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Thursday, 2 April 2026

Slough Comes Alive: Hundreds Join High-Energy Flash Mob Showcasing Town’s Cultural Power

Slough’s High Street and Salt Hill Park became stages for an extraordinary show of unity, creativity and pride this Saturday, 28th of March, as more than 300 residents gathered to witness a large-scale flash mob in support of the town’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.

The event brought together over 100 dancers across three distinct performances, each led by different choreographers and representing different age groups and communities, a powerful reflection of Slough’s cultural richness in action.

The flash mob was conceived and coordinated by Sreya Biswas of Sanchari Dance Company, a community organisation that uses dance to promote health, wellbeing and social connection across the borough.

The event opened with an energetic, youth-led performance from Creative Academy and Prodigy Dance Studio, led by Gracie, featuring around 40 dancers aged 6 to 22. Performing on the High Street, they drew crowds and stopped passers-by in their tracks, with many of the young performers holding handmade placards reading “We Love Slough” and “We Support Town of Culture 2028.”

This was followed by a dynamic Afro-Caribbean dance performance from a local church group, Mustard Seed Chapel International, with around 15 dancers, led by Veronica from Dancing Stars and Fiona from Fusion. The group spanned a wide range of ages, bringing rhythm, expression and cultural pride into the town centre.

The finale featured around 40 dancers performing a Bollywood fusion routine led by Sanchari Dance Company, with participants from Sai Seva, Apna Virsa, Indian Diaspora UK (IDUK), Slough Mitra Mandal and many other local community groups. The performance became a shared moment, with members of the public joining in.

The dance routines were later repeated in Salt Hill Park, attracting an even wider audience enjoying the rare sunshine that Saturday.

65 dancers had signed up through the open call, demonstrating the strong appetite across Slough’s communities to take part.

Alongside the performances, members of the Slough Sisterhood community led a walk through Salt Hill Park, adding to the sense of visibility, movement and shared purpose.

Throughout the event, participants carried bold placards reading “Slough is Ready,” “Slough: You Didn’t Expect That,” and “Slough – More Than a Punchline,” signalling a town confidently reclaiming its narrative.

The event was widely captured by attendees, with footage filmed both on the ground and by drone, and is already circulating across social media, generating strong engagement and positive reactions.

Vineet Vijh, Director of Viva Slough, told That's Books and More: “This was Slough telling its story in the most powerful way possible, through its people. Different cultures, different generations, all coming together in one shared moment. You could feel the pride, the energy, and the belief that Slough’s time has come.”

Sreya Biswas, Sanchari Dance Company, said: “Seeing so many people step forward and perform with confidence was incredible. This was about more than dance; it was about showing what Slough is capable of.”

Rob Deeks MBE, Chair of the Slough Town of Culture Steering Group, said: “What we witnessed today is exactly why this bid matters. This is real participation, real pride, and real community leadership. Slough isn’t waiting for recognition, it is already showing the country what it can do.”

Rajesh, a passing resident, commented: “It was amazing to see the energy from the dancers, the town centre really did come alive.”

The atmosphere across both locations was overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of residents watching, joining in and sharing the moment. The event demonstrates the growing momentum behind Slough’s Town of Culture bid, not just as a vision, but as something already being brought to life by its communities.

https://vivaslough.org

Photographer Jack Eames documents the ground-breaking work done by Haircuts4Homeless over 56 locations in the UK

(c)Jack Eames
“The SEEN art exhibition is a very special project for me and represents a powerful collaboration between myself, as founder of Haircuts4Homeless, and the incredibly talented photographer Jack Eames. 

"The relationship that has developed between Jack, the guests of Haircuts4Homeless and I, is something very special.

"This exhibition really celebrates trust and human connections. These portraits show the real people behind the statistics and remind us that everyone has a story worth telling. 

"For me, SEEN is more than an art exhibition, it’s a celebration of dignity, humanity and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen," Stewart Roberts MBE - Founder Haircuts4Homeless told That's Books and More.

For the past seven years, award-winning fashion led hair and beauty photographer, and director Jack Eames has been documenting the ground-breaking work done by Haircuts4Homeless. Affiliated to key industry sponsors including The British Beauty Council, the charity organises volunteer hairdressers to provide free haircuts to those experiencing homelessness across the UK.

