For Cordal woman Kay Griffin, this past year has represented the longest continuous time that she s been away from home and her family ever since she first moved away over 23 years ago.
Kay, who now lives on the island of Jersey on the Channel Islands, is facing into her first Christmas away from home since 2010, and she admitted to The Kerryman that it will be a tough one to get through. It s been a bit of a strange year to say the least and so, yeah, it s annoying that I won t be able to get home, but there s nothing that anyone can do about that I guess, said Kay last Thursday.
Advice for people with eating disorders, and their loved ones, this Christmas
Some people start to deny themselves food in the weeks leading up to Christmas, while others binge eat. By Órla Ryan Tuesday 22 Dec 2020, 6:30 PM Dec 22nd 2020, 6:30 PM 13,423 Views 0 Comments
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Indeed, 2020 has been a difficult period in general.
This year has had some parallels with the festive season – for many people it involved time off work, or working from home; being around family more; and a lack of structure.
The uncertainty and anxiety of the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on many people’s lives, particularly people who were already struggling with a mental health issue or eating disorder.
British war graves staff working in France and Belgium tending to the resting places of soldiers killed during both World Wars are reportedly facing a 50% pay cut due to Brexit.
The unsung heroes have expressed their outrage after they were told they must face a pay cut or return to the UK.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission emailed 32 staff, some of whom have looked after the war graves for over 35 years, to tell them about the cost-cutting measures.
The gardeners, stonemasons and staff tend to the graves of the soldiers across France and Belgium, including those of the Somme, Normandy, Dunkirk, Ypres and Passchendaele.
She said: “The CWGC staff are having to make life-changing decisions with just three weeks’ notice. They are proud of their jobs and having to choose between taking a huge pay cut, in some cases around a 50 percent drop, or return to the UK, just before Christmas in the middle of a pandemic, is disgraceful.
“My meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence, [was] productive. He agreed to look at whether certain financial allowances could be retained and for more advice around pensions.
“Ultimately I would like to see him put the brakes on these unnecessary changes, so will be continuing to support affected staff and the vital work they do.”
Updated: 14 Dec 2020, 7:26
HEROES who tend the graves of soldiers killed during both World Wars have been told to return to the UK or face a 50 per cent pay cut , it has been claimed.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have reportedly emailed 30 staff saying that Brexit means they either have to quit their lives in Europe or accept a lower pay packet.
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Staff who tend to war graves at sites such as the Somme have been told they must return to the UK or face a 50 per cent pay cut Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The gardeners, stonemasons, and staff look after cemeteries across France and Belgium, including those on the Somme, Ypres, Passchendale, Normandy and Dunkirk.