Switch-on the Christmas lights with the new Lord Mayor, indulge in festive weekend markets, enjoy guided walks and more

The new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alastair King DL, will be lighting up the City of London’s iconic hidden gem, Leadenhall Market, on Thursday 14^th November, kickstarting the Victorian market’s Christmas celebrations.

The much-loved annual Christmas lights switch-on ceremony will take place at 6pm – complete with pyrotechnic firework fountains – unveiling the full splendour of Leadenhall Market’s giant real Christmas tree, which will sit under the breathtaking central atrium which depicts a starry night sky.

The 18-foot-tall glittering Christmas tree will be decked with a colour changing LED light display, complementing the large red and gold baubles and beautiful fir tree garlands throughout the market. A twinkling light tunnel will bring festive cheer to Beehive Passage, tempting visitors to explore the shops, restaurants and bars nestled in the cobbled alleyways of Leadenhall Market.

Shoppers will be treated to live music from Super Tenants who will be encouraging crowd participation in a range of seasonal songs from 5.30pm, before the countdown begins for the Lord Mayor Alistair King’s speech and Christmas light switch on at 6pm.

The festive garlands festooning the Victorian shopfronts are being designed by Leadenhall Market’s longstanding family run florist, Windsor flowers, where customers can pick up the perfect Christmas table centrepiece, and the market’s boutique shops, restaurants and bars will be stacked full of festive gifts, food and seasonal tipples – ideal for Christmas shopping and dining in one of London’s most beautiful locations. Please check individual stores for opening times.

The Lord Mayor’s switch on is appropriate as former Lord Mayor Richard ‘Dick’ Whittington gifted the previous stone structure of Leadenhall Market to the City of London in 1411. This was replaced in 1881 with Leadenhall Market’s current stunning wrought iron and glass architecture.

Christmas weekend markets

Bringing more festive sparkle, the popular weekend pop up markets, introduced for the first time earlier this year to bring the market back to Leadenhall, will return for the Christmas season. South-London based SoLo Craft Fair will feature a beautiful array of Christmas gifts, from uniquely hand-crafted art, jewellery, and home accessories to children’s toys and more. Run by makers, for makers, SoLo Craft Fair supports a pool of carefully selected, talented crafters that have proved very popular with weekend shoppers looking for something new.

Judy’s presents The Vintage Furniture & Flea Market has drawn in shoppers throughout the summer months with their eclectic collections of one-off pieces of furniture from the mid-century onwards, alongside fashion from the twenties to the noughties. This market day will be ideal for picking up a standout seasonal piece to create the perfect cosy home or one-of-a-kind present ideas for vintage fans.

Saturday 16 November – SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market
Sunday 24 November – The Vintage Furniture & Flea Christmas Market
Saturday 7 December – SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market

Festive walks

After the official light switch-on, visitors are invited to explore the illuminated Market by joining Leadenhall’s popular guided walks. From 20 November these tours will embrace a Christmas theme, sharing stories of the market’s holiday traditions past and present. From its Roman origins to Dickens’ Victorian celebrations and the City’s most fortunate and fearless goose – Old Tom – the tours blend fascinating history with festive fun. Led by a City of London guide, the walks are suitable for all ages and will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, priced £8.30, between 20 November and 11 December. Booking in advance is required to secure your place (see website for details: leadenhallmarket.co.uk/festive-guided-walks-2024/)

Workshops and tastings

Over the Christmas season, Leadenhall Market offers fantastic festive shopping, with some tenants also hosting exclusive Christmas activities. From 15 November, Pollock’s Toy Museum pop up will invite children of all ages to decorate their own Victorian-style face mask (contribution £2), the perfect accessory for any upcoming Christmas parties. Also available, the chance to make Danish woven paper hearts, designed to hang up as festive decoration or give as a gift – materials and assistance supplied. Pollock’s Toy Museum is open from 11am to 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays until the 20 December.

In the run up to Christmas, wine merchants Amathus are hosting Customer tastings every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For the wine lovers in your life, Amathus offers bespoke presents, including personalised bottle engravings and corporate gifting ideas. For those planning the office party, bulk discounts are available for corporate events.

Situated in the centre of the City of London’s financial district, the current Grade II listed Market building, designed by Sir Horace Jones, dates back to 1881. Its airy and light wrought iron and glass structure replaced the stone market previously created by Lord Mayor of London, Dick Whittington in the 15th Century. Now, the market is home to 23 restaurants, cafes and bars, which sit alongside 15 retail outlets, creating a hub for shopping and dining in the City.

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.

However, school gardening is on the increase and growing fruit and veg at school could be the ticket to eating a more varied diet

12 London schools lead the way by selling their school-grown produce at the Young Marketeers Harvest Market Day in London’s iconic Borough Market on 2 October

The proportion of children growing their own fruit and vegetables at school has increased by 10% since 2018, according to new research of over 1,000 7-11 year olds commissioned by Borough Market¹. Almost half (49%) of children surveyed have tried growing fruit and veg at school, up from 39% in 2018. What’s more, children have cited growing their own produce as the biggest influence on them trying a wider variety of fruit and vegetables.

