World Thinking Day 2026 – Celebrating “Our Friendship”

Every year on 22 February, members of Girlguiding and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) celebrate World Thinking Day, a moment to reflect on the global sisterhood that connects millions of girls and young women.

In 2026, the theme is beautifully simple and deeply powerful: “Our Friendship.”

At a time when the world can often feel divided, the idea of friendship, across borders, backgrounds, beliefs and generations — feels especially meaningful.

Why World Thinking Day Matters

World Thinking Day began in 1926 as a way for Guides and Scouts around the globe to think of one another and give thanks for their shared movement. It falls on the birthday of Olave Baden-Powell, the first Chief Guide, and her husband Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement.

Over the past century, it has grown into a truly international celebration involving more than 150 countries. It’s a day to:

Learn about different cultures

Support global projects

Reflect on shared values

Raise funds for guiding initiatives worldwide

But at its heart, it has always been about connection.

2026 Theme: “Our Friendship”

The 2026 theme invites girls and leaders to explore what friendship really means, not just in a personal sense, but as part of a worldwide community.

Friendship in guiding is:

The new Brownie making her first promise

The Ranger supporting a younger member

The international pen pal or jamboree connection

The lifelong friendships that begin around a campfire

It’s also about understanding that girls in the UK share experiences, challenges and hopes with girls in Kenya, Canada, India or Brazil.

“Our Friendship” reminds us that guiding isn’t just local, it’s global.

How Units Can Celebrate

Whether you’re a Rainbow unit in a village hall or a Guide group meeting in a city centre, there are countless ways to bring the theme to life.

1. Friendship Across Borders

Explore guiding traditions from another country. Cook a simple international snack, learn a song from abroad, or exchange letters or videos with another unit.

2. Acts of Kindness

Encourage members to perform small acts of friendship within their community, writing thank-you notes, supporting a local charity, or checking in on someone who may feel lonely.

3. Friendship Crafts

Create friendship bracelets, badges, or a collaborative mural representing what friendship looks like to your group.

4. Story Sharing

Invite members to share stories of how guiding has helped them build confidence, resilience and meaningful relationships.

A Wider Reflection on Friendship

In the UK, where many communities are wonderfully diverse, World Thinking Day offers a gentle reminder that understanding begins with listening.

Friendship doesn’t require identical views or identical lives. It asks for respect, curiosity and kindness.

For young people growing up in a world of social media and digital communication, “Our Friendship” also opens a conversation about:

Online kindness

Digital responsibility

Supporting one another in safe spaces

Building real-world confidence

Friendship Beyond the Movement

While rooted in guiding, World Thinking Day’s message extends far beyond uniforms and badges. It’s a reminder for all of us, parents, leaders, teachers and communities, that friendship is an active practice.

It requires effort.

It requires empathy.

It requires presence.

In 2026, perhaps the most meaningful way to mark World Thinking Day is simply to reach out, to someone new, or someone we haven’t spoken to in a while.

World Thinking Day 2026’s theme, “Our Friendship,” feels both timely and timeless. It celebrates the small, everyday bonds that quietly shape young lives, and the extraordinary global network that links girls across continents.

In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain, friendship remains a steady, hopeful thread.

And that is certainly something worth thinking about.

Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board

Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board.

This milestone establishes the governance framework for a project set to become one of the UK’s most ambitious cultural and educational attractions.

Model Britain’s vision is to Explore, Imagine, Inspire. The project will be a stunning large-scale, permanent indoor miniature attraction celebrating British history, innovation, and landscapes.

Developed at substantial national scale, it is designed to operate at significant visitor capacity and to offer an immersive experience that blends excitement with deep educational value for children and adults alike.

The attraction will include a structured education programme aligned to national curriculum themes, supporting history, geography, design and technology, and STEM learning for school groups, nationwide. 

The project enters development at a time of renewed national focus on the UK’s experience economy and regional tourism growth, positioning Model Britain to contribute meaningfully to both cultural and economic priorities.

An Advisory Board with National-Level Expertise

Model Britain’s Advisory Board brings together senior leaders who have shaped some of the UK’s most significant visitor destinations, global brands, and cultural institutions:

Gary McCauley – Founder and CEO: Originator of the Model Britain concept, leading the project from initial design through to structured national delivery.

Peter Moore OBE – Chair: Former Managing Director of Center Parcs UK and Director of Marketing and Repositioning at Alton Towers. Awarded an OBE for services to tourism and former Board Member of Visit England.

Martin Grieve – Financial Oversight: Former senior finance executive at Unilever and Reckitt, with national and global divisional CFO experience and corporate finance leadership expertise across capital allocation, investment strategy, and governance.

John F. D. Hoy FRICS – Heritage & Destination Strategy: Former Chief Executive of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, current Chair of Silverstone Museum, former Visit England Board Member, and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Mark Jones – Visitor Operations: Former UK Operations Director at Center Parcs and Operations Director at the Eden Project, with extensive experience managing large-scale, high volume visitor attractions.

