Latest news with #CityofCulture
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Manisha Koirala receives honorary doctorate, Celebrates Bradford's cultural milestone, joins Burberry's Daniel Lee in honours
Actress Manisha Koirala has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bradford. Taking to Instagram, the 'Dil Se' actress shared a heartfelt note, mentioning that the honor holds special significance as it coincides with Bradford being named the UK City of Culture for 2025. In her post, Manisha expressed her heartfelt gratitude, calling it a "huge honor." She also acknowledged the presence of acclaimed designer Daniel Lee, Creative Director of Burberry, who was honored alongside her. Sharing her picture, Koirala wrote, "It's a huge honor to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford - especially in the year it's been named the UK City of Culture 2025. Even more meaningful to share this recognition alongside the talented Daniel Lee, Creative Director of Burberry. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 - your journey is just beginning! HonoraryDoctorate #Bradford2025 #CityOfCulture #DanielLee #Burberry #Gratitude #classof2025. " In the image, the actress is seen smiling as she poses with her hand on her graduation cap, radiating pride and joy. A few days ago, the 'Heeramandi' actress had shared a video from the graduation ceremony and captioned it, "Today, I received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford. I stand here not as someone who came through the traditional path of education, but as someone who learned through life - through hard work, failure, resilience, and service. " Expressing her heartfelt thanks to the University of Bradford for recognizing her contributions, Manisha wrote, "This honor means more than I can put into words. It's proof that no matter where you start, your journey matters. Thank you to the University of Bradford for seeing value in my story. Keep growing. Keep shining...." On the work front, the 'Lajja' actress' most recent appearance was in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's acclaimed web series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar," where she played the role of Mallikajaan.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City of Sanctuary themes in new version of children's classic
THE beloved story of The Railway Children has been re-imagined for Bradford's City of Culture year, with a British-Indian family at the heart of the story. A special adaptation of Mike Kenny's Olivier award-winning stage production of E Nesbit's children's classic opens next week on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - the location of the much-loved 1970 film. Drawing on the story's themes of exile, compassion and kindness, Stand & Be Counted Theatre - an Associate Company of Bradford 2025 - is working with people seeking sanctuary to create a scene-setting audio experience for audiences as they journey to the show on the heritage railway. Audiences will board a steam train at Keighley station before watching the performance in an engine shed at Oxenhope station. The show features a real steam engine. The children move from wealthy Edwardian London to rural Yorkshire and find hope and friendship on the railway Stand & Be Counted Theatre - the UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary - co-creates work with and for people seeking sanctuary. Bradford, a City of Sanctuary since 2010, also received a designation of Cultural City of Sanctuary this year. Rosie MacPherson, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Stand & Be Counted Theatre, says: "The Railway Children is a global story about new beginnings and creating a new home together, with themes that will resonate deeply with people of Bradford as a City of Sanctuary. Our Soap Box Collective, a group for young adults from all over the world who now call Bradford home, have been working hard to create an interactive audio experience to welcome passengers aboard the steam train!" Says Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford 2025: 'The Railway Children is about a family needing to move to somewhere unfamiliar, children coping with separation from a parent, and how people and places are connected and affected by global events. Our version, while keeping the original story and setting in 1905, is really going to heighten these themes, as our British-Indian family have journeyed even further than before to reach this small Yorkshire village. 'The genius of E Nesbit's novel, and Mike Kenny's adaptation, is to see big themes like exile, separation and unjust imprisonment from the perspective of three children just starting to understand the adult world." The cast of The Railway Children at Oxenhope Station Director Damian Cruden adds: 'Bradford is a wonderful example of a city that has welcomed people throughout its history, and this theme of welcome and global connection resonates through The Railway Children." Noel Hartley, KWVR Business and Operations Manager, says: 'We're delighted to be hosting this fantastic show during this special year. Our railway has been the home of The Railway Children since the 1960s, it's really special for the show to be held where it began on screen." Paul Crewes, CEO, York Theatre Royal, says: 'We are thrilled to be working with Bradford 2025 on this unique restaging of York Theatre Royal's award-winning production of The Railway Children. "The beautiful setting of Oxenhope Railway station will be such a wonderful backdrop for this classic story. Joyous, moving and above all, fun, we can't wait for audiences to have another opportunity to see the show as part of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.' * The Railway Children is at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway from July 15 to September 7. Visit
ITV News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
New immersive stage adaptation of Railway Children uses original tracks from iconic film
A new stage adaptation of Railway Children for Bradford's City of Culture year takes the audience through the station of now the famous final scene.
