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Fr Alex Frost is the vicar of St Matthew the Apostle, Burnley, where he grew up. He is also the host of The God Cast, a podcast devoted to issues of faith and spirituality, which has featured celebrities such as Stephen Cottrell, Alastair Campbell, Edwina Currie, Dom Joly, George Galloway, Anthea Turner and football legend Lou Macari. Ordained in 2015 after a mixed career working as a football referee, manager at Argos and a stand-up comic, Fr Alex currently sits on General Synod. He is married to Sarah and has three grown up children.
Fr Alex Frost is the vicar of St Matthew’s the Apostle, Burnley, where he grew up. He describes himself as the ‘fundamentally unemployable’ host of The God Cast , a podcast devoted to issues of faith and spirituality, which has featured celebrities such as Eamonn Holmes, Alastair Campbell, Edwina Currie, Dom Joly, George Galloway, Anthea Turner and football legend Lou Macari. Anthea Turner and football legend Lou Macari. Ordained in 2015 after a mixed career working as a football referee, manager at Argos and a stand-up comic, Fr Alex now also serves on The Church of England General Synod for Blackburn Diocese. He is married to Sarah and has three children. Fr Alex made headlines when he featured in a 2021 BBC documentary The Cost of Covid – One Year On , which has been viewed over 12 million times since it was aired. Running a food bank from a car park in Burnley, helping the desperate amid his flock as the pandemic raged, Fr Alex’s down-to-earth style of ministry struck a chord with people of all faiths, cultures and classes across the UK in a time when the divide between rich and poor widens cataclysmically. The Church of England priest, who sports tattoos of his favourite band Depeche Mode, has become the last bastion of support for many in the aftermath of austerity measures, Government cuts and Covid 19 upon a community already ravaged by poverty, addiction and neglect. More recently Fr Alex has been front and centre campaigning for the reclassification of Ketamine, including working as part of a Government consultation, and has featured on National Media outlets including Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live. Fr Alex has also spearheaded a campaign for more working class vocations in the Anglican Communion, and in 2025 brought a Private Members Motion to the National Church. His address received a standing ovation and in January 2026 the church unanimously supported his proposals and is now pressing ahead with his plans. He is due to travel to Pakistan in mid 2026 as part of documentary investigation into the unexplained death of his parishioner Kelsey Devlin. Kelsey features heavily in Alex's first book, and the project is being supported by documentary maker Masood Khan and ITV.
#manchester #grooming #exploitation To understand why Marlon West is standing to become Greater Manchester mayor, you first have to understand what happened to his daughter. “Scarlett was groomed from the age of 14,” he says as we sit down to talk in Stockport.“Prior to that, a good kid, owned her own horse, loved her horse, spent all weekend with it and after school. And then she was groomed.” Scarlett, now 21, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) alongside her father in 2024, waiving her right to anonymity to tell her story.Since then, both have spoken publicly about what happened.Her case featured in the Baird Inquiry, which examined the experiences of women and girls arrested and taken into police custody in Greater Manchester. The inquiry found Scarlett “went missing and was raped” in 2019 by a man referred to as Adult 4. It also found another man, known as Adult 5, groomed her, with Scarlett describing being driven to hotels to take drugs and have sex.It found she was made to strip to her underwear at Bury police station after being arrested on suspicion of involvement in a car robbery in August 2019. She did not have an appropriate adult with her.The report also concluded Scarlett “didn’t feel believed” by Greater Manchester Police after the grooming and that the force “did not effectively protect her” from frightening late-night visits by men to her home. The experience has shaped almost everything Marlon West has done since.Last year he was approached by Restore Britain and asked whether he would help with the party’s own rape gang inquiry. He agreed.After Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election, attention quickly turned to the race to replace him as Greater Manchester mayor. The LDRS first revealed West was expected to become Restore Britain’s candidate before the party confirmed his selection days later.The experience of fighting for his daughter, he says, is the reason he entered politics.“The experience I had as a parent was horrific, so you can imagine what Scarlett went through, it was on a completely different level.“She was trafficked, raped, tortured, and when I say trafficked, not just Greater Manchester, across the country. People might be surprised to hear she’s not the only teenage girl from Manchester this has happened to, it is happening to hundreds.“What I quickly realised afterwards, I wasn’t getting anywhere with local authorities or Greater Manchester Police, and then I started my campaign. source https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/ne...