Alex Mawer – Marketing & Brand Strategy: Marketing & Brand Strategy: Former Global Marketing Director at the LEGO Group with oversight of LEGOLAND attractions, former Marketing Director of Visit England and current Board Member of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).

Simon Kohler – Models & Hobbies: Former Marketing & Development Director at Hornby Hobbies, instrumental in revitalising iconic British brands including Hornby Railways, Scalextric, and Airfix.

Together, the Advisory Board provides strategic oversight across governance, finance, operations, brand, tourism attractions, heritage, and sector engagement.

Peter Moore OBE, Chair of Model Britain, told That's Books and More: “Model Britain represents a rare opportunity to create a national institution that blends heritage, education, and innovation. 

"Establishing strong governance at this stage ensures the project is developed with the rigour, integrity, and long-term ambition required for an attraction of this scale.”

Gary McCauley, Founder and CEO, added: “This milestone marks the transition from long-held vision to disciplined delivery. With the experience of the Advisory Board now formally guiding the project, we are ensuring that each stage of development is approached with clarity, realism, and strong governance.”

Looking Ahead

The project team is currently assessing a number of strategically significant UK locations with strong infrastructure and national connectivity. Model Britain is also actively engaging with strategic partners across the technology, heritage, travel, and education sectors who share a vision for celebrating British innovation at scale. A formal opening timeline will be confirmed following site acquisition and planning approval.

FACTFILE: Model Britain is a pioneering national project dedicated to creating a world-class, large-scale indoor miniature attraction. By blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, it aims to showcase the UK’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and spirit of innovation. The project is designed to serve families, schools, tourists, and international visitors.

To learn more visit www.modelbritain.co.uk

John Betjeman – Slough (1937) A Critical Analysis

Context and Overview

Slough was written in 1937, at a time when Britain was experiencing rapid industrial expansion in certain areas, particularly along new arterial roads and trading estates. 

The Slough Trading Estate was one of the largest industrial estates in Europe at the time, and had become a symbol of modern commercial development. 

Betjeman’s poem is a fierce satirical attack on this emerging industrial landscape and what he saw as the cultural and spiritual emptiness it represented.

The poem opens with the shocking invocation:

“Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!”

This startling first line immediately establishes tone and technique: hyperbolic satire. The speaker calls for destruction not out of literal malice, but to express moral outrage at what Slough symbolises — soulless modernity, speculative building, and the erosion of England’s pastoral and architectural heritage.

Satire and Hyperbole

Betjeman’s tone is exaggerated and ironic throughout. His call for bombs, written only two years before the outbreak of the Second World War, now carries a dark historical irony. 

Yet within the poem’s 1937 context, it functions as a grotesque exaggeration designed to provoke and shock.

The town is depicted as:

Spiritually barren

Architecturally ugly

Morally empty

Phrases such as “tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk” create a rhythm of artificiality and uniformity. The repetition of “tinned” suggests not just preserved food but preserved, mechanised lives — sealed, standardised and devoid of freshness. Industrial capitalism becomes something embalmed and lifeless.

Industrial Modernity vs. Rural England

A central tension in Slough is the clash between industrial progress and the older vision of England that Betjeman cherished. He was known for his affection for Victorian architecture and rural landscapes. In this poem, modern business culture appears sterile and spiritually corrosive:

“And get that man with double chin

Who’ll always cheat and always win…”

Here Betjeman satirises the figure of the profit-driven businessman — physically unappealing, morally suspect, and emblematic of unregulated capitalism.

The poem suggests that economic “progress” has replaced beauty, craftsmanship and community with speculative building and profit margins. Slough becomes shorthand for a new England dominated by concrete, office blocks and commuter culture.

Rhythm and Structure

The poem uses a jaunty, almost nursery-rhyme rhythm. This lightness contrasts sharply with the violence of its opening line and the severity of its criticism. The regular rhyme scheme and bouncy cadence intensify the satire; the poem sounds cheerful while expressing destructive wishes.

This contrast creates tension:

Cheerful rhythm

Bitter content

The form mirrors the hypocrisy Betjeman perceives — pleasant surfaces masking ugliness beneath.

Moral and Spiritual Emptiness

One of the poem’s most powerful themes is spiritual decay. Betjeman portrays Slough as lacking imagination, art and emotional depth:

“There isn’t grass to graze a cow.”

This line functions symbolically. The absence of grass implies not merely urbanisation but the eradication of organic life. Nature has been replaced by asphalt and warehouses.

The town is portrayed as mechanised, joyless and culturally thin — a place of mass-produced existence rather than individual identity.

Historical Irony

After the Blitz began in 1940, Betjeman reportedly expressed regret over the poem’s opening line. The reality of bombs falling on English towns made the satire uncomfortably literal. 