Since 2011, Borough Market and School Food Matters have been running the Young Marketeers programme, designed to help school children in London understand where their food comes from and how to cook with it. Children who take part in the programme grow their own fruit and veg at school, before selling their produce to the public at London’s iconic market.

The research found that while children are familiar with many types of fruit and veg, there are still some gaps to be filled. When asked to identify different fruit and vegetables, the most recognised were carrots and strawberries (with 95% of children surveyed correctly identifying them). Yet, the low-cost, easy-to-grow courgette and squash were among the least recognised, with just 31% and 36% (respectively) identifying them correctly. The most mysterious veg was the humble beetroot which just over 1 in 4 (28%) children surveyed could identify correctly.

Almost a third (30%) said that growing their own would encourage them to try more varieties of fruit and vegetables. This was above seeing their family eating more (23%), being offered more at school (20%), seeing their friends eating more (18%) or even their favourite music star (9%), suggesting a rising hunger from children to get their hands dirty and get growing.

Nearly one in five (17%) children say they never help with cooking, with 20% of this group stating the reason they don’t is that they are not allowed to. However, there is a desire to get hands on, with more than half (54%) of respondents said they would like to learn how to cook and 44% would like to learn how to grow their own fruit and veg.

Jane Swift, CEO at Borough Market, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the passion and curiosity from school children around growing food and understanding about where it comes from. Growing their own produce is a great way for children to connect with the food on their plate and our research suggests it could even be the ticket to helping them eat a more varied diet. The Young Marketeers programme is a leading example of how this can be done and we are proud to have been supporting School Food Matters to reach pupils across London for the last 13 years.”

Stephanie Slater, Founder and Chief Executive at School Food Matters, said: “It’s a shame that so many children leave school without understanding that food comes from the soil, not the supermarket. The Young Marketeers programme exists to help change this, by taking children through the entire food journey – from growing and nurturing to harvesting and selling their own produce.

“Each year, children tell us how much they love learning outdoors and deploying their entrepreneurial skills on Market Day. There’s a wider benefit too. Children who grow their own fruit and vegetables are more likely to try them, develop positive eating habits, and become more aware of issues around health and nutrition. It’s for these reasons that School Food Matters is calling for the government to kickstart a food education revolution across the country, so that every child in every school can develop the skills they need to lead happy and healthy lives.”

On Wednesday 2October, from 11am – 1.30pm, children from 12 local primary schools will be setting up stalls in London’s iconic Borough Market to sell fruit and vegetables that they have grown from seed at school, as part of the annual Harvest Market Day. All proceeds will be donated to Plan Zheroes, a food redistribution charity that collects quality surplus food from businesses in London and redistributes it to charities supporting vulnerable people across the city.

To date, the partnership has seen more than 250 schools attend trader training. Some students have grown their own fruit and veg and sold it at the Market, while others have made soup from seasonal produce. Over the years, over £14,000 has been raised for charities from these sales.

To find out more about the Young Marketeers programme, watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq2M1pH1ig  

For more information on the Harvest Market Day, visit: schoolfoodmatters.org/what-we-do/projects/food-education/young-marketeers

We’re at the cusp of a whole bunch of awards celebrations and we have plenty to celebrate! We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for multiple awards for our innovative communications solutions. Of course, the pride and glory of awards are always enjoyable, but more than anything, we’re pleased with what this recognition says about our work.

Having judged many awards ourselves, we know that creativity, innovation and impact are what’s needed to make an award entry stand out from the crowd. At Barley, we blend strategy, creativity, expertise and passion into social purpose communications that deliver real impact for our clients.

Here’s a snapshot of the work we’ve been shortlisted for:

Rebranding a charity for ETP

To mark a new era for ETP, we designed a bold visual identity that unifies perspectives, clarifies the organisation’s message and charts a course for the future. We developed a new website that’s been shortlisted for Best Website or App at the Memcom Excellence Awards and Best Marketing Initiative or Project at the Association Excellence Awards.

Membership organisation, EACTS

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) – a 4,000+ membership organisation for the cardiothoracic surgical community that aims to improve outcomes for heart and lung patients around the world – has been shortlisted for Best In-Person Event of the Year at the Memcom Excellence Awards.

The shortlist for EACTS is for the 37th EACTS Annual Meeting which took place in Vienna in 2023 – and we’re proud to support EACTS to deliver the flagship event. At Barley, our work includes managing organic and paid social media to drive over 5,000 participants to the event, publishing a daily newspaper over the four-day event and working with Go Forth Films to produce a daily highlights video. Barley is again supporting EACTS with this year’s Annual Meeting, which is being held in Lisbon from 9-12 October.

Environmental behaviour change campaign for Keep Britain Tidy

Based on eye-opening data about people’s buying habits, we created and delivered a topical campaign across digital and social platforms, setting our audience the task of buying nothing new for a month. This one is up for Behaviour Change Campaign of the Year at the Global Glood Awards and the Education, Training and Communication Award at the National Sustainability Awards.