Raised as a preacher’s son in Kansas, Will Brown arrives with Welcome To Brownsville, a debut EP rooted in vulnerability, connection and emotional honesty. It is a project that doesn’t just play, it moves. From the very first moment, it feels like stepping into a place built from reflection, where every note carries something lived, something overcome. The EP opens with “Welcome To Brownsville,” an introduction to a space that feels both imagined and deeply personal. A town where stories sit in the air, where voices come together. Backed by a choir, the track expands into something communal, something bigger than one person. It sets the tone clearly: this is a world built on connection. “Golden” follows, the track that marked a defining moment for Will Brown. It rises with warmth, pushing past insecurity and reminding you of your own worth. There is something immediate about it, something that stays with you. It doesn’t just tell you that you are enough, it makes you feel it. With “I Found You,” the mood softens into something more vulnerable. It feels like a quiet reflection, a moment of searching and finding at the same time. Will Brown sings about identity, about feeling lost, about learning to accept yourself through someone else’s presence. It is gentle, but it holds weight. “Better Man” shifts the energy again, more open, more facing forward. A song about growth, about trying, about becoming. There is a sense of movement running through it, of wanting to move beyond who you were. It carries both doubt and hope at once, grounded in honesty. One of the EP’s strongest moments arrives with “Scars and Glory.” Driven by rhythm, the track turns pain into something powerful, something visible. Will Brown doesn’t hide from what has shaped him, he leans into it. As he sings about wearing those experiences like armour, it becomes a reminder that everything you’ve been through has built you into who you are now. It is uplifting, honest, and impossible not to feel. “Mr. Turner’s Song” brings things back down to something more intimate. A story shaped by love and loss, by longing and distance. It sits in that space between holding on and letting go, showing just how deeply someone can feel, even when that feeling isn’t returned in the same way. The closing track, “Oceans Of Love,” begins almost weightless. Will Brown’s voice comes in a cappella, soft and exposed, with the faint sense of the outside world around it. It feels like standing by the water, hearing birds in the distance, the song unfolding like a quiet moment at the edge of something vast. The ocean becomes a metaphor for everything uncertain, everything overwhelming. But within that, there is calm. There is reassurance. A reminder that you will move through it.
Links https://www.message.org.uk/nomoreknives/ / messagetrust / themessagetrust You don’t have to look far to see in the news the devastating impact that knife crime and drug abuse is having on young people across the country. We refuse to stand by and do nothing and so we take our programme of creative lessons to schools around the UK to help inform and equip young people to make positive choices.Since launching in January 2020, we’ve delivered over 30 No More Knives tours to over 150,000 students with the aim of raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime and equipping young people to say ‘no’ to knives. In 2024, we launched the No More County Lines tour to address the increasing danger of drug dealing and exploitation and to support young people in making positive choices.Knife crime and the devastating impact it has on lives is never far from the headlines. Something must change, so the No More Knives tour is heading into high schools to show young people there is another way.Combining music with powerful stories and teaching, we deliver lessons and assemblies that equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to say no to knives and start to discover their full value and identity.Following the schools week, we book a major venue to invite students along to a concert by the bands they’ve met in school and featuring guest speakers. And all this is done in partnership with the local police force and Councils.The Message Trust exists to passionately share the good news of Jesus with young people and urban communities in word and action.From building up evangelists all over the world in our Advance Groups, equipping and training young people on our Message School Of Evangelism, serving communities through Eden and Community Groceries, reaching those in prison with the hope of God, supporting those with barriers to employment through Christ-centred enterprise, and declaring the love of Jesus in our schools work, we are seeing lives transformed as people discover their true identity in Christ