This historical development complicates modern readings of the poem. What was once exaggerated rhetoric gained tragic resonance.

Today, the poem may feel less like a call for destruction and more like a cultural lament — a warning about unthinking development and the loss of heritage.

Is the Poem Fair?

A critical reading must ask whether Betjeman’s portrayal is exaggerated and elitist. Slough provided employment during the interwar depression and represented economic opportunity for many. From another perspective, it symbolised modern resilience rather than decay.

Thus, the poem can be read in two ways:

A sharp and prophetic critique of soulless industrialisation.

A nostalgic, perhaps reactionary rejection of social change.

Betjeman’s conservatism informs the poem’s perspective. His love of architectural tradition and Anglican England shapes his disdain for commercial modernity.

Conclusion

Slough remains one of Betjeman’s most provocative poems. Its biting satire, exaggerated invective and rhythmic irony create a powerful critique of 1930s industrial expansion. Yet it is also a poem rooted in anxiety — about modernity, capitalism, and the erosion of a particular vision of England.

Rather than simply attacking a town, Betjeman attacks a mindset: one that prioritises profit over beauty and efficiency over soul. The poem endures because its questions about development, heritage and cultural identity remain relevant today.

You can read the poem here https://internetpoem.com/john-betjeman/slough-poem

Incidentally Slough is working hard to become UK Town of Culture for 2028 

https://thatsbooks.blogspot.com/2026/02/viva-slough-slough-announces-bid-for-uk.html

Viva Slough! Slough announces bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

Poet John Betjeman had some rather harsh words for Slough:

Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!

It isn't fit for humans now,

There isn't grass to graze a cow.

Swarm over, Death!

(In my next blogpost I will provide a critical perspective on the poem by John Betjaman and why he was actually pro-Slough, rather than against it.)

I think that he would be pleased and impressed with the news that Slough has announced its intention to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028, launching a bold campaign to reshape how the town is seen nationally. 

The bid aims to dismantle decades of unfair reputations and tired “The Office” stereotypes, replacing them with a confident, future-facing story of creativity, connectivity and cultural energy.

The bid sets out to move beyond long-standing perceptions and present Slough as a place defined by its people and its role in the UK’s digital and economic infrastructure. Organisers emphasise that the focus will not be on a single year of events, but on using culture to support skills development, community participation and pride in place.

Slough is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse towns in the UK and sits at the heart of the Thames Valley economy. 

It's also home to major data centres and digital infrastructure that support large parts of the UK’s internet traffic. 

Located next to Heathrow Airport, the town has long been shaped by migration, movement and global connections.

A new Town of Culture Steering Group is being formed to oversee the bid, bringing together representatives from business, education, the voluntary sector, culture and youth organisations. The group will be chaired by Rob Deeks MBE, chief executive of Together As One, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to young people and the community in Slough, recognising his long-standing work supporting and empowering young people across the town.

Rob Deeks told That's Books and More: “Our bid for Town of Culture will be rooted in Slough’s everyday stories, its resilience, and its creative ambitions. 

"Culture here is expressed through the arts and events, but also through how people come together, share identity, and shape the place they live. It is about making space for everyone to participate, belong, and thrive.”

Slough’s bid is not built on aspiration alone. It is rooted in a vibrant and evolving cultural landscape. It has internationally connected music and dance communities, contemporary public art transforming everyday spaces, and is at the heart of Britain's Film and Television Industry with a pool of creative talent. 

Slough is already a place where culture is lived, not staged. Culture is expressed through faith traditions, community choirs, spoken word, visual arts, grassroots theatre and digital creativity.

Slough is already a place where culture is lived, not staged.

Slough’s heritage is industrial, migratory and entrepreneurial, a story of reinvention, resilience and contribution to the national economy, and the 2028 bid will celebrate this living, working, creating town in all its richness.

The bid will be managed by Vineet Vijh, Director of community organisation Viva Slough, who has been leading wider efforts to promote culture, wellbeing and skills development across the town.

Vineet Vijh told us: “Slough doesn’t need reinvention, but it does need recognition. We are digitally connected, globally diverse and full of creative energy. Town of Culture gives us the chance to turn those strengths into pride, opportunity and long-term change.”

Get Involved

The bid team is launching a month of intensive community consultation to ensure the final proposal is truly “built by Slough, for Slough”. This will include:

Town Hall Meetings – open forums for residents to share their ‘Untold Slough’ stories

Youth Summits – sessions in schools, colleges and youth centres throughout February and March

Public Webinar (3 March) – an open invitation for anyone interested in, or curious about, the bid

Small Business Briefing (24 February) – delivered in collaboration with the Federation of Small Businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and developers to align their projects with the 2028 vision

Developer Forum (23 February) – discussions with property developers interested in investment and development in Slough

Early responses from residents, local arts organisations and businesses have been positive.

