Latest news with #Rodger
Metro
2 days ago
- General
- Metro
The Repair Shop restoration leaves man in tears over grandmother's wartime diary
A man has been left in tears after his grandmother's wartime diary written during the Nazi occupation of Guernsey was restored. On tonight's episode of The Repair Shop, Rodger arrived at the workshop with his grandson Thomas – and an incredibly delicate family heirloom. As they explained, the small pocket diary they wanted repaired belonged to Rodger's grandmother Lillian, who detailed her daily going-ons in 1942. At that time the Channel Islands had already been occupied by German forces for two years. Although half of Guernsey's residents had been evacuated, those who stayed endured five years under authoritarian rule and faced curfews and food rationing, As Thomas explained the diary appeared to be 'a form of therapy', with his great-great grandmother detailing her wartime experiences. 'I feel so fed up. When will this end,' she wrote, as well as explaining how her family had no food and were constantly battling sickness. Eventually Rodger's grandfather and a man he co-owned a fishing boat with decided to stage an escape. Saving small amounts of fuel at a time, after curfew they'd gradually top it up and then made it to England with their families. That boat they escaped on is also currently on display at the Occupation Museum on the island. Rodger's grandparents eventually settled in Essex. Recalling his relationship with his grandmother, he called Lillian a 'wonderful woman'. 'She died when I was just nine and it was the saddest day of my life,' he shared. After Rodger's mum died in 2021 he was given Lillian's diary and ended up 'in tears' reading what she'd gone through. However, over the decades the diary had started falling apart and the spine was completely gone. The experts were then tasked with bringing it back to its former glory. Throughout the process it was explained the diary was 'hanging by a thread'. After some tense moments that could have left the pages ripped, bookbinder Christopher Shaw managed to separate the pages to be able to attach them to a new cover. When returning to see 'if Lillian's memories could live on', Rodger was left emotional. 'I'm tingling with excitement,' he first said before seeing the restored diary. Gasping, he flicked through the pages and started tearing up. 'It's just making me think of my gran,' he said. 'Thank you. It is beautiful. It's taken me back years. More Trending 'It's really lovely and I am so grateful.' Meanwhile Thomas said he felt a 'deeper sense of connection' to Lillian being able to hold and read her diary. 'Her story is an incredible one and one I'm happy others are going to hear it as well.' View More » The Repair Shops airs Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC One. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Inside Jay Blades' career as The Repair Shop host charged with two counts of rape MORE: The Repair Shop host Jay Blades appears in court on coercive control charge MORE: The Repair Shop's Jay Blades charged with two counts of rape
Elle
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Not Sure About a Big Chop? These Long Bobs Make the Case for Going Halfway
With a growing list of celebrities unveiling chic new crops daily, and a flurry of bob trends vying for the title of 'ultimate summer hairstyle,' the itch is very real. The latest to fuel my temptation is Julianne Moore, who recently benched her longer red tresses in favor of a blunt long bob (a.k.a. the lob). And Moore isn't alone in sparking this lob renaissance; A-listers like Camila Cabello, Victoria Beckham, and Saoirse Ronan are just a few influential names embracing the timeless allure of this stylish mid-length cut recently. Ahead, discover ELLE's guide to achieving the look and all our favorite long bob muses to inspire your next haircut. A tempered-down, slightly longer iteration of the classic French bob, the lob haircut is ideal for those who want to go shorter, but not too short. '[A lob] allows the wearer time to understand the emotions that come with short styles,' says Neale Rodger, style director at STIL Salon in London. 'Not all of us are as brave as those fearless people who bound out of the salon with amazing short bobs, crops, and pixies. The lob allows you to experiment and dip your toe in before making the jump.' 'This cut is typically situated between the length of the neck and the top of the shoulder blade,' Rodger explains. 'This length creates separation in the body and also gives more longevity and ultimately more time for the wearer to get comfortable and understand the look.' He continues: 'Ultimately, the most important thing with the lob is the length. It's the main feature of this cut, and if you get this wrong, it can ruin the shape in many ways. Too short and you end up with what can look like an uncommitted bob, and too long you end up with an insipid midi length. My belief with any shape is that you have to enter it with full commitment in order to achieve the maximum results.' In terms of suitability, the long bob haircut is more flexible than the classic bob. In fact, 'it works on every person, and every face and body shape,' Rodger says. 'It's the perfect hairstyle for those who aren't quite ready to take the leap into the short hair world as it retains length around the neck and shoulders and conceals those vulnerable areas.' 'The other amazing thing about this style is it creates the illusion of more length across the body by creating vertical lines which stretch the eye and can elongate the neck, face, and overall look.' Hair type, on the other hand, matters a little more. According to Cos Sakkas, two-time British Hairdresser of the Year, a long bob is most suitable for anyone who has a medium hair density, but the cut can be tailored for finer or thicker hair types. For example, 'if your hair is fine, I would recommend cutting it above the shoulder to increase strength and thickness.' And for thicker hair, add softness with a fringe or curtain bangs, and remove some of the weight from the ends of the hair. '[Kendall Jenner's lob] is very adult and glamorous,' Rodger says. 'The flipped-out blow-dry paired with the beautiful, soft, golden tones of blonde gave her an air of old-school Hollywood glamour.' Camila Cabello's hydro-lob, courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, uses layers and textured styling to tap into a grungier aesthetic. When it comes to Hailey Bieber's iconic lob, her rich, glossy chocolate hue is all the styling needed. Note how her length comes just below her shoulders to flatter her finer hair density. Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams has walked the line between the bob and the lob for a while now, but that's the beauty of the long bob: 'it's great if you're in that in-between stage of growing out your hair,' Sakkas adds. We're obsessed with Jenna Ortega's flicked-out lob. Its bell shape frames her neck and shoulders beautifully, and her chic curtain bangs bring a softness to the look, giving it an easy, wearable quality. As Rodger puts it, 'Sydney Sweeney has by far the coolest lob of the moment—a simple, disheveled length paired with lived-in cool blonde.' Need we say more? Subtle, freehand balayage and loose waves elevate Victoria Beckham's lob instantly, adding depth and texture to an otherwise one-dimensional cut. Model and style icon Alexa Chung is endlessly cool. With her hair's length sitting just past her shoulders and the gentle tousle created by lived-in waves, the effect is equal parts cool girl and rock 'n' roll. The side-part is most definitely making a comeback. Team it with a chic, shoulder-grazing lob à la Olivia Palermo.
