and spectacular garden at Chateau de Villandry.
Luxury item: I thought about this deeply. Lots of things I’d like, but mostly useless on a desert island…so it has to be a photograph of our grandchildren, who hold a special place in my heart. Just hope they don’t grow up too much before I escape the island.
Distraction Ideas
Our distraction suggestions are:
Music
Before we look towards this edition’s recommended listening, we were delighted to see that two of our previous recommendations have been announced as finalists in the prestigious Mercury Music Awards – Laura Marling with Song for Our Daughter and Lanterns on The Lake with Spook The Herd. It turns out that we do great financial planning and know our music too!!
Lianne La Havas – Her self-titled third album comes after a gap of 5 years since ‘Blood’. Previously a Mercury Awards finalist and mentored by Prince, Lianne La Havas returns with a stripped-down collection of mainly guitar complementing her soulful voice.
Beyond The Pale – Jarv Is -The singer formerly of Pulp announces his latest project which was part recorded from a live performance in the cave of Peak Cavern, Derbyshire! It is fair to say that there is no one quite like Jarvis Cocker.
The Blinders – Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath – With an eye catching and perhaps topical title for these times, Even The Stars reviews the album here commenting that it ‘widens their horizons in terms of subject matter without straying too far from the subjects of the political systems around the world, societal issues and mental health.’
All albums and songs are available to stream via the usual providers. However, please consider better supporting the artists who have all seen their income dramatically reduce through Covid-19 by buying the physical versions.
Online
Carol King – BST Hyde Park have made available the Tapestry tour gig from 2016 for a limited time.
Let’s Go Live – Maddie and Greg have been providing educational science videos through the lockdown for children (and parents!). Highlights have included ‘volcanoes and earthquakes’, ‘how to make your own rockpools’ and ‘explore Coral Reefs & Kelp Forests’ There is now a new programme every Saturday at 10am and many of the back catalogue remains available. Perfect viewing through the school summer holidays!
National Literacy Trust and Book Trust – For parents and grandparents, If looking for other children and family activities.
Books
Clearing The Air – Tim Smedley. Clearing the Air tells the full story of air pollution for the first time: what it is, which pollutants are harmful, where they come from and – most importantly – what we can do about them. Essential reading for anyone who cares about the air they breathe. It has a commendation from Arnold Schwarzenegger to ‘Read this book and join the effort to terminate air pollution.’
Contacts and Advice
We hope you find our newsletter informative and entertaining. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others by clicking below.
Our coverage will change over time, and hopefully with fewer mentions of Covid-19. We are keen to hear your ideas for shaping future newsletters; we would particularly like to hear your Desert Island Discs selection.
As always, please contact us at any time for assistance.
