Greetings dear reader, and welcome to autumn. Diary would say that we had a good run with summer, but that would be a lie. As this is Britain, the weather was sporadically hot and then a damp squib for the rest of the season.
Diary writes to you today with pumpkin spice latte in hand and joy in their heart at the fact there are only 17 Fridays left until Christmas.
Luckily for everyone, that means there are many more Diary columns to enjoy before the yuletide. This statement was met with a heavy sigh by one colleague whilst another started crying hysterically, which was a rather odd response to the good news.
Charity alcohol
Two of Diary’s favourite things, charity and alcohol, have joined forces after the North British Distillery announced a limited-edition whiskey with proceeds going to charity.
Three Scottish charities will benefit from the sales of the whiskey: Big Hearts, Scottish Autism and Four Square.
The whiskey has been distilled for 60 years and only 60 bottles are available. The distillery aims to raise £60,000 for each of the three charities it is supporting.
At a price point of £3,000 plus VAT for one bottle, this shouldn’t be too diificult, Diary would think.
However, this does significantly lessen Diary’s chance of being able to attain one.
Without coming across as too desperate, Diary would like to vouch that they are very good at sampling alcohol, just ask the landlord who runs the pub round the corner in Clapham.
Tube Station Sashay
London Transport Museum is hosting a late-night event for students and London newcomers on 6 October where attendees can dress as their favourite tube station.
The possibilities for this fancy dress are endless. Angel provides an easy costume, as does Paddington if you have a marmalade sandwich handy.
This columnist would dress as Barking as an excuse to go into disguise and bark at passersby for their own amusement.
Diary is not sure if this is how the charity intended occupants to make new friends, but the best costume receives a prize, so it's every man (or dog) for themselves.
Boy climbs three peaks for charity
ITV News reported that a young boy climbed three of the UK's highest peaks before his 10th birthday to raise money for the North Air Ambulance Service last week.
After falling ill during a camping trip with his father, Will Garratt was airlifted to safety by the charity and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. This experience inspired him to raise money for the charity.
To raise awareness and funds, the boy and his father climbed Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis. Will has raised more than £1,800 from his challenge and the prime minister sent him a letter that acknowledged his fundraising.
Diary applauds Will's fundraising and climbing ability, albeit a little jealously, as someone who struggles to conquer a flight of stairs without panting.
(It is doubtful that anyone would sponsor Diary for walking up three flights of stairs, but stranger things have happened. It could go towards the whiskey fund.)
Beaver joins England FC
And finally, some football news for all you fans on transfer deadline day.
National Trust announced a new addition to its beaver kits in Somerset today – Earps, named after the Lionesses’ penalty-saving goalkeeper to celebrate the team reaching the World Cup final.
Earps joins fellow footy-named beavers Russo, Toone and Rashford.
In positive nature news this month, the newest addition to the beaver kits at Holnicote is thriving. Earps, named after England goalie Mary Earps to celebrate the Lionesses making it to the World Cup final, joins siblings Russo, Toone and Rashford - a team of eco-engineers. pic.twitter.com/dMAqwR8aqo
— National Trust (@nationaltrust) August 31, 2023
