Bitesize Blighty: December 8, 2017
- The UK’s six months of agonising Brexit negotiations ended with Theresa May's breakthrough today - an agreement on the Irish border, the rights of UK and EU citizens, and the UK’s financial liabilities - but the devil is in the detail. The “celebration could be short-lived, as the agreement she signed up to contains political booby traps down the line,” according to Bloomberg. The PM and Brexit Secretary David Davis jetted to Brussels on Friday for breakfast with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, with UK-EU trade talks will begin in mid-December.
- In other news, Coventry has been chosen as the UK's City of Culture for 2021, beating other culturally reknownedcities such as Swansea, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent and Jonathan’s very own. Sunderland (he’s distraught). The bid team said their plans were "about changing the reputation of a city," as well as hosting a year of cultural celebration. The title is awarded every four years and Coventry will hope to emulate the success of Hull, which is UK City of Culture this year. Hull has also seen more than £1bn of investment since being chosen to hold the 2017 title four years ago, and the year's artistic programme has been a hit with both residents and critics.
- Care home residents in Wales have been decorating their Zimmer frames, with help from local schoolchildren. The Pimp My Zimmer project aims to reduce falls after a care home matron noticed people with dementia sometimes find it hard to recognise their own frame. One care home claims the project has reduced falls by up to 60%.
