Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra acknowledged by Portsmouth
BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe addressed the council's cabinet decision meeting, and said the orchestra existed to "bring music into peoples lives" and to foster "cultural engagement, creativity, opportunity and well-being in our communities".He said the BSO brought world class musicians from the UK and across the world to Portsmouth each year with "probably the most accessible UK pricing for this quality of music".
Scarfe highlighted the Sea Change concert, which gave 1,326 children the opportunity to experience the "awesome sounds of a symphony orchestra".He also noted the orchestra's investment in live streaming, which he said had helped address barriers to cultural access, pointing out that live stream audiences were about 50% more likely to identify as disabled compared to in-hall audiences.Scarfe thanked the council for its continued support, which totals £22,500 this financial year.He added that while the grant had "reduced in real terms by 65% since 2010 it remains vital to our work as your support helps us secure investment from Arts Council England and enables BSO to leverage significant funds through fundraising".
Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said he planned to attend one of the two concerts in Guildhall Square in August and encouraged residents to buy tickets.The BSO will perform a John Williams concert on 1 August, followed by an ABBA Symphonic Spectacular on 2 August.
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The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
Outrage as Jewish comedians' Edinburgh Fringe shows cancelled ‘over staff safety concerns'
Two Jewish comedians have claimed their shows have been cancelled on the Edinburgh Fringe this year because of 'safety concerns' from staff at the venue. Rachel Creeger was set to perform her show 'Ultimate Jewish Mother' at Whistlebinkies during the annual arts festival, while Philip Simon was due to host a 'Jew-O-Rama' of Jewish comedic talents at the same venue. However, both acts claimed they were told their gigs would be cancelled because bar staff at the venue expressed fears of being 'unsafe'. Organisers of the Fringe said they were working to find alternative venues for the performers, but politicians and comedians have raised concerns about the move at a time when antisemitism is on the rise in the UK. 'This would have been the third year in a row of that specific show at that venue,' Ms Creeger told Times Radio on Sunday. 'When it comes to safety they said that they felt the extra safety precautions that many Jewish performers are subject to at the moment due to rising antisemitism made them feel, ironically, more unsafe. 'The precautions included [that] when the extra police allocated for the festival had their beat patrols allocated they would pass by the beginning and the end of where Jewish shows were happening, so nothing invasive to the venue, and having some contact numbers by the phone in case they needed advice or to report any kind of antisemitic incident. 'They also cited that they had increased graffiti in their venue since having us which they found threatening - we're not sure why, we certainly weren't the people creating the graffiti - but they claim that they had to repaint toilet doors where most of the graffiti was happening on a regular basis. 'The shows are not political, we're not political performers.' Ms Creeger said that just last year, the venue had gone to great lengths to say the venue was a safe space and they would ensure the comedians always had a positive experience there. While initially there had been plans to swap venues so they could still perform, it was too late to make these arrangements, The Telegraph reported. Their shows no longer appear on the Edinburgh Fringe listings website. Mr Simon - who said that another venue in the city had also cancelled one of his shows - claimed that he was being 'cancelled just for being Jewish'. 'Anyone who knows me will know I have never expressed support for anything other than freeing the hostages and finding a way for peace,' he said. 'It is sad to think that these views could conflict with anyone who wants to see a lasting peace in Gaza and Israel. 'As a Jewish person living in Britain it is possible, and increasingly common, to have a love for Israel without supporting the actions of the government.' Israel's deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel criticised the reported cancellations. 'It's a shocking decision and it should be reversed,' she told The Independent. 'This is further proof of the normalisation of antisemitism in the UK.' And shadow Scotland Secretary Andrew Bowie told Times Radio: 'That is a shocking state of affairs. Everybody should be welcome to this country, regardless of their faith, regardless of where they've come from, to perform at the Edinburgh festival or anywhere else for that matter. 'The very fact that is happening in the United Kingdom in 2025 speaks very ill of the state of affairs in this country and demonstrates what we were warning of a few years ago in terms of the rise of antisemitism in this country is real and something we should be combating at the very highest level. The Independent has reached out to the Edinburgh Fringe, Free Fringe and Whistlebinkies for comment. PBH Free Fringe CEO Luke Meredith told Chortle: 'The decision not to host the two shows was taken by the venue alone. So far as we understand, this was a staff decision based on last year's experience when they experienced a significant rise in both 'Free Palestine' and Zionist graffiti, together with police notices that they said made them feel unsafe. 'The matter was first brought to our attention in late May, after the print deadline for the brochure had passed. I thought at the time that, having explained the police were only taking precautions and no actual threats had been made, and that moving them after they were already advertised in print might be detrimental, that the matter had been resolved. Apparently however it had been understood that we were to move the shows. 'I was made aware of this a week ago and since then we have been working with the shows to try and find them a suitable replacement slot, including approaching other organisations. Nothing has been possible so far but we welcome any offer of help. If anyone has a space in central Edinburgh that would like to host them, we would be happy to run it.' This is not the first time that the Fringe has faced questions over alleged antisemitism. Last year, American standup comedian Reginald D Hunter found himself at the centre of an antisemitism row at the Fringe when two Israeli people were heckled and booed at his gig after they objected to a joke comparing Israel to an abusive spouse.
