Grassroots - Arts Council England is to invest £42m into grassroots culture projects over the next three years of its Creative People and Places portfolio. It represents the largest sum to be distributed so far as part of the programme, which funds community-led creative initiatives in areas where involvement in the arts is below the national average.
The refreshed portfolio of projects to receive funding is also the largest yet, ACE said, spanning 63 local authority areas, with Croydon, Nuneaton and Bedworth among the localities set to benefit from the funding for the first time. Existing initiatives, including Flux in Rotherham and Appetite in Stoke-on-Trent, which promote arts and culture involvement for locals, will be supported to expand their work.
The funding body said that £162m will now have been invested in more than 15,000 grassroots cultural activities since the scheme’s inception in 2012. New arts minister Ian Murray has hailed the initiative, declaring: "Our national culture thrives when communities follow their own ambitions. I am thrilled that this investment directly empowers local organisations, so they can tell the world their story and make people proud of where they live.”
People Watching - Sam Fender was announced as the overall winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album People Watching. Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the ceremony live from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, marking the first time the awards show has been held outside of London.
The judging panel said: “This year proved that the album remains the format of choice for artists to best present a body of work. That, however, made our job as judges of the 2025 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year more challenging than ever. All 12 records on the shortlist worked so well on their own terms, ranging from ancient ballads to futuristic electronics. After much discussion, however, we all decided on one album that stood out for its cohesion, character and ambition. It felt like a classic album, which will take pride of place in record collections for years to come.”
The awards show featured live performances from many of the 12 shortlisted artists, including Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu, Pulp, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice.
Transformation - The Cambridge Corn Exchange is celebrating its 150th anniversary by remembering its transformation from a Victorian trading hall into a performance venue. The building, which opened in 1875, has hosted Sir Winston Churchill, who spoke there to call for conscription ahead of World War II, orchestral concerts, and rock stars including The Who and David Bowie.
Rosie Amos, heritage project manager, said that while sifting through old paperwork they discovered that Rolls-Royce co-founder Charles Rolls rode his first motorbike there. For its anniversary the venue, which does not have its own archive, was given a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to uncover the history behind the building. "This building has been part of the Cambridge community – a hub – for 150 years, and we're just getting that chance to uncover their history about it now," said Amos.
Rock of Ages - As he turns 90, the founder of Glastonbury Festival says he is feeling "very well" and has credited the event for "keeping him going". Michael Eavis put on the first Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival in 1970 with his late wife Jean. He was a struggling dairy farmer and said at the time he hoped it would "clear his overdraft".
The event is now the largest greenfield festival in the world and Worthy Farm turns into a temporary city with a population of about 200,000 when it is on. "It's all been a long story of excitement," Eavis said in an interview to mark his 90th birthday. "That's probably what's keeping me going."
Fellow Rapper - Stormzy has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his cultural impact and philanthropic work. The rapper and singer-songwriter was awarded the honour by Jesus College at the University of Cambridge. Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Junior, was elected in recognition of his cultural influence, commitment to social change and work championing educational access and equity. It is a symbolic title awarded to someone who has made a significant contribution to a particular field, without requiring them to take on teaching or research duties.
Farewell - Paul Daniel ‘Ace’ Frehley, founding guitarist for the American rock band KISS, has died aged 74, his family announced. "We were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth," said a family statement. The guitarist was known for his ‘Spaceman’ persona, from the days when KISS was founded with the original line-up of Paul Stanley on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gene Simmons on vocals and bass guitar, Frehley on lead guitar and vocals, and Peter Criss on drums and vocals. RIP.
(Jim Evans)
