Latest news with #NeilJones
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Staffordshire's Lichfield Festival announces this year's headline acts
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley and folk group The Unthanks are among headline acts at this year's Lichfield Festival, organisers have festival, which runs from 8 to 20 July, takes place across venues such as Lichfield Cathedral, St Michael's Church, the Guildhall and Beacon said the event, which it dubbed one of the country's "most eclectic multi-arts festivals" would feature world-class artists and local voices from music, theatre, dance and festival also included a world premiere of Gingerland, a new dance show created by Strictly Come Dancing dancer Neil Jones, a spokesperson added. On for two nights, the family-friendly comedy features a "dazzling cast of top professional dancers, with glamorous costumes and original music," organisers artists headlining this year's event include brass ensemble Black Dyke Band, Sam Every (Little) Big Band, choir Tenebrae and jazz artist Jacqui 11-day festival will close with a candlelit concert by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason in Lichfield Cathedral. A new discounted ticket initiative was also launched this year, offering discounted prices for under 30s, carers, children and eligible community groups,Tickets and the full event programme have been listed on the festival's website. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Powys County Times
23-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Lake Vyrnwy caravan park wins permission to amend rules
STATIC caravan owners who regularly visit a site near Lake Vyrnwy will not have to stay away for large chunks of the year from now on. Powys planners have agreed to remove restrictions dating from the 1970s which say when people can stay at Fronheulog caravan park at Llanwddyn, which is around a mile from Lake Vyrnwy. A planning application was lodged with Powys County Council in March by Neil Jones to remove two conditions, numbered four and nine, which were attached to permission granted for a development at the site back in February 1979. Planning agent Nia Lewis explained the proposal: 'The park is made up of various planning consents which have been obtained over many years. 'These approvals have varying conditions particularly in relation to the seasonal occupancy dates. 'The purpose of this application is to bring in line the seasonal occupancy dates of the various operating consents.' Planning conditions number four stipulated that: 'The caravans stationed on the site shall not be used for human habitation between November 1 and the last Friday before Good Friday apart from a fortnight's occupation over Christmas and New Year.' Condition nine said: 'The development shall be occupied as holiday accommodation only and shall not be occupied as a person's sole or main place of residence. 'An up to date register shall be kept at the holiday accommodation hereby permitted and be made available for inspection by the local planning authority upon request. 'The register shall contain details of the names of all of the occupiers of the accommodation, their main home addresses and their date of arrival and departure from the accommodation.' Senior planning officer Kate Bowen said: 'As the application seeks only to vary the occupancy conditions it is not considered that the proposal impacts upon other material considerations from the original consent.' But in the intervening 46 years planning policy has been updated with new and updated national polices now in force. Mrs Bowen said: 'The thrust of planning policy remains supportive to tourism development and the proposed variation of the occupancy conditions would further support an existing tourism enterprise. 'It is recommended that condition four is removed and condition nine is varied to the standard holiday occupancy condition recommended by Welsh Government.' A new condition now placed on the historic permission does still say that the caravans are for holiday use only and should not be a person's 'sole or main place of residence'. The establishment of the caravan park goes back to 1958 and over the years development of the site has seen touring pitches make way for static caravans which are owned privately.
Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly star addresses the 'haters' following exciting news
Strictly star addresses the 'haters' following exciting news Strictly Come Dancing professional Neil Jones has been inundated with support from his fellow cast members as he shared some exciting news with his fans Fans of Neil won't need to wait until the next Strictly series to see him perform (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror ) Strictly pro Neil Jones, has been met with an overwhelming wave of support from his fellow cast members as he joyfully shares news with his fans. Taking to social media, the dancer expressed his excitement about the announcement, stating "the news is out". Neil will once again be showcasing his moves on the dance floor ahead of Strictly Come Dancing's next series, which will be aired in autumn. However, fans won't have to wait that long to see him in action. The dancer confirmed he would be participating in various dancing workshop, including one in Swansea. It comes after the BBC has given Neil Jones the green light for another spin on the dance floor, as they unveiled the line-up of professional dancers returning for the 23rd series of Strictly, set to launch in autumn 2025. Joining Neil in the eagerly awaited return to BBC One's popular dance competition this year are several familiar faces including Welsh dancer Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Katya Jones, Karen Hauer, and Nikita Kuzmin. Other returning stars such as Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will also dazzle on the stage. Article continues below Adding to the anticipation, two new professional dancers will be unveiled as the series launch draws closer, reports Devon Live. Neil has previously been paired with stars including Toyah Willcox on the show (Image: BBC/Guy Levy ) Reacting to this month's announcement, Neil expressed his gratitude on Instagram: "I can't believe it's going to be a decade that I have been a pro on @bbcstrictly so to everyone that supports me and the show, thank you and I can't wait to continue entertaining the nation." Addressing both supporters and detractors, he said: "To the rest, come on it's about time you switch from being a hater to actually enjoying life and give me some love but if not no worries because I will continue with the good vibes and energy and being part of the show I love the most plus spreading my love and knowledge of dance that I have collected over the past 4 decades and over 45 titles worldwide." Before his much-anticipated comeback to television, Neil has plans to share his dancing prowess through workshops for those eager to pick up a move or two from the maestro. Over on Instagram, Neil thrilled his followers with a captivating video which also starred world champion dancer Craig Shaw. He said: "The news is out @prepdance on tour is coming to a city near you. 3 incredible dance workshops with two World champions @mr_craigshaw and @mr_njonesofficial and a special Strictly guest. You can book now online via the link in my Profile." Neil also shared the first batch of workshop dates, revealing: "Below are our first 4 dates and we are excited to have @kaiwidd joining us so book now because places are limited. 20th May Swansea. 10th June Dublin. 11th June Belfast. 14th June Glasgow." Upon announcing the workshops, Neil Jones received waves of excitement from his Strictly peers; Carlos Gu let out an elated "Woohoooo!", while Karen Hauer applauded with emoji claps, rooting for him by saying: "yesssss." Article continues below The announcement sparked quite a stir among fans and followers, as they conveyed their enthusiasm. One exclaimed: "Amazing! best of luck with it! ! ! !", and another added to the excitement stating, "How exciting, can't wait for Birmingham." A fan commented with sheer affection: "Love it! ! ! !", while another succinctly described the revelation as "Brilliant".
