Soloists announced for performance of Haydn's "The Creation"

Sheffield music lovers are being promised a spectacular summer evening as Sheffield Chamber Orchestra has announced the three soloists for its forthcoming performance of The Creation on 13 June 2026.

The landmark oratorio by Joseph Haydn will be conducted by John Lyon and performed in collaboration with Sheffield City Choristers, bringing together orchestra, chorus and a distinguished trio of guest soloists.

Taking the soprano role is Claire Lees, a Lancashire-born singer who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

An alumna of the prestigious Samling Artist Programme and winner of the Wil Keune Mozart Prize, she has appeared at leading venues including Wigmore Hall and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. A member of the Chorus of Opera North, she combines operatic flair with the clarity and poise required for Haydn’s luminous writing.

Joining her is Hartlepool-born tenor Tom Smith, who studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music. Smith has performed with Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Welsh National Opera and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and has worked with internationally renowned conductors. An experienced recitalist and oratorio singer, he brings both dramatic presence and lyrical warmth to the role.

Completing the trio is Derbyshire baritone Andrew Randall. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Randall has appeared with Opera North and The Grange Festival in a wide range of principal and cover roles. Alongside his performing career, he teaches singing at several schools and sings regularly at Sheffield Cathedral, giving him strong local ties.

Haydn’s The Creation remains one of the most celebrated choral-orchestral works ever written. First performed in 1798, it depicts the Biblical story of the world’s formation, from chaos and darkness to the radiant chorus “And there was light.” Its vivid orchestration, dramatic storytelling and joyful final choruses have ensured its place as a cornerstone of the repertoire.

Conductor John Lyon, well known to Sheffield audiences for his energetic and engaging approach, will lead the combined forces in what promises to be a highlight of the city’s summer cultural calendar.

Before that, the orchestra turns its attention to its next concert, Great Classical Masterpieces, on 21 March 2026. The programme features Egmont Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch performed by Sheffield-born rising star Esme Greenwood, and Symphony No. 2 by Johannes Brahms — a programme of orchestral favourites that showcases the ensemble at full strength.

Further details and ticket information for both concerts are available via the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra website www.SCOrchestra.uk

Special Guest Iain Lauchlan Joins Coventry Orchestra for World Poetry Day Concert

The Heart of England Co-operative Concert Orchestra invites the local community to a vibrant and imaginative Spring Concert celebrating World Poetry Day through music and spoken word.

Taking place at 3pm on Saturday 21st March at Methodist Central Hall, Warwick Lane, Coventry, CV1 2HA, this special concert will feature guest narrator Iain Lauchlan, bringing poetry and storytelling together with thrilling orchestral favourites.

The programme promises something for all ages, including the swashbuckling adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean, the dramatic intensity of Hall of the Mountain King, and the playful brilliance of Jabberwocky!,  alongside many more musical surprises inspired by literature, legend and imagination.

All proceeds from the concert will go towards Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library, supporting its vital work as a community hub promoting literacy, learning and access to books for all ages. By attending, audiences will be helping to sustain a valued local resource at the heart of Coventry.

Tickets are priced at £11 for adults, £8 concessions, and just £1 for under 16s. Tickets are available online via Ticketsource and on the door.

Now in its 107th year, the Heart of England Co-operative Concert Orchestra continues to play a central role in Coventry’s musical life. Proudly sponsored by the Heart of England Co-operative Society, the orchestra brings together musicians from across the region to share live music while raising funds for important community causes. 

In 2025, they raised over £3,500 for charities including Coventry City Mission, Global Care, the Durrell Foundation, and MacMillan Cancer Care.

Join them for an afternoon of music, poetry and adventure, and raise funds for a valued local resource at the same time!

https://www.coventrycooporchestra.org.uk

That's Books and More will be carrying more information on World Poetry Day, so please keep an eye open for that. 

World Thinking Day 2026 – Celebrating “Our Friendship”

Every year on 22 February, members of Girlguiding and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) celebrate World Thinking Day, a moment to reflect on the global sisterhood that connects millions of girls and young women.

In 2026, the theme is beautifully simple and deeply powerful: “Our Friendship.”

At a time when the world can often feel divided, the idea of friendship, across borders, backgrounds, beliefs and generations — feels especially meaningful.