Toby Kress, Chief Executive of Plus X Innovation, said the bid reflected wider changes in how places like Slough are viewed.

“Slough is already a powerhouse of innovation and talent. Town of Culture 2028 is an opportunity to connect that innovation to creativity and community, and to put Slough firmly on the national and international map.”

Gozan John, a 17-year-old A-level student at St Bernards school, said she welcomed the opportunity for young people to be directly involved in shaping the bid.

“So often decisions about places are made without young people being properly involved. What’s exciting about this bid is that our voices are being taken seriously from the start. Slough is full of young talent and ideas, and this feels like a real chance to for them to help shape the town we want to grow up in.”

Seema Kamboj, Director of arts organisation Apna Virsa (Our Heritage), which has been running for over 17 years and works with more than 5,000 Slough residents, said:

“Slough has always been rich in talent, ambition and diversity. What’s been missing is the platform to tell that story on our own terms. This bid is about unlocking the creativity of our different communities, young and old, and showing the country what modern Britain really looks like.”

The bid has the full support of Slough Borough Council, local MP Tan Dhesi, and Council Leader Dexter Smith, all of whom will actively support the campaign.

The UK Town of Culture competition is run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The winning town will receive £3 million in funding and hold the title for one year, though organisers stress that bids are assessed on long-term impact rather than the scale of individual events.

Slough is competing in the large town category. The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is 31 March 2026.

https://vivaslough.org

Young Generation Art Award 2026 Ceremony

The Young Generation Art Award was initiated by Degussa in cooperation with the art magazine Monopol in 2024 and presented for the first time in 2025. 

The award was presented to the first winner during a solo exhibition at the international art exhibition Frieze 2025 in London.

The prize supports aspiring artists at the beginning of their careers.

In the second year of the award, five artists were selected for the shortlist exhibition from a pool of around 400 candidates. 

Of these five, the panel of experts, comprising Elke Buhr, Yilmaz Dziewior and Maya Heckelmann, chose artist Ken Nwadiogbu to receive this year’s Young Generation Art Award 2026.

The award ceremony was held in the Hotel de Rome in Berlin on 19 February 2026. Christian Rauch, CEO of Degussa, presented the prize to the London-based Nigerian artist Ken Nwadiogbu.

The experts highlight the following in their reasoning: Ken Nwadiogbu’s art is technically virtuositic, exceptionally evocative and multifaceted. 

He masterfully combines elaborate, hyperrealistic figuration with expressive, abstract backgrounds to take his place in artistic modernity in complex style. 

He honours the members of the Black community and lets them shine in his bright yellow portraits based on photographs taken of people around him.

"Ken Nwadiogbu seamlessly blends technical sophistication, emotional depth and social relevance in a way that deeply moves us all," Christian Rauch told That's Books and More.

The winner receives €10,000 in prize money, an individual exhibition at Frieze London 2026 and a one-year travelling exhibition that will be shown at a number of international locations. The other finalists receive an exhibition fee of €3,000.

Judges: Elke Buhr (Editor-in-chief of Monopol), Yilmaz Dziewior (Director of Museum Ludwig in Cologne), Maya Heckelmann (Art and culture sponsoring at Degussa).

degussa.com

That's Food and Drink: The Beefy Boys Fire Up Summer 2026 With New Book '...

That's Food and Drink: The Beefy Boys Fire Up Summer 2026 With New Book '...: The Beefy Boys have announced they are to release their second cookbook this summer. The Beefy Boys' Great British BBQ will be released ...

Legacy Youth Zone, Croydon Appoints DJ Semtex as Music Ambassador

Legacy Youth Zone Croydon is proud to announce the appointment of renowned broadcaster, DJ, and music tastemaker DJ Semtex as its official Music Ambassador, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent in Croydon and beyond.

As Music Ambassador, DJ Semtex will support Legacy Youth Zone’s growing creative and music programmes, helping to inspire young people through mentorship, industry insight, and advocacy. 

His involvement marks a significant milestone for the Youth Zone, which has become a vibrant hub for emerging artists, producers, lyricists, and songwriters.

DJ Semtex brings decades of experience at the forefront of British music culture, having played a pivotal role in championing UK talent on both national and international stages. His passion for youth development and authentic creative expression aligns strongly with Legacy Youth Zone’s mission to provide young people with access to opportunities, resources, and safe spaces to explore their potential.

Legacy Youth Zone has been supported by funding from Sony Music UK’s award-winning Social Justice Fund, an extension of Sony Music Group’s $100m global initiative whose mission is to tackle injustice and racism by empowering organisations that drive social change. DJ Semtex is also a founding member of the UK Social Justice Fund.

Speaking on his new role, DJ Semtex told That's Books and More: "The Legacy Youth Zone is an amazing home to Croydon's emerging artist community. It is truly inspiring to see the next generation of lyricists, songwriters, and producers working together to create genre-defining music.