Religious guest playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJbQwP9mIn8kI3XM5EmGD81OFTZSOVOmOrder his book here https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334063162/breaking-not-broken#yorkminster Blog excerpt for Tims book.Would you introduce yourself and tell us about your background? What brought you to this point in your life and your current focus?I am the Revd Canon Timothy Goode, currently Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture at York Minster. I am a priest, theologian, and disability justice advocate, and I have lived with permanent disability for over thirty years. My theological work is inseparable from my lived experience. Diagnosed in childhood with a rare hereditary bone condition and later left permanently disabled following a cancerous spinal tumour, I have spent much of my life navigating churches, institutions, and sacred spaces, drawing attention to the reality that they were not designed with bodies like mine in mind.What brought me to this point is a long journey of wrestling with faith, suffering, vocation, and belonging. Though I love the Church deeply, I also know, painfully and personally, how often it has failed disabled people, not simply through thoughtlessness but through theology, architecture, and inherited assumptions about what a “proper” Christian body looks like. My current focus is on helping the Church reimagine itself theologically and practically around what I call a risen-body anthropology: a vision of humanity shaped not by ideals of perfection or self-sufficiency, but by the wounded, risen body of Christ.Tell us about your new book,Breaking, not BrokenWhat is it about? What inspired you to decide to write this?Breaking, not Broken is a theological critique of ableism in the Church and a constructive vision for how Christian theology, heritage, worship, and memory might be re-formed through the lens of disability. It argues that ableism is not a marginal pastoral issue but a deep theological distortion that has shaped how the Church imagines God, holiness, leadership, healing, and the human body.I was inspired to write this book because I realised that many conversations about disability in churches stop far too early. We talk about inclusion or access, but rarely ask what kind of God our buildings, liturgies, and doctrines proclaim. Over years of ministry, and particularly since becoming a Residentiary Canon at York Minster, I have seen how sacred heritage can both proclaim the gospel and quietly contradict it. This book is my attempt to draw attention to that tension, and to offer hope that the Church can be re-membered, put back together differently, more faithfully, around the wounded and risen Christ.You write about accessibility and heritage in churches but go beyond the idea of “a ramp or a hearing loop”. What do these concepts mean to you, and how might your vision look different from current practice?Ramps and hearing loops matter. They are essential, and I would never wish to minimise them. But on their own, they risk treating disabled people as a logistical problem rather than as a theological presence. Accessibility, as I understand it, is not just about entry; it is about belonging, authority, visibility, and memory.Heritage is especially important here. Churches often treat heritage as something neutral to be preserved, when in fact it is a theological act of remembering that shapes who is seen as holy, central, or authoritative. My vision seeks answers to deeper questions: Who were our buildings designed for? Whose bodies do our liturgies assume?
Please subscribe to The God Cast - Here are some links of Interest.Andy's Substack https://discernwithdyslexia.substack.com/p/cofe-ordinand-fundingThe details of the new system are available here ddo-maintenance-training-fund-2026.pdf Church of England - Tackling Working Classism in the Church https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/diocesan-resources/ministry-development/addressing-classism-church#naChurch of England - Current MFT Funding for Ordinands (2026) - Funding / Grant Details for Ordinands https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/vocations/preparing-ordained-ministry/financial-support-ordinandsChurchTimes - Fr Alex Forst Speaks Up For The Working Class https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/20-february/news/uk/more-working-class-role-models-needed-in-c-of-e-leadership-synod-is-toldChurch Times Survey 2023 https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-november/news/uk/new-survey-reveals-debt-and-mental-stress-among-ordinandsOrdinands association 2023 https://ordinands.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/financial-pressures-among-ordinands-in-training.pdfcofe financial support package: https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/vocations/preparing-ordained-ministry/financial-support-ordinandsKey stats:43% of training candidates go directly into debt to pay for everyday living costs.£6,770 is the average amount of debt a candidate builds up during training.25% suffer severe financial hardship, such as falling behind on energy bills.10% are forced to regularly skip meals to afford their basic expenses.Over 50% of female candidates state that money stress has actively damaged their mental health. (43% for males)
Bishop Jill Duff is a British Anglican bishop. Since 2018, she has been the Bishop of Lancaster, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Blackburn. Previously, she had been Director of St Mellitus College, North West, an Anglican theological college, from 2013 to 2018.Before ordination, she studied chemistry at university and worked in the oil industry. After ordination in the Church of England, she served in the Diocese of Liverpool in parish ministry, chaplaincy, and church planting.