Sharjah 24
17-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
INSEAD University in Paris hosts "Wathba" participants
Sharing Global Expertise Participants are engaged in intensive training guided by highly regarded scholars and leadership specialists, featuring Professor Neil Jones and Dr. André Doria among the instructors. The program encompasses a range of topics, including individual leadership concepts, negotiation skills, change strategies, digital transformation, and high-performance teamwork. Participants will participate in hands-on case studies to apply strategic thinking in practical scenarios. Immersive Learning Commences Participants arrived in Paris on the first day and proceeded directly to the INSEAD campus, where they commenced a series of interactive training sessions. These sessions connect strategic thinking with practical experiences in an engaging global educational setting. Leadership Development Emphasized His Excellency Khalid Ibrahim Al Naqbi, Director of Sharjah for Capability Development and leader of the delegation, highlighted the significance of the program in raising awareness of youth leadership. He emphasized that these experiences enhance skills, expand viewpoints, and act as genuine investments in the leaders of tomorrow. The program promotes the development of leadership qualities that enable individuals to make assured decisions, positively impact others, and navigate diverse cultural systems and roles effectively. Participant Experience Highlighted Fatima Mohammed Al Ali, a participant, expressed her thoughts: 'This experience at INSEAD has taught me that leadership extends beyond decision-making; it encompasses influence, motivating teams, and understanding the broader perspective.' This experience provided me with valuable tools and a clearer perspective on my future role as a leader within my community and profession. Wathba Program Vision The 'Wathba' program stands out as a leading initiative from Sharjah for Capability Development, which is part of the Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators. The initiative focuses on equipping young individuals with essential skills in progressive learning settings, reflecting Sharjah's commitment to investing in its people and shaping a brighter future.
Sharjah 24
16-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
INSEAD hosts "Wathbah" for strategic leadership programme
An engaging and thorough educational journey The participants are engaged in a rigorous training programme facilitated by a notable team of scholars and international leadership specialists, featuring Professor Neil Jones and Dr André Doria. The programme encompasses a wide array of topics, including personal leadership styles, negotiation techniques, strategies for managing change, digital transformations, and effective teamwork for high performance. It also encompasses practical, case-based applications of strategic thinking. Engaging in a global academic environment Upon arriving in Paris on the first day, the participants went straight to the INSEAD campus, where they commenced a series of interactive training sessions. These sessions aim to combine strategic thinking with practical learning in an engaging and internationally focused academic environment. Focus on long-term impact Khaled Al Nakhi, Director of the Sharjah Institute for Capacity Development (SICD) and head of the delegation, highlighted the programme's value in fostering leadership awareness among youth. He noted that such immersive experiences are instrumental in sharpening skills and broadening participants' perspectives on teamwork and innovation. Al-Nakhi described the programme as a genuine investment in the next generation of leaders, with a focus on cultivating leadership qualities that enable participants to create positive change, make confident decisions, and navigate multicultural, multidisciplinary environments. Participant perspectives Participant Fatima Mohammed Al Ali reflected on her journey, stating, 'During this experience at INSEAD, I realised that leadership is not only about making decisions—it's about having the ability to influence and inspire a team and see the bigger picture.' This program has provided me with practical tools and a more profound understanding of my future role as a leader in both my community and my professional field. Inspiring the leaders of tomorrow The 'Wathbah' programme stands as a prominent initiative spearheaded by the Sharjah Foundation for Capability Development, functioning under the Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators. The initiative seeks to empower young individuals and refine their skills within advanced educational settings, aligning with Sharjah's overarching vision of investing in human capital and fostering a promising future.