Why World Thinking Day Matters

World Thinking Day began in 1926 as a way for Guides and Scouts around the globe to think of one another and give thanks for their shared movement. It falls on the birthday of Olave Baden-Powell, the first Chief Guide, and her husband Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement.

Over the past century, it has grown into a truly international celebration involving more than 150 countries. It’s a day to:

Learn about different cultures

Support global projects

Reflect on shared values

Raise funds for guiding initiatives worldwide

But at its heart, it has always been about connection.

2026 Theme: “Our Friendship”

The 2026 theme invites girls and leaders to explore what friendship really means, not just in a personal sense, but as part of a worldwide community.

Friendship in guiding is:

The new Brownie making her first promise

The Ranger supporting a younger member

The international pen pal or jamboree connection

The lifelong friendships that begin around a campfire

It’s also about understanding that girls in the UK share experiences, challenges and hopes with girls in Kenya, Canada, India or Brazil.

“Our Friendship” reminds us that guiding isn’t just local, it’s global.

How Units Can Celebrate

Whether you’re a Rainbow unit in a village hall or a Guide group meeting in a city centre, there are countless ways to bring the theme to life.

1. Friendship Across Borders

Explore guiding traditions from another country. Cook a simple international snack, learn a song from abroad, or exchange letters or videos with another unit.

2. Acts of Kindness

Encourage members to perform small acts of friendship within their community, writing thank-you notes, supporting a local charity, or checking in on someone who may feel lonely.

3. Friendship Crafts

Create friendship bracelets, badges, or a collaborative mural representing what friendship looks like to your group.

4. Story Sharing

Invite members to share stories of how guiding has helped them build confidence, resilience and meaningful relationships.

A Wider Reflection on Friendship

In the UK, where many communities are wonderfully diverse, World Thinking Day offers a gentle reminder that understanding begins with listening.

Friendship doesn’t require identical views or identical lives. It asks for respect, curiosity and kindness.

For young people growing up in a world of social media and digital communication, “Our Friendship” also opens a conversation about:

Online kindness

Digital responsibility

Supporting one another in safe spaces

Building real-world confidence

Friendship Beyond the Movement

While rooted in guiding, World Thinking Day’s message extends far beyond uniforms and badges. It’s a reminder for all of us, parents, leaders, teachers and communities, that friendship is an active practice.

It requires effort.

It requires empathy.

It requires presence.

In 2026, perhaps the most meaningful way to mark World Thinking Day is simply to reach out, to someone new, or someone we haven’t spoken to in a while.

World Thinking Day 2026’s theme, “Our Friendship,” feels both timely and timeless. It celebrates the small, everyday bonds that quietly shape young lives, and the extraordinary global network that links girls across continents.

In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain, friendship remains a steady, hopeful thread.

And that is certainly something worth thinking about.

Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board

Model Britain has formally transitioned from concept to structured delivery with the convening of its inaugural Advisory Board.

This milestone establishes the governance framework for a project set to become one of the UK’s most ambitious cultural and educational attractions.

Model Britain’s vision is to Explore, Imagine, Inspire. The project will be a stunning large-scale, permanent indoor miniature attraction celebrating British history, innovation, and landscapes.

Developed at substantial national scale, it is designed to operate at significant visitor capacity and to offer an immersive experience that blends excitement with deep educational value for children and adults alike.

The attraction will include a structured education programme aligned to national curriculum themes, supporting history, geography, design and technology, and STEM learning for school groups, nationwide. 

The project enters development at a time of renewed national focus on the UK’s experience economy and regional tourism growth, positioning Model Britain to contribute meaningfully to both cultural and economic priorities.

An Advisory Board with National-Level Expertise

Model Britain’s Advisory Board brings together senior leaders who have shaped some of the UK’s most significant visitor destinations, global brands, and cultural institutions:

Gary McCauley – Founder and CEO: Originator of the Model Britain concept, leading the project from initial design through to structured national delivery.

Peter Moore OBE – Chair: Former Managing Director of Center Parcs UK and Director of Marketing and Repositioning at Alton Towers. Awarded an OBE for services to tourism and former Board Member of Visit England.

Martin Grieve – Financial Oversight: Former senior finance executive at Unilever and Reckitt, with national and global divisional CFO experience and corporate finance leadership expertise across capital allocation, investment strategy, and governance.