"It's important we give these young creatives the necessary support, guidance, and direction that they deserve. All of these artists have the potential to be the next Dave, Raye, or Olivia Dean, British artists who have an immense global impact."

Legacy Youth Zone offers state-of-the-art creative facilities, including music studios and performance spaces, designed to empower young people aged 8-19 or up to 25 with additional needs to develop their skills and confidence. The appointment of DJ Semtex further strengthens the Youth Zone’s ambition to bridge the gap between grassroots talent and the creative industries.

Myke Catterall, CEO of Legacy Youth Zone, added: “We are obviously incredibly excited to have someone with such a unique insight into the music industry. 

"Since we first began working with DJ Semtex in November, he has been a passionate champion of our young people, offering mentorship, radio support, and always making himself approachable and available. We’re really looking forward to what this partnership will bring over the coming years.”

This partnership signals an exciting new chapter for Legacy Youth Zone as it continues to champion creativity, inclusion, and opportunity for young people.

https://legacyyouthzone.org

London-based film company MSC has formally labelled its films as “No AI Used” at this year's EFM

Expanding on A24s initiative on Heretic a British Film Company MSC has publicly certified it’s films as “No AI Used,” adds to calls for Global Standard at EFM.

A London-based film company MSC has formally label its films as “No AI Used” at this years EFM, launching a new initiative that challenges the film industry to draw a clear line between human authorship and machine-generated content.

At this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, The Mise En Scene Company (MSC) unveiled the label across its entire market slate marking the first time any sales company, distributor, or studio has publicly certified that AI was not used at any stage of development or production.

The initiative is being launched in one of the most visible locations at the market: two large billboards in Potsdamer Platz advertising MSC’s lead titles, Forelock (starring David Krumholtz) and Billy Knight (starring Al Pacino & Charlie Heaton). Both prominently display the “No AI Used” label.

According to MSC, the goal is not to oppose technology, but to protect human authorship as a cultural and economic category at a moment when AI-generated content is flooding creative industries.

“We’re entering a tectonic shift,” the company’s CEO Paul Yates told That's Books and More. 

“Human artistry is about to become more valuable and more vulnerable than ever. If we don’t define it, label it, and protect it, it will simply disappear into the noise.”

The company says the initiative was inspired by UK filmmaker and digital rights advocate Baroness Beeban Kidron, as well as the Human Artistry ‘Stealing Isn’t Innovation’ campaign, both of which have criticised government approaches to copyright and AI training.

MSC is now calling on all film companies, festivals, and governments to work toward a centralised, internationally recognised certification system for human-made cultural works, similar to organic food or fair-trade labelling, so audiences can know when what they are watching was made without generative AI.

“The dominant AI narrative is about speed and cost, half the time, half the price,” the CEO said. “That logic turns art into churn. Film has to define itself as the opposite of that, or it loses its soul and its economic power.”

However, the company makes it clear that it is not anti-AI.

“We support AI as a tool,” the CEO added. “But we believe it’s essential to clearly distinguish AI-generated material from human expression. 

"Without clear labelling and standards, we risk being overwhelmed by a flood of synthetic culture. A24 was right to add it into the credits but we believe we need to take this idea further.”

Dr Alessandro Spano, Legal Expert in Ciber Law, AI and Innovation, King’s College London & CityUHK commented on the move stating: “The relationship between human intelligence and artifical intelligence in the creative industries reminds me of the Schrödinger's cat story. It really is a paradox. Is the cat dead or alive? It is both. It is a measurement problem.

Is human intelligence in the creative sector dead or alive? It is both. It is another paradox. It is another measurement problem. With the 'No AI Used' initiative, Paul Yates’ The Mise en Scène Company is pioneering this debate.”

MSC has begun discussions with other international partners about expanding the label beyond film into publishing, music, and visual art.

www.miseenscenecompany.com

Want to Know How? Ask Karen!

World-renowned spiritual teacher and healer Karen Ruimy offers a soulful guide to romantic love, healing, and inner transformation

Internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher, healer and performer Karen Ruimy announces the release of her new book, Ask Karen the Series, a powerful companion for anyone navigating the mysteries of romantic love, soulmates, twin flames, and spiritual partnership.

Drawing on years of deep spiritual work and thousands of heartfelt questions from her weekly Instagram Lives, spiritual guide Karen Ruimy reframes romantic love not as a distraction or indulgence, but as one of the most sacred and transformational experiences available to us in this lifetime.

“Romantic love can elevate us, crack us open, and mirror our deepest wounds,” says Karen. “It is here to awaken us. Love is a sacred mirror, revealing not only our current energetic vibration but the deeper desires of our own soul path.”

Love as a Sacred Mirror

Ask Karen - the Series invites readers to see romantic love as a soul call - a profound yearning not simply for “the other,” but for a return to wholeness within themselves.

