Here’s a riddle to start September.
What am I? I keep heads warm and toasty and am handy at weddings. I sometimes have bobbles and am made of sheep sheddings. I rhyme with cat, mat and rat. Top, bowler, woolly – I’m all that. And if you’ve not guessed what this week’s news is all about yet, then read on for the answer.
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Hat puns ready...
Knitting needles steady. Yes, it’s that time again. Time for you to dust off those needles to knit us some little hats and time for us to dust off the gems in the old hat pun cupboard. The Big Knit is back and this year it’s going to be even bigger (and woollier) than ever. Every year we ask people to knit woolly hats for our little bottles and for every behatted bottle sold in Boots and Sainsbury’s, 25p goes to Age UK to helping older people stay warm in winter. This year, we’re hoping to raise £200,000. So take a look at our shiny new website to find out how to get involved and we’ll start working on the hat jokes. |
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Parp parp. Next stop, Hat Town
As well as lots more hat related revelry over the next few months, our good old Hat of the Week competition is also back with vengeance. For those uninitiated in the contest, each week we’ll show you the two top hats and ask you to vote for your favourite. The winning hat will then be placed on the Plinth of Pride, the proud knitter will win a case of our finest drinks and all winning hats will go into the Grand Hat Off in November. Big well done this week to Suzy from Weymouth whose Pea Pod Purlfection is the first to claim the Hat of the Week title. If you reckon your knitting skills can knock the peas off their pedestal, get some inspiration on how to do that right here.
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Cast your vote
Okay so this story has nothing to do with wool, hats or knitting but it is about cows. Who are friends with sheep. Which means technically it counts. Sort of. Anyways, a few months ago, we asked for your help in naming Ed's cow. After some excellent suggestions, Farmer Ed has whittled down all the possible pet names to a shortlist of 5. So to give Ol’ Milky a proper identity, just click here and vote for your favourite. We’ll let you know the results next week so you’ll need to get a mooove on if you want to get your name campaign underway. |
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And finally...
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And finally, finally...
And if you’ve only time for a single click this week
 cast your eyes over this knittle beauty (thanks to Charlotte’s mum, Linda, for sending this brilliant link in.
What's the all about? Just click the birdy and it will let you re-tweet any of our 'and finally' links at the touch of a button. It's all about word of mouse these days.
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inside fruit towers
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Oli revealed that his painting once hung in the chapel of St James’ Palace, Knit Club kicked off, George admitted to suffering from chronic chilblains as a child, Lucie B ordered the biggest cheesecake ever, Olly T didn’t manage to flog his gold bimmer and Ben W put on a brave face (consisting mainly of blusher and green eyeshadow).
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twit bits...
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 Over 1,000 people joined our Wall of Peace yesterday. Big thanks to everyone who did or is just about to. peace1day
 @jcwilko The new @innocentdrinks peaches and raspberries smoothie is delicious and you get a free @PeaceOneDay badge! #PeaceDay
A little late to pick up on this but.. RT @LDN: Sign fail in Chiswick twitpic.com/2i9tn7 (via @SharonMatheson)
 @robyoung Mum is doing her bit for Help the Aged and @innocentdrinks Big Knit this year! twitpic.com/2ixoex
follow us on twitter here
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bob of the week
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In keeping with the woolly theme, this week’s Bob of the Week is Bob the TK, knitting mascot for online knitting community Ravelry.
Bob likes broccoli, balls and the dog park. Bob does not like things that fall, furry hoods or squirrels in his yard. Ditto birds. Fancy being our Bob of the Week? just email iambob@innocentdrinks.co.uk
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corner of the week
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This week’s corner of the week is Knit In corner. Okay, so it’s actually a table booth thing but it’s in the far north easterly corner of the office and there are people knitting round the four corners of the table so technically it counts.
If you fancy creating your very own knitting corner, there’s a handy pack that you can download here to do just that. There are patterns, invites and a hat-o-meter. All you need to do is send out the invites and pop the kettle on. Knit your own cosy corner right here.
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Knowledge. Office love. Free lunch.
It's all here in this week's news (along with fighting hats, deep fried beer and carpet beating laws). Get involved.