John F. D. Hoy FRICS – Heritage & Destination Strategy: Former Chief Executive of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, current Chair of Silverstone Museum, former Visit England Board Member, and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Mark Jones – Visitor Operations: Former UK Operations Director at Center Parcs and Operations Director at the Eden Project, with extensive experience managing large-scale, high volume visitor attractions.

Alex Mawer – Marketing & Brand Strategy: Marketing & Brand Strategy: Former Global Marketing Director at the LEGO Group with oversight of LEGOLAND attractions, former Marketing Director of Visit England and current Board Member of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).

Simon Kohler – Models & Hobbies: Former Marketing & Development Director at Hornby Hobbies, instrumental in revitalising iconic British brands including Hornby Railways, Scalextric, and Airfix.

Together, the Advisory Board provides strategic oversight across governance, finance, operations, brand, tourism attractions, heritage, and sector engagement.

Peter Moore OBE, Chair of Model Britain, told That's Books and More: “Model Britain represents a rare opportunity to create a national institution that blends heritage, education, and innovation. 

"Establishing strong governance at this stage ensures the project is developed with the rigour, integrity, and long-term ambition required for an attraction of this scale.”

Gary McCauley, Founder and CEO, added: “This milestone marks the transition from long-held vision to disciplined delivery. With the experience of the Advisory Board now formally guiding the project, we are ensuring that each stage of development is approached with clarity, realism, and strong governance.”

Looking Ahead

The project team is currently assessing a number of strategically significant UK locations with strong infrastructure and national connectivity. Model Britain is also actively engaging with strategic partners across the technology, heritage, travel, and education sectors who share a vision for celebrating British innovation at scale. A formal opening timeline will be confirmed following site acquisition and planning approval.

FACTFILE: Model Britain is a pioneering national project dedicated to creating a world-class, large-scale indoor miniature attraction. By blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, it aims to showcase the UK’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and spirit of innovation. The project is designed to serve families, schools, tourists, and international visitors.

To learn more visit www.modelbritain.co.uk

John Betjeman – Slough (1937) A Critical Analysis

Context and Overview

Slough was written in 1937, at a time when Britain was experiencing rapid industrial expansion in certain areas, particularly along new arterial roads and trading estates. 

The Slough Trading Estate was one of the largest industrial estates in Europe at the time, and had become a symbol of modern commercial development. 

Betjeman’s poem is a fierce satirical attack on this emerging industrial landscape and what he saw as the cultural and spiritual emptiness it represented.

The poem opens with the shocking invocation:

“Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!”

This startling first line immediately establishes tone and technique: hyperbolic satire. The speaker calls for destruction not out of literal malice, but to express moral outrage at what Slough symbolises — soulless modernity, speculative building, and the erosion of England’s pastoral and architectural heritage.

Satire and Hyperbole

Betjeman’s tone is exaggerated and ironic throughout. His call for bombs, written only two years before the outbreak of the Second World War, now carries a dark historical irony. 

Yet within the poem’s 1937 context, it functions as a grotesque exaggeration designed to provoke and shock.

The town is depicted as:

Spiritually barren

Architecturally ugly

Morally empty

Phrases such as “tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk” create a rhythm of artificiality and uniformity. The repetition of “tinned” suggests not just preserved food but preserved, mechanised lives — sealed, standardised and devoid of freshness. Industrial capitalism becomes something embalmed and lifeless.

Industrial Modernity vs. Rural England

A central tension in Slough is the clash between industrial progress and the older vision of England that Betjeman cherished. He was known for his affection for Victorian architecture and rural landscapes. In this poem, modern business culture appears sterile and spiritually corrosive:

“And get that man with double chin

Who’ll always cheat and always win…”

Here Betjeman satirises the figure of the profit-driven businessman — physically unappealing, morally suspect, and emblematic of unregulated capitalism.

The poem suggests that economic “progress” has replaced beauty, craftsmanship and community with speculative building and profit margins. Slough becomes shorthand for a new England dominated by concrete, office blocks and commuter culture.

Rhythm and Structure

The poem uses a jaunty, almost nursery-rhyme rhythm. This lightness contrasts sharply with the violence of its opening line and the severity of its criticism. The regular rhyme scheme and bouncy cadence intensify the satire; the poem sounds cheerful while expressing destructive wishes.

This contrast creates tension:

Cheerful rhythm

Bitter content

The form mirrors the hypocrisy Betjeman perceives — pleasant surfaces masking ugliness beneath.

