Conservatives are now pledging 50,000 additional places within seven years, after increasing overall capacity by fewer than 500 during their previous 14 years in government. WHY DIDNT YOU DO IT THEN?. news.sky.com/story/politics-…

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Some days the loss of Ruth Eastwood feels impossible to put into words. Ruth wasn’t just an incredible Chief Executive, she was one of those rare people who changed the direction of a room simply by walking into it. She led with intelligence, warmth, humour and an unwavering belief in people. She saw potential where others saw obstacles, and she gave so many of us the confidence to believe in ourselves when we weren’t always sure we could. To me, Ruth was an incredible mentor, a trusted friend, and a source of support unlike any other, no one has ever come close. Her guidance shaped not only my career but the way I think about leadership, creativity and kindness. She had that remarkable ability to challenge you, encourage you and champion you all at the same time (she introduced me to Bev Holden who also changed my life). The impact she had on @Grand_Theatre is immeasurable. She helped transform the organisation, fought fiercely for the arts, steered the theatre through some of its most difficult years (the Covid years) and left a legacy that will continue to be felt for generations. But what made Ruth truly extraordinary wasn’t just what she achieved - it was how she made people feel. Valued. Heard. Capable. Important. Looking back at the countless tributes from across the industry, it is clear just how many lives she touched. From Blackpool to Leicester, Poole to Theatres Trust, Ruth earned the respect, admiration and affection of colleagues right across the country through her generosity, vision and compassion. She was widely credited with helping save and revitalise Blackpool Grand Theatre, turning it into an organisation of national significance while nurturing talent and championing the people around her (The Guardian). The theatre world lost an exceptional leader. Many of us lost someone far more personal. I still find myself wishing I could pick up the phone and hear her voice, ask her advice, or share a piece of news I know she would have been proud of. I know a few of us do. Ruth’s legacy lives on not only in the theatres she transformed and the organisations she strengthened, but in the people she believed in. I know I am one of many who will carry her influence with us for the rest of our lives. Ruth you are missed and spoken about daily. We’ll emember you always. RIP xxx

Just watched ‘Richard Madeley Mega Prision’, an immersive new feature length documentary, offering rare access inside one of the most controversial prisons in the world, the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). ‘It froze my blood!’ Richard Madeley Having heard the story’s told of the bus and the other crimes, the place is deserved, the people are subhuman, I get it breaks human rights for us, I wonder though who’d vote for that system? I think I would in that country.

Quick after work decompress with Lilien, Gary, Harry and Missey - nothing better 🐎