Founded by Stewart Roberts MBE in 2014, Haircuts4Homeless has grown significantly since its launch, now providing over 12,000 free haircuts a year across 56 projects in the UK. 

The charity runs teams of exceptional volunteer hairdressers and is made possible by financial donations. Jack Eames first started visiting the Haircuts4Homeless projects seven years ago, to document this work and raise awareness of the charity with sensitive, beautiful photographs. 

Realising that his project deserved a wider platform to illustrate fully the empowering results, Haircuts4Homeless published Hear me See Me, a coffee-table book of incredible imagery.

Adding to the archive of stories and moments from this publication, Jack is invited to curate SEEN by Jack Eames, an exhibition giving visibility for all people suffering homelessness from rough sleeping to sofa surfing.

“I feel incredibly honoured to be involved with Haircuts4Homeless and Stewart Roberts MBE, joining them at their sessions and documenting the work they do. Being in those spaces only highlights the importance of their mission, and the value that a haircut can bring to an individual who is homeless or struggling with housing stability. It’s far more than just a haircut – it’s about creating safe spaces for vulnerability, touch and listening, while helping people to feel good about themselves. My hope is that this exhibition will shed a light on the incredible impact of the charity’s work, and that together we can support them to continue helping our homeless communities”Photographer Jack Eames told us.

From Monday 13th until Thursday 16th April 2026, SEEN by Jack Eames is available to view at the Coningsby Gallery. The exhibition proceeds and partner contributions will go directly towards funding the charity’s ongoing outreach efforts, existing not just as a cultural moment, but as a practical way to generate tangible support for unhoused individuals.

(c) Jack Eames
This collection of impactful, candid photographs, taken during the many sessions Jack attended with Haircuts4Homeless across the country and is supported by his long-term professional photo software brand partner Capture One. Stewart and Jack are incredibly grateful to Capture One, the premier photography software company, for sponsoring the exhibition and helping bring this important body of work to a wider audience.

An ongoing project, Jack continues to document his work with the charity, working to humanise the face of homelessness, capturing the real people behind this issue with respect and dignity. This exhibition highlights the human stories behind the project and the impact of the charity’s work, reflecting Jack Eames and Capture One’s shared belief in photography’s ability to humanize, connect, and bring light to those overlooked by their plight. SEEN by Jack Eames directly supports Haircuts4Homeless and its mission to provide free haircuts for homeless people.

“Photography has the power to shift perception. With SEEN, we’re proud to support a project that restores visibility and dignity to people too often overlooked. Through exhibitions, partnerships, education programs, and direct collaboration with working photographers like Jack, Capture One actively invests in strengthening the creative ecosystem. Building projects like SEEN is part of a broader commitment to champion photographers who use their craft to create meaningful social impact,” Taus Andreas, Creative Lead, Capture One told us.

The importance of the charity has been recognised by the UK’s leading voice in the beauty Industry the British Beauty Council. Its CEO, Millie Kendall OBE is also one of the trustees of the charity. She has first-hand experience of seeing the transformative results.

"I’d always realised the importance of hairdressing in communities, but when I met Stewart Roberts back in 2019, I truly realised the impact it had on people living rough in our towns and villages. 

"We walk past people every day who might benefit from a haircut, from the care given when getting a haircut, from the emotional connection with another human being, and the touch of someone given in kindness. 

"I have seen men and women go from being hunched over and ashamed of their appearance to standing up straight and proud after a haircut by the Haircuts4Homeless team. It is a special experience both for them and to witness. I urge anyone and everyone to get involved and support this charity, especially if you work in hair and beauty!” - Millie Kendall OBE, told us.

SEEN by Jack Eames

13th – 16th April 2026

(Private viewing and presentations 6 – 9pm, Monday 13th April 2026)

Coningsby Gallery,

30 Tottenham St,

London W1T 4RJ

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Sir Walter Scott is Back! Full Steam Ahead for Historic Steamship on Loch Katrine - Nature's Wonderland

The 126-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott has returned to service for the season on Loch Katrine following a major annual winter overhaul, sailing daily until late October alongside MV Lady of the Lake or MV Rob Roy 111.

