The Folio Society Unveils Stunning New Edition of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles has enthralled readers with its blend of romance, mythology, and adventure, offering a fresh retelling of The Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, the devoted companion to Achilles. This remarkable debut explores their deepening relationship amidst the trials of war and divine disapproval. As Helen’s abduction leads to the… Continue reading The Folio Society Unveils Stunning New Edition of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles

Lancashire and Warwick county councils struggle with special needs and disabled children

Councillors Brian Hammersley (left), Jeff Morgan (centre) and Clare Golby (right)

As councils in the UK have seen the cost of adequately providing for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) greatly increase in recent years, Lancashire and Warwickshire have really let them down. In Lancashire there has been three separate instances of vulnerable children with SEND being forgotten about and left on school buses… Continue reading Lancashire and Warwick county councils struggle with special needs and disabled children

Fallacy: Tory MP Scott Benton defended the gambling industry in parliamentary debates and played down the detrimental impacts of gambling

{The Times Newspaper}

Truth: Freebies aplenty Paid mouthpiece, Scott Benton received gifts from the gambling industry worth £8,659, most of which was given between 17 June and 7 July 2021. In these few weeks the Gamesys Group treated Benton to hospiltality at the England v Czech Republic football match, while the Betting and Gaming Coucil gave him hospitality… Continue reading Fallacy: Tory MP Scott Benton defended the gambling industry in parliamentary debates and played down the detrimental impacts of gambling

Progress in homelessness? No

1824: With rising numbers of people falling into poverty the Vagrancy Act makes it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales 2022: MPs vote to repeal the Vagrancy Act but is delayed by the government ‘as part of plans to end rough sleeping for good’ 2024: The Criminal Justice Bill… Continue reading Progress in homelessness? No

Cannes Film Festival unveils 2024 Official Selection

{Cannes Film Festival}

The Cannes Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 77th edition, scheduled for May 14-25. The competition includes films from acclaimed directors such as Andrea Arnold, David Cronenberg, Yórgos Lánthimos, Paul Schrader, and Paolo Sorrentino. Festival director Thierry Frémaux revealed the Official Selection at a press conference held at the UGC Normandie theatre in… Continue reading Cannes Film Festival unveils 2024 Official Selection

Figurative and abstract artist – Rachel Deacon

Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. In the case of Rachel Deacon, her artistic career was sent in a completely different direction by…a home extension. When the construction was complete and the builders had left, Rachel was left with a huge blank wall. It was crying out for a big canvas, a statement abstract… Continue reading Figurative and abstract artist – Rachel Deacon

Cinematographer and founder of Silverprince Pictures – Darius Shu’s showreel

Darius Shu is a British East Asian cinematographer based in London. He loves telling humanistic and poetic stories with striking imagery. Darius focuses his storytelling on driving societal conversations forward. He does this by incorporating a blend of social awareness and surrealism into his films. Through the power of visual storytelling, Darius aims to create a… Continue reading Cinematographer and founder of Silverprince Pictures – Darius Shu’s showreel

The richness of artist Belinda Eaton

Belinda Eaton’s magical realist paintings and portraits, done in acrylic or oil on canvas, are on show at the Catto Gallery after winning the Society of Women Artists prize. “My paintings are my world, my fascination for people, plants, animals and colour. They are how I perceive things with all their energy” said Eaton. Schooled… Continue reading The richness of artist Belinda Eaton

Landscape painter – Simon Garden

Where does Simon Garden live? The prosaic answer is Bristol, but the more accurate response might be that, most of the time, he lives in his creative imagination You don’t get many vast fan shaped trees or conical wooded hills around that city. But you do get them on the canvases in Simon Garden’s new… Continue reading Landscape painter – Simon Garden

Directed Focus: Christopher Nolan

{Dave J Hogan}

“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger darling” Christopher Nolan is probably the Best Director of all time. His capacity to synthesize and merge complex story narratives with breathtaking cinematic set pieces is unique and due even more spectacular to the fact he authors what we see, or usually what we try our… Continue reading Directed Focus: Christopher Nolan