Within the book Karen explores how love exposes our ego patterns, fears, and standards, illuminates where we still seek external validation or rescue and encourages us to reclaim our power through self-love and inner healing.

While many of us pour our longing into the search for a partner, Karen offers a radical reframe: true fulfilment does not come from being chosen, but from choosing yourself - again and again.

“Love is sacred, union is a mirror, and being seen in your wholeness by another is one of the most beautiful, brave human experiences we will ever know,” Karen writes. “But it must begin within.”

Redesigning the Matrix of Love

The book gently guides readers to “rewire the matrix” of their romantic life through deep, reflective inquiry. Karen invites readers to ask:

- Who am I when I’m not trying to be loved?

- What is my soul guiding me towards?

- What does my inner child still long to hear?

- Where do I ache for my own tenderness?

- What am I still waiting for someone else to fix or fill?

These questions, she explains, are not quick fixes, but lifelong gateways into authentic self-connection. When we commit to our own healing and say yes to self-love, life begins to meet us with partners, mirrors, and soul companions who honour who we truly are.

A Soul Space, Not Just a Book

Born from countless real-life questions - “How do I find love? How do I trust it? How do I heal when it ends? How do I know if someone is “the one”?” Ask Karen: The Series is both a response and a refuge.

Karen describes the book as “a conversation with you - a safe space, a soul space.”

She speaks not as a distant guru, but as a teacher and friend who has walked the path of love, loss, and transformation herself.Within its pages, readers will explore heartbreak and soulmates, twin flames and divine timing, energetic communication, karmic ties, what it means to be in a true spiritual partnership and the deeper purpose of romantic love.

At its core, the book carries one central message: Love is not a distraction from your spiritual path - love is the spiritual path.

To receive your copy of Ask Karen you can purchase now for £8.99.

https://karenruimy.com

Finding Good Independent Bookshops: Why They Matter and How to Discover Them

There’s something quietly magical about stepping into an independent bookshop. The scent of paper and ink. The handwritten recommendation cards. 

The sense that every title has been chosen with care, not just shipped in bulk.

For That’s Books and More, let’s explore why independent bookshops deserve our support – and how to find the very best ones.

Why Independent Bookshops Still Matter

In an age of algorithms and one-click ordering, independent bookshops offer something refreshingly human.

1. Curated, Not Calculated

Unlike large online retailers, indie bookshops are built around taste, knowledge and passion. Staff recommendations aren’t based on browsing history – they’re based on genuine enthusiasm and years of reading.

2. Community Hubs

Many independents host author events, reading groups, children’s story sessions and local launches. From talks at Daunt Books to community evenings at Mr B’s Emporium, these spaces foster real connections between readers and writers.

https://dauntbooks.co.uk

https://mrbsemporium.com

3. Championing New and Local Voices

Independent bookshops are far more likely to spotlight small presses, debut authors and regional writers. If you want to discover something beyond the bestseller charts, this is where to look.

How to Find a Great Independent Bookshop

Use National Directories

In the UK, The Booksellers Association runs the Bookshop.org platform, which helps readers support independent shops with online purchases. Meanwhile, Independent Bookshop Week celebrates and promotes indie bookshops nationwide each year.

Explore Your Local High Street

Some of the best bookshops aren’t flashy – they’re tucked between a bakery and a charity shop. Look for:

Staff recommendation shelves

Well-organised but personality-filled displays

Local interest sections

Noticeboards packed with community events

Follow Bookshops on Social Media

Many independents are brilliant at sharing reading lists, event announcements and staff picks online. It’s an easy way to see whether their style suits yours before visiting.

Travel for the Experience

If you’re visiting another town or city, seek out its best indie bookshop. Shops such as The Grove Bookshop in Devon or Barter Books in Northumberland are destinations in their own right.

What Makes an Independent Bookshop “Good”?

A truly good independent bookshop often has:

Knowledgeable, approachable staff

Carefully chosen stock rather than overwhelming quantity

Comfortable browsing space

Events and reader engagement

A sense of identity

Some specialise in crime fiction. Others focus on travel, art, children’s literature or second-hand treasures. The key is authenticity.

The Joy of the Unexpected Find

Online shopping is efficient. Independent bookshops are serendipitous.

You might walk in looking for one title and leave with three you never knew you needed. That unexpected discovery – a novel you’ve never heard of, a forgotten classic, a local history gem – is part of the experience.

And when a bookseller presses a title into your hands and says, “Trust me,” you often end up discovering your next favourite author.

Why Supporting Independent Bookshops Matters

Buying from an independent shop keeps money circulating locally. It supports high streets. It helps preserve cultural spaces in our towns and cities.

In a world that often feels increasingly digital and distant, independent bookshops remind us that reading is still a shared, human experience.

So next time you’re looking for your next read, skip the algorithm. Step inside an independent bookshop instead.

You might just find more than a book.