Charity communications for Nordoff and Robbins

We’re shortlisted for PR Team of the Year at the Charity Times Awards for our strategic approach to media relations for the inaugural Northern Music Awards – helping Nordoff and Robbins raise their profile, raise funds and demonstrate the impact of their life-changing work as the UK largest provider of music therapy.

Local authority communications for Suffolk Waste Partnership

Our #ShakeItOut campaign to reduce recycling contamination has made a lasting impact, resonating with Suffolk households through eye-catching creative across multiple communications channels. This standout campaign of this year’s awards has so far been shortlisted a whopping eight times.

And there’s more! In addition to our client work, Barley has also been shortlisted for several agency awards, including the Women in Green Business Awards and the Association Excellence Awards.

This recognition is true testament to the dedication, imagination and enthusiasm our team brings to every project. And we’re ever appreciative of our marvellous clients for choosing Barley to deliver across a wide range of their communications needs.

Bring on the celebrations!

London’s defining landmark adds four European language options to its Smartify audio guide offer, and an audio descriptive tour for people with visual impairments

Visitors to Tower Bridge can now enhance their experience further with an immersive audio tour in French, German, Italian or Spanish . Already available in English, the Highlights Tour, an audio guide powered by Smartify, has been upgraded to include new European language options, as well as a new sensory audio descriptive tour.

Free to download onto visitors’ smartphones, the Highlights Tour reveals Tower Bridge’s incredible history with an interactive journey through London’s defining landmark. As well as expert commentary and testimonials from the experienced Tower Bridge team, users of the app also get access to exclusive images and photography. Once downloaded, visitors simply choose their preferred language and enjoy a 45-minute tour of the Towers, High-level Walkways and the Engine Rooms.

In addition to this, a new audio descriptive tour is also now available for visually impaired visitors, for the first time, bringing an experience to engage all senses. Developed by Smartify and consultant Joe Rizzo Naudi, the audio descriptive tour will enable visitors to understand more about the materials and surfaces, while highlighting the temperatures, the changing light levels and different spatial experiences, enabling visitors to connect with the defining landmark, both inside and outside the Bridge.

Dirk Bennett, Tower Bridge Exhibition Development Manager, said: “We dipped our toe in the water, and launched an English version of our Smartify audio tour in the summer of 2023 and the response has been fantastic. We’ve had over 130,000 users in less than 12 months downloading and tuning in to hear the extraordinary stories behind Tower Bridge’s construction, maintenance and its role in London’s transportation and cultural life today. So, we’re excited to bring expanded audio tour options for our visitors from across Europe and beyond, and to develop a richer experience for those with visual impairments. It’s an area we’re keen to develop further too, and we’re already planning for the next phase of additions: watch (or listen to) this space.”

Tower Bridge is a must-see for visitors to London, for its rich history to its incredible views from the Glass Floors in the High-level Walkways. This summer, the Bridge hosts a free open-air exhibition on the Bridge. Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks is currently open and runs until the 1 October, and showcases a collection of never-before-seen photography from the Bridge’s final few weeks of construction and public opening 130 years ago in 1894.

Find out more about Tower Bridge, its Highlights Tour and to book, visit towerbridge.org.uk.

Traders and restaurateurs share expert food insights and sample produce with host Giulia Crouch from the centre of London’s historic food market

Borough Market’s podcast Borough Talks has returned with a new five-episode summer series. In a new format for the established podcast, food journalist Giulia Crouch, regular contributor to The Times and Times Radio, will speak to the Market’s food traders and restaurateursamongst the bustling stalls. Episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays throughout August following the first episode which launched on 30 July.

The new series seeks to recreate the unique and valuable conversations shoppers have with the Market’s traders every day. Butchers, wine merchants and food stall owners are among the guests offering their expert knowledge, recommendations and recipes. Guests bring samples of their own produce and chat with Giulia over delicious dishes. These conversations will also provide a fascinating insight into the guests’ varied personal stories that have led them to trade in Borough Market today.

This series focuses on summertime food and drink and launches with a conversation on meat and barbecuing with Dom McCourt, manager and butcher at Northfield Farm. The conversation ranges from Dom’s own introduction to the world of butchery and his father’s jump from investment banking to farming. Dom discusses the secrets of successful barbecuing and the surprising benefits he’s experienced since including meat with every meal of the day. He and Giulia then enjoy a freshly prepared White Park Sirloin straight from Northfield Farm’s stall.

The following episodes traverse the range of diverse food and drink available at Borough Market, with each episode themed around summer dining and entertainment:

Episode two sees David Carter & Rob Dann discuss operating their highly acclaimed restaurants in Borough Market. David, fresh from the launch of his celebrated new opening Oma and Agora and Rob of wine merchants Bedales Wine Bar, explore the reality of operating their hugely popular hospitality destinations.

Episode three focuses on seasonings with Dawn Smith of Pimento Hill. Dawn discusses the traditional Jamaican methods and the fine fresh ingredients that go into her sauces, seasonings and jellies, and how each of them can easily enhance summer dishes.

