Jessica Blissitt

Articles

✦ ✧ ∗ Glastonbury Interview ❥ Violeta Vicci – The New Age Magazine

My journey has been a fun one, full of exciting performances, collaborations and lots of trial and error along the way. I started playing the violin when I was four years old, born and raised between Barcelona and Switzerland by bilingual parents; At 18 I moved to London to train as a classical violinist at the Royal Academy of Music. The first time I played Glastonbury, I was still a student and a member of a klezmer, d&b band and we played an afternoon slot at The Green Fields. I don’t think I...

Beyond The Music 2024 Ones To Watch – The New Age Magazine

Led by guitarist and songwriter Cat Harrison with bassist Tyler Damara Kelly, the london-based band are known for their mix of upbeat and blended vocals that seem to hold inspiration from bands like the Kinks, with the acoustic lightness that ‘Girl in Red’ fans would appreciate.After their debut  ‘Desire Paths’ landed in 2022, they released a follow up EP in 2023 which has received praise from The Sunday Times. Signed to the same label as mercury award-winner English Teacher, Human Interest have...
Medium •

Council addresses early years education concerns after national nursery funding inflation

Annual Early Year outcomes have declined in Salford since 2023, whereas nationally they have improved.According to early data from the Department of Education, 60.7%* of Salford children achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) in 2024, in comparison to 61.5%* in 2023 and the national average of 67.7%*.This comes just weeks after the government announced a £2 billion increase in Early Years funding next year, to support government-funded childcare.However, the National Day Nurseries Associatio...
Manchester Evening News •

The Northern Quarter festival coming to five iconic venues this weekend

Manchester’s own independent festival will take place in five incredible venues across the Northern Quarter this weekend.

Fair Play will make a successful return on Saturday (April 6) for the third year running. Spanning over several genres, the impressive line-up will feature Marie Davidson and Denzel Himself, alongside local talent like punk quartet Loose Articles, the sibling duo Slap Rash, and Prangers; the trio from Rochdale.

The all-day festival will take centre stage at Band on The Wall
Manchester Evening News •

'Hopper fares' to come to Bee Network if Andy Burnham wins election

Hopper fares will be introducted on Greater Manchester’s buses if Andy Burnham is re-elected, the mayor has promised.

Launching his campaign for a third term as Greater Manchester’s top politician at Salford Lads’ Club, Mr Burnham unveiled new transport measures plus ‘three big ideas’.

One of those is the introduction of hopper fares, which means passengers can pay for a £2 single and take as many buses as they need to within an hour. The scheme, already available in London, would be available
Coventry Live •

AA-rated restaurant in a stunning manor once owned by a prime minister

Elegant final touches and getting to watch chefs in action all add to the theatrical atmosphere of eating out at one of the area's best restaurants. Located within Hampton Manor, Grace & Savour opened in 2022.

The exterior naturally showcases its rich heritage as a grade II listed building. The estate is described by many as resplendent with gothic turrets and a clock tower, surrounded by 45 acres of parkland. Previously owned by former prime minister Sir Robert Peel, Hampton Manor is impressiv
The New Age Magazine •

INTERVIEW/NEW SINGLE RELEASE - Ashlie Skye 'Laundry'

At what point did you decide to start producing music, as an independent artist?

For many years, it was just something everyone in my life knew I did. Until very recently, I never felt inclined to share my music. People always asked me “ why don’t you share it? ‘ but I just didn’t feel ready for the people in my life to see me that way. My music has always been very honest and vulnerable. I did it in private for many years and that always brought me so much joy without judgement, because I didn
The New Age Magazine •

GIG REVIEW -Eden Rain The Lower Third (Nov 14th)

PEARL was next, performing with a live band for the first time in her budding musical career. Everything about her set was angelica from her surreal whistle notes to the floaty white dress she wore. It was electric, alternative, and dreamy pop in the best way. Like a psychedelic explosion of colour and more, only intensified by an incredible band. PEARL’s soft nature, both on and off the stage, showed off the idiosyncrasies that continue to add to her growing popularity. Her heavenly vocals carv
The New Age Magazine •

TNAM INTERNATIONAL - INTERVIEW - Producing Music Independently with Miggie Snyder

Snyder’s notable accolades include performing Carnegie Hall, going VIRAL TWICE, and graduating summa cum laude with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. In her music, Snyder acutely transforms her emotional depth into lyrical expression, particularly in Music Man.However, infused with modern samples of voice overs, everyday chatter and more, Snyder’s production fastens her place among today’s music scene.

With viral songs like ‘Music Man’ and ‘Legend Lake’ Snyder is well established on Tiktok
Coventry Live •

Over 2,000 Coventry businesses in ‘significant’ economic distress

The number of Coventry businesses at risk of economic distress has increased by five per cent in a year, according to Red Flag Alert research. The most recent data from Begbies Traynor's Red Flag Alert, which monitors the financial health of UK companies, shows that more than 2,000 Coventry businesses are currently categorised as being in "significant" economic distress.

In total, 2,191 businesses across Coventry are considered at risk of economic failure due to many factors including rising in
Coventry Live •

Hidden mural depicting the history of Coventry set to go on display

A mural that was hidden for decades has been unveiled and will be relocated as part of a major Coventry redevelopment scheme. The mural was created by sculptor William Mitchell into a wall in Hertford House in 1974. It was later hidden by a plaster stud wall.