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Pot of the people
Back in May, the people voted with their (empty) bowls at our AGM and chose the delicious Bombay butternut squash curry with basmati rice, yoghurt and cumin as the taste of autumn (a.k.a our new seasonal veg pot recipe). It's in the shops right now, ready to warm you up and get you all excited about wearing your deerstalker again. And if you fancy impressing the boss and being the most popular person in your office, just fill in this little form and we'll come round and deliver our tasty veg pots to you and your workmates one lunchtime. For free. Office love never tasted so good. Sign up here. |
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A buzzy Saturday
On Saturday, our bee competition winner, Julian, went along to Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire to meet Tim the Beekeeper, see the Buy One Get One Bee hive that you helped pay for in action, wear the latest in apiarist fashion and enjoy the most excellent cream tea. Massive thanks to Tim, Neil and the catering staff at Hanbury Hall for laying on such a brilliant afternoon. There will be a little film of the day to follow (including Tim answering lots of your questions) but for now, see what the buzz was all about right here. |
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Wool fight
Hot on the heels of last week's pea hat, this week's Hat of the Week contenders are warming up for a full on bun fight. Colour co-ordinating his neck wear over in the red corner is Scarf Bear whilst limbering up in the blue corner is The Little Viking. Who will reign victorious as Hat King this week and who will be banished to the wool cupboard to weep tiny crocheted tears? You decide, right here, right now. |
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And finally...
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And finally, finally...
Only time for one click this week?
Deep fried it is
What's the all about? Just click the birdy and it will let you re-tweet any of our 'and finally' links at the touch of a button. It's all about word of mouse these days.
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inside fruit towers
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Glee Club nailed Circle of Life, Delia ordered her husband some deck shoes, Oli dressed up as a robot, Jenny M rocked the massive shoulder pad scooter jacket look, John learnt that adding butter at the end of scrambled eggs gives them a lovely sheen and a mass game of pat-a-cake took over the chillout.
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twit bits...
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 @Lottiotta Check out my huge box of hats, you lot. #bigknit twitpic.com/2lskrq @innocentdrinks 365hats.wordpress.com
Seriously impressed RT @Lottiotta Check out my huge box of hats @innocentdrinks twitpic.com/2lskrq
 Remember we've some Innocent recipe books to give away to the most unique #bigknit hat sent to us bit.ly/aJP4ev
@Lottiotta 169 visits to my blog, mostly thanks to @innocentdrinks.
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bob of the week
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This week's Bob of the Week is the Bright Orange Bus that links up Bath Spa University with Bath University. Beloved by students of all disciplines, this Bob (also known as the 418) can always be relied on for having loads of free newspapers.
Big thanks to Suzanne B for the nomination. Fancy being our Bob of the Week? just email iambob@innocentdrinks.co.uk
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corner of the week
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Shh. This week's Corner of the Week is Quiet Corner. No phones. No noisy Tinchy Stryder blasting out tinny headphones. No talking. No noise whatsoever. Just wonderful tranquil silence. Soak it up.
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Let us take you on a journey.
We’ll ride on a whale-with-wheels, take five in a magic cafe, see the world’s strongest man’s budgies and wave at an old man called Pete. It’s all here in this week’s news. Climb aboard.
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Come along to our cafe
Parp parp. This October we're going to be opening a little café in Shoreditch, East London for 7 days and we’d love you to come along. We’ve called it the innocent 5 for 5 cafe because from 1st – 8th October (closed Monday 4th), we’re aiming to serve 5,000 people their 5-a-day for a fiver. Which is 25,000 portions of fruit and veg (or one ridiculously busy greengrocer). For just £5, you can choose a 2 course lunch or dinner from a tasty menu which has been specially designed by our guest chef, Gizzi Erskine. There’s also a special kids menu and a handy takeaway hatch round the side where you can pick up a veg pot and smoothie if you've only time for lunch on-the-go. The 5 for 5 cafe is bookings only, so to bagsy yourself a seat or find out a bit more, just click here and we'll hopefully see you down the cafe |
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Dangle do nicely
Last week, the Little Viking whupped Scarf Bear in our Hat of the Week competition and this week, it’s the battle of best-hats-with-dangly-stuff. There have been a surprising array of potential contenders for this title, including a rasta hat (complete with knitted dreadlocks), an octopus and some seriously long tassles. However, the Hat Master (Oli) has spoken and this week Disco Anemone (sent in by Jennifer of Leicester) will take on The Beaded Beauty of Lincolnshire (knitted by Patricia). Tassle swinging ready, flicky diamante and girly slapping steady – vote for your favourite hat here. |
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Fairy tale whale
Remember the 80kg fibre glass killer whale that was going for a song on eBay? Well, you’ll be glad to know that after being kicked out of a Leeds nightclub and roaming various skips and back gardens of North Yorkshire, the whale formerly known as Willy has an excellent new home at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre in West Wales. The lucky bidder, Steve (who runs the centre) bought the whale along with his girlfriend, Sarah, to help raise awareness of the conservation work they do. "Large fibre glass mammal from the mean streets of Leeds rises to become the King of the Aberaeron Bank Holiday carnival" – it’s the stuff of Hollywood gold. Read the fairytale of the whale right here. |
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Pick of the pack (aging)
We’ve come up with some new ideas for the back of our orange juice cartons and we’d love to know what you think. It’s just 4 very quick pictures to look at and for your trouble, we’re giving away 10 boxes of our finest drinks to say thank you. Just click here to be very helpful indeed. |
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And finally...
