Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is heading to the BBC Prom

AFTER a sold out performance last year, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will be once again taking to the iconic stage on:- Friday, 4 September 2026.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will be led by its:- Principal Guest Conductor, Andrew Manze, in a celebration of English music. The programme includes a world premiere from:- North West composer Carmel Smickersgill, Britten's Violin Concerto with Simone Lamsma, and works by Vaughan Williams.

Described by The Telegraph as:- "the greatest living interpreter of Vaughan Williams' music," Andrew Manze conducts 2 works by the composer. The starkly beautiful landscape of Thomas Hardy's Wessex haunts the score of Symphony No. 9, pastoral yearning tinged with darker wartime memories and fears; in contrast to the radiant spiritual affirmation of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, with its shimmering clouds of strings.

Carmel Smickersgill is an exciting voice in contemporary music. In 2022, she won Liverpool Philharmonic's Rushworth Composition Prize, which provides an exceptional range of opportunities for early career composers. The prize forms part of Liverpool Philharmonic's long standing commitment to presenting and commissioning new music. A Brick Thrown with Love will be the fourth of Smickersgill's works to be premiered by the Orchestra, and explores resilience in the face of tragedy.

Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma, praised for her eloquence, has performed regularly with the Orchestra in Liverpool and now makes her Proms debut in Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto; a work steeped in reflections on war and hopes for peace. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Britten's death, and this performance is part a series showcasing the breadth and enduring influence of one of Britain's most significant composers.

Further information about the performance is available online along with details about BBC Proms 2026 at:- BBC.Co.UK and it will also be broadcast onL0 BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.

The award winning Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is the UK's oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra. Its concert series dates back to 1840, when the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic was founded by a group of Liverpool music lovers. The Orchestra lies at the heart of Liverpool Philharmonic, one of the country's leading music organisations, with a mission to create powerful musical experiences that bring people together. It is the largest music organisation in the city, collaborating with the next generation of artists and audiences to help shape the future of Liverpool and beyond.

Families raise over �7,000 for Bebe's Hive at Comedy Bingo event in Southport

FAMILIES came together to raise over:- �7,000 for Bebe's Hive through a laughter filled night of Comedy Bingo in Southport.

Over 300 people enjoyed this special night in a large heated and seated marquee provided by Elite Events Group at Victoria Park in Southport.

It was hosted by Comedy Bingo founder Brendan Riley, with lots of prizes kindly donated by local people and local businesses.

Guests enjoyed sizzling sausages from the award winning Chris Stead while pictures were taken by MAF Photography.

They were treated to an exclusive announcement of a big new:- Bebe's Hive event:- Bebe's Ozdust Ball, which will be held at:- Victoria Park in Southport, on:- Saturday, 7 November 2026.

A Bebe's Hive Spokesperson said:- "What a night! Glow sticks, dancing on benches, full on chaos (the best kind); and a room full of pure joy. A real glimmer in every sense� our community is something else. 300 people came together and we raised an incredible:- �7,287 through tickets, raffles, auction and merch; just amazing. Thank you to our incredible volunteers, our Bebe's Hive core team, and our Fundraising and Development Executive Hayley for making the whole night run so beautifully. Huge thank you to Mark Dilley and Elite Events Group for the incredible venue, Chris Stead the Ready Steady Chef for delicious food and to the brilliant Brendan Riley, a true professional, for hosting Comedy Bingo and bringing the energy all night. And to everyone who came, showed up, danced, laughed and supported us� thank you! We felt every bit of it."

Bebe's Hive is now looking forward to World Bee Day, when they'll be encouraging everyone to:- Wear Yellow For Bebe, on:- Wednesday, 20 May 2026 in a coming together of:- colour, kindness, and remembrance.

Bebe's Hive would love you to join in and show your support by posting your:- World Bee Day pictures on social media with the hashtag #worldbeeday

To mark this year's campaign, a special:- 'Celebrate Bebe' t-shirt has been created in collaboration with Westcoast Workwear. The shirts are available now via the online merchandise portal...

A pop up shop will be held at:- Wayfarer's Arcade, Lord Street, in Southport, on:- Saturday, 25 April 2026, from:- 10am to 3pm, where visitors can purchase their t-shirts in person ahead of World Bee Day.

Adult shirts will be priced at:- �10, and children shirts at:- �8. A selection of much-loved accessories will also be available, alongside some new additions.

Bebe's Hive was launched last year to offer a safe, creative place for children to explore grief in their own way.

It was born from the loss of much loved Bebe King, aged:- 6.

It will be situated inside Cambridge Arcade in Southport Town Centre.

It's just a few steps away from the Town Hall Gardens, which will soon be transformed into an exciting new family-friendly events space in a �10 million redevelopment led by the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice.

If you would like to learn more about or support the work of Bebe's Hive please visit:- BeBeshive.Org.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

News reports located on this page = 2.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is heading to the BBC Prom

Families raise over �7,000 for Bebe's Hive at Comedy Bingo event in Southport