Free NHS health checks and more from your local library (plus literary events from 4 Feb 2020)
Check if you are eligible for the free NHS health check that is being held in libraries across East Sussex (details below), go for an NHS app session or get some computer help. There is a whole lot of events planned for the next few weeks reports The East Sussex Library and Information Service.
One You Health Checks
Have you started the new year with a resolution to be healthier and happier in 2020? One You East Sussex, the county’s healthy lifestyle team, could help you reach your goal. They are running free 45 minute health check sessions in libraries across the county.
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up designed to spot the early signs of strokes, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. If you’re aged 40-74 and you haven’t had a stroke, or don’t suffer heart disease or kidney disease, you are eligible.
The health conditions picked up by the NHS Health Check are, when added together, the biggest cause of preventable deaths in the UK, with around 7 million people affected by them. In its first five years, the NHS Health Check is estimated to have prevented 2,500 heart attacks or strokes.
NHS App session at your local library
Did you know there’s a new NHS App you can use to book GP appointments, order prescriptions and access test results online?
And you can register for the service online, without the need to visit your GP surgery.
You’ll just require a mobile device (Android or Apple) and passport or driving license.
The App is available now from the App store and Google Play.
And our digital volunteers are here to help if you require support downloading, registering, and using the App.
Just call 01323 463759 and ask for an NHS App session at your local library!
Investing in libraries for young people
Last year we revamped Crowborough, Lewes, Heathfield and Eastbourne. Next up: Uckfield and Hampden Park.
One of our biggest priorities is raising literacy and numeracy levels in the county, so we’re making lots of improvements to the children’s and young people’s areas in our libraries.
Our library team work with children to help them develop the vital building-blocks: communication, speech and language, reading, literacy and numeracy. We know that this supports future success, health and wellbeing, and most importantly brings the joy of books and reading into their lives.
Valentine Reads
February is the month of Love! The team have chosen the books with relationships that resonate for Valentine’s. So whether you prefer Frog Music or Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, expect passion, class, complication, tragedy, murder and lust.
New DVDs out this month
Animals! Minerals! Vegetables! We’ve got it all in our DVD collection
Diary of events
Bookends pop-up DVD Sale at Hampden Park Library from Saturday 8th February.
East Sussex Children’s Book Award (#ESCBA2020) vote for your favourite from the shortlist.
Need a little computer help? Computer Buddies can provide quick answers or more thorough support.
Energy Advice Desk with Energise Sussex, obtain free support with energy bills at Bexhill Library.
Meet other families, boost your mood and wellbeing and help with your (grand)child’s speech and language. Take part in a Library Rhymetime and Storytime.
Our Library Facebook page is the best place to get up-the-minute library news, views and trivia.
top image – thanks to unsplash.com
other images – thanks to East Sussex Library and Information Service
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Events
Thursday 20th February 6 pm – Sheer Poetry at Bookbuster’s 39 Queens Rd, Hastings £3 on the door
Thursday 13th February 7 pm – Write Night with Danuta Kean hosted by Wayne Herbert on behalf of New Writing South Tickets £5/£3 see details
Saturday 22 February 5 – 7 pm Dhanmondi Road by R.H. Young at Bookbuster’s 39 Queens Rd, Hastings
The year is 1973. The Bangladesh war of independence is over but the country remains in chaos. Gareth McKinley, a young Australian arrives in the country to work on a project set up to care for destitute children. He quickly learns that living and working in a post war environment can be dangerous.
A crisis emerges when some children involved in the project cannot be accounted for. Does the explanation lie in a mysterious letter that seems to have been sent from Dubai? Dhanmondi Road sensitively captures the atmosphere of a country in turmoil and charts Gareth’s progress towards increasing self knowledge and awareness in ways he could not have dreamed of before setting out on this journey.
Wednesday 1 April 6 – 7.30 pm Reading & music from Clive Parker-Sharp’s novel ConeBoy at Printed Matter Bookshop 185 Queens Rd, Hastings TN34 1RG
Coming soon! Staglit Tuesdays at the Stag Inn in the Old Town 6.30 – 8.30 pm Monthly. A chance for writers to read short extracts from their work and sell their books – and for readers to listen & comment. If you would like to be included on the email list for these events, please contact Angie angelajphillip@mail.com
Writers’ Groups
The idea is to compile a list with brief information and a contact person that will appear here each week.
Thanks to Sue Gilbert who has kindly sent information about St Leonard’s Writers.
St Leonard’s Writers meet on Wednesdays 1 – 3 pm at St Ethelburga Church in St Saviours Rd. There is a small joining fee and weekly contribution (see website for details).
Contact person: David Edwards admin@stleonardswriters.com
One of the quotes on the site says:
‘Remember, there is no such thing as a bad piece of writing, only an unfinished piece of writing…. ‘ St Leonards Writers
For more information, please see the website stleonardswriters.com
CALL FOR WRITING GROUPS & BOOKGROUPS TO GET IN TOUCH – Do get in touch if you would like your group to be listed each week in this Bookchat column. Please write to Angie angelajphillip@mail.com
Bookshops
Bookbuster 39 Queens Rd, Hastings
Go to Bookbuster’s Facebook page to see more.
Printed Matter Bookshop 185 Queens Rd, Hastings TN34 1RG
Please see Facebook page for more details of these and other events.
The Bookkeeper Bookshop 1a Kings Rd, St Leonards
Come and look at the Bookkeeper Bookshop Facebook page to see more.
The Hare & Hawthorn Bookshop 51 George St, Hastings Old Town
For more information see the Hare & Hawthorn Facebook page.
CALL FOR EVENTS INFO – please contact me directly if you would like your event to be included in the HOT weekly Bookchat column. Please write to Angie angelajphillip@mail.com
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Hi there – I’ve sent off for a proof copy of The Big Happiness which will be my first published book. I haven’t quite cracked the Kindle Create yet – there’s a page in my novel that needs deleting but I can’t find it. I can see it in the Preview but not in the normal view. It doesn’t sound possible, does it? But I’m nearly there.
What have you been doing this week?
I’ve wrestled with blurbs and keywords. I think I’ve made a reasonable attempt at the blurbs but the keywords remain a mystery. I know what they’re supposed to do but the advice I find about how to check their effectiveness doesn’t seem to make sense.
Thank you to those of you who have signed up for the Newsletter. If you haven’t, I would be so pleased if you did.
Please see: https://angelajphillip.com The Newsletter signup form is on the right-hand side as you scroll down.
Comments and suggestions on anything and everything are always welcome.
Thanks so much for reading.
Angie
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