In episode four, Phil Crouch of Parma Ham & Patrick Martinez of The Tinned Fish Market give their tips for hosting summer events. Phil sources his sustainable cured meats and cheeses direct from producers in Italy, while Patrick works with canneries in Portugal, Spain and France to sell tinned fish in Borough Market. Together they advise on elevating entertaining with a strong selection of delicious nibbles from around the world.

Episode five sees Urvesh Parvais of Gujarati Rasoi and Salina Khairunnisa of Joli discuss what it means to serve summer street food from the heart. Urvesh offers Gujarati street fare to Market visitors while Salina specialises in Malaysian clay pot cooking. Together they sample their own dishes with Giulia.

In the same way that shoppers can ask Borough Market’s stallholders for their advice and recommendations, Borough Talks listeners will have the chance to learn from traders’ valuable expertise this summer. The series will be followed up in winter 2024, with market traders discussing Christmas dining.

All five episodes are recorded live in the Market, from the terrace of Bedales Wine Bar overlooking the Market floor, enabling listeners to sample the atmospheric buzz of London’s world-renowned historic food market.

All episodes will be available in audio form, with video clips shared on Borough Market’s social media pages.

From 30 July, the podcast is available for free on all major podcast platforms and on Borough Market’s website. To listen to and to find out more about Borough Talks, visit: www.boroughmarket.org.uk/borough-talks-podcast/

Successful applicant to lead on delivering bold, new long-term development plan for major Visitor Attraction

As the Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction embarks on its next chapter, it has created an ambitious, newly-developed long-term development plan: ‘Tower Bridge in Motion – Strengthening connections to redefine London’s leading landmark’. The plan aims to expand the Visitor Attraction’s footprint, enhance accessibility, and deepen engagement with its diverse local communities. This will include the development of community spaces, activities and charitable support. To help deliver this plan, City Bridge Foundation is proud to announce the creation of a new and pivotal role, Associate Director, Tower Bridge in Motion.

The successful candidate in the newly established role will be instrumental in driving the forward-thinking action plan. The new Associate Director will be charged with delivering on these essential values, ensuring that the Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction remains a beacon of progressive and sustainable development. The role will focus on enhancing community relations, advancing sustainable practices, promoting equity, and fostering an inclusive environment for all visitors and staff.

“We are excited to introduce this crucial position at such an exciting time for Tower Bridge Visitor Attraction,” said Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director. “Our long-term development plan is driven by a strong purpose, and the Associate Director will play a vital role in realising our vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future. This role will help us to ensure that Tower Bridge not only remains an iconic landmark but continues to become a cutting-edge and progressive Visitor Attraction for generations to come.”

From a historic river crossing to a multifaceted cultural icon, Tower Bridge has undergone significant transformation over its history. Through conscious development and innovative initiatives, it has evolved into a leading visitor attraction, embodying the spirit of London’s heritage while embracing modernity.

The Associate Director, Tower Bridge in Motion, will report to Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director and their key responsibilities within the Visitor Attraction will include:

Leading initiatives to enhance community engagement and partnerships.
Developing and implementing sustainability programmes that reduce the environmental impact of operations.
Promoting equity and inclusivity in all aspects of activities and services.
Collaborating with stakeholders to align development projects with the overarching goals of the long-term plan.

City Bridge Foundation and Tower Bridge are looking for candidates from the cultural and museums sector with a strong background in community engagement, sustainability, and inclusivity, as well as proven experience in driving organisational change. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

City Bridge Foundation is the charity which owns and maintains five key bridges in London, including Tower Bridge. Since 1995, the philanthropic organisation has also used surplus funds to award grants to other charities across Greater London. These charitable initiatives focus on areas such as education, employment, health and community development. Through strategic partnerships and innovative grant-making, City Bridge Foundation is driving meaningful change for London’s residents.

Applications for the Associate Director role are now open. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the Tower Bridge website for more information and to apply: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/jobs.

The brief

As a charity media relations agency, we were appointed to help Nordoff and Robbins launch the inaugural Northern Music Awards (NMAs) and elevate awareness of its music therapy work across the region. The charity wanted to celebrate Northern musical talent, build excitement around its new fundraising event, and demonstrate the social impact of music therapy. Our objectives were clear: raise Nordoff and Robbins’ profile, drive interest and ticket sales, align the charity with both emerging and established artists, and showcase its long-term commitment to the North.

Insights and approach

We developed a phased media strategy to position Nordoff and Robbins at the heart of Northern culture while ensuring strong visibility for the charity’s purpose.

Phase 1 — building momentum
We delivered sustained outreach to national, regional and music media, issuing four targeted press releases to create anticipation. Interviews were secured with headline artists, presenters and Nordoff and Robbins spokespeople. A key moment was a pre-event case study featuring shortlisted artists Antony Szmierek and Mica Millar taking part in a music therapy session at Heathlands Village Care Home. This generated significant ITV Granada coverage, including an extended online feature supported by video.