The 8.5m (28ft) wide-piece titled 'The History of Coventry’ depicts moments and icons from the city, featuring Lady Godiva, the peasant’s revolt and St. Michael’s Cathedral on fire after it was partially destroyed in 1940.

The developers
Coventry Live •

The Cov man who broke world record for heaviest pumpkin

Halloween may conjure up spooky thoughts for some but for Frank Smith it brings back fond memories of his glory days as a top gardener. It’s been 53 years since the Coventry pensioner broke the world record for heaviest pumpkin, which came in at an incredible 204lb and eight ounces.

The feat saw him crowned Pumpkin King by the Coventry Evening Telegraph which covered the news at the time, as well as earning him a cup and a mention in the Guinness World Records book of 1970, both of which he sti
Hampshire Chronicle •

City barbershop where men used to queue for hours celebrates 30 years in business

In 1993, Helen Whitehouse opened 'Chaps of Winchester' in High Street on October 23, and this week the barbershop celebrated three decades in business.

Lorraine Baker, 46, began working at Chaps in 1998, until Helen asked her to take over in 2008.

The 46-year-old, who lives in Southampton, bought the barbershop when she turned 30, so she could raise her daughter Ella with financial independence.

MOST READ: Winchester Thai restaurant preparing to move to bigger unit across the road

The barber
Hampshire Chronicle •

Meet the Winchester independent shops, restaurants and bakeries

At the Chronicle, we decided to visit ten Winchester businesses in the city centre to fill our gallery above.

In no particular order:

Design Junction is based on the Kings walk after South Downs Social and across from Polka Dot Piercing.

After graduating from the University of Southampton, Jake and Amy set up workshops in tufting and pottery, as well as selling the resources to make rugs at home.

A Mum and Daughter duo set up independent pet stores dedicated to the care and health of all ani
Hampshire Chronicle •

'We absolutely love it here': Winchester named best place to live for 2024

It was ranked alongside nearby towns of Alresford and Stockbridge on Muddy Stilettos.

The women's lifestyle website creates a list of the 'best places to live' every year, and it has expanded its number of entrants from 250 to 260 on this occasion.

It draws upon its insight into the 28 most sought-after counties in England, guiding potential buyers to the local hot spots and up-and-coming areas.

But, do Winchester residents agree? The Chronicle headed out into the city centre to find out.

MO
Shropshire Star •

Shropshire author is back with new Rufus the dog book

The author, who is also an independent filmmaker, recently published his second book from his Adventures of Rufus O’Malley series about a super strong Alaskan dog in a world where animals talk and good often meets bad.

His latest tome, Monty Saves The Day, follows the original, A New Found Friend, which was published five years ago. In the stories Rufus is endowed with magical powers and likes to travel the world and make friends wherever he can.

Philip, aged 65, of Lytham Green, in Muxton, ne
Express and Star •

Barbie nails bring national competition success to Walsall beauty student

Ellie-Mae Bracknell, a level three beauty student, achieved the highest score from the regional heats in the WorldSkills UK contest by transforming Barbie’s signature look into five nail designs over three hours.

Competitors were asked to pay tribute to a specific decade in history and Ms Bracknell chose the 1950s with Barbie as her inspiration.

Ms Bracknell said: “To me, the 1950s were when young girls could really start thinking more openly about their identities and the women they could gro
Express and Star •

Review: Cast shines bright in musical Annie at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

The musical, which features Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan – with Coronation Street’s Jodie Prenger taking up the same role on Saturday, is a family favourite and people of all ages turned out to enjoy the spectacle on Tuesday evening.

The story moved many people by highlighting Annie's shining outlook on life, despite her bad luck.

This message of kindness was delivered with such a sense of sincere sentimentality that the audience quickly softened,
Solihull Observer •

Solihull insurance provider offering free doggy photoshoot

THE HALL GREEN branch of A-Plan Insurance is offering a free doggy photoshoot on Monday (October 2), writes Jessica Blissitt.

The free event, running from 10am to 4pm on Stratford Road, is taking place to celebrate A-Plan Insurance changing its name to Howden insurance.

This rebranding comes in the insurance broker’s 60th year celebrations.

People must book in advance and each person booked in will be given a 15-minute slot and will receive one edited photograph of their dog.

A-Plan is also
Redditch Standard •

Headless Cross gearing up for annual Apple Day

NEXT weekend Redditch welcomes back its annual ‘Apple Day’ organised by the volunteers at Headless Cross Community Orchard, writes Jessica Blissitt.

Live music, apple juicing, and community booths will be available, as well as an appearance from Spoz, the former Birmingham Poet Laureate.

Everyone is welcome to the event which runs from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, October 7, and includes fan favourites such as the Annual Cider Competition and the Apple Olympics.

Since 2009, volunteers have helped
Malvern Observer •

IN PICTURES- Malvern Autumn Show a roaring success

MORE THAN 75,000 people descended on the Three Counties Showground last weekend for this year’s Malvern Autumn Show, writes Jessica Blissitt.

The 27th annual event included many spoils from this year’s harvest, including giant vegetables, the RHS Flower Show, and local produce as well as plenty of food and drink stalls.

The CANNA UK Giant Vegetables Championship broke eight new Guinness World Records including largest runner bean, tallest tomatillo plant, which towered an impressive 3.529m, he
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