Telegraph
a minute ago
- Telegraph
Leah Williamson is the shy superstar who has eclipsed Bobby Moore
Leah Williamson has made history. By leading the Lionesses to glory, she has become the first England captain to lift two major trophies, eclipsing the achievements of the late Bobby Moore. Williamson is a natural poster girl for this England team. She leads by performance and lets her talent do the talking. Away from football, she attracts the biggest brands and sponsors and the most media attention. She is the face of Pepsi alongside Lionel Messi and modelled for Calvin Klein ahead of the tournament. There are shades of David Beckham in her leadership style and off-the-pitch popularity. In many ways, Williamson is not a stereotypical captain. She is a self-professed introvert and more reserved than some of the other leaders around her. Lucy Bronze is the Lionesses' most experienced player and probably the loudest on the pitch. She would have been an obvious pick to be captain when Sarina Wiegman took over as England manager in 2021. Williamson was 25 at the time, had just 20 caps and was not captain of her club team, Arsenal. But there was a reason Wiegman decided she was the perfect fit. She knew Williamson was going to be part of her long-term plans. She was the future, someone who could be moulded into a leader, with a little bit of guidance from the more experienced heads around her. Williamson had captained England at youth level and had impressed coaches with her natural organisational instincts. Keira Walsh recalled Williamson having to get her to team meetings on time when they were in youth age-group teams, describing the defender as the 'serious' one in their friendship. Williamson has also been guided by Arsenal captain Kim Little, who shares many of the same introverted traits and who learnt to embrace them from legendary Lioness Kelly Smith. 'I lead from within, that's my style,' Williamson said of her approach to captaincy. 'People like Kim, especially over the last couple of years, we've had quite a lot of conversations about that, because it's in our nature to be slightly more passive or let things play out and sometimes you have to be a bit more engaged and deal with things when they're happening. 'Maybe that development of just trying to recognise moments where it would be beneficial to act rather than trying to step back from the spotlight as much as possible.' 'She takes us all with her' Williamson may be more introverted but that does not mean she is not vocal. When England conceded their second goal against France in their opening match at these Euros, Williamson gathered her team-mates into a huddle and barked instructions. She did the same when they were 3-0 down against Belgium in April. She can deliver passionate speeches when required. 'She rallies the team, gets everyone going, keeps everyone together, and leads by example in the way she plays,' team-mate Ella Toone said. 'You want your captain to really step up in games and she definitely does that. She takes us all with her as well. 'She's a great captain and one that you want to play under and one that you want to work hard for. Because you know that when she goes out on to that pitch, she'll give absolutely everything for everyone. She's a great person too.' Williamson has made an effort to be more sociable with her team-mates during this tournament. She joked that during the last Euros she spent her free time sleeping but has consciously tried to be more present this time around. 'Beth Mead was laughing at me the other day because I did the day in the life of her which meant I didn't go back to my room, I was very sociable,' Williamson said earlier in the tournament. 'I said to her: 'I don't know how you do this every day,' and she said: 'This is my every day.' I said: 'Yes, it's crazy to me, I'm not that type of person'.' Williamson was a key member of the Euro 2022 squad but missed the World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament three months before the tournament. She admitted on the eve of the Lionesses' first game in Switzerland that she had held some anxiety coming into this tournament. It is perhaps fair to say Williamson has not enjoyed as good a tournament as she did in 2022. There have been difficult moments, her passing has not always been as crisp and accurate as we have come to expect. There had been high expectations given Williamson enjoyed one of her best games in recent memory when Arsenal beat Barcelona in the Champions League final. But she has not been helped by the fact her centre-back partner has changed three times