Phase 2 — at the event
Barley managed a dedicated onsite media room, coordinating interviews, filming and photography. Seventeen journalists attended — including outlets that had never previously covered the charity — such as the BBC’s entertainment correspondent and The Guardian. A PA photographer delivered high-impact imagery, while exclusive Getty access ensured international distribution. ITV Granada also filmed the ceremony for a substantial news segment.Phase 3 — post-event impact
We secured an exclusive with PA Media featuring quotes from artists and Nordoff and Robbins’ Nadra Shah, widely syndicated across national and regional media. Coverage spotlighted the charity’s messages and included clips from Mel C and Louis Tomlinson’s acceptance speeches.

Results

The Northern Music Awards quickly became a talking point across the UK media landscape. Coverage extended far beyond entertainment pages, featuring on BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show, Radio 5 Live and Radio 3, and even inspiring a Euronews piece calling for regions across Europe to celebrate their own musical talent.The campaign significantly boosted the charity’s visibility and delivered real-world value. One sponsor extended their support — worth an additional £100k — as a direct result of the media activity. The success of the first awards means the NMAs will now be held annually, and funds raised have accelerated plans for a new music therapy centre in Greater Manchester, due to open in 2025.

47^th annual music award ceremony set to honour The 1975, Jessie Ware, Texas, Cat Burns and Ezra Collective

Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, today announced the first round of artists to win this year’s prestigious O2 Silver Clef Awards. The stars will all receive their accolades in person at an exclusive music industry lunch and award ceremony to be held on Friday 5 July at the renowned Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane.

In the first of two winners’ announcements for the O2 Silver Clef Awards 2024, Nordoff and Robbins is excited to honour pop icon Jessie Ware with Best Female, pop-rock global sensation The 1975 with Best Group and iconic Scottish band Texas with the Outstanding Achievement award.

London legend Cat Burns will receive the Best New Music Award and genre busting Ezra Collective wins the Contemporary Music Award.

Winners of the O2 Silver Clef, Icon, Best Male, Best Live Act, Innovation and Global Impact awards will be announced ahead of the ceremony.

The O2 Silver Clef Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the talent of the winning artists and are one of the highlights of the music industry calendar – bringing together artists, labels, management teams and celebrity supporters. Since 1976 the awards have raised nearly £13 million for Nordoff and Robbins’ transformative music therapy services and honoured some of the greatest names in music including: David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, Coldplay and Stormzy. Last year’s event raised over £530,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, supporting its work with some of the most vulnerable people in society.

In 2023, Nordoff and Robbins held nearly 50,000 vital music therapy sessions across the UK. Shaped by more than 60 years of practice, Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists use the power of music to transform people’s lives by helping them to express themselves and connect with others. The charity works with children and adults affected by life limiting illness such as dementia, learning disabilities including autism, physical disability and mental health issues at over 380 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as providing sessions from its centres nationwide.

Hosted with O2 for the last 23 years, the annual lunch is Nordoff and Robbins’ biggest fundraising event of the year thanks to table sales, sponsorship and live auctions on the day, featuring special items from the winning artists alongside money can’t buy experiences donated by the music industry. Edith Bowman will host the star-studded ceremony for the sixth-year running, with Peter Andre returning to cover the blue carpet celebrity arrivals.

Guests can now secure their place at this exclusive event by purchasing table tickets online at: www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/events/o2-silver-clefs-lunch/

The Live Nation Best Female award goes to multi-disciplined pop singer, songwriter and podcaster Jessie Ware. Jessie has released five top-ten studio albums and thirty-three singles since her debut album Devotion in 2012, which included hits ‘Running’, ‘110%’ and ‘Wildest Moments’. Ware’s fifth studio album, ‘That! Feels Good!’, was released in 2023, including hit singles ‘Free Yourself’ and ‘Hello Love’. Her six-country sell out tour continues in 2024.
Global sensation The 1975 have been chosen to receive the ASM Global Best Group award. The band came to prominence following their self-titled debut album in 2013 and followed this number one hit with four more chart topping albums, including their most recent ‘Being Funny in a Foreign Language’. Their top singles include ‘Chocolate’, ‘The Sound’, ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’ and ‘I’m In Love With You’. The 1975’s reputation as one of the world’s best live acts continues in 2024 with their ‘Still… At The Very Best’ international tour garnering 5* reviews around the world.
Scottish pop-rock band Texas will pick up the Tysers Live Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of their 30-year plus career. Formed in 1986, Texas are one of the biggest groups to come out of Scotland, selling a total of 40 million albums worldwide including Southside (1989) and White On Blonde (1996) including hits such as ‘Black Eyed Boy’ and ‘Say What You Want’. 2023 saw a career-spanning ‘The Very Best Of 1989 – 2023′ album release, as well as a standout Pyramid Stage set at Glastonbury. Texas and legendary American songwriter Spooner Oldham will release their first joint album ‘The Muscle Shoals Sessions’ in March.
The award for Ticketmaster Best New Music will go to award-nominated singer-songwriter Cat Burns, whose viral hit, double platinum-selling ‘go’ reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in 2022. A former pupil at the Brit School, Cat has supported Ed Sheeran on his European and North American tours and Sam Smith during their UK tour, bringing her unique blend of gospel and pop influences to a wider audience. She made her Glastonbury debut last year and her latest single ‘alone’ is out now.
British jazz quintet, Ezra Collective will receive the PPL Contemporary Music Award. The group fuses elements of afrobeat, calypso, reggae, hip-hop, soul and jazz and sold out six gigs in three nights at New York’s The Blue Note as well as performing at London’s Albert Hall in 2023. Named Londoners of the year by Time Out in 2023, the group are passionate about championing young people and bringing jazz to new audiences.

