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OPERATION MINCEMEAT HONOURS GLYNDWR MICHAEL IN CARDIFF
The Tony and double Olivier Award®-winning musical, Operation Mincemeat, recently honoured Glyndwr Michael, the homeless Welshman whose body was used to create the fictional ‘Major William Martin’ in one of the most audacious deceptions of the Second World War, with a special performance and the unveiling of a memorial bench in Cardiff’s Alexandra Gardens.
The touring cast and creative team were joined by a specially formed choir made up of local and military community volunteers, including Cardiff Military Wives Choir, Cowbridge Male Voice Choir, St Patrick’s Church Choir and Choir for Good, for a special rendition of Sail On, Boys, the song from the musical accompanying Glyndwr’s body as it is carried aboard HMS Seraph towards Spain.
The event took place during the show’s run at New Theatre Cardiff.
POTTER CRAFTS UNIQUE CLIFFS PAVILION TEAPOT!
Leigh-on-Sea based potter Richard Baxter has produced a one-off tea pot for the Cliffs Pavilion. Richard has been a professional potter for more than four decades, graduating from Loughborough College of Arts and Design 1981 with a First Class BA in 3-D Design (Ceramics). He is also a regular at both the Cliffs Pavilion and the Palace Theatre in Southend.
He made the teapot as part of the work for the Scene By The Sea exhibition which celebrated the music scene in Southend, in which the Cliffs has always played a large part.
Richard said: “When I was invited to make work for the Scene By The Sea show at the Beecroft Gallery, I homed in on key music venues like The Queens Hotel, The Kursaal, The Odeon and the Cliffs Pavilion. I ended up making ‘flat- back’ simplified porcelain blocks of the first three and tried a different approach with the Cliffs of referencing some of its architectural features on a ‘functional’ pot. Over many years I have made teapots where handles become sculptural additions, and the iconic zigzags of the roofline were an obvious starting point. The distinctive patterning on the walls and the tall ‘fly tower’ as the lid completed the elements I needed. I used blue and white on this work which keeps it within typical pottery expectations!”
So, next time you visit the Cliffs, ask for a cuppa!
STAGECOACH SHORTLISTED FOR FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR
Stagecoach Performing Arts is thrilled to announce it has been shortlisted for the Franchisor of the Year – at the BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2026, a recognition that belongs to the whole Stagecoach network. Every week, franchisees and teachers help young people across the UK grow in confidence and creativity through singing, dancing and acting. Behind them, Stagecoach’s support team works hard to give every franchisee the tools, training and guidance they need to build thriving local schools.
To be recognised among the best in UK franchising is a proud moment for everyone who has been part of the Stagecoach story. The celebration takes place in Telford on 12 November.
THE GREAT TRAFALGAR BAKE OFF!
Teams in our Woking and London offices joined forces this year to support Macmillan Coffee Morning, raising a fantastic £427 for charity, a record-breaking total for the initiative.
The collaboration gave colleagues from both offices the opportunity to get involved in a shared fundraising effort, with plenty of friendly competition along the way. The Woking office kicked things off on 29 September, hosting a coffee morning featuring four talented bakers in a light-hearted bake-off style contest. Colleagues were invited to sample the creations and cast their votes, with some eye-catching AI-generated posters adding to the fun.
The following day, on 30 September, the London office hosted its own coffee morning, treating attendees to an impressive spread of cakes and bakes that looked almost too good to eat.
A huge thank you to everyone who baked, donated and supported the events. Together, both offices helped make this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning our most successful yet, raising vital funds for people living with cancer and their loved ones.
SAVE THE DATE! DARTFORD PRIDE RETURNS IN 2027
Following a fantastic fifth anniversary year, Dartford Pride is back on 5 June 2027. Thanks to a new three-year partnership agreement between Dartford Borough Council, the Trafalgar Entertainment Trust and The Orchard Theatre, the celebration continues. Save the date and join us as we return to our beloved theatre for another unforgettable day of Pride, community and celebration.
BRADFORD LIVE SHORTLISTED FOR AWARDS
Bradford Live has been shortlisted in two categories at the Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Awards 2026 – Hotel/Leisure Venue of the Year and Team of the Year.
The award evening will be held in The Broadway Shopping Centre on Sunday 15 November. This event is a highlight in Bradford’s calendar, welcoming over 300 of the top businesses from our region along with our VIP guests.
