Cancelled Big Events

It is no exaggeration to say our lives were turned utterly upside down by the coronavirus pandemic. On a global scale, but also on a personal level. We woke up every morning with a sense of dread as to what terrifying developments the days held. And as more and more restrictions were imposed, it was almost impossible not to feel stings of fear as we saw the world we had once known descend into COVID induced chaos and confusion.

in March, Boris Johnson announced what once would have been unthinkable – that we must leave our homes only when essential. In those dark days it seemed the only thing that was certain was that events which used to simply be part of life, like birthday parties, sitting exams and just the basic act of being able to have a haircut, would not be going ahead. And we had no idea when, or if, life would ever be the same again.

Keyworker Kelly Tizzano faced a number of challenges during this time. Not only did she have to continue lessons virtually for her Boston College students during the global emergency, Kelly also assisted her son with his own home learning, helped relocate the hair salon she co-owns and coped with the disappointment of having to cancel a surprise birthday party she had organised for her lifelong friend.

Kelly, who is a Business Management Lecturer at Boston College, spent three months teaching her 80 students online in the unprecedented circumstances that we were all thrown into due to COVID.

And because the whole country was plunged into Lockdown, enjoying a Friday to Monday break at Centre Parcs, which was to double up as a meticulously planned surprise 40th birthday treat for her best friend Becky Lillie, was absolutely impossible.

‘We were supposed to go on April 3,’ Kelly explained. ‘Becky and I have been friends since we were three, and it was her 40th birthday on April 10. We were supposed to be going away on the last weekend of her 30s. Planning for it started in November, without her knowing, and there were supposed to be eight of us going in total. We were just going to have a girly giggle – a really good time. I’d even got her 40 little presents!

‘A couple of weeks before we were due to go away, we all realised it wasn’t going to go ahead. It was so disappointing. It’s also been impossible to rebook, because we have to find a date that suits us all – a new date will have to fit in around the hockey season, and everyone’s jobs, for example. The weekend in April was the only one we could all do!

‘Becky had already done the same thing for me in September, the month before my 40th birthday. We both love Center Parcs! It’s our special place, because when it first opened, I think when we were eight years old, our mums took us there.’

So much planning had gone into the girls’ three night getaway, especially as it was a complete surprise for Becky, but unfortunately, as with so many birthdays, breaks and big once in a lifetime events, it just was not to be.

It seems the saying that things happen in threes is certainly true for Kelly, because the hair salon which she co-owns, Salon Alchemy, moved to a new home during the pandemic – about a year earlier than planned.

The business had been based in Oldrids in the centre of Boston for a number of years, but as the time neared for hair salons to finally open their doors, the department store’s did not. Salon Alchemy had been planning to relocate to Boston Market Place – but not until April 2021 – so their staff and tradespeople pulled out all the stops to get it up and running in time.

Kelly said, ‘they took it from the shell that it was and totally transformed it. We were fully booked

for five weeks, back to back, because our clients hadn’t been able to get their hair cut during Lockdown. We had to be able to welcome them for their appointments.’

And in just a short space of time, thanks to working day and night, the new salon took shape, and since opening has been greeted by a great reception from clients and Boston businesses alike.

Once restrictions were eased, across the country many people were beyond grateful to finally get their hair cut. Some salons even started snipping at midnight on July 4, the date when they were allowed to reopen. Some saw socially distanced queues snaking down the street, with people desperate for a trim – we had been waiting were going to go to with – just myself, for months after all! Having a haircut became Peterborough for a my husband and very different to what it once was, however, with meal, and then to see a my two children. stylists and customers alike covering their faces, band called Red Method ‘Our cupboards protective equipment being the norm, and no more afterwards at The Met weren’t very magazines to flick through. Lounge. We’d got our well stocked,

Another big birthday celebration that didn’t go tickets, designated a because we had according to plan was Jo Wright’s 40th. Jo had driver, planned what we been trying not hoped that turning 40 would involve not one, but were going to wear and to go out to the two celebrations. The first was set to be a civilised where we were going shops and had meal with family at a local restaurant, followed, a to stand, and were all been eating few days later, by a raucous night out with friends really excited. what we already which was supposed to involve more food, much ‘A couple of weeks had in, so it was more alcohol, and a very heavy live rock band. Jo before my actual birthday, I could see that the really lovely to have a nice cake to enjoy. I think my also had her fingers crossed that she would be way things were going, there was no way any of family were getting fed up of eating canned fruit or gifted a nice new this would be happening. custard creams for pudding. necklace to mark So I wasn’t disappointed ‘Randomly, my uncle gave me a huge packet her special birthday I couldn’t mark my 40th of toilet rolls, which was also gratefully received when life supposedly birthday in the ways I because panic buying meant it was virtually begins. had planned, because it impossible to get hold of any.