The Spinoff
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Review: Black Faggot is as relevant now as it was 10 years ago
Sam Brooks reviews the revival of Victor Rodger's seminal play. I remember seeing Victor Rodger's Black Faggot over a decade ago at the Basement Theatre studio. The show had a simple concept – the queer experience told through a Samoan lens, with two actors playing multiple characters, loosely linked by having some relationship to queerness, be they queer people themselves, or simply being in a room with another queer person. It was a hit. The show sold out that initial run in the 65-seat theatre, and toured around the country for over two years with multiple actors switching in and out of the roles, including Beulah Koale, Shimpal Lelisi, Taofia Pelesasa and Fasitua Amosa. It resonated with audiences not just because of the performances and Rodger's trademark sense of humour – absolutely that of a gay man raised on sitcoms and classic Hollywood, but provocatively cheeky – but because it was the first time that most of its audience had ever seen this particular experience onstage. New Zealand is a country that is notoriously bad at reviving plays, even successful ones. Whether it's due to a lack of spaces, funding, or audiences is anybody's guess – it's probably an awful mix of all three. Too often plays get initial runs before all that remains are hazy memories, with the occasional drama nerd pulling a scene or monologue out for an audition or NCEA exam. That's why it's a treat to see any work, really, but especially a work like this, revived. While Black Faggot went around the country for quite a long time – if you didn't see it and wanted to, it's absolutely on you – theatre audiences are different 10 years on. We're in a renaissance of Pasifika theatre, heralded in part by Rodger's championing of other playwrights and poets himself, and Black Faggot is absolutely part of that legacy that deserves to be seen, even re-examined, to quantify that renaissance. Ten years ago, Rodger was one of New Zealand's leading playwrights. Now, he's still that, but he's got an ONZM and is an Arts Laureate to boot. (Director Anapela Polaitavao also, not coincidentally, also has an ONZM and is an Arts Laureate.) The current production sees actors Jake Tupu (Auckland Theatre Company's production of Dawn Raids) and newcomer Gideon Smith take on the kaleidoscope of roles that Rodger has gifted them with. And they really are gifts for the actors; Rodger gives them sharp dialogue and sharper punchlines, and characters across the age, gender and sexuality spectrum. In one moment they can be playing a gay couple arguing about 'mess' on a wall, and in the next, a parent questioning why their son has a poster of Sonny Bill Williams on his roof. Tupu is particularly excellent in inhabiting his roles, although if there's one thing that this production highlights, it's that one actor, Smith in this instance, is often playing set-up to the other actor's spike. It unbalances the production slightly, but never enough to truly detract from the experience. Polataivao lends the production the sort of elegance and grace that an audience has come to expect from her previous work, including Wild Dogs Under My Skirt and The Savage Coloniser Show. The staging is simple and unobtrusive – a stained glass square for the actors to perform in, a large hibiscus flower blooming towards the back of the stage. There are no bells and whistles to the show, and there needn't be. This is ultimately a show that is about characters simply living their lives, queer or otherwise, and frankly, many of those characters are theatrical enough to not need any outside support. A show like Black Faggot shouldn't still be as relevant. Like its spiritual predecessor, Toa Fraser's Bare, it should feel like it captures a moment in time, like lightning in a bottle. But whereas Bare has aged into an absolutely lovely, non-controversial picture of urban New Zealand in the 90s, Black Faggot feels as though it could have been written yesterday (with some jokes ageing like cheap wine, as jokes unfortunately tend to do). The characters and conversations that Rodger is putting in front of us still feel startling, even new. Broadly speaking, queer people still face prejudice and in 2025, there are parts of society that feel even less safe, less open to these kinds of conversation than we were back in 2013. The pockets of society that would been shocked by the lives on display in Black Faggot back then are still likely to be shocked, and are likely even more entrenched in the worldview that allows them to be so. At least on opening night, the unobtrusive but still noticeable presence of a security guard outside Q Theatre was a reminder that the subject matter that Rodger is exploring has become even more polarised amongst a vocal, active, minority. A decade ago, no such security was necessary. There is a glimmer of light within that relevance, however – and it's the thing that was strongest about Black Faggot all those years ago. It's that it isn't a big show. It isn't a show where characters move mountains, metaphorically or otherwise. It isn't a show with heroes and villains. All the characters portrayed onstage, whether they're a young kid pleading with God, a couple fighting about an unfortunate mess on the wallpaper, or a mother wrestling with her kid's sexuality, are just people living their lives. As queer people have always done, and despite some shitty people who think otherwise, will continue to do. That reminder will never not be relevant, and will always be welcome.
