Happy New Year 2026. I hope you manage to achieve all of the goals that you have set for 2026. Just as important though, I hope you have a happy year.
Apologies for taking so long to get this blog out but, as you might expect, I’ve been very busy at work.
Christmas And New Year
The delayed blog is partially due to the Christmas and New Year holidays of course but in addition to that I’ve been away for a three weeks holiday in Cambodia and Vietnam. Yes, I have been working extremely hard but we all need to take a holiday too. I’ve taken my late summer holiday in November/December. The weather was lovely and thankfully we weren’t affected by the typhoons. With temperatures ranging from 24C to 32C it was a bit of a shock when we landed back in the UK during winter though!
Illuminated Notre Dame Cathedral in Vietnam
It was lovely to see how much Christmas is celebrated in Vietnam and Cambodia. Predominantly Buddhist, both countries have really embraced the spirit (and decorations) of Christmas. I asked locals why this is the case and was informed that the Buddhists appreciate the idea of love, kindness and family gatherings surrounding the Christmas message. While Christianity accounts for less than 10% of the population the celebrations would make you feel otherwise!
The Notre Dame Cathedral is draped in a cloak of lights. Each light you see in the picture is an individual LED bulb! In the foreground ofthepicture you’ll see lots of motor scooters and motorbikes. It’s common to see 3 or 4 people on a scooter and just as common are the scooters with large trailers and huge loads attached. It really does seem like a different word to the one we are used thin the UK.
As planned we arrived back in the UK in time for me to do some local Christmas shopping. That is something I always try to do as I think it’s very important to support local businesses and charities.
Local Support For New Year 2026
I always appreciate local support for my businesses and in return I return the favour whenever I can. For those of you who know me, you’ll remember that I’m a Christmas lover. I decorated our artificial Christmas trees at the beginning of November (before going away on holiday). After arriving back in the UK on Saturday we planned a trip to Heighington Christmas Market on the Sunday. We didn’t have time for jet lag! Later in the week we made the trip to Doddington Hall for our real Christmas Trees.
I think it’s important to support as many local businesses as possible so our artificial trees were purchased from Pennells Garden Centre, real trees from Doddington Hall, additional tree decorations and lights from Pennells Garden Centre (plus a few Christmas presents). While on my travels I popped in to Horncastle Garden Centre for some Christmas presents as well as Horncastle for local gift shopping. On reflection, I’m pleased to say that I didn’t buy any gifts from the multi national stores. Even our food was purchased locally with the turkey being supplied by Simpsons butchers.
Shopping local #ShopLincsis my aim wherever possible. I hope this blog will inspire you to do the same. If you hadn’t considered it before, perhaps you can make your New Year 2026 resolution to support local traders.
Merry Christmas 2025 And Happy New Year 2026
Happy New Year 2026
Happy New Year 2026
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year 2026 from #LincsConnectand MandarinLeisure. Please do consider supporting local traders wherever possible. After all, we are here to serve you and always look forward to your custom.
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Best wishes to you all
Additional Blogs
That’s me! Back in the office and working hard for LincsConnect. Click on the picture to discover more about The Lincolnshire Blogger LincsBlogger
Mandarin Leisure Valentines Anniversary – Still Going Strong
Celebrating 34th anniversary on Valentines Day
Mandarin Leisure Valentines Anniversary – Still Going Strong…
Mandarin Leisure Valentines Anniversary – It hardly seems possible that Mandarin Leisurehas been going for so long! The 34th anniversary is on 14 February and it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown! I started working part-time in the World Gym while studying to become Lincolnshires’ first Personal Trainer. Later I added complementary therapies to my portfolio and the rest is history. Studying never stops of course as there is always something new to learn.
Initially teaching circuit training classes in village halls the business has grown to include Personal Training, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, back pain rehabilitation as well as the almost limitless possibilities with the complementary therapies. A few celebrity clients at the very start saw the business skyrocket from zero to a very healthy going concern.
Injury prevention and rehabilitation is a key element of the Mandarin Leisure success
It’s fair to say that helping people is in my genes. My father was awarded the BEM for helping people and my great grandfather was awarded the George Cross for bravery while helping people. My journey started out by helping people with their fitness and wellbeing but I soon discovered that with my healing abilities and vision I was able to help more people than I had ever imagined.
Mandarin Leisure – Introduces massage, aromatherapy, antenatal and postnatal bespoke mobil treatments.
Therapies
Mandarin Fitness (formerly QRS Fitness) added Mandarin Therapies and Mandarin Mothers to the list of businesses in a natural progression. Making people feel well is what I do best! The decision was made very early on to keep the business mobile so that the fitness, rehabilitation and therapies could be taken to the clients. It’s a business model that I’m pleased to say has served me well.
eVouchers
With postal charges increasing it has become more popular (and convenient) to order eVouchers and have them delivered straight to the intended recipient. It’s a fabulous gift and a lovely way to let people know how much you care about them and appreciate them. You can order your eVoucher now and have a special message included too.
*** From now until 14 February 2025 celebratory massage eVouchers are just £34.00 ***
If you fancy keeping fit and would like to try Nordic Walking why not join one of the weekly classes? Beginners are always welcome to join us and all abilities are catered for. Call 07966 174878 for more information
Mandarin Leisure Valentines Anniversary – A natural progression
First started in January 2011, the decision to officially launch a dedicated platform in November 2012 took the ‘helping people’ a stage further with the official launch of @LincsConnecton Twitter.
In order to prove its worth I created it anonymously to let people know the it is truly impartial. I helped and promoted all businesses in the Lincolnshire area including other Personal Trainers and therapists who may otherwise have viewed me as a rival business. My fear was that if they had known who was behind the account they might have viewed it differently.
A few years later I started a #LincsConnect networking group so naturally I couldn’t remain anonymous! The meetings went well and I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Emma at thePetwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa for having the faith in me and for supporting Lincs Connect in such a big way.
Due to personal illness I put the meetings on hold but intend to revive them again in the not too distant future.
Covid19
The Next Chapter
Covid19 needs no introductions! My exercise classes were obviously put on hold and my Personal Training sessions moved to online sessions. Having contracted the virus the day before lockdown I needed to find something to keep me occupied during the long hours of isolation.
The pandemic forced me into overcoming my fear of blogging. Having previously written articles and weekly editorials for local papers and glossy magazines, coupled with my love of writing, ‘blogging’ was born. I used my skills to help others throughout the pandemic by sign posting people to local activities, charities and businesses. The new venture went well and I’m pleased to say that my community blogging skills are improving and continuing to help people.
Physical networking was already on hold but I did attempt to create an online network with some success. My heart lies in ‘people’ though so the physical networking sessions are still my priority. My exercise sessions are no longer an option as I suffer with long-covid and breathing is still sometimes difficult. However, I have managed to continue with my Nordic Walking sessions with the support of my fantastic, loyal clients.
What’s Next?
The next chapter has already begun as LincsConnect continues to grow and thrive. Community blogging is here to stay and the physical networking sessions are planned to return in the near future. Online Personal Training continues as do the mobile therapies, injury rehabilitation sessions and Nordic Walking classes.
Happy Valentines Day to you all. You’re never alone as long as Mandarin Leisure and LincsConnect are here.
Additional Blogs By LincsConnect:
Valentines in Lincolnshire
Mandarin Therapies
Mobile complementary therapies covering Lincolnshire and beyond
J&S Plumbing & Heating
J&S Plumbing & Heating – Quality as standard
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