An award-winning author is set to bring the joy of literature and writing to communities as part of Paisley Book Festival.
12.10.2022 - 16:25 / nme.com
estimated £120m cost of the festival, planning took a step forward in 2020 when organisers called for “daring, new and popular” ideas that will unite the nation.
The much-maligned event then rebranded as Unboxed and revealed details of its 2022 event.Since opening in March of this year despite numerous objections, the festival – dubbed ‘Unboxed: Creativity in the UK’ – has reportedly welcomed just 240,000 visitors, a fraction of the 66 million originally hoped for, and MPs in a cross-party parliamentary committee have asked the National Audit Office (NAO) to look into how the money was spent.After the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee called for the investigation and called Unboxed an “irresponsible use of public money,” the new committee’s chairman, Conservative MP Julian Knight, said: “That such an exorbitant amount of public cash has been spent on a so-called celebration of creativity that has barely failed to register in the public consciousness raises serious red flags about how the project has been managed from conception through to delivery.”The cross-party parliamentary committee have raised concerns that taxpayers’ money was “frittered away” on the project while bringing “so little” in return.Back in early 2021, campaigners called on the government to ditch controversial efforts for the festival and use the money to fund COVID recovery efforts as the pandemic continued.Last year, the Music Venue Trust also called on the government to cancel the event and use the money to instead secure the future of Britain’s grassroots culture amid the pandemic.In an open letter and new petition, the Music Venue Trust called upon the government to immediately announce legal measures to temporarily close venues
.An award-winning author is set to bring the joy of literature and writing to communities as part of Paisley Book Festival.
vibes back into our lives. The male romantic lead in her new movie, The Idea of You, is rumored to be based on Styles himself.The novel—written by Robinne Lee, who is also a co-producer on the film with Hathaway—follows the story of a 40-year-old mom and divorcée Sophie, who starts a love affair with a British pop star name Hayes Campbell, who leads boy band, August Moon.
A BBC News presenter has been taken off air for a potential impartiality breach after asking “Am I allowed to be this gleeful?” on a political program yesterday following Boris Johnson’s decision to pull out of the race to be Prime Minister.
After a sudden exit from the public eye, Stormzy is back with a fresh confidence, which he will discuss with Documentarian Louis Theroux.
The BBC has ready secret scripts to read on emergency broadcast channels if the UK experiences energy shortages that result in blackouts or loses gas this winter, according to the Guardian.
The BBC turns 100 today and it appears the centenary is helping to build bridges between the UK public and the Conservative government — at least in the short term.
Arctic Monkeys have brought recent single ‘Body Paint’ to German TV ahead of the release of new album ‘The Car’ this Friday (October 21) – see the performance below.‘Body Paint’ was released last month as the second single from the band’s seventh album, following first taster ‘There’d Better Be A Mirrorball’.The band have already performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and last week (October 11) they headed to the Late Night Berlin TV show to air a performance of the track.Reviewing ‘Body Paint’, NME wrote: “‘Body Paint’ may conjure up all the stirring emotions from ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ but the riveting track is proof that the band have no issue creating something otherworldly, even when the subject matter is far closer to earth.”Watch them perform it on German TV below.Last week, the band also added European headline dates to their 2023 world tour.
Natalie Imbruglia wore army pants in the 'Torn' music video because she was “so body dysmorphic and insecure” back then. The 47-year-old pop star has revealed she refused to wear a dress in the promo for her 1999 hit because she didn't want to show off her body shape. She told The Independent: “The army pants weren’t even cool army pants – they weren’t in fashion or anything.
A group including Prince Harry, Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley are suing the publishers of The Daily Mail for being “the victims of abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy” including the hiring of private investigators.
A public inquiry into a vast development scheme which includes building a Ryder Cup golf course and more than 1,000 homes on a green belt park has begun. Previous proposals for Hulton Park, close to Westhoughton, were approved by Bolton Council in 2018 and the UK Secretary of State in 2020 and remain in place.
Emma Thompson, Stephen Graham, and Lashana Lynch passed through the London Film Festival on Wednesday, where they discussed their new film Matilda The Musical, directed by Matthew Warchus.
Florence Pugh is determined to get to the bottom of a mystery in the new trailer for her movie, The Wonder.
After sharing several loved-up snaps on social media, Maisie Smith, 21, and Max George, 34, made their first public appearance as a couple on Tuesday at Corinthia London Hotel.LOOK: Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes and Carol Vorderman exude glamour at the HELLO! Inspiration AwardsThe couple, who met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, cuddled up for photos together as they attended HELLO!'s Inspiration Awards, which is sponsored by luxury childrenswear retailer Childsplay Clothing and celebrates Britain's most selfless and giving individuals who have gone that extra mile to help others who are in need of support.WATCH: Meet HELLO!'s fabulous judges at this year's Inspiration AwardsTaking inspiration from the likes of Victoria and David Beckham, Maisie and Max had a twinning moment, with the EastEnders actress opting for a strapless cream bodysuit that highlighted her toned figure, while The Wanted star Max wore a matching cream suit layered over a white T-shirt.Their fellow Strictly star Johannes Radebe was one of the celebrity judges for this year's event, and he helped whittle down the shortlist alongside Countryfile presenter Anita Rani, Julia Bradbury, Saira Khan and our editor-in-chief Rosie Nixon. READ: Strictly's Aljaz Skorjanec talks 'very emotional' experience watching the show as a viewerRELATED: Exclusive: Lisa Snowdon reveals romantic plans with her fiancé and 'life-changing' Celebrity MasterChef win Max and Maisie attended HELLO!'s Inspiration Awards. Photo: Dave Benett Each category shines a spotlight on people - both famous and not - who have inspired others with their bravery and kindness, with last year's winners including Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Clara Amfo and Rochelle Humes.
The UK Covid-19 public inquiry began today with a solemn vow people who lost loved ones during the pandemic and all those who have suffered will be at its 'heart'.