A public and passionate celebration of Jesus on Pentecost weekend in London in 2026. Joining with the global movement of March for Jesus on Saturday 23rd May.What is it?The Jesus March is a joyous, hopeful celebration of Jesus in London. The global movement of March for Jesus, which began in London in 1987, has continued around parts of the world and recently begun again across Europe. We are inviting you to join us as we relaunch March for Jesus in London this Pentecost weekend – this time called the Jesus March – on Saturday 23rd May.As the annual celebration of the birth of the church, of the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit and of thousands saved, Pentecost is the perfect date for the church to publicly celebrate Jesus, heal the spiritual atmosphere in our city, and raise hope and peace in our communities. There is a series of other significant Christian missions happening in the run up to the Pentecost weekend and throughout it: the Jesus March is a perfect climax to draw everything together.WHAT IS IT NOT?This is not a protest – we are not using this march to speak against any injustices or wrongs regarding the government of the UK, we are celebrating Jesus and lifting him up!This is not a political march – this is not left or right, and no political or national flags are allowed.This is not a promotion – there will be no money-making or products being pushed. No-one is promoting their own ministry or agenda.Why now?Because God is on the move! We have seen a recent wave of salvation, growing church attendance and a fresh boldness to reach the UK with the good news of Jesus, particularly London. This paves the way for a significant, united moment to proclaim and praise Jesus on the streets of this city! We are living in challenging times but Jesus calls his church to shine like stars to the world. Join us to shine out the light of Jesus!WHERE and when IS IT?The Jesus March will take place in central London. The route (pending police confirmation) is from Marble Arch and along Piccadilly, following a joyful mobile worship team on a float. We will end with an extended time of worship and prayer in Trafalgar Square.The march starts at 2pm on Saturday 23 May, finishing at 5pm.CAN I GET INVOLVED?Of course you can! The Jesus March is for everyone. We would love to see the beauty of the breadth, depth and racial diversity of the UK church expressed in the Jesus March. It would really help our planning if we know who is intending to be a part of the Jesus March 2026.Save the date: Make sure you’ve put Saturday 23 May in your and your church’s diary.Register your interest: Let us know you’re coming. To help with stewarding and first aid requirements, we are asking churches who are bringing 25 or more people to commit to bringing a group marshal (steward) and one qualified first-aider who would attend pre-event briefings.
Order Patrick's new book here https://standrewsbookshop.co.uk/product/small-steps-for-big-change/Learn more of his work here https://www.smallstepsforbigchange.co.uk/Follow him on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/patrick.regan.739on InstagramDiscover more of mental health awareness week here https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-weekLearn more of Brighter Days here https://www.brighterdays.life/about-usHow Brighter Days beganIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces faced unprecedented challenges, requiring them to become resilient and cultivate healthier, more honest cultures. Amidst this backdrop, Patrick Regan OBE embarked on a quest to rethink organisational wellbeing. Engaging in insightful conversations with leading experts across various disciplines, Patrick identified a pressing need for practical solutions that would empower organisations and their people. Brighter Days offers innovative training programs designed to address the evolving demands of the modern workplace.With Patrick's vision and expertise, Brighter Days has become a part of the solution, helping organisations and their people navigate uncertainty, develop resilience, and foster cultures that prioritise wellbeing and authenticity. We are reshaping the future of work, one brighter day at a time.Mental Health Awareness Week has played a huge role in changing how we talk about mental health. But for many organisations, the question now is: What actually changes?The 2026 theme, Action, reflects this shift — moving beyond awareness into the small, everyday behaviours that genuinely protect and improve mental health at work.A more practical approach to mental health at work:In many workplaces, the biggest challenges are not a lack of awareness, but:Knowing what to do in the momentSupporting others effectivelyCreating environments where people can actually thriveWe’ve delivered mental health and wellbeing programmes to over 350 organisations, and one thing is clear:Awareness alone rarely leads to lasting change.Our Mental Health Awareness Week programme is designed to change that — focusing on practical, realistic actions that support mental health at every level of the organisation.Talk to us about your MHAW plansPatrick Regan OBEPatrick Regan OBE is an award-winning author, activist and speaker with extensive experience in the UK charity and public sectors. After he and his family went through a series of personal trials and ill health, Patrick decided to step down from his previous role as CEO at XLP to create Kintsugi Hope, a charity which aims to create safe and supportive spaces for those suffering from emotional and mental health challenges. He recently started a business called Brighter Days Life and is an honorary fellow of the London South Bank University for his contribution to justice and wellbeing.
