Stephen Moss

Bill Oddie, who died aged 85, is remembered for two distinct television careers: first as a writer and performer in The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, and later as a pioneering wildlife presenter whose programmes helped inspire new generations of birdwatchers. His work included Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, Springwatch and Autumnwatch, alongside extensive writing, conservation activity and an OBE awarded in 2003. The obituary also recounts his difficult childhood, depression, bipolar disorder and the damaging effect he said his departure from Springwatch had on his mental health. He is survived by his wife Laura Beaumont, three daughters and three grandchildren.

A former student recalls JH Prynne as a warm and rigorous teacher whose close analysis of poetry, including works by Sir Walter Raleigh and Shakespeare, left a lasting intellectual impact and contrasted sharply with his reputation for producing difficult and austere verse.

A late June cycling trip around Suffolk revealed abundant birdsong despite the heat, with chiffchaffs, blackcaps, whitethroats, swallows and swifts active across the landscape. The most striking sightings were numerous yellowhammers, whose distinctive song contrasted with their scarcity in Somerset. Reflections on the bird’s name and history highlight its cultural associations and linguistic origins, underscoring the continued presence of this colourful bunting in parts of lowland England.

Middlesex defeated Leicestershire by an innings and 127 runs after making 534 and dismissing their opponents twice in three days, with teenagers Naavya Sharma and Noah Cornwell taking key wickets. Surrey posted a record 820 for nine against Durham, while Yorkshire recovered from 273 for eight to lead Essex by 91 runs and set up a tense final day. Lancashire moved close to victory after Ashton Turner’s century and a declaration that left Derbyshire needing 513, while Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Glamorgan, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire also established strong positions. The unusually high-scoring round produced a record 4,508 first-innings runs across nine matches.

Research showcased at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum highlights how music shapes emotion, memory, behaviour and consumer choices. Exhibits explore connections between sound and taste, cognitive responses to harmony and dissonance, therapeutic uses of music for dementia and sleep, and the influence of musical cues on shopping habits. Studies show that genres such as classical music can increase spending, while tempo affects shopping speed. Music’s impact on productivity varies by task, and personal familiarity with music can support perceived sleep quality. The exhibition emphasizes music’s universal emotional power and its role in shaping daily experiences.

A personal reflection on the Magnus Carlsen–Hans Niemann controversy argues that while Niemann has admitted to past online cheating, there is no evidence he cheated in over-the-board play. The author criticizes Carlsen’s insinuations and highlights the damaging impact of unproven allegations. Despite the scandal, heightened media attention has revitalized interest in chess and boosted Niemann’s public profile, marking an unexpected cultural moment for the game.

A new Scala Radio station dedicated to women composers launches with a mix of historical works and contemporary mood music, drawing criticism for overly safe programming and a narrow, repetitive playlist. While standout pieces by figures such as Hildegard von Bingen, Clara Schumann and Rachel Portman offer moments of interest, the station largely favors gentle, unobtrusive tracks aligned with Scala’s accessible brand. Partnerships with the charity Donne aim to address gender inequality in classical music, though concerns remain about ghettoisation and the lack of more challenging repertoire. Calls emerge for bolder programming, including longer works and contributions from major contemporary composers.

A Samoan-led arts collective in London is staging Wagner’s full Ring cycle with Samoan cultural elements, drawing parallels between Nordic mythology, colonial disruption in the Pacific and contemporary issues such as climate change. Led by Sani Muliaumaseali’i, the production integrates dance, historical references and modern Samoan themes while presenting Wagner’s complete text. Performers and musicians highlight the artistic challenge and rarity of the opportunity, with support from consultancy firm Clearpoint. The production aims to bring a distinct Pacific perspective to a major operatic work in an intimate London church setting.

German bass‑baritone Thomas Quasthoff reflects on his celebrated classical career, the impact of thalidomide‑related disability, and the emotional toll of his brother’s death, which contributed to his early retirement from classical singing. He describes overcoming obstacles, resisting being defined by disability, and later embracing jazz for its relaxed, collaborative nature. Quasthoff discusses selective opera roles, his preference for lieder, and concerns about superficiality in today’s classical world, while expressing contentment with his achievements and current artistic pursuits.

Camille Saint-Saëns is characterized as an undervalued composer whose prolific output and commitment to formal elegance have led to his work being overlooked. As the Proms mark the centenary of his death, several major compositions are highlighted, including the Organ Symphony, Carnival of the Animals and a range of concertos and operatic works. His stylistic conservatism and resistance to emerging modernist trends contributed to his diminished reputation, yet supporters argue for renewed appreciation of his craft, originality and extensive catalogue of more than 300 compositions.

Matt Haig reflects on his evolution from struggling novelist to bestselling author and mental health advocate, discussing the anxiety, self-doubt and creative pressures that shape his work. He describes the development of The Comfort Book during the pandemic and anticipates polarized reactions to its freeform, inspirational style. Haig recounts his early career setbacks, rise to prominence through The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive, and ongoing challenges with mental health. He addresses criticism, social media conflicts and the tension between public expectations and creative freedom, while noting recent successes including book sales and film adaptations. Despite lingering insecurities, he says he is in a more stable and grateful place.