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And finally, finally...
Only time for one click this week?
Wave to Peter .
What's the all about? Just click the birdy and it will let you re-tweet any of our 'and finally' links at the touch of a button. It's all about word of mouse these days.
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inside fruit towers
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The lack of tubes made some people late (and other people enjoy overly long breakfasts/lie ins), the inaugural meeting of Sushi Club took place, Helen’s dad stopped by for a visit, Tom O topped the ping pong ladder, the Philippa’s partook in some jam love and the bearded legend (known as Ted) left for pastures new.
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twit bits...
bob of the week
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This weeks Bob of the Week is Bob from Alcester who is also known as Robert, Robbie, Rob and Bobobobob.
He is an oracle of general knowledge and the best person to get a bus with according to Sara T. Fancy being our Bob of the Week? just email iambob@innocentdrinks.co.uk
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corner of the week
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Following the wild success of Quiet Corner last week, this week’s corner of the week is Peaceful Corner. Or Peace Corner in honour of international Peace Day on Tuesday 21st September. On Tuesday night there will be webcast of the Peace One Day concert that you can watch from the comfort of your swivel chair, so make a note in the diary, get some refreshments in and make your own peaceful corner.
And if you havent signed up to our Wall of Peace already then sign up right here.
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This week’s news is packed to the brim.
So don the knitted Speedos and dive right in.
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Happy Peace Day
Tuesday was international Peace Day and everyone at Fruit Towers got fully involved. There was a special chickpea-ce lunch (from our friends at Hummus Brothers), a screening of the new Peace One Day documentary and lots of our special peaches & raspberries Peace One Day smoothie to wash down all that pitta with. Even though you’re probably reading this after 21st September, you can still make your pledge to peace by signing up to our Wall of Peace if you haven’t already done so already. Otherwise why not watch the new Peace One Day film right here or see what Caroline’s scouts got up to for Peace Day. |
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Pick of the chicks
Last week’s Hat of the Week was the Disco Anemone of Leicester so a big well done to Jennifer. This week’s competition is of the feathered variety as Sarah-Jane’s dashing rooster and his brood of hens takes on Alison’s chicken who is eerily reminiscent of the Penguin of Wallace and Grommit fame (you know the bit when he puts that washing up glove on his head and fools everyone. That’s one smart flightless bird). Will the Chicken Penguin Imposter whup the Rooster and his Chicks into next Tuesday? Or will they trample him into chenille flecked dust? Get involved in the farmyard fight right here. |
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Calling all student knitters
Are you a student? Do you like knitting? Would you like to win a massive box full of innocent treats for being the student ambassadorn to collect the most hats this year? Well, sign yourself up today. We're looking for Big Knit ambassadors across the country's schools, colleges and universities to organise knitting events to make hats for this year's Big Knit. We’ve got 5 knitting packs to send out to the first 10 students to sign up. All you need to get involved is click here and let Hat Master Oli know. |
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A cow called Moomin
Yes. Sorry to blow the big reveal but the people have voted and the majority of you plumped for Moomin as the name for Ed G’s cow. Ed went down to the field yesterday (he’s working from home) to inform Moomin of her new name. She didn’t stop chewing the cud. Which in the bovine world is a sign of approval. According to Ed anyway. |
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And finally...
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And finally, finally...
Only time for one click this week?
Get on the old Joanna.
What's the all about? Just click the birdy and it will let you re-tweet any of our 'and finally' links at the touch of a button. It's all about word of mouse these days.
*For those not tired of cake chat, Christmas Cake Club is undecided between making an entire gingerbread village or pooling their collective baking skills into one massive gingerbread house. Lucy F is already drawing up blueprints for the house. Let us know what youd rather see right here.