Lady maisery“adventurous and beautiful” Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Hazel Askew, Rowan Rheingans and Hannah James - individually three multi award-winning artists - form a unified voice as Lady Maisery. Together they carry stories of sisterhood, human struggle, the joy of living and the vitality of song with the “freshest possible take on traditional music” (Folk Radio UK). Their long-standing effervescent collaboration has been described as “adventurous and beautiful” (Mark Radcliffe, Radio 2) “exquisite and thrilling” (The Guardian) with “a generosity of spirit and joie de vivre that seems to emanate from every minute of their recorded output as well as from their exuberant live shows” (Folk Radio UK). Their fifth studio album Tender was released at the end of 2022 to far-reaching acclaim. An arresting record exploring the power in vulnerability, the tenderness of collective wounds and the strength in kindness, it was hailed “a beguiling blend of ancient and modern” (The Times) and “both nurturing and raw, a sensitive response to the times we are living in” (Daily Info). Tender entered the Official Indie Album Charts at number 18, the Official Indie Album Breakers Chart at number 3 (rare accolades for British folk!) before spending a whole year in the Official Folk Chart Top 40.
Learn more of the musical via this link https://www.itiswellmusical.com/Follow the group on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/itiswellmusical/Follow Fr Alex on X @alexdjfrostABOUT THE SHOW"It is Well with My Soul" is one of the most beloved hymns of all time, with words by Horatio Spafford and music by Philip Bliss. This new musical tells the story of Philip and his wife, Lucy, how at the end of the American Civil War, they end up moving to the growing metropolis of Chicago, Illinois, to make a new life for themselves. It is there they meet lawyer Horatio Spafford and his wife Anna, producer and publisher George Root, and preacher and philanthropist D L Moody. As Philip begins to gain prominence as a soloist and hymn-writer, temptation begins to creep in: how will Philip handle the temptations that come with his new life? And how will the Blisses handle the tragic circumstances of the Great Chicago Fire and the loss of the Spafford girls in the sinking of the Ville du Havre? "It is Well with My Soul" invites you to explore the Gospel message of hope, like an anchor for the soul.In the storms of life, is it well with your soul? Book your tickets to see this exciting new theatrical production and explore this enduring message of true and steadfast faith in the midst of tragedy and suffering. About This Hymn Author : Horatio G. Spafford (1828–1888) Composer : Philip P. Bliss (1838–1876) Meter : 11.8.11.9 with Chorus Scripture Reference : “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (KJV) The timeless hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” was written by Horatio Gates Spafford, a devout Presbyterian layman and prominent attorney in Chicago. Born on October 20, 1828, in North Troy, New York, Spafford later moved to Illinois, where he established a successful legal practice. Alongside his professional achievements, he was deeply engaged in Christian ministry and maintained close friendships with influential evangelical leaders of the time, including D. L. Moody. Gospel musician George Stebbins described Spafford as “a man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and a devoted student of the Scriptures.”
