Book review blog site, with some entertainment material from time-to-time.
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
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
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
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
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.
From psychological thrillers to emotional family drama: New8 unveils Slate 3 at Series Mania
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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.
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
New theatre initiative guarantees up to 40% off for smarter theatregoers who plan ahead
Theatregoers booking West End tickets 8–12 weeks in advance can now save up to 40% through a new option from London Theatre Direct that guarantees they won't find the same seat cheaper elsewhere, even at the last minute.
Advance Pick, which launches today, is aimed at audiences who want to plan ahead but hesitate to commit early for fear of missing a better deal closer to the performance.
While early-booking discounts are nothing new, Advance Pick brings these value-led ticket options together in one place for the first time, creating a dedicated destination where audiences can easily discover eligible shows.
The option locks in a discounted price on selected shows and lets buyers choose their exact seat and date.
Unlike last-minute deal sites, which either allocate random seats or you only get what's left, Advance Pick gives full control over seat selection at the point of booking - removing what is one of the main barriers to early purchasing, according to London Theatre Direct.
Designed to be always on, Advance Pick works directly with producers to release new offers over time, helping theatres fill seats further in advance while giving audiences an earlier chance to lock in the best price. Customers can also sign up with London Theatre Direct for updates if a wish-list show is not yet available.
"Advance Pick settles that. You pick your seat, you lock in the price, and if it drops anywhere else, we match it. There's no reason to wait and gamble on what's left."
Advance Pick is now available via London Theatre Direct across selected West End shows and performances, with more shows joining the line-up in the coming weeks.
FACTFILE:
London Theatre Direct is the leading & longest running online platform for booking theatre tickets in London's West End, offering a variety of shows from popular musicals to plays and operas.
Founded in 1999, it was one of the first UK companies to sell theatre tickets online, pioneering the digital ticketing market. Over the years, it has partnered with major theatres and producers, providing users with real-time availability and exclusive offers.
That's Health: Derby’s OperaBabes concert set to be First Steps E...
That's Health: Derby’s OperaBabes concert set to be First Steps E...: Acclaimed classical duo to headline Derby Cathedral ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ concert in aid of local eating disorder charity. First Steps E...
Friday, 20 March 2026
Kanye West Brings the Biggest Show of the Year to Portugal
Ye (Kanye West) will return to Portugal on August 7, with a major stadium show at Estádio do Algarve, marking his first performance in the country since 2011.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential and disruptive artists of this century, he brings with him the new album Bully, set for release on March 27, alongside an ambitious, large-scale production never before seen in the country.
The event, promoted by GUEST, is set to position Portugal firmly on the European circuit of major concerts. The show is expected to attract tens of thousands of national and international fans, reinforcing the Algarve's role as a key destination for large-scale cultural events.
The waiting list opens on March 20 at 9 am, with exclusive early access to tickets for registered users starting March 24 at 9 am. General ticket sales begin on March 26.
All tickets will be available at yeliveportugal.com
European Tour Dates
Ye's European tour kicks off on May 30 in Istanbul, passing through some of the continent's largest venues:
•May 30 — Istanbul, Turkey
•June 6 — Arnhem, Netherlands (GelreDome)
•June 11 — Marseille, France (Orange Vélodrome)
•July 18 — Reggio Emilia, Italy (RCF Arena)
•July 30 — Madrid, Spain (Riyadh Air Metropolitano)
•August 7 — Algarve, Portugal (Estádio do Algarve)
This run of dates marks Ye's return to major European stages more than a decade later, with a tour designed for stadiums and large-scale venues, underlining the scale and significance of this new phase.
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