More Steam Trains at Chester Station

This time it is the preserved steam hauled train The Irish Mail.

Again I recorded the video whilst waiting for a connecting Transport For Wales Train from Chester to the West Midlands, having just alighted from a Merseyrail metro train on platform 7, which is the only platform at Chester with an electric line, being a third rail powered line. 

A Steam Train in Chester

During my commutes to and from Liverpool to the West Midlands I use a slightly convoluted, but shorter, train journey which involves travelling via Chester and then using the Metro to Liverpool which is Liverpool's very own underground railway service which goes under the River Mersey and direct in the heart of Liverpool's iconic city centre.

There's often a fairly lengthy wait at Chester for a connecting service to the West Midlands. However, there's often a good deal of steam trains passing through Chester station and I have made videos of those steam trains.

I was watching a steam train video on YouTube the other day when I thought: "Wait a minute! I have a number of steam train videos that I recorded at Chester station. And as I also have a YouTube channel, why not upload those videos to my channel?"

And this is what I have started to do from today onward. I hope you enjoy this short example of British steam train nostalgia. 

Not Quite Done with Dating: Latest book from Bella Osborne

The protagonist of Not Quite Done With Dating is Nora. To be honest, Nora's dating life, of late, has been hit and miss. But more miss than anything else.

Nora realises that leaving her dating life up to chance or fate, as she has done so ar, simply hasn't been working out for her.

However, Nora has one more trick up her sleeve that most of us don't have. Because Nora is a statistician. 

Her gut feelings might have let her down but have numbers ever let her down? No! You always know where you are with numbers.

So Nora designs a unique mathematical formula to help her play the dating game. But this time she intends to use math and numbers to conquer the quest to find romantic love in her life!

Putting her love theory to the test takes Nora to some decidedly odd places that are populated with some decidedly odd men.

But she's not going to accept defeat. After all, she knows that her one, special man must be out there, somewhere. But maybe that one, special man is closer to her than she realises?

What do readers say?

"I love Bella Osborne’s books and this one is no exception! Not Quite Done With Dating is a smart, funny rom-com that kept me turning the pages. I loved the mix of humour and heart — especially the idea of trying to logic your way to finding love. The characters are delightful, the writing is beautiful, and the humour genuinely made me smile. 5 sparkling stars for this gorgeous read!"

"So many laugh out loud moments, along with adorable characters and a story that keeps you on the toes as Nora backtracks through her catalogue of boyfriends. The sort of book where you want to be friends with many of the characters and others give them a good shake. The perfect heartwarming read you didn't know you needed."

It's available in paperback at £9.49 or Kindle at £3.99 on Amazon and you can order it here:- 

https://amzn.to/3OtMmqH

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo- Performance Details Announced & Ticket Sales Now Open!

Cast, and Ticket Information Revealed for New Immersive Sailor Moon Theater Opening in Tokyo in April 2026.

The cast lineup and ticket details have been officially announced for the highly anticipated new Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon theater production, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo, japan” set to open in April 2026 at Club eX, Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo.

This new theater experience continues the legacy of the beloved theater restaurant “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – SHINING MOON TOKYO,” which operated in Azabu-Juban in 2019 and attracted significant attention from fans. 

Reimagined as a next-generation entertainment space, the Shinagawa theater offers audiences a deeper and more immersive encounter with the world of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon through original stories and stage direction created exclusively for this venue.

The show and greeting performances will feature a double-cast system divided into Team Gold Moon and Team Silver Moon.

In addition, the production introduces an original enemy character, Queen Valsia, created specifically for this theatre. With bespoke stage direction, music, and costumes, the cast will bring to life an entirely new musical experience unique to this production.

Original Drinks & Sweets

Guests can enhance their theater experience with exclusive menu items available for pre-purchase through the official online ticketing system. These include the “Crystal Bottle Drink,” designed to be enjoyed while watching the performance, and the “Luna Cut-Out Baumkuchen (Plain),” featuring original artwork of Luna.

The Crystal Bottle Drink lineup includes flavors and colors inspired by the ten Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask. Limited-edition drinks themed after the Sailor Starlights will also be available during each character’s birthday period.

Inside the theater, guests may order alcoholic beverages such as the “Shining Cocktail,” inspired by Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

Please check the official website for important notes and details.

Ticket Information

Tickets will be sold through the official online platform, where both domestic and international audiences can select seats.

General On-sale: February 8, 2026

All ticket sales operate on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once inventory is sold out.

Ticket sales will be released in phases, each covering four months of performances. Phase 1 includes shows from April through July 2026. Details for later phases will be announced via official websites.

Performance Details

Title:　Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo-

Opening:　April 4, 2026

Venue:　Club eX, Shinagawa Prince Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)

Original Work:　Naoko Takeuchi (Published by Kodansha)

Composition & Direction:　Go Ueki

Script:　Shinjiro Kameda

Visual Art & Theatre Design:　Wataru Linda Igarashi

Ticket Prices (tax included):

Premium Seat / Premium Seat (Sofa): ¥18,000

Class S Seat: ¥13,000

Class A Seat: ¥8,000

Class A Seat (Ages 4–12): ¥4,000

BOX Room: ¥32,000

Cast details are available on the official website.