Krish Kandiah is a missiologist, social entrepreneur, author, and broadcaster with degrees in Chemistry, Missiology and Theology (PhD, Kings College London). Krish is on faculty at Regents Park College and Oxford University and has authored thirteen books including the award-winning Paradoxology. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the National Centre for Post-Qualifying Social Work at Bournemouth University and an Honorary Reader in Theology at St Andrews University. He has spoken at Q Conference, the Global Leadership Summit, The Justice Conference, TedxOxford, and more.ResourcesThe YouTube channel of Krish is here https://www.youtube.com/@UCnRB8V1480GNyKfK5EIQhZg Dr Kandiah OBE is the founder of The Sanctuary Foundation. A charity supporting refugees to find welcome, work and worthwhile housing in the UK.He is recognised as an expert in refugee resettlement , child welfare reform, educational innovation and civil society mobilisation.Krish has led the charge on mobilising civil society groups and churches as they have supported recent arrivals from Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.He is a regular advisor to government.He was appointed by the Secretary of State for Education as the Chair of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (2019-2021) where he brought strategic leadership to the finding of permanent loving families for children in the care system.He has helped to inspire and train thousands to care for vulnerable adults and children.Dr Kandiah is a regular broadcaster on a range of subjects including:Refugee ResettlementChild Welfare ReformFaith and Public LifeJustice and EqualityCivil Society EngagementFilm and CultureHe has been a regular guest on BBC Breakfast, the Zoe Ball breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 and has appeared on BBC News 24, The Today Programme, Goggle Box and Sky News, Woman's Hour and more...Dr Kandiah has written opinion pieces for The Times, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Express, The Spectator , Christianity Today and more...THE GUARDIAN: No one should age out of careSPECTATOR: Benedict Cumberbatch's CourierSPECTATOR: An Interview with JesusTHE TIMES: Why the government's Rwanda programmeSPECTATOR: There's more to the Queen's GambitCT: The Case Against OrphanagesDr Kandiah is a Global Ambassador for World Vision International.He has organised and spoken at major global conferences and summits including: The Global Leadership Summit , Q Conference, Amplify,He designed, organised and chaired the first Transatlantic Learning Summit between the US and English governments on adoption innovation and another on ending racial disparity in adoption.Dr Kandiah organised and chaired the Global Children in Care Summit which brought together care experienced young people, government leaders and NGO representatives from 29 countries.
Since early modern times, following the Reformation, Christianity has been a key part of national identity, being passed on largely, though not exclusively, through the worship, teaching and pastoral ministry of the Church of England. This book seeks to reclaim what is unique about the Church of England - a church which claims to be 'part of' the one, holy Catholic Church - and its role in our national life, and how a deeper understanding of Christian faith can still be passed on through it to the English people. As part of this, Angela argues that the Church of England has been taken over by American evangelicalism, and that returning to its roots as a parish church in every community will bring hope back to the people of England in these fractured times. To give you a flavour of Angela’s argument, she talks about her sense of sadness of the ‘decline of a Church which has brought comfort and courage to so many’ and at the recent policy of ‘top-down managerialism’ rather than addressing the roots of these problems in the ‘godless devaluing of human priesthood, community and responsibility.’ She writes that the Church of England of our time ‘seems increasingly fragile’ and that it has tried to make itself relevant by over-identifying with progressive issues – she believes it needs to be ‘more wary, more considerate and more inclusive when it debates these issues’ and that ‘we must live with differences as a gift and not a curse.’ Interestingly, she also writes, ‘there is a panicked conviction that unless the Church is doing something different, it will die. It might, of course. But Christianity should be able to cope with that.’ She notes that ‘at least some of the disarray and confusion within the Church of England in the 21st century comes from what I have come to see as an evangelical ‘takeover’ and, with it, an introduction of some of the sectarian tendencies that can accompany evangelical faith.’ While being realistic about the serious issue of abuse within the Church and its role in slavery, oppression and racial injustice – ‘it has often failed to live up to the standards it proclaims’ – she concludes, ‘we need the Church of England more than we ever did. It is the church of the nation, the guardian of our historical faith and the moral fabric on which our laws, habits and customs are based.’ But, she writes, ‘to be a blessing, we must first get our own house in order’, and then prioritise the needs of the poor, linking with other faith communities, caring for our heritage, returning to common liturgical prayer, making sure our leaders are teachers not managers, and making our churches a safe place for all. ‘Place and nation, parish and community are the bedrock. Low key, enduring, faithful.’ About the author:Angela worked as a producer within the BBC’s Religious Department for many years before training for ordination in the Church of England. She was a parish priest in the Diocese of Ely and worked at Westcott House in Cambridge and as a lecturer with the Cambridge Theological Federation. She was also Canon of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford. Now retired, she is Canon Emeritus of Christ Church Cathedral and a chaplain and honorary canon at Portsmouth Cathedral. She contributes regularly to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, writes a weekly column for the Church Times, and is very active on X.