Moral and Spiritual Emptiness

One of the poem’s most powerful themes is spiritual decay. Betjeman portrays Slough as lacking imagination, art and emotional depth:

“There isn’t grass to graze a cow.”

This line functions symbolically. The absence of grass implies not merely urbanisation but the eradication of organic life. Nature has been replaced by asphalt and warehouses.

The town is portrayed as mechanised, joyless and culturally thin — a place of mass-produced existence rather than individual identity.

Historical Irony

After the Blitz began in 1940, Betjeman reportedly expressed regret over the poem’s opening line. The reality of bombs falling on English towns made the satire uncomfortably literal. 

This historical development complicates modern readings of the poem. What was once exaggerated rhetoric gained tragic resonance.

Today, the poem may feel less like a call for destruction and more like a cultural lament — a warning about unthinking development and the loss of heritage.

Is the Poem Fair?

A critical reading must ask whether Betjeman’s portrayal is exaggerated and elitist. Slough provided employment during the interwar depression and represented economic opportunity for many. From another perspective, it symbolised modern resilience rather than decay.

Thus, the poem can be read in two ways:

A sharp and prophetic critique of soulless industrialisation.

A nostalgic, perhaps reactionary rejection of social change.

Betjeman’s conservatism informs the poem’s perspective. His love of architectural tradition and Anglican England shapes his disdain for commercial modernity.

Conclusion

Slough remains one of Betjeman’s most provocative poems. Its biting satire, exaggerated invective and rhythmic irony create a powerful critique of 1930s industrial expansion. Yet it is also a poem rooted in anxiety — about modernity, capitalism, and the erosion of a particular vision of England.

Rather than simply attacking a town, Betjeman attacks a mindset: one that prioritises profit over beauty and efficiency over soul. The poem endures because its questions about development, heritage and cultural identity remain relevant today.

You can read the poem here https://internetpoem.com/john-betjeman/slough-poem

Incidentally Slough is working hard to become UK Town of Culture for 2028 

https://thatsbooks.blogspot.com/2026/02/viva-slough-slough-announces-bid-for-uk.html

Viva Slough! Slough announces bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

Poet John Betjeman had some rather harsh words for Slough:

Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!

It isn't fit for humans now,

There isn't grass to graze a cow.

Swarm over, Death!

(In my next blogpost I will provide a critical perspective on the poem by John Betjaman and why he was actually pro-Slough, rather than against it.)

I think that he would be pleased and impressed with the news that Slough has announced its intention to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028, launching a bold campaign to reshape how the town is seen nationally. 

The bid aims to dismantle decades of unfair reputations and tired “The Office” stereotypes, replacing them with a confident, future-facing story of creativity, connectivity and cultural energy.

The bid sets out to move beyond long-standing perceptions and present Slough as a place defined by its people and its role in the UK’s digital and economic infrastructure. Organisers emphasise that the focus will not be on a single year of events, but on using culture to support skills development, community participation and pride in place.

Slough is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse towns in the UK and sits at the heart of the Thames Valley economy. 

It's also home to major data centres and digital infrastructure that support large parts of the UK’s internet traffic. 

Located next to Heathrow Airport, the town has long been shaped by migration, movement and global connections.

A new Town of Culture Steering Group is being formed to oversee the bid, bringing together representatives from business, education, the voluntary sector, culture and youth organisations. The group will be chaired by Rob Deeks MBE, chief executive of Together As One, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to young people and the community in Slough, recognising his long-standing work supporting and empowering young people across the town.

Rob Deeks told That's Books and More: “Our bid for Town of Culture will be rooted in Slough’s everyday stories, its resilience, and its creative ambitions. 

"Culture here is expressed through the arts and events, but also through how people come together, share identity, and shape the place they live. It is about making space for everyone to participate, belong, and thrive.”

Slough’s bid is not built on aspiration alone. It is rooted in a vibrant and evolving cultural landscape. It has internationally connected music and dance communities, contemporary public art transforming everyday spaces, and is at the heart of Britain's Film and Television Industry with a pool of creative talent. 

Slough is already a place where culture is lived, not staged. Culture is expressed through faith traditions, community choirs, spoken word, visual arts, grassroots theatre and digital creativity.

Slough is already a place where culture is lived, not staged.