Official Channels:

Website　https://prettyguardiansailormoon-stst.com

X　https://x.com/sailormoon_STST

Instagram　https://www.instagram.com/sailormoon_stst/

Official Hashtags:

#prettyguardiansailormoonshiningtheater #shiningtheater

#美少女戦士セーラームーン #シャイニングシアター

© Naoko Takeuchi

© Naoko Takeuchi,PNP/“Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo” project

Celebrating International Book Giving Day

Because stories and ideas are meant to be shared.

International Book Giving Day, marked each year on 14 February, is a gentle reminder that books are one of the most meaningful gifts we can give. 

Whether it’s a brand-new picture book, a much-loved paperback, or a surprise novel slipped onto a friend’s doorstep, the day is all about spreading the joy of reading – without pressure, price tags, or pretence.

Why book giving matters

A book can educate, comfort, distract, inspire, or simply offer a few quiet minutes away from the world. For children especially, receiving a book can spark a lifelong love of reading. For adults, it can feel like being truly seen – “I thought you’d like this.”

International Book Giving Day encourages us to think beyond ourselves and remember that not everyone has easy access to books at home.

Simple ways to take part

You don’t need to do anything elaborate. Small gestures are very much the point:

Gift a book to a child – a new title or a gently used favourite

Donate books to schools, libraries, food banks, or charities such as Book Aid International https://bookaid.org

Leave a book somewhere public with a note inviting someone to enjoy it

Post a book to a friend “just because”

Share a recommendation on social media and encourage others to do the same

Even one book can make a difference.

A lovely excuse to talk about reading

For book lovers, the day is also a chance to celebrate stories and ideas themselves. It’s a great prompt to revisit childhood favourites, support local bookshops, or finally pass on that novel you couldn’t stop talking about.

At That’s Books and More, we love anything that puts books into more hands and more homes. International Book Giving Day isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about kindness, connection, and the quiet magic of a good read finding the right reader.

So if you’re looking for a thoughtful way to mark the day, skip the chocolates and share a story instead. 

New Book, Leading in Chaos, Calls for a Fundamental Revisioning of Leadership

LID Publishing has announced the publication of Leading in Chaos: A Clarion Call to a New Future From Two Pioneers in Leadership Development and Transformational Change – award-winning author Nicholas Janni and leadership development expert Amy Elizabeth Fox. The book will be published on 19 February 2026 (UK) and 7 April 2026 (US).

As leaders face an era defined by polycrisis, institutional fragility, and sustained uncertainty, Leading in Chaos argues today’s conditions demand not better tools or frameworks, not best practice, but next practice - a fundamentally different inner operating system for leadership, grounded in deeper forms of human intelligence. 

Rather than offering another methodology to master, Leading in Chaos reframes leadership itself as an embodied, developmental practice.

The book invites leaders, consultants, and changemakers to cultivate inner capacities that cannot be faked - such as receptivity, humility, and the ability to navigate paradox - so they can act with clarity and integrity amid ongoing disruption. Because, in their words, “chaos is the new black” – not a temporary situation.

Michael Watkins, Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change at IMD Business School, told That's Books and More: says: “In Leading in Chaos, ancient wisdom traditions speak to quarterly earnings. Trauma healing becomes organisational strategy. The body’s intelligence supersedes the mind’s calculations. Prayer and spreadsheets coexist. This isn’t New Age wishful thinking but a rigorous argument that unless we reunite body and mind, heart and strategy, sacred and secular, we will continue to create the conditions that threaten our species’ survival.”

Nicholas Janni and Amy Elizabeth Fox, said: “We wrote this book for leaders who find themselves operating without stable points of reference, in conditions that are increasingly volatile and destabilising. Leading in Chaos asks leaders to shift from driving harder to listening more deeply, from control to coherence, and from speed to presence—so that more profound forms of knowing can come online.”

Written as a collection of interlinked essays, Leading in Chaos draws on the authors’ combined decades of work with CEOs and senior leadership teams in global organisations. The book explores themes including sense-making in complex systems, embodied leadership, trauma-informed development, and helping leaders to become more effective through prolonged uncertainty.

Nicholas Janni has spent over 25 years advising CEOs and senior leadership teams worldwide and teaching at leading business schools. Leading in Chaos follows Janni’s previous book, Leader as Healer, which won UK Business Book of the Year in 2023.

Amy Elizabeth Fox, MA, has spent over two decades facilitating transformational leadership programmes in Fortune 500 companies and professional service firms. She is Co-founder and CEO of Mobius Executive Leadership.

www.leadinginchaosbook.com