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inside fruit towers
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Legoland dropped by for a visit, Andrea’s zen garden rake went missing (and was then found by Philippa down the back of some drawers), Sophie in the French office had a little girl called Clementine (Bonjour Clementine), Gav’s mum offered to come in and cook lunch, New Zoe joined and the Tea Birds (a.k.a Anna, Becs, Carla, Kerry, Roz and Vicki) had the final bake sale before their mammoth row.
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twit bits...
bob of the week
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This week’s Bob of the Week is Bob the Italian Spinone from Wokingham. Bob is known as a bit of a hero in the local area as he singlehandedly stopped some burglars who were trying to nick a telly off his owner Kelly’s next door neighbours.
Here he is dressed as Elvis. Fancy being our Bob of the Week? just email iambob@innocentdrinks.co.uk
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corner of the week
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Corner of the Week this week is Loaf Corner as Cake Club had the Loaf Off. Kat E’s slightly wonky honey and spice loaf (new oven issues apparently) and Lynne’s classic ginger bread loaf were both delicious but it was Heather’s tarte tatin inspired apple and cinnamon loaf that won.
Judges were impressed by Heather’s mad dash back from an ad shoot to compete although special mention must go to Lynne who was actually on holiday on the day of the competition but made it in advance. Now that’s what I call dedicaktion*.
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Like a ship without a sail
...like a plumber without a wrench, like a man in a ditch with an itch, we continue towards the light, towards the fridge, towards the good news...
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Last chance saloon
We are excited right now, as our 5 for 5 cafe opens this Friday for a week, serving 5000 people their 5-a-day for a fiver. We’re close to being sold out, but there are some tickets left if you fancy a nice lunch or a night out – book sharpish to avoid disappointment. And if the thought of parting with a fiver is a bit too much, here’s a quick competition to win two tickets for dinner on the closing night, where there will probably be fireworks, dancing girls, a motorcycle display team and a real life wizard doing tricks with sharp knives*. Also, if you fancy making some of the cafe recipes at home, we’ve now posted them all up on the site, right here. |
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Walls of plenty
While we’re talking about the cafe, we’d like to mention our friend Rob from Rocket Gardens. He’s building us some living walls, made out of lettuce, tomatoes and some other vegetation. There’s more about it in this blog post but we just wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks. |
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New visuals
There’s a new advert on the telly, for our veg pots. It’s an animated masterpiece, or at least that’s what we think – it took ages to move all of those bits of rice. About 3 days to be precise, in a dark studio under hot lights. But don’t let us spoil the magic. Go ahead and watch it yourself. And when you’re done doing that, sign yourself up for free veg pots, delivered directly to your office. |
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Gang wars
As the Big Knit draws ever nearer, we would still love you to send in any hats you have lying about. Whether it's 1 hat or 100, we need them all – the cut off date is 15th October. Meanwhile, this week’s Hat of the Week vote has an undercurrent of street violence. Now, as peace loving folk, we flinch at the thought of a physical threat. We cower when the heavies come knocking. But sometimes you’ve just got to stand up for yourself and have a massive gang fight, especially if you’re made of wool. Vote for the toughest here. |
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Check out this cake
Jojo made this cake for Joe’s birthday. Steak, mash and veg. Just wanted to share it with you. |
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And finally...
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And finally, finally...
Only time for one click this week?
Best pop video ever.
What's the all about? Just click the birdy and it will let you re-tweet any of our 'and finally' links at the touch of a button. It's all about word of mouse these days.
*all acts subject to confirmation
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inside fruit towers
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Gav brought the festival, Samuel bought shiny silver boxes, Kat offered bribes, Kevin dressed up like a lady, James dressed up as Pat Sharp/Adam, and Karen was an evil Aunt.
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twit bits...
bob of the week
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Jonathan sent us a photo of his friend Bob, saying “This is my friend Robert Read, although most of us call him Bobert. He does a lot of sport, and is also good at the geeky stuff. It would be awesome if he could be Bob of the week :).”
So be it. Fancy being our Bob of the Week? just email iambob@innocentdrinks.co.uk
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corner of the week
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This is Nnamdi Asomugha. He is the greatest corner back currently operating in the NFL, and he eats wide receivers for breakfast. Man.
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@Welshbybirth Oooh pretty
@nickatling is this for an advert?
innocent foundation