Jessie Ware said: “It’s a total honour to have been selected to receive the Best Female award at this year’s ceremony. Nordoff and Robbins do such important work. Music therapy is a real necessity for those who receive it and there is more demand for it now than ever before. I’ve also seen music as a fantastic form of self-expression, and so can understand the life changing nature of music therapy. I’m so pleased to be a part of an event that supports Nordoff and Robbins’ important work so thank you so, so much.”

The 1975 said: “We’re so grateful to have been chosen to receive the Best Group award and thankful to be able to play our part in celebrating the valuable work Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapists do.”

Sharleen Spiteri, lead singer, Texas said: “The band and I are absolutely thrilled to receive the award for Outstanding Achievement. We’ve been lucky enough to share our music with fans for over 30 years, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the past, present, and future of British and International music at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards. I’ve been a supporter of this amazing charity for years now, words can’t begin to say how much their work impacts people of all ages through the power of music.”

Cat Burns said:“I’m honoured to receive the award for Best New Music. In what has been a whirlwind few years for me, these moments are absolute dreams come true. The work of Nordoff and Robbins is truly inspiring; it really enables people who are otherwise isolated from society to experience the joy that music brings.”

Femi Koleoso of the Ezra Collective said: “The Ezra Collective first got together when we met in a youth club, so we really understand the value music has when it’s put into the hands of young people. Music therapy is an important part of this, as the work that Nordoff and Robbins does with children can change lives. It’s a really beautiful thing that we’re going to be supporting this work. Thanks to everyone that’s helped us get to where we are; this Contemporary Music Award means so much to us.”

Gareth Griffiths, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship, O2, said: “It looks set to be another incredible O2 Silver Clef Awards this summer, recognising brilliant artists and song writers. O2 has been a very proud partner of Nordoff and Robbins for 23 years, and we’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary work the charity does using the power of music therapy. It’s a privilege for us to be involved on this magical day of fund-raising. We can’t wait for the 5th July!”

Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins said: “The O2 Silver Clef Awards is incredibly special to us, and we simply couldn’t provide the number of music therapy sessions that we need to without the support of the music industry. Every penny raised from the O2 Silver Clef Awards brings the power of music to the children and adults that Nordoff and Robbins support, helping them to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, mental health challenges, disability and social isolation. Music therapy is about making a connection, whether for a non-verbal child or a person living with dementia – where words fail, music speaks.”

Tables are on sale now, visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/events/o2-silver-clefs-lunch/ to book. Find out more about Nordoff and Robbins and how you can support at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Liam Fray (Courteeners), The K’s, English Teacher and Antony Szmierek to perform alongside Lisa Stansfield at first ever Northern Music Awards
Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards will honour Lisa Stansfield as ‘Northern Icon’ at its inaugural Northern Music Awards
Shortlists announced for Artist, Band, Newcomer, DJ and Breakthrough Act of the Year categories
British contemporary artist Thomas Wolski specially commissioned to design the Northern Music Award statue

Tickets on sale today (15^th Feb) from 10am at nordoff-robbins.org.uk/nmas

Liam Fray from indie rock royalty Courteeners will be taking to the stage at the inaugural Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation for a special live acoustic performance, alongside Manchester legend Lisa Stansfield, Warrington’s rising stars The K’s and the up-and-coming Leeds quartet, English Teacher. Spoken word, indie hip hop artist Antony Szmierek, from Hyde, will be opening the awards with a specially commissioned piece about the power of music therapy.

As the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins is proud to hold the first music awards show to recognise and celebrate the breadth of talent across the North of England, taking place on Tuesday 23 April 2024 at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall. Resurrected in 2013 after being closed for over 40 years, the ornate Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel has been restored into a stunning purpose-built music hall and is one of the most atmospheric music and events venues in the UK. Tickets for the award show, priced at £40, are on sale to the public from today, 15^th February at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/nmas.

The performance-packed show will help to fundraise for Nordoff and Robbins’ vision to open a dedicated state of the art music therapy centre for Greater Manchester – based in Salford – and will kickstart a new chapter in celebrating the diverse talent of the North of England year after year.

Singer songwriter and Courteeners front man, Liam Fray, will perform two acoustic songs for lucky ticketholders – sure to lift the roof of the former chapel. Middleton rock band Courteeners are also shortlisted for Band of the Year, sponsored by ASM Global, alongside Stockport-bred indie-pop band Blossoms and Sheffield rock band Bring Me The Horizon.
Legendary singer, songwriter and actor, Rochdale’s Lisa Stansfield will be crowned Northern Icon, and will be celebrating her win with a unique stripped back set at the award show.