Darryl is a presenter on https://www.thetimes.com/radio?msockid=3baf5501b5596cf5108f4640b4616d7dand you can catch every Sat/Sun 10pm - 1amYou can listen to his documentary on 'God Next Door' here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00219djFr Alex is the author of 'Our Daily Bread Argos To The Altar, A Priest Story.You can order it here https://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Frost-Father-Alex/Our-Daily-Bread/9780008556556follow him on X @alexdjfrotYou’ll find Darryl rabbiting on, late into the night, on Times Radio. Every Saturday and Sunday evening at 10pm, we chew through the night’s news, speak to interesting people and set the world to rights.He also makes documentaries about interesting people or fascinating things – like the time I spent with the man who claims to be God, or the documentary made about how websites trick you into doing things you might not want to (which this one definitely doesn’t do!) or the short documentary I made about the Pale Blue Dot, the furthest picture ever taken of Earth.
https://www.paulfarrer.com/ Paul Farrer is a distinguished British composer known for his innovative and evocative musical works that span a variety of genres for British television.With a background in both classical and contemporary music, he has garnered attention for his ability to blend traditional techniques with modern elements, creating compositions that resonate with diverse audiences. His contributions to television, film, theatre, and concert music showcase a deep understanding of narrative and emotion, allowing this to craft soundscapes that enhance storytelling. As a respected figure in the contemporary music scene, Farrer continues to inspire both peers and listeners with his creative vision and dedication to his craft.
https://www.stevetilston.com/representation | Different Strings Music Agencylorraine@differentstrings.co.uk Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song smiths, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music; the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else. And now to Steve Tilston’s last album, Last Call officially released on Talking Elephant Records March 2025, over half a century on from his first and on a par with his finest. With the accompaniment of good friends and long-time musical collaborators, Steve looks both back and ahead as he travels the musical spectrum, across blues, traditional folk, poetry and even a hint of jazz. From social and political comment to rustic reflection, from autobiography to eternal geographical history; it’s a thing of audible joy and circumstantial sadness.“The more you listen, the more there is to discover.” Bob HarrisThe story of Steve’s “lost” letter from John Lennon thrust Steve into the worldwide media spotlight and was the inspiration for a Hollywood movie. Danny Collins, starring Al Pacino in the title role is now available to own on DVD. Sadly, Steve’s songs didn’t actually appear on the soundtrack, but the publicity surrounding the film, brought Steve and his music to much wider attention. You can still watch the clip of when Steve met Al on YouTube.Steve was also voted, Fatea Awards Male Vocalist of the Year 2015 and Truth to Tell was chosen as one of The Telegraph’s top folk albums that year too.Born in Liverpool and raised in the Midlands, Steve made his recording debut in 1971 with the classic An Acoustic Confusion and has been turning out quality albums ever since. Life by Misadventure, And So It Goes, Solo Rubato and Such and Such all featuring first-class song-writing and stylistically Tilston, marking him out as one of this country’s finest writers. Whilst the instrumental Swans at Coole is testament to his guitar virtuosity. Though known as a songwriter, Steve has always had an ear for the tradition and included new interpretations of old favourites on his original recordings. Of Many Hands is his first “all-traditional” album; with unique arrangements of timeless classics. There’s also a “best of” anthology, The Greening Wind and a live album Live Hemistry recorded on tour with Fairport Convention.He joined an illustrious band of guitarists including Martin Simpson, Michael Messer and Wizz Jones, when he was invited to contribute to the Guitar Maestro series of DVDs; a combination of live studio performance and interviews, revealing the real passion behind these talented musicians… If anyone ever deserved the moniker “Guitar Maestro”, it’s Steve Tilston!The writer