£5.50?!!! 👌🏻

Also, my non-scientific research tells me % of women as CEOs and Chairs of larger charities (those pesky ones with influence) going backwards despite predominantly women in workforce.

Fully Funded Collaborative Doctoral Project announced on the impact of literature and creative writing on communities - Manchester City of Literature Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester City of Literature have announced a Collaborative Doctoral Award, fully funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council. The Collaborative Doctoral P...

Lovely opportunity here with Manchester City of Literature to undertake a fully-funded PhD exploring the impact of literature and creative writing within communities. Deadline 28th Feb! www.manchestercityofliterature.com/opportunity/...

At the leaving party for Dame Sara Llewellin of @barrowcadbury.bsky.social. It’s lovely to celebrate the contribution of a generous and wise human being, rightly described just now as a ‘model philanthropist’. Thank you, Sara.

Brilliant 🤩 👇

My annual message to encourage cultural leaders to think about this extraordinary opportunity. Taking part 21 years ago transformed my professional life, and I’m proud nowadays to be Chair of the organisation imagining and supporting leadership in our sector in 2025.

The Hockney immersive exhibition at Factory International is rather wonderful. On until 25 January, better ticket availability in the early evenings.

Don’t forget the moment when you look down to make sure you’ve truly got hold of the dish and the glasses go shooting across the floor. Or end up in the hot fat.

Fridge jenga completed ✅
Carols from Kings ✅
Sausage rolls made ✅
Tetchy talk about how many boxes of chocolates open is the right number of chocolate boxes open ✅
Guest installed in spare room/office/storage space ✅
#duvetknowitschristmas ✅
Hanukkah candles found ✅
Happy holidays, all.

So very delighted to see #duvetknowitschristmas has made the leap. Such a special thread. Thank you.

I love it. Great art for everyone and all that…

On the 75th anniversary of the legislation that led to the creation of National Landscapes, we're looking to the future. We crunch the numbers on the outsize role National Landscapes could play in delivering 30by30 if adequately resourced.
ow.ly/t3Me50Up8c5

Tremendous exhibition at the Barbican until 5 Jan. ‘The Imaginary Institution of India’ eye opening in the breadth of artists and depth of response to challenge to the “progressive character of the Constitution”. This by Sudhir Patwardhamn.

Cultural leadership in action 💪

Take it gently. Just enjoy the lovely chat - it’s more fun here at the moment…

🎯

Definition of a woman of ‘a certain age’:
- Too old to be bullied & intimidated.
- Too young to be patronised & ignored.

Terrifying to men of a certain type.

Gemma Harper from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee totally compelling on the need for new leadership and partnership. Quotes Marshall Ganz: “Hope is the belief in the probability of the possible rather than the necessity of the probable.”

Fascinating presentation from Sally Marsh about how natural beauty was understood in the past, what has changed and what that means now in the context of climate emergency, resource scarcity. What we may have lost in policy is the sense of connectiveness, the emotional dimension of natural beauty

At the National Landscapes Association conference with Chairs and Lead Officers from across England. It’s the 75th anniversary of 1949 Access to Countryside Act. What does it mean in 2024 for people and their relationship to natural beauty?

A logo from the International Coaching Federation

Have just completed the 3.5 months International Coaching Federation Accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching with Barefoot Coaching Ltd. Intense learning, surprisingly emotional, a fantastic cohort from across a wide range of sectors. I loved it.

Impressionist picture by Monet of the Thames in London in a sunny haze

Impressionist picture by Monet. The Thames in London.

Monet at the Courtauld. Lunch at The Devonshire. Bit of shopping. Thanks to the sister for showing what a next phase of life might look like…full of riches and flexibility.

I’m sorting my snack order early…

Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s opera Einstein on the Beach will be directed by Phelim McDermott.

Angel’s Bone is the Pulitzer prize-winning contemporary opera by Chinese American composer Du Yun and librettist Royce Vavrek.

In Manchester for announcement of English National Opera’s plans. Includes Einstein on the Beach, with Factory International, Improbable, Park Avenue Armory NY, premiering at Aviva Studios, Spring 2027. And UK premiere of Angel’s Bone, with Factory International, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, May 2026

a woman sitting at a table with a cup in her hand and the word exactly written below her ALT: a woman sitting at a table with a cup in her hand and the word exactly written below her

So happy with this game…

So true…

I know we are meant to be kinder here. But so true…

And all the evidence tells us the impact plays out for a lifetime…

😂