Author: Sam Allcock

Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will receive enhanced support to develop their musical talents through a new government initiative. The Music Opportunities Pilot aims to break down barriers to access and foster the growth of young musicians across the UK. The £5.8 million scheme, co-funded by the government, Young Sounds UK, Arts Council England, and Youth Music, builds on the existing Young Sounds Connect programme. It will provide free music lessons, support for progression, and opportunities for pupils to take music exams in twelve areas, including Sunderland, Bury, Bradford, and Stoke-on-Trent. Music is celebrated…

Abode, an award-winning designer of kitchen and bathroom fixtures, has announced a new partnership with Skipton Properties, a family-run property development company. This collaboration will see Abode’s taps and sinks featured in new homes across Yorkshire and Lancashire, starting with The Willows in Silsden. The partnership introduces Abode’s products into Skipton Properties’ ‘Little Extras Collection,’ offering both standard and luxury fixtures for homeowners to upgrade their fittings. The range includes contemporary and traditional mixer taps, Aquifier® filtered water taps, ceramic and granite sinks, and Pronteau 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 instant hot water taps. Abode’s products will be…

Online interest in Sabrina Carpenter has surged dramatically following her recent triumph at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). The pop star clinched the Song of the Year award for her hit single Espresso, defeating strong contenders such as Beyoncé’s TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone’s Fortnight. Data from QR Code Generator reveals a remarkable 261% increase in global searches for ‘Sabrina Carpenter tour’ over the past week, a clear indicator of heightened interest in her upcoming performances. Additionally, searches for ‘Sabrina Carpenter tickets’ have soared by 226% worldwide. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator…

The UK has recently commenced specialist training for Ukrainian military dog handlers, focusing on essential skills such as patrols and explosive device searches. This initiative is part of Operation Interflex, which has significantly contributed to the training of over 45,000 Ukrainian personnel since Russia’s invasion in 2022. This week, the UK welcomed a second group of handlers from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for a three-week training course. The instruction includes advanced techniques for conducting effective patrols and identifying explosive devices. British trainers have also showcased how military working dogs in the UK are adapted to the battlefield…

In a bid to address the lack of diversity on private equity-backed company Boards, mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge has unveiled its Future Board Leaders Programme. This initiative, which launches on 16th September 2024, aims to assist established business leaders from diverse backgrounds in transitioning into non-executive careers, specifically focusing on private equity-backed companies. Despite ongoing efforts within the industry, representation on Boards in the private equity sector remains disproportionately low. According to Livingbridge, data from 2022 reveals that female representation on Boards of private equity-backed companies averages just 13%, with the inclusion of underrepresented groups almost negligible. This lack…

With Halloween fast approaching, costume excitement is at its peak, and online searches for “Halloween costumes” have surged by 85% in the last month. Each year, Halloween costumes reflect major cultural moments, as well as iconic movies and TV shows that leave a lasting impact. This year is no different, and fashion experts from Boohoo have predicted which costumes are set to dominate the spooky celebrations this October. Deadpool and Wolverine Comic book characters remain among the most popular costume choices, thanks to their distinctive designs and recognisable features. This year, fans of Marvel are expected to embrace Deadpool and…

Loop, a leading platform for returns and reverse logistics, has unveiled a new feature, Order Tracking by Loop, designed to enhance post-purchase experiences for both merchants and consumers. This latest offering allows retailers to create custom tracking pages that align with their brand identity, thus fostering greater transparency and trust among customers. The new service, which is available for free through the peak season for brands already using Loop’s returns solution, also includes personalised product recommendations aimed at boosting revenue. Order Tracking by Loop aims to improve the entire post-purchase journey, beginning with the order confirmation. Research indicates that consumers…

The SPIE Startup Challenge, an annual competition spotlighting innovative businesses in the field of optics and photonics, has announced that applications are now open for its 2025 event. This prestigious pitch competition, hosted by SPIE – the international society for optics and photonics – will be a highlight of the SPIE Photonics West conference, scheduled for 25-30 January 2025 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. The Startup Challenge finals are set to take place on 28 January 2025, offering participants a chance to showcase their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of esteemed judges. The competition is renowned for providing a valuable…

St James’s Park in central London has been selected as the site for the UK’s national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The location, which includes the area adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate and the surrounding pathways leading to the lake and Blue Bridge, was chosen for its historical significance and close ties to the late monarch. The announcement was made today by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, which was established by the UK Government and the Royal Household in 2023. The committee has been working to determine the most appropriate location and design for the memorial, consulting with…

On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has unveiled a powerful new installation at Westfield London, drawing attention to the urgent need for open conversations about suicide among young people. The installation, featuring thousands of birthday balloons, symbolises the tragic loss of young lives to suicide, with each balloon representing an age a young person never reached. The stark installation, made possible by funding from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, highlights the growing crisis of youth suicide in the UK. With suicide now the leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-34, CALM’s…