Indie/post-punk Leeds rising stars English Teacher are shortlisted for the Best Newcomer Award, sponsored by PizzaExpress Live,and will be performing on the night. Also shortlisted for the newcomer category are spoken word artist Antony Szmierek, performing a one-off piece at the awards, and soul artist Mica Millar, both from Manchester, along with seven other Northern acts.
Up and coming indie band The K’s, from Warrington will be playing at the awards and are shortlisted for Breakthrough Act of the Year, sponsored by PPL. Also shortlisted are two acts from Merseyside – Crawlers (Liverpool) and The Mysterines (Wirral and Liverpool).

Spice Girl Melanie C will receive the Special Recognition Award, sponsored by SJM Concerts, for her outstanding contribution to music.

Singer songwriter Sam Fender, from Newcastle, Rotherham’s Self Esteem and Louis Tomlinson, born in Doncaster, are shortlisted for Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster.

DJ of the Year, sponsored by Scan.co.uk, sees Liverpool’s Paige Tomlinson, Burnley’s DJ Woody, Djinn and DJ Paulette – both from Manchester – all in the running.

Award winners* still to be announced include Music Moment of the Year, sponsored by Raymond Weil, Disruptor in Music, sponsored by Notion Magazine, and a special Music and Culture for Wellbeing award, supported by theGreater Manchester Combined Authority, which will showcase outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North.

Nadra Shah, Director of Engagement and Communications, Nordoff and Robbins, said:“The Northern Music Awards aims to celebrate the massive musical talent that continues to come out of this region and will be held annually in different Northern cities. We want to honour the enormous success of established artists such as the award winning and multi-million album selling Lisa Stansfield – but also spotlight emerging musicians who may not yet be recognised at a national level. We really want to support and help to grow the eco system of Northern musicians whilst shining a light on the transformative work we do with music therapy to connect with some of the region’s most isolated communities. In 2024 we’re celebrating 20 years of providing essential music therapy in Greater Manchester and we’re excited that this show will support our vision to open a brand new centre – helped by the money raised from these awards.”

Liam Fray said: “It’s a huge honour to be performing at the first Northern Music Awards, not only to help celebrate the incredible music talent that continues to come out of the North, but to raise awareness of the work Nordoff and Robbins does with music therapy, using the power of music to help people connect and communicate.”

Lisa Stansfield said: “Music and singing are in my blood as much as being a proud Mancunian, so to be named Northern Icon at the first ever Northern Music Awards is an immense privilege. I’m incredibly proud to support Nordoff and Robbins to raise money for a new music therapy centre for the people of Greater Manchester. The benefits of music therapy are simply life changing, helping children and adults who are otherwise isolated to break through barriers and find a connection.”

Set to be an annual event held by Nordoff and Robbins in a different Northern City each year, the Northern Music Awards, supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation will honour artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from across the North of England with a specially commissioned award designed by contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski. The award statue design, which is yet to be revealed, is a reversal of his usual style and will be a curio created from his own illustration rather than freehand images worked directly on to a sculpture. Wolski, who grew up in Southport, Lancashire and has his art studio in Manchester said “I really wanted the award to be an artwork in its own right, and have strived to create a piece that puts the power of music and human connection at the front of the design in a reflection of the charity’s work”.

The new Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre, supported by The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and City of Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, will be a multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, housing a high spec recording studio with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities. Nordoff and Robbins delivers music therapy to clients across the UK from bases in London, Croydon, Newcastle, Dunfermline and Glasgow, and its biggest service area is currently the North of England, with 45 music therapists and 118 partner organisations providing nearly 20,000 sessions of vital music therapy to more than 4,300 people in the region.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “I’m delighted to be helping to bring these inaugural awards to the North – and what better city to launch in than Manchester? Historically, Northern music has always been a cut above, especially the music from working class communities. There is a strong, talented, and passionate musical heritage here that deserves to be celebrated.”

The awards continue Nordoff and Robbins’ close partnerships with the UK music industry, developed since the creation of its annual Silver Clef music awards in 1976. The judging panel comprises industry heavyweights including Ticketmaster, SJM Concerts, Music Venue Trust, Live Nation, and Kendall Calling, as well as BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, who will host the April event.

Find out more about the Northern Music Awards and music therapy at https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/northern-music-awards/

Leadenhall Market’s announces its annual pancake race

The coveted Golden frying pan is up for grabs as the legendary Leadenhall Market pancake race returns to The City of London for its 15^th year.

Hosted by the world-renowned market’s 18^th century pub – The Lamb Tavern – the annual tradition is set to take place on Tuesday 13^th February at 12:30pm and will see teams of four compete for glory during a 20m flipping relay on the Victorian covered Market’s ancient cobblestones.

The winning team will secure their place in Leadenhall history with their name inscribed on the Golden Frying Pan which is then displayed behind The Lamb’s bar for the remainder of the year. Winners can also look forward to a Lamb Tavern Hamper, while runners up in second place can earn themselves a £50 bar tab and third place will be awarded with a bottle of prosecco. And of course, all competitors can expect free pancakes. Losing teams will receive the consolation of one of The Lamb Tavern’s famous scotch eggs (cut into quarters!).