The much-loved steamer, named after Scotland’s most celebrated literary figure, offers visitors the chance to experience classic steamship cruises in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve.

Until work is completed next week on the storm damaged pier at Stronachlachar, there will be daily circular Steamship cruises. 

When the pier is reopened this will give passengers the option to enjoy a full return cruise or combine their sailing with a cycle or walk on the scenic road that winds its way along the shoreline of Loch Katrine. 

For cyclists of all abilities, this is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s finest outdoor experiences, with a peaceful, traffic-free route set against a stunning landscape rich in natural beauty and cultural history.

Originally built on the River Clyde in 1899, Steamship Sir Walter Scott has a remarkable story. After construction, she was transported in sections by barge along the River Leven and up Loch Lomond, before being hauled the final five miles overland by horses to reach Loch Katrine, where she was re-assembled and launched in 1900.

Visitors can explore this unique history further at a dedicated multi-sensory exhibition at Trossachs Pier, where the story of steamships on Loch Katrine and the loch's role as the main source of Glasgow's water supply is brought to life.

Scenic Beauty & Romance

Above the pier and overlooking the loch is the award-winning scenic tower and viewpoint that inspired Sir Walter Scott to write The Lady of the Lake, his internationally celebrated poem published in 1810. The work tells the story of Ellen Douglas, who lived in exile on a Loch Katrine island, and her encounters with a disguised King James V, blending romance, clan conflict and Highland landscapes into a narrative that captured the magic of this special place.

Scott’s vivid descriptions of the dramatic Trossachs landscapes and romantic stories helped establish Loch Katrine as a must-visit destination, earning it recognition as the Birthplace of Scottish Tourism and today, visitors can experience this same view from the scenic tower and lookouts above Trossachs Pier. Now in its second full year, the tower has already welcomed more than 50,000 people, bringing many new visitors to the popular Trossachs attraction.

James Fraser, CEO and Lead Trustee of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust, told That's Books and More: “It's remarkable the historic Steamship has been offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic cruises on Loch Katrine since 1900 and is still powered by the original engine built in 1899.

"The Steamship is being lovingly preserved under the umbrella of a charitable trust with dedicated trustees and skilled staff for the benefit of the nation and public enjoyment.

"It’s strong connection with the public and the pure waters of the loch, which are the main source of Glasgow's water supply, has allowed her to endure, and we hope that this will be another busy season following a bumper 2025 when the steamship celebrated a milestone 125th anniversary.

"Her accessibility enables everyone, including those with restricted mobility to enjoy these classic cruises, and we are always delighted to see the joy she brings to visitors from home and abroad.”

Loch Katrine offers up to 10 cruises of varying duration from 45 minutes to 2 hours each day, with an option of a Freedom Ticket to enable visitors to stay and explore the lochside for longer. At Trossachs Pier there are 10 eco lodges, cycle hire, a gift shop and the scenic tower. There are cafés and motorhome and campervan hook-up pitches at both Trossachs and Stronachlachar Piers.

https://www.lochkatrine.com

That's Business: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices an...

That's Business: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices an...: Imagine a world where you can shape the choices and behaviours of others, of consumers. A branded bag, a phone, a vaccine, a weapon, a polit...

Sunday, 29 March 2026

Valle Venia presents: LPS feat. Natalia Sarsgard: J’ai dû m’arrêter

Neustadt an der Weinstrasse - The song by Leo Philipp Schmidt and Valle Venia captures the feeling of losing oneself in a world that is growing ever louder and faster, where restlessness and superficiality cause relationships, friendships, and connections to dissolve and be sacrificed.

With emotional depth, singer Natalia Sarsgard describes the path to finding oneself again, to gathering one’s thoughts, to remaining silent, to withdrawing—in order to reflect in the silence, in the comfort, and in the seclusion, to feel and reconnect with ourselves and others.