of such classic songs as The Slipjigs and Reels and the award-winning The Reckoning, is also a published author. Steve’s first novel All for Poor Jack is an historical tale set in Bristol and the New World, full of colourful characters. It’s a mighty good read and has been enjoyed by the likes of Bob Dylan no less!He’s toured with John Renbourn’s Ship of Fools, traditional singer Maggie Boyle (the classic recordings Of Moor and Mesa and All Under the Sun), as guitarist with Ballet Rambert, with Maartin Allcock & Pete Zorn in WAZ! with Brooks Williams and with his daughter Martha. Plus collaborations with alt-country band The Durbervilles and old Bristol pals Keith Warmington and the late Stuart Gordon as the Steve Tilston Trio. His most recent project is Tilston & Lowe a duo with fellow songwriter Jez Lowe, producing The Janus Game a CD of brand-new co-writes.Others have also recorded Steve’s songs. Here’s to Tom Paine is the adopted theme song for the Tom Paine Society of America and we’ve lost count of the number of versions of The Slipjigs & Reels!
Allan is former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist and is living with a terminal illness after being diagnosed with a rare cancer. Allan Finnegan competed in the 2020 series of the ITV variety competition with his comedy act, delivering standup routines that charmed the viewers and judging panel.After the show, the Baptist minister continued working at his church in Bootle as normal, but sought medical advice when he started to experience some issues with his vision in 2022.I didn't ask for any of this…When Allan was little, he hoped to be a footballer. But, like many things in 'Brutal Bootle', that dream was quickly demolished. Thoughts of God never got beyond Mr Godson's classroom, until his future mother-in-law insisted church attendance was a condition of dating the lovely Joyce. Faced with that ultimatum, he went along.I didn't ask for any of this…Especially not becoming the church minister! But when a throw-away comment landed Allan on the stage of a comedy club, everything changed. He found his calling. Somewhere he could make a difference. Something he was good at. So good that he ended up on Britain's Got Talent.I didn't ask for any of this…Especially not the terminal cancer diagnosis.
https://www.facebook.com/elishahousepageElisha House provides supported living accommodation to 31 males in recovery from substance or alcohol misuse. We work according to the 12 steps recovery programme and five ways to wellbeing. We have a strong community ethos and an extensive timetable. We provide volunteering opportunities in our community gardening project and community cafe. We offer hope that recovery is possible.
Learn more of Andy here https://www.andyhalliday.co.uk/follow Fr Alex on @alexfjfrostA little of Andy hereAfter 40 years working on high performing teams, I'm convinced that the successful folk are those who in the words of Abraham Maslow, "choose to step forward towards growth rather than back towards safety"Whilst personal time to reflect and recover in a safe psychological space is vital to support wellbeing, growth is impossible without spending some time feeling uncomfortable. The World is a tough place to live, every behaviour is under scrutiny and these days, it seems that it is all recorded on a phone or tablet somewhere! As my own physical and mental 'close to the edge' experiences start to reduce, I'm convinced that Stoicism should be the guiding light! I'm also set on passing on my learnings to support and encourage others to grasp the nettle..........I've been lucky enough to work alongside some incredibly talented, resourceful and resilient individuals in high performance, both in policing and international sport. I've experienced both elation and trauma and learned to cope with both.My mantra, to learn something new every day still applies, even as I move grow old ungracefully through my sixth decade!
Journalist, Broadcaster and Commentator. Former BBC NI Political Editor. Contributor for newspapers including the Irish Times, Belfast Telegraph, Belfast Newsletter & Daily Mirror NI. Experienced chair of webinars and conferences drawing on decades covering Stormont and my time reporting on international affairs as BBC United Nations Correspondent in New York. You can find my work via Twitter @markdevenport via https://legitimate.net/profiles/mark-devenport or previously at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c7d9y05d1lnt