Jo said, ‘my 40th came as no surprise to be ‘My neighbours gave me some thoughtful gifts birthday was on completely locked down. – left at our doorstep and also passed over our March 24, and I was ‘Luckily, I ran a half fence! Their kindness absolutely made my day. given a beautiful marathon on March 15, Friends I would have seen out and about preTiffany necklace. and my family and I had COVID took the time to ring me, which made me Unfortunately, the our tea out that evening feel really loved. only place I could to mark the fact that I ‘Of course, we couldn’t go out for a meal as wear it for the made it around in one planned, but we ordered fillet steak, which was next few months piece! We treated that as a massive treat – because my husband cooked it, was either to the my birthday meal, so even and also because I try to follow a mainly vegetarian supermarket or though I didn’t get to go diet, despite my love of steak, lasagne and fish! walking the dog. out on my birthday, I felt as ‘I had a virtual catch up on Zoom with some Not quite what I had though I had already had a of my friends a few days after my birthday. It felt planned! really lovely celebration. pretty surreal – the idea that we had to talk to each

‘I hadn’t organised ‘But I can honestly other via a computer screen because we literally a big party. My say that my Lockdown were not allowed to meet in real life. husband, children birthday was my favourite ‘I don’t think we will be able to see live bands any and I were just going ever. My best friend made time soon, so from that point of view I can’t really to go to our village n Jo with her 40th birthday cake me an amazing cake in the rearrange my birthday celebration. But it’s lovely pub for a meal with family on my actual birthday, shape of our dog Otis, and that lasted us for about to be able to eat out again, and I will never, ever and then on Friday, March 27, my friends and I a fortnight because there was no one to share it take being with my friends for granted.’

Advice Worth Hearing!

You probably have regular check-ups at the dentist and the opticians, but when did you last have your hearing

tested? It’s estimated that as many as 1 in 6 people in the UK have some degree of hearing loss, which equates to about 10 million people in the country.

Hearing loss usually occurs gradually & can be an inconvenience, can cause embarrassment, depression, isolation and has been linked to mental health issues. It can take between 10 & 15 years to come to terms with it. This is a shame, because the ability to hear sound is one of the most important senses, yet unlike vision & teeth it is often taken for granted. People often try to compensate for this by asking people to repeat themselves, turning the T.V up etc. It is often a friend or family member that notice beforehand. Sound Advice Hearing can help you hear better again and in turn, help improve your quality of life.

If I think I have a problem, how can you help?

We are a privately run local family business, with full time hearing centres located in Horncastle & Lincoln. We also hold day clinics at Kirton Medical Centre & Clark Family Eyecare in Donington. We are proud to have some of the most sophisticated testing equipment available and offer FREE hearing tests, and if preferred, full diagnostic hearing assessments in a sound proof environment. We can also provide hearing tests in the comfort of your own home if more appropriate.We provide independent and impartial advice and can provide a

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Our business model is based around good old fashioned values with free after- care which is second to none.

What other Services do you offer?

We also provide a comprehensive wax removal service through irrigation, micro suction & instrumentation. Wax removal is becoming more & more difficult to have administered through some GP surgeries and can sometimes involve frustrating & lengthy delays.

We also offer advice on Tinnitus Management & provide custom solutions for noise and hearing protection.

Are hearing aids big and clumsy?

These days, digital hearing aids can be very discreet & almost undetectable - but they’re still powerful enough to help with even the severest of hearing losses. Most people are amazed at the size & performance of modern hearing aids. They help you hear every day sounds and make it much easier to follow conversations.

Your confidence in talking to people should improve & everyday & social occasions will become less of a struggle. Some hearing aids also help reduce certain unwanted background noises & if you have tinnitus, you may find it disturbs you less when you wear a hearing aid. Some hearing aids can connect to telephones, mobile telephones, televisions, computers, IPads etc.

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What should I do next?

The most important thing to do is not ignore it! In most cases hearing deteriorates gradually & it often affects people around you more than yourself. Wearing a hearing aid can make a real difference to your quality of life & those around you.

It’s never too early to look after your hearing. Help yourself & those around you and book a free assessment with us now. It really can make a world of difference!

What makes you different from the competition?

We are a local family run business with many years of experience. We have access to all makes and models and can provide impartial advice accordingly. It’s our combination of an extensive range of products, experience, continuity, in depth testing, dedicated time and attention to detail that is a winner. If you spend time with someone to get their prescription and fitting correct, the quality of the final result will always be superior. We are a Hearing Care Company that is 100% dedicated and focused on hearing alone.

“These days, digital hearing aids can be very discreet & almost undetectable - but they’re still powerful enough to help with even the severest of hearing losses.”

Sound Advice Hearing, 7 Church Lane, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 5HW Horncastle Tel: 01507 524244 Lincoln Tel: 01522 686114 Day centres also at Kirton Medical Centre & Clark Family Eyecare, Donington www.soundadvicehearing.co.uk

How can I tell if I have a hearing problem?

Typical indicators include asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to hear in noisy environments, confusing words or misunderstanding what’s being said in conversation or having to turn the T.V up. If you can identify with any of these, then it is important to book your FREE hearing assessment with ourselves by calling one of the numbers above, and we can then assess whether you have any degree of hearing loss.