Rhyl Journal
11-07-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Impact of NI contributions on business in North Wales
The latest results of its Quarterly Business Report, a leading survey of business sentiment in the region, highlights only one in five businesses (21%) reported an increase in employment over the last three months, a record low outside of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report, based on responses from 90 firms between May 12 and June 9, also reveals that of those employers that attempted to recruit, 75% encountered difficulties, further highlighting the challenges that businesses are encountering in the labour market. Read more: Businesses throw support behind Wrexham's City of Culture bid Skills & Policy Director at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Maria Davison, said: "In our Quarterly Business Report after the Autumn Statement, business confidence and investment plans fell substantially whilst concerns around corporation tax (which includes NI) rose to its highest level on record. This pointed to a challenging time ahead for business and our report for Q2 of 2025 is now showing the real impact of the announcements that were made. "Members surveyed directly cite that changes to NI contributions and National Living Wage increases have impacted their recruitment and investment plans. With further changes coming in the form of the Employment Rights Bill, businesses are entering a new employment landscape marked by structurally higher labour costs and administrative requirements. Read more: Butchers celebrates first-year in business in bustling North Wales town "We are keen to speak to businesses that are experiencing challenges in the labour market so please do reach out via 01244 669988 or info@ Elsewhere in the Quarterly Business Report for Quarter 2 of 2025: • Business confidence has been trending downwards since record highs in Q3 2023 with turnover and profitability both dipping this quarter. • Cashflow remains tight with only 20% of firms reporting an increase in the last quarter. • Sales and Orders, both domestic and overseas, showed signs of recovery after a dip last quarter. • Investment plans, for both plant & machinery and training, have continued the same downward trend that we have seen for the last two years. Maria added: "There have been many challenges for businesses in the first six months of 2025, both at home and abroad, and business sentiment in Q2 remains subdued, following last Autumn's tax increase announcements and the more recent introduction of global tariffs. Read more: Owner of bar teases duplicate venue due to overwhelming success in Mold "The series of long-term strategies from Government in recent weeks have been welcomed, but businesses are clear - they want their costs reduced, regulation reformed, and skills barriers removed. Action by policymakers now, will improve confidence and give firms the tools to boost growth." Members of the Chamber of Commerce have given their feedback on the current economic climate. Carlton Relf, managing director of Wrexham-based commercial cleaning contractor Maidscando, said: "Our business has seen rising operating costs, particularly the NI and National Living Wage increases - alongside rising inflation - which have undermined our financial performance. Like other market sectors particularly reliant on part-time and entry level job roles, our employment costs have risen by up to 13%. "We're a growing business but we are having to look at making further operating efficiencies or re-evaluate our pricing strategies. The lasting nature of these challenging trading conditions underscores the need for practical business support measures to ease the pressure on our region's companies." • To read the full Quarterly Business Report, visit the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce website:
North Wales Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Impact of NI contributions on business in North Wales
The latest results of its Quarterly Business Report, a leading survey of business sentiment in the region, highlights only one in five businesses (21%) reported an increase in employment over the last three months, a record low outside of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report, based on responses from 90 firms between May 12 and June 9, also reveals that of those employers that attempted to recruit, 75% encountered difficulties, further highlighting the challenges that businesses are encountering in the labour market. Read more: Businesses throw support behind Wrexham's City of Culture bid Skills & Policy Director at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Maria Davison, said: "In our Quarterly Business Report after the Autumn Statement, business confidence and investment plans fell substantially whilst concerns around corporation tax (which includes NI) rose to its highest level on record. This pointed to a challenging time ahead for business and our report for Q2 of 2025 is now showing the real impact of the announcements that were made. "Members surveyed directly cite that changes to NI contributions and National Living Wage increases have impacted their recruitment and investment plans. With further changes coming in the form of the Employment Rights Bill, businesses are entering a new employment landscape marked by structurally higher labour costs and administrative requirements. Read more: Butchers celebrates first-year in business in bustling North Wales town "We are keen to speak to businesses that are experiencing challenges in the labour market so please do reach out via 01244 669988 or info@ Elsewhere in the Quarterly Business Report for Quarter 2 of 2025: • Business confidence has been trending downwards since record highs in Q3 2023 with turnover and profitability both dipping this quarter. • Cashflow remains tight with only 20% of firms reporting an increase in the last quarter. • Sales and Orders, both domestic and overseas, showed signs of recovery after a dip last quarter. • Investment plans, for both plant & machinery and training, have continued the same downward trend that we have seen for the last two years. Maria added: "There have been many challenges for businesses in the first six months of 2025, both at home and abroad, and business sentiment in Q2 remains subdued, following last Autumn's tax increase announcements and the more recent introduction of global tariffs. Read more: Owner of bar teases duplicate venue due to overwhelming success in Mold "The series of long-term strategies from Government in recent weeks have been welcomed, but businesses are clear - they want their costs reduced, regulation reformed, and skills barriers removed. Action by policymakers now, will improve confidence and give firms the tools to boost growth." Members of the Chamber of Commerce have given their feedback on the current economic climate. Carlton Relf, managing director of Wrexham-based commercial cleaning contractor Maidscando, said: "Our business has seen rising operating costs, particularly the NI and National Living Wage increases - alongside rising inflation - which have undermined our financial performance. Like other market sectors particularly reliant on part-time and entry level job roles, our employment costs have risen by up to 13%. "We're a growing business but we are having to look at making further operating efficiencies or re-evaluate our pricing strategies. The lasting nature of these challenging trading conditions underscores the need for practical business support measures to ease the pressure on our region's companies." • To read the full Quarterly Business Report, visit the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce website:
