Ian Curwen

REVIEW: Rise, York

Is brunch still the new breakfast? It certainly remains the most Instagrammable meal of the day. Rise clearly understand this. They also recognise that a palette of pastels and pinks will only get you so far amongst the influencer crowd, if your menu doesn’t cut the mustard. It’s an all-day brunch venue that often hasContinue reading “REVIEW: Rise, York”

REVIEW: Fish and Forest, York

Last Saturday evening, we visited the somewhat similar sounding Fish and Forest restaurant on Micklegate. While the name is similar to Forage, this is where they end. Fish and Forest is a tiny, neighbourhood bistro. The exterior and interior are understated, and it is immediately clear that it is the food that’s going to doContinue reading “REVIEW: Fish and Forest, York”

REVIEW: Forage, York

When you arrive at Forage in York, down one of the many cobbled lanes in the city centre, you’re greeted by a striking floral gateway. From the entrance alone, you can tell it’s a restaurant that has been designed to appeal to a certain crowd. Thankfully for me, the Instagrammable entrance and woodland vibe inContinue reading “REVIEW: Forage, York”

Taking time to unplug

So, I’m home and back at work after Comms Unplugged. This was my third time attending this unique communications and wellbeing event. As always, in the run up to Comms Unplugged, I found it quite hard to describe. I tend to default to calling it a communications festival. But this definition doesn’t quite work and leads to peopleContinue reading “Taking time to unplug”

Pat

When Pat Graham retired from her role as Chief Executive Officer of Copeland Borough Council, through ill health, I wrote the following: It’s a sad day knowing that Pat Graham’s time at Copeland Council has come to an end. I’ve known Pat for her whole career in West Cumbria (well not her time working inContinue reading “Pat”

Five years

It’s five years since Tilly was born. Sadly that also means it is five years since we said goodbye. Five feels like something of a milestone – half a decade. It’s a significant chunk of time. In that time, so many things in our lives have changed. We’ve moved house, we’ve welcomed Oscar into ourContinue reading “Five years”

Goodbye Copeland

At midnight, after 49 years, Copeland Borough Council will cease to exist. In the grand scheme of things, it’s no age. But given a week is a long time in politics, it feels like a lifetime. It is a lifetime. I started my career at Copeland Borough Council, back in 2003. I was a graduateContinue reading “Goodbye Copeland”

Dear Teddy

Today is my 41st birthday. When you woke up, you ran through to me in the kitchen with my birthday card. It was a lovely one, featuring a dinosaur. You were very excited for me to open it, even though I am not really sure you knew what it was for! You were also excited byContinue reading “Dear Teddy”

Little things

Returning to work after Christmas can feel dark – literally and metaphorically. If you’re in an office job like mine, you’ve hopefully had an extended break from the office and the routine that goes with it. The fear, which starts when you realise you can’t remember your network password, what you were doing before the break,Continue reading “Little things”

Dining with a toddler

I am the father of a two year old. This isn’t a surprise to me. I was fully involved in the process and spend every day with my son. Yet, sometimes, when I go out for meal, I do find myself surprised. I am surprised that I haven’t fully considered Teddy’s needs nor ours, whenContinue reading “Dining with a toddler”