Through her multifaceted voice, Natalia Sarsgard’s interpretation of the song conveys how strength and courage can arise from deep vulnerability. Without even realizing it, one is accompanied by the confidence that what was thought to be lost can be found again.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/CINjhTHtmno

J'ai Du M'arreter - LPS, https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/6BvbJ0VAAvMwciCD7q7BC8

https://shop.valle-venia.de/products/different-ways

https://www.amazon.de/Different-Ways-feat-Various-Artist/dp/B0CMJVQV2M

https://valle-venia.de/30S/JaiDuMarreter.mp4

www.valle-venia.com

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Croesawu synau clychau'r eglwys! Welcome the sounds of the church bells! Church bells to ring for first time at North Wales Easter service

Bells at St Mary’s Church in Betws-y-Coed, Wales, will rung for the first time at a church service this Easter, following the completion of a major restoration project.

Although the church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, that work was never completed. Over 150 years later, the tower now has a full set in place.

Eight of the bells were brought from St John’s Church in Porthmadog in 2024, after the church closed, linking the two communities. 

The remaining bell, cast in 1873 for Betws-y-Coed by John Warner of London, has been restored and rehung as the clock and chiming bell.

The bells will be rung before a family Eucharist and blessing of lambs at 11:00 on Easter Day.

The project began in 2019 during a conversation at the Llanrwst Eisteddfod involving members of Côr Penmachno

Several choir members were bell ringers but had no local tower to practise in, which led to the idea for the project. 

Members of that original group plus other local people have taken on key roles. Nigel Thomas is now the Tower Captain, with others serving as secretary, treasurer and steeple keepers.

The eight bells from Porthmadog were cast by John Warner & Sons, with six dating from 1900 and two added in 1902. They were retuned and prepared for installation by Taylor’s Bell Foundry before being hung in the tower.

Work on the installation included cleaning and tuning the bells, removing original fittings and installing new headstocks. A new base frame was designed using sections from the Porthmadog installation, supported by the original beams in the tower. The church clock mechanism has also been replaced so it can now chime the hour.

The project has cost around £100,000, funded mainly through grants, including support from the Keltek Trust, Hobart Trust and Bernard Piggott Trust.

During the work, newspapers dating from October 1874 were found in part of the tower, including a copy of the Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald which mentions Betws-y-coed.

The bells have been dedicated to eight local people, including former church wardens. Three of those named are still living and are expected to attend the Easter service.

Revd Stuart Elliott, local priest and Ministry Area Leader of Bro Gwydyr told That's Books and More: said, “It was a wonderful and emotional moment to hear the bells during a test ring. It will be extraordinary to hear them rung for the first time at a church service on Easter Sunday, so that the whole community can hear the invitation they proclaim. It is quite a transformation for the village.

“Whilst this project was essentially a practical one of buildings and structure, at its heart is the new community of ringers that will be able to be created around the church. 

"The project would not have been possible without the dedication of the local group who worked hard fundraising and helping with the physical work fitting the bells. 

"We must also acknowledge the many local donations from people and businesses together with Keltek Trust, Hobart Trust and Bernard Piggott Trust for their generosity which made this project happen.”

After the service, a Quarter Peal will be rung, lasting about 45 minutes. This is a form of change ringing using a set sequence known as Plain Bob Triples. Four of the ringers taking part also rang the final Quarter Peal at St John’s Church in Porthmadog before it closed.

The heaviest bell in the ring weighs more than 10 hundredweight, and together the bells are tuned in the key of G.

Easter Day will mark the first time the full ring is used as originally intended when the church was built in the 19th Century.

https://bangor.eglwysyngnghymru.org.uk

https://brogwydyr.cymru

From psychological thrillers to emotional family drama: New8 unveils Slate 3 at Series Mania

New8, the European drama collaboration of eight public service broadcasters, presented eight new scripted projects today during Series Mania in Lille.

Following the announcement earlier this year that the partners are extending their successful co‑production model, the new slate marks three years of close collaboration between SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland), NRK (Norway), VRT (Flanders/Belgium), NPO (the Netherlands) and ZDF (Germany). 

The unveiling highlights the strength of the collaboration and its continued commitment to sustainably co‑producing high‑quality drama rooted in shared public service values. 

That ambition is reflected in the breadth and diversity of the titles presented, all of which aim to nurture creative excellence while offering producers and creatives a stable and reliable financing framework.

https://presseportal.zdf.de/pressemitteilung/from-psychological-thrillers-to-emotional-family-drama-new8-unveils-slate-3-at-series-mania