NEWS
STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP P
DOING IT FOR DAD
Driving a 1982 Ford Cortina from the UK to Italy sounds daunting, so well done
twins Richard and Christopher Barker, who’ve just completed the journey in honour
of their late dad. The boys’ father, Roy, lost his battle with cancer in 2014,
aged 67, and they wanted to do something special to pay their
respects. Spotting his beloved Ford gathering dust in the garage,
they came up with the idea of restoring it for the 1,000-mile
trip from their home in Castleford, Yorkshire, to Cortina
d’Ampezzo. In doing so, they raised £5,000 for the
Yorkshire Cancer Centre at St James’s Hospital in Leeds,
where their dad was treated. Said Richard, “It has been
absolutely amazing. We’ve had loads of attention, got
donations along the way and some met fabulous people.”10 ITALIA! November 2016HOLIDAYS FOR THE HOMELESS
The Pope has been treating homeless people in Rome to a day at the
seaside. Drawing on Vatican funds, the pontiff instructed his
offi cials to drive groups of impoverished people to a beach
near Fregene, around 20 miles west of the capital. While
there, they were provided with towels and swimming
costumes, and fed at a local pizzeria. Said the
Pope’s alms-giver-in-chief, Konrad Krajewski,
“These are moments that remain in their memory- they have the chance to feel like everyone
else.” Around 100 homeless people have
been taken on the trips so far, with more
expected to follow in the future.
CALL THE COOKS!
A group of policemen in Rome have become an internet
sensation after they cooked up some pasta for an
elderly couple in distress. The four offi cers responded
to hysterical cries coming from an apartment, to fi nd
the pair – who are aged 94 and 89 – deeply upset
after watching a harrowing news report, and suffering
from loneliness. So to cheer them up, the cops set
about rustling them up a spaghetti and parmesan
dish – and they found that it did the trick, with the
couple calming down as they tucked in. The story was
later posted on Facebook, receiving around 24,
shares and 66,000 likes, with one person commenting,
“Thank you to the sweet police offi cers who spent time
with this couple. This was a truly kind act.” An online
campaign has also been set up, encouraging people to
send the couple cards and letters of support.To cheer them up, the cops
set about rustling them up a
spaghetti and parmesan dish
LOVELY BUBBLY!
Having been made redundant from
her job with the housing association,
Janice Watson would have been
forgiven for sitting at home feeling
sorry for herself – but instead, she
decided to put some fi zz back into her
life by setting up a mobile prosecco
business! Janice, 52, from Cumbria,
says she was inspired to start the new venture, which she
calls ‘Prosecco Al Fresco’, after realising just how popular
the Italian sparkling wine is. “Go into any pub anywhere
and you’ll see someone with a bottle of prosecco,” she
observes. Acquiring an authentic Piaggio Ape van from
Italy, she set about customising it, installing special kegs
and two serving taps. And now she’s regularly seen at
festivals, business functions and parties, serving up her
blissful bubbles by the glass or bottle. “I’ve always worked
for other people and it’s a bit frightening working for
yourself,” she says, “but it’s also exciting!”spaghetti and parmesan dish
CALL THE COOKS!
Photograph © Maya StanovaCASH FOR CULTURE
One of the worst things about being a teenager is that you never have enough money. But
that’s about to change for Italian youngsters, thanks to a new government scheme that will
see €500 handed out to every teen celebrating their 18th birthday before 31 December 2016.
These ‘culture bonuses’ are part of a new initiative intended to encourage kids to appreciate
the country’s arts and history, and can be spent on books, cinema and concert tickets, museum
visits and entry to national parks. “[The initiative]
reminds [young people] how
important cultural consumption
is, both for enriching yourself as a
person and for strengthening the
fabric of our society,” parliamentary
under-secretary Tommaso
Nannicini, who’s overseeing
the initiative, told the
Corriere newspaper. It’s
believed that around
575,000 youngsters will
receive the handout –
which can be applied for
via the ‘18app’ – costing
the government in the
region of €290 million.IT144.News.sg4.indd 10 28/09/2016 14:22pm