Six timelines trace the Guardian's development since 1821, from a regional weekly selling about 1,000 copies to a global media organization reaching millions of readers daily.

Museums in several countries are gathering objects that document how people experienced and responded to the Covid‑19 pandemic, ranging from scientific artifacts such as the first Pfizer vaccine vial to cultural items including homemade masks, protest materials, crafts and community initiatives. Curators emphasise the importance of preserving public health messaging, social solidarity, cultural adaptation and the everyday realities of lockdown, while also noting rising discrimination, activism and creative coping strategies. Collecting efforts aim to capture both global themes and local variations to give future generations a tangible record of the pandemic’s evolving impact.

Critics highlight favourite and least favourite moments across Wagner’s Ring Cycle, praising scenes such as Götterdämmerung’s opening and Die Walküre’s emotional climaxes while criticising sections of Siegfried for heavy-handedness or lack of inspiration. Several productions and performers are recalled as benchmarks, underscoring the cycle’s mixture of musical brilliance, dramatic depth and occasional excesses.

Beds are traced as cultural and historical artefacts from prehistoric grass mattresses and ancient Egyptian designs to regal four‑posters, political symbolism and modern art installations. Examples include Tutankhamun’s folding bed, Edward I’s campaign bed, the rediscovered Tudor marriage bed, the oversized Great Bed of Ware, Shakespeare’s second‑best bed, the politically contentious birth in Mary of Modena’s bed, Louis XIV’s ceremonial bedchamber, John and Yoko’s bed‑ins for peace and Tracey Emin’s installation My Bed, illustrating how beds have served as practical objects, symbols of power and platforms for artistic expression.

Ralph Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending is explored through insights from leading violinists who highlight its emotional depth, technical subtleties and enduring appeal. Performers describe the work’s blend of freedom, nostalgia and transcendence, noting influences ranging from wartime experiences to rural life. Despite its simplicity and popularity, musicians emphasize its expressive complexity and personal interpretive possibilities. The piece continues to inspire performances and recordings, reaffirming its unique atmosphere and lasting significance.

Lockdown-driven shifts in spending have produced widespread frugality, with many people reducing expenses due to job losses, furlough or anxiety about economic uncertainty. Even those who kept their jobs have cut back, influenced by closed venues, a sense of social responsibility and changing habits. Savings have risen sharply, debt has been paid down and research shows a significant decline in discretionary spending. Experts disagree on how long these changes will last, with some expecting spending to rebound once restrictions ease and others noting that financial fears and remote work could make caution persistent. While altered consumption patterns will challenge parts of the UK economy, long-term frugality is unlikely to be universal as accumulated savings eventually return to circulation.

Improving at chess requires a love of the game, learning from losses, studying classic masters, and using online tools and engines without overrelying on them. Beginners benefit from mastering piece fundamentals, playing stronger opponents, and finding good teachers. Online play offers practice but comes with risks such as cheating and overly fast time controls. Joining clubs and federations enables structured over‑the‑board competition once available. Enjoyment, curiosity, and deeper analysis remain central to long‑term growth in chess.

John Sessions is remembered as a gifted and unconventional comic and actor whose improvisational brilliance on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and character work in television and film never translated into broader stardom. Despite acclaimed performances, including roles in My Night With Reg and Stella Street, his career was hindered by self-doubt, personal setbacks and a retreat from stage work. His extensive body of work and influence on a generation of comedians highlight exceptional talent that was widely respected but often underappreciated.

Leon Bosch recounts the trauma he experienced under apartheid and the impact it had on his life and musical career, describing his escape to the UK and subsequent rise as a distinguished double bassist. After decades away, he has reconciled with South Africa and commissioned nearly 40 new works by South African composers to build a bass repertoire rooted in his homeland. His reflections highlight the persistent racism he has faced in the UK, his support for initiatives promoting diversity in classical music, and his hope that prominent young Black musicians will receive enduring career opportunities.

Andrew Marr reflects on his career, personal health challenges and new book while warning that political and commercial forces are attempting to weaken the BBC. He stresses the importance of impartiality in broadcasting and criticizes the potential appointment of figures such as Charles Moore and Paul Dacre to influential media roles. Marr defends colleagues against claims of bias, recounts contentious political interviews and highlights the pressure placed on public service broadcasting during a period of political tension.

Vera Lynn’s death is framed as the symbolic close of a defining chapter in British wartime history. Her songs, especially We’ll Meet Again, sustained national morale during the Second World War and embodied resilience without veering into jingoism. Though not regarded as a technically great singer, her youth, modesty and emotional clarity made her the wartime ‘forces’ sweetheart’. Her postwar career continued but remained tied to her wartime identity, which she accepted gracefully. Tributes highlight her enduring cultural significance, while attempts to politicise her legacy are dismissed as misguided.

A surge in real-life television dramas such as The Salisbury Poisonings, Sitting in Limbo and Small Axe reflects public demand for true stories in an era of misinformation. Writers and producers describe the balance between dramatic storytelling and factual accuracy, emphasising trust with subjects, careful research and responsible use of dramatic licence. The pieces explore how human narratives provide emotional insight beyond journalism, while producers stress the need to preserve essential truth, avoid sensationalism and maintain the integrity of real events and people.