Palace News - Plans for a new five-day music and arts festival at Blenheim Palace have been unveiled. Announcing the event, organisers said it would feature an "eclectic line-up of global superstars, award-winning artists, and emerging talent". The palace's chief executive, Dominic Hare, said the festival, which will first be held in summer 2026, "marks a new chapter" for the Unesco World Heritage site.
Earlier this week, Nocturne Live Oxfordshire revealed that, after 10 years, it would no longer be staging its outdoor music festival at the stately home. Having begun in 2015, Nocturne Live saw artists including Kylie Minogue, Lionel Richie and Elton John play to crowds of thousands in the palace's courtyard. The event marked its final edition at the palace last weekend with performances from Nile Rodgers and Chic, The Corrs, Richard Ashcroft and Gary Barlow.
"Our historic landscape will offer a spectacular backdrop for a new kind of festival – one that's rooted in tradition but designed for the future," said Hare. "Blenheim has been synonymous with hosting live music events for over 20 years and we hope that the new collaboration will continue that tradition."
Unveiling its plans, Blenheim Palace Festival said the new festival would "showcase immersive cultural programming and innovative culinary experiences" alongside the musical performances. It is a collaboration between leading live music promoters Cuffe & Taylor, a Live Nation company, and event producers IMG Arts & Entertainment.
Film News - Plans for a £1bn expansion of a world-renowned film studio have been submitted to a council. Pinewood Studios, near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, which is known for the filming of the James Bond and Star Wars franchises, said it wanted to build a "state-of-the-art data centre" with a training hub and nature reserve. The plans, submitted to Buckinghamshire Council, had been adapted from an original scheme, approved in 2023, which included 21 new stages. The new plans included stages, but the company has not stipulated how many there could be.
Pinewood Group chief executive David Conway said: "Our proposed plan for a data centre on the land to the South of Pinewood Studios is in alignment with the critical infrastructure needs identified by the government. The significant investment will bring jobs and additional benefits to the local community with the delivery of a nature reserve, community gardens and learning space."
Freedom - Black Sabbath have been given the freedom of the city of Birmingham. All four original band members were present at Saturday's private ceremony, with Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward presented with scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor. The honour recognised the band's significance as heavy metal pioneers in Birmingham and beyond, the city council said. It came exactly a week before their farewell concert at Villa Park, in which tens of thousands are expected to hear them play for the final time. "Birmingham has always been behind us," Butler said.
Farewell - The internationally renowned Welsh opera singer Stuart Burrows has died aged 92 following a short illness. Born in Cilfynydd in Rhondda Cynon Taf, he performed for the first time with the Welsh National Opera in 1963 and went on to sing at world famous La Scala in Milan. At the height of his career – in the 1970s and 80s – Burrows starred in his own BBC Two series, Stuart Burrows Sings.
Guitarist and songwriter Mick Ralphs, best known for his time with Mott The Hoople, has died at the age of 81, according to the band's official website. A statement said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time." The Hereford-born musician was a key member of the band, which formed in 1969. He left four years later and moved on to Bad Company.
(Jim Evans)