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Three Generations of WSFS CEOs to Discuss the Bank's Legacy at 2025 Wharton Leadership Conference
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WSFS Bank, the primary subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WSFS), announced today current WSFS Chairman, President, and CEO, Rodger Levenson, joins former WSFS Chairman, President, and CEO, Mark Turner, and former WSFS Chairman, President, and CEO, Marvin 'Skip' Schoenhals at the 2025 Wharton Leadership Conference to highlight the bank's legacy and how they've successfully navigated CEO succession across three generations dating back to 1990. A financial institution with a proud nearly 200-year history, WSFS Bank's enduring success has been made possible through the visionary guidance of its influential CEOs, including Rodger, Mark, and Skip. Since its founding, the bank has continually adapted and grown, meeting the needs of its various stakeholders and operating with the same core values of service, truth, and respect as the north star. Each chapter of WSFS Bank's history highlights the foresight and innovation of its leadership. Over the decades, the bank has transformed itself from a savings and loan institution to a dynamic, client-first diversified financial services company. This incredible journey has been driven by CEOs who embraced change, tackled challenges, and ensured the bank's enduring commitment to serving its clients and communities. Rodger, Mark, and Skip's conversation will be moderated by Jeff Klein, executive director of the McNulty Leadership Program, on Wednesday, June 18, at the Dhirubhai Ambani Auditorium in Jon M. Huntsman Hall, University of Pennsylvania, as they'll explore critical lessons learned through their leadership tenures, strategies for building resilient teams, actionable practices for overcoming challenges, and much more. For more information, or to register for the conference, visit the official page here. About WSFS Financial Corporation WSFS Financial Corporation is a multibillion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally headquartered bank and wealth management franchise in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region. As of March 31, 2025, WSFS Financial Corporation had $20.5 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $89.6 billion in assets under management and administration. WSFS operates from 115 offices, 88 of which are banking offices, located in Pennsylvania (58), Delaware (39), New Jersey (14), Florida (2), Nevada (1) and Virginia (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, consumer banking, treasury management and trust and wealth management. Other subsidiaries or divisions include Arrow Land Transfer, Bryn Mawr Capital Management, LLC, Bryn Mawr Trust®, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware, Cash Connect®, NewLane Finance®, Powdermill® Financial Solutions, WSFS Institutional Services®, WSFS Mortgage®, and WSFS Wealth® Investments. Serving the Greater Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visit
Borneo Post
06-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Tian Association celebrates 75 years of cultural legacy, community service
Dr Sim (second right) pays tribute to the elderly by giving them ang paos, accompanied by Rodger (right). – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 6): The Sarawak Tian Association celebrated its 75th anniversary this evening with a meaningful event that honoured senior citizens and recognised students for their academic achievements, held at the SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 2 hall. The celebration was graced by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who commended the association's longstanding contributions to cultural preservation and community welfare. 'This celebration embodies three joys, which are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tian Clan Association, showing our respect for the elderly, which is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, and rewarding our young ones for their pursuit of education,' he said in his speech. Reflecting on his upbringing, Dr Sim shared a personal story about how his father encouraged him to join the clan association at a young age. 'I used to ask, 'What is the association for?' and my father would say, 'If there's no food, the association provides food'. 'If there are no benefits, it provides benefits; and if you're out of work, the association will help you find a job. 'It's all for the welfare of our people,' he said. He emphasised the vital role clan associations have played in advocating for the welfare, values, and cultural heritage of the Chinese community, and their continued relevance in fostering unity through shared traditions. As part of the celebration, the association presented academic incentives to students from primary school through to university level. 'This is something new, we are not just rewarding schooling but encouraging the spirit of learning. 'In Sarawak, no one can say they can't study because of money. 'The real issue now is students not wanting to study. 'But education is essential as these students are our future, they will carry on our culture and help build a better Sarawak,' he said. Dr Sim also highlighted the importance of nurturing the younger generation beyond academics. 'It's not just about language, knowledge or culture. We must also instill values, Sarawakian values and wisdom,' he said, praising the formation of the Chinese Youth Tian Association. The event, led by organising chairman Chan Kheng Choon, association chairman Henry Chan, and vice chairman Rodger Chan, featured a vibrant 24-drum festive performance, a lucky draw, and a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the milestone. anniversary Dr Sim Kui Hian Rodger Chan Sarawak Tian Association