Slough’s heritage is industrial, migratory and entrepreneurial, a story of reinvention, resilience and contribution to the national economy, and the 2028 bid will celebrate this living, working, creating town in all its richness.

The bid will be managed by Vineet Vijh, Director of community organisation Viva Slough, who has been leading wider efforts to promote culture, wellbeing and skills development across the town.

Vineet Vijh told us: “Slough doesn’t need reinvention, but it does need recognition. We are digitally connected, globally diverse and full of creative energy. Town of Culture gives us the chance to turn those strengths into pride, opportunity and long-term change.”

Get Involved

The bid team is launching a month of intensive community consultation to ensure the final proposal is truly “built by Slough, for Slough”. This will include:

Town Hall Meetings – open forums for residents to share their ‘Untold Slough’ stories

Youth Summits – sessions in schools, colleges and youth centres throughout February and March

Public Webinar (3 March) – an open invitation for anyone interested in, or curious about, the bid

Small Business Briefing (24 February) – delivered in collaboration with the Federation of Small Businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and developers to align their projects with the 2028 vision

Developer Forum (23 February) – discussions with property developers interested in investment and development in Slough

Early responses from residents, local arts organisations and businesses have been positive.

Toby Kress, Chief Executive of Plus X Innovation, said the bid reflected wider changes in how places like Slough are viewed.

“Slough is already a powerhouse of innovation and talent. Town of Culture 2028 is an opportunity to connect that innovation to creativity and community, and to put Slough firmly on the national and international map.”

Gozan John, a 17-year-old A-level student at St Bernards school, said she welcomed the opportunity for young people to be directly involved in shaping the bid.

“So often decisions about places are made without young people being properly involved. What’s exciting about this bid is that our voices are being taken seriously from the start. Slough is full of young talent and ideas, and this feels like a real chance to for them to help shape the town we want to grow up in.”

Seema Kamboj, Director of arts organisation Apna Virsa (Our Heritage), which has been running for over 17 years and works with more than 5,000 Slough residents, said:

“Slough has always been rich in talent, ambition and diversity. What’s been missing is the platform to tell that story on our own terms. This bid is about unlocking the creativity of our different communities, young and old, and showing the country what modern Britain really looks like.”

The bid has the full support of Slough Borough Council, local MP Tan Dhesi, and Council Leader Dexter Smith, all of whom will actively support the campaign.

The UK Town of Culture competition is run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The winning town will receive £3 million in funding and hold the title for one year, though organisers stress that bids are assessed on long-term impact rather than the scale of individual events.

Slough is competing in the large town category. The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is 31 March 2026.

https://vivaslough.org

Young Generation Art Award 2026 Ceremony

The Young Generation Art Award was initiated by Degussa in cooperation with the art magazine Monopol in 2024 and presented for the first time in 2025. 

The award was presented to the first winner during a solo exhibition at the international art exhibition Frieze 2025 in London.

The prize supports aspiring artists at the beginning of their careers.

In the second year of the award, five artists were selected for the shortlist exhibition from a pool of around 400 candidates. 

Of these five, the panel of experts, comprising Elke Buhr, Yilmaz Dziewior and Maya Heckelmann, chose artist Ken Nwadiogbu to receive this year’s Young Generation Art Award 2026.

The award ceremony was held in the Hotel de Rome in Berlin on 19 February 2026. Christian Rauch, CEO of Degussa, presented the prize to the London-based Nigerian artist Ken Nwadiogbu.

The experts highlight the following in their reasoning: Ken Nwadiogbu’s art is technically virtuositic, exceptionally evocative and multifaceted. 

He masterfully combines elaborate, hyperrealistic figuration with expressive, abstract backgrounds to take his place in artistic modernity in complex style. 

He honours the members of the Black community and lets them shine in his bright yellow portraits based on photographs taken of people around him.

"Ken Nwadiogbu seamlessly blends technical sophistication, emotional depth and social relevance in a way that deeply moves us all," Christian Rauch told That's Books and More.

The winner receives €10,000 in prize money, an individual exhibition at Frieze London 2026 and a one-year travelling exhibition that will be shown at a number of international locations. The other finalists receive an exhibition fee of €3,000.

Judges: Elke Buhr (Editor-in-chief of Monopol), Yilmaz Dziewior (Director of Museum Ludwig in Cologne), Maya Heckelmann (Art and culture sponsoring at Degussa).

degussa.com