Hopezine’s Editor, Erica Crompton, goes fishing

I’ve found fishing to be a very soothing and calming activity. It helps me toconcentrate on the tranquil waters. Whether I’m sea fishing or fishing in alake, being near water and nature is always good for my mental health.I only tried fishing recently, on a trip with my boyfriend, but instantly lovedit!. We spent a […]

Pause for a moment says Olivia Walters

Something that soothes me is stopping for a moment. To take a break andnot allow things to move at a rushed pace all the time is one of the mostsoothing things you can do. Life can move very fast and feel uncontrollablea lot of the time, so whenever I feel like this, I take a […]

Georgina Parry’s blossoms

As a child, I lost somebody inmy family to suicide. This took atoll on me, and I lost myself tothe overbearing thoughts, I lostall hope. I’ve survived multipleexperiences, and this has given metime to find a place, in which helpssoothe me. I struggle sometimes,so routine is important to meand helps to keep me on my […]

Finance Services Manager Dawn Doyle finds her sense of calm

This is the image of where I go to ensure I am soothed. The noise of thebirds, especially seagulls, the crashing of the sea/waves, the smell of theseaside, walking on the beach, the breeze in my hair all soothe my mindwithin minutes. When I was a little girl, each weekend was spent in thefamily camper […]

Biography, a poem by MJ Golias

After Elizabeth Bishop’s Visits to St. Elizabeths  She was the house of Bedlam.  She was the woman.  She was—past—She was  the moment you realize there may be no God.  Facial expressions are faulty.  Roots grow in the throat  of that damaged woman. Voices  are not modest in one’s head,   ears, rib cage  that stifle shifting […]

Balmoral chicken

For a taste of Scotland try this Balmoral chicken recipe complete with haggis, courtesy of Delicious Magazine. And for the best Balmoral chicken head to Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels, an imposing Scottish baronial mansion, built in 1869 for the local textile mill owner, Adam Lees Cochrane. Ingredients: Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Cut […]

The Great Tapestry of Scotland

Gallery finds its forever home in Scottish Border, writes Erica Crompton Beginning with large, fabric squares depicting the glacial formation of mountains and glens more than 420m years ago, up to Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory of 2013. It’s said to be one of the longest tapestries in the world at 143 metres – that’s 70 […]

Fly me to the Moon

Our Editor, Erica Crompton, explores a new moon installation at Durham Cathedral This winter a trip to the ecclesiastical Durham Cathedral saw an art installation that is currently touring the UK. Luke Jerram’s artwork, Museum of the Moon, illuminated the high vaulted ceiling and colossal carved pillars of the Cathedral based in the North East. […]

Erica Crompton ‘How I bought a house’

How I bought a house with an income under £16k By Erica Crompton The sunset glows red. I’m sat on the end of my double bed. With a glass of Chianti, I look out over the lilac tree outside and across the bowling green and feel a tremendous sense of achievement as I take it […]

Happy New Year?

Emily Blain, Fintel’s HR Director, speaks of speaking up if you’re struggling I’m sure that, just like me, by the second week of January you’re sick to the back teeth of saying, and hearing, ‘Happy New Year’ in every single interaction! In addition to getting tedious quickly, the traditional new greeting is also not entirely […]