In recognition of Leadenhall Market’s iconic City status, participants are invited to don bowler hats, while Market personality Charlie from London City shoeshine will provide a running commentary of the much-loved annual event.

To mark the event’s 15^th anniversary, more pancakes than ever before will be on offer for spectators, with many delicious free pancakes – made by The Lamb’s Head Chef Sian – available to those cheering on from the side lines.

Free to enter, teams of four people can take part and must register beforehand at www.lambtavernleadenhall.com/#book, or by emailing lambtavern@youngs.co.uk.

Leadenhall Market’s boutique retailers, bars, restaurants and cafes will also be open for the event, welcoming participants and spectators alike.

For more information visit: www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk     

Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.    

The brief

Nordoff and Robbins asked us to deliver a strategic charity media relations campaign to elevate its 2023 Christmas Carol Service – a key fundraising moment featuring artists including Kaiser Chiefs, Beverley Knight and Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Our objective was to raise the profile of Nordoff and Robbins as the UK’s largest music therapy charity, increase public understanding of its impact, and reinforce its position as the music industry’s charity of choice.

Insights and approach

Our work centred on strengthening Nordoff and Robbins’ authority in the sector and broadening awareness of its music therapy services. Drawing on our experience supporting previous Carol Services, we aligned communications with the charity’s wider strategy to ensure consistency and impact.

We focused on three core goals:
• Highlighting the transformative power of music therapy and extending the charity’s reach with priority audiences.
• Connecting Nordoff and Robbins with prominent artists to reinforce its credible role across genres and within the wider industry.
• Showcasing its deep partnership with the music industry and positioning it as the UK’s leading music charity.To deliver this, we implemented a structured media relations approach:
• A phased press office plan, with announcements teasing headline performers and reflecting the event’s longstanding success.
• Targeted pitching of pre-event and on-the-day interviews with artists and the CEO to secure high-value opportunities.
• Smoothly run media operations at the event, including coordinated interviews and professional photography to support strong stories across print, online and broadcast.

Results

Our charity media relations campaign significantly extended Nordoff and Robbins’ visibility and strengthened understanding of its music therapy mission. Exclusive stories with PA generated wide national print and online pick-up, delivering both artist-led coverage and clear messaging about the charity’s work and impact.

Music outlets including Music Week and NME amplified the event. Broadcast highlights included ITV London’s in-studio interview with Ayanna Witter-Johnson and joint interviews with Beverley Knight and CEO Sandra Schembri on BBC Radio London and Times Radio.On the night, interviews produced a half-page feature in The Star’s Wired column, a prominent review in the Sunday Mirror/Daily Mirror and a Reuters package syndicated internationally. Regional coverage was extensive, including the Yorkshire Evening Post dedicating its front page and page three to the event.

The brief

Leadenhall Market asked us to develop a year-round placemaking campaign that would intrigue and entice visitors, strengthen its position as one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, and drive footfall for its independent traders. Our task was to create an engaging programme of activity that generated consistent media interest, delivered standout moments across the calendar, and encouraged shoppers and visitors to return again and again.

Insights and approach

As a London landmark communications agency, our approach centred on creativity, strategic programming and the power of shareable experiences. Since 2021, we have reimagined the market’s public space through an evolving events calendar designed to complement its Victorian architecture and spark digital engagement.

We collaborate with leading cultural institutions—including the Museum of London, Guildhall, God’s Own Junkyard, Sadler’s Wells, the University of the Arts London and London Youth Choir—while also supporting wider initiatives led by the Greater London Authority, ECBID and Destination City. Together, we transform the market’s central spaces and vacant units into workshops, installations and performances that offer something new on every visit.

Our own interactive pop-ups—such as the Screamatorium, Jubilee Corgi Cam, Dogstagram photobooth, neon film set and Halloween tentacle—add playful moments that increase dwell time and encourage repeat visits. The 8-metre Christmas tree has become a regular fixture in citywide media round-ups, reinforcing Leadenhall Market’s position as a seasonal destination.To sustain momentum, we run a proactive press office, securing ongoing local, national and international coverage through tailored media opportunities, behind-the-scenes access and tenant collaborations. We also manage the market’s website and social channels, producing digital content and partnering with influencers to reach new audiences.

Results

Our placemaking campaign has transformed Leadenhall Market’s visibility. By April 2023, media presence had shifted from reactive to high-impact, with 1,080 pieces of quality print, online and broadcast coverage. Increased interest from major brands and film and TV companies has positioned the market as an iconic backdrop for cultural activity—including appearing in the 2022 Christmas edition of Radio Times.

The market has seen continued investment and renewal, including multiple new tenant openings and eight new food and beverage spaces in 2023. The strengthened profile has increased footfall, improved trader confidence and enhanced the overall visitor experience—meeting the client’s goal of cementing Leadenhall Market as a must-visit London destination.

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