22 November, St Cecilia’s Day and the 4th anniversary of Stephen’s death. It doesn’t get any easier and will, I think, always be a painful day. And it is precisely because we loved him that the memory will remain strong and powerful.

Desperately sad to hear about Cheltenham. Was lucky enough to have some of my earliest pieces played there in the 90s.
This is a jaw dropping act of cultural vandalism.
Very tough times. Although the future has seldom looked so bleak for new music, we need it now more than ever.

Martyn Percy Homilies are Roman Catholic and usually about the priest’s socks; sermons are Anglican and are about the preachers’ cat being like redemption

Homilies are under 10 mins. Sermons over 15 mins. The 5 mins buffer zone is policed by undercover ecclesiastical detective squads. Over-long homilies or under-length sermons can be subject to on the spot fines. Repeat offenders face short preaching bans, or opt for retraining…

Hello, Avanti West Coast Have you any plans to display coach numbers on your electronic displays on the 17:07 from Euston to Crewe, or is it the usual chaotic free for all?

So much of cricket is just not cricket nowadays. #CricketWorldCup

Please sign this petition to save Shropshire’s ancient Darwin Oak - due to be felled to make way for another road. chng.it/psr9r2yr via Change.org UK

Pure joy start to finish. ⁦English National Opera⁩ Iolanthe is a musical + visual treat. My girls (under 21s go free) loved every moment. This is the inspirational company, launchpad of so many young singers’ careers, ⁦Arts Council England⁩ is bent on destroying. ⁦ChooseOpera⁩

Very proud that my youngest daughter was part of her brand new house’s winning partsong entry Shrewsbury School House Singing. I’ve heard many things sung by people wearing cassocks and surplices, but never ‘Wannabe’! Great seeing a whole school singing! QEShrewsbury Alex Aitken

Solidarity for English National Opera from Sir Richard Mantle at English National Opera North, the company that sprang out of the London one, representing true levelling up, Arts Council England…

Fury.
English National Opera could be described as our most important National Arts company: Mother ship to artists in ALL disciplines..central to arts international outreach & our creative identity. Wilful stupidity Arts Council England Arts Council England, London UK Prime Minister GOV.UK knows no limits...

Arts Council England Department for Culture, Media and Sport English National Opera I speak as ENO’s Director of Development 1989-1996. Mark Elder,Ed Gardner and Tony Pappano are correct. ENO will die because it will cease to be a company of artists and ENO cannot fundraise in this situation created by government and Arts Council.

To make up the shortfall, chorus members will have to build a freelance career for the other 6 months. That takes time - years - to establish. Having done that in London, they’re then expected to start again from scratch in a new city, on top of the cost of relocating.

Emma Cleobury 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇦 English National Opera Arts Council England “This isn’t levelling up, it is killing off of the art form”. #sotrue #ENO #Opera #KillingTheArts

Very strong letter about the appalling situation English National Opera in today’s Times from Ed Gardner, Mark Elder & Antonio Pappano. I shall cheer on the chorus & orchestra with all my might when I’m at Iolanthe this weekend, but it looks as if no one Arts Council England is listening.

Powerful letter in The Times and The Sunday Times today from Edward Gardner, Mark Elder and Antonio Pappano. Plus this editorial piece...
thetimes.co.uk/article/0ad8ee…