at this tournament. She started alongside Alex Greenwood, then played three games with Jess Carter next to her before Esme Morgan was brought in for the semi-final with Italy. Williamson may also have been playing with the added pressure of feeling she has to solve every issue in England's defence. It is a trait Bronze had in the earlier part of her England career. What is clear is that her team-mates know they are a better team with her than without her. When there was a doubt over whether Williamson would be fit for the semi-final after rolling her ankle against Sweden, Morgan said before the game: 'I want what is best for the team and that is absolutely having our captain on the pitch.' 'She's just an incredible girl' Many of this squad have known Williamson since childhood. They have seen her go from the quiet kid to the face of women's football. 'I remember stepping into Arsenal at 12 years old and saying to my parents, 'Leah's going to be England captain one day,'' Chloe Kelly said. 'She's just an incredible girl, shows great leadership qualities and is so approachable, someone that I get on so well with. To captain England at major tournaments, there is a lot of pressure, but it doesn't show in Leah's personality at all. She's just so consistent, highs, lows and everything in between. She's a great England captain.'
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Baby joy for Duke and Duchess of Westminster as couple announce birth of first child year on from society wedding of the year that starred Prince William as an usher
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have joyfully announced the birth of their first child. Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor and his wife Olivia confirmed they had welcomed a baby girl, a year after they got married in what was the society wedding of the year, starring Prince William as an usher. The happy couple also revealed their daughter had been named Cosima Florence Grosvenor. A spokesperson for the pair said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter. 'Both the duchess and Cosima are doing well. 'The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family.' The duke is a close friend of princes William and Harry and is godfather to Prince George as well as reportedly Prince Archie. The Duke of Sussex agreed with Hugh, who is one of the UK's biggest landowners, that he would not attend his wedding last June amid a long-running feud with his brother. Once considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors, Hugh became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged just 25, after his father died from a heart attack in 2016. His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns hundreds of acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool's One shopping centre. The duke donated £12.5 million to the UK's Covid relief effort in 2020, including funds for NHS Charities Together and for medical research and development. In April, the Duke and Duchess of Westminster joined Prince William and Prince George to cheer on Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Paris St Germain. It was their first public appearance after announcing they were expecting a baby. Hugh and Olivia showed their support, each wearing matching burgundy scarfs with Aston Villa emblazoned in white across the length of the neckwear. Earlier this year, a spokesman for the pair said: 'The Duchess is expecting a baby in the summer. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.' The pair announced their engagement in April 2023, after being together for two years. They decided to marry at Chester Cathedral, before inviting around 400 guests including Princess Eugenie and TV producer Phil Redmond, to go to a lavish reception at the Grosvenor family seat, Eaton Hall, just outside Chester. The Duke paid for free ice cream, gelato and sorbet for Cheshire locals from three local independent cafes so they could join in the celebration. And a staggering 100,000 flowers - all paid for by the Duke - were planted throughout the city and donated to charity following the ceremony. No expense was spared as Olivia arrived at the Cathedral in a vintage 1930 8-litre Bentley owned by the Grosvenor estate. The bride's veil was designed by Emma Victoria Payne and featuring an embroidery design which incorporated floral motifs from her great-great-grandmother's veil from around 1880. Her dress was made by the same designer and she accessorised with blue shoes and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day, which has been in the family since 1906.
