LVR27

Music teacher | Soprano (try to be anyway) | Mum to the two best girls ever.

[Matthew Owens @MatthewOwensUK]

I’m looking forward to our HIP (historically informed performance) Handel Messiahs with @ulsterconsort & Players (on period instruments) on 28 & 29 Nov.
Ballymena: https://t.co/nBlgbh49Xc

Holywood: https://t.co/9b4HxpcO8x

Join us if you can (and the churches are warm!)

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Methodist College @MethodyBelfast]

Last week our pupils took to the stage at the Waterfront Hall for our Easter Concert. The Orchestra captivated the audience with the theme from 'E.T.', whilst the Chapel Choir delivered a rendition of 'Wannabe' as an English Madrigal. Congratulations to all!

#MCB #Methody

[Matthew Owens @MatthewOwensUK]

The @ulsterconsort, Tristan Russcher and I are looking forward to performing beautiful music by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Brahms on Sat 22 March from 6-7pm, as part of the @CreativeHolywo1 Festival. Tickets at the door or, in advance, via this link: https://t.co/HAupOq1ajN

[BelfastLieutenancy @BLieutenancy]

Dr Frank Sellar DL, accompanied by his wife Claire, has represented HM Lord Lieutenant 
@methodybelfast Easter Concert at The Waterfront Hall. A superb evening of talent, musicianship and achievement. Warm Congratulations to the Music Department and all who performed.

[Matthew Owens @MatthewOwensUK]

Stanford, Bruckner, and Holst with the @ulsterconsort in Belfast and Newcastle Thur 26, Fri 27 Sep 6-7pm; beautiful and powerful music.

Tickets available at the door (under 18s are FREE) or via Eventbrite:

Belfast: https://t.co/YwmytgQEfF

Newcastle: https://t.co/j2SIvFmcaJ

[Matthew Owens @MatthewOwensUK]

Fri 22 Apr, 6-7pm: @ulsterconsort , Tristan Russcher, Jennifer Sturgeon (@UlsterOrchestra), and I perform works by the brilliant @johnmrutter at @fisherwickpres, Belfast. Tickets at the door or via https://t.co/j7DYNzjwDC (under 18s free). Further details on link; do join us!

[Matthew Owens @MatthewOwensUK]

Can’t wait for this concert - lots of really wonderful and attractive music by one of the world’s best-loved composers, @johnmrutter (@JohnRutterNews). Friday 19 April from 6-7pm. Under 18s are free. Do join us!

[Michael Quinn @Quinnfreelance]

"If, in Northern Ireland, [arts] funding… had kept pace even with inflation, @ArtsCouncilNI's £14.1m budget from a decade ago would now stand at £20m. Instead, it is £9.7m." Let's hope this, in @ArtsPro, is just the opening salvo for more NI arts funding https://t.co/M43Jua5nCo

[Methodist College @MethodyBelfast]

Tickets on Sale Now for Methodist College Gala Easter Concert - Waterfront Hall - Thursday 14th March 2024

https://t.co/26ikMY2Nkp

#MCB #Music #EasterConcert #MadetoLead

[Methodist College @MethodyBelfast]

Today's the day! We are excited to welcome you to our Open Night; our doors open at 6.30 pm.

Methody is a place where lifelong friendships begin, where bright futures are built, where leaders are made and where life changing experiences take place.

#MCB #Methody #MadetoLead

[The Ulster Consort @ulsterconsort]

The Ulster Consort is delighted to publish the Season 2024 online, with concerts throughout Northern Ireland.
Music ranges from the Renaissance and Baroque (with period instruments) to cutting edge contemporary music.
Please see this link for details: https://t.co/sbMZkaECKx

[Sheku Kanneh-Mason @ShekuKM]

Can you guess what I am playing? 🎻

[Deirdre Heenan @deirdreheenan]

Starting salaries for doctors:

🇦🇺: £44,000
🇨🇦: £46,000
🇫🇷: £43,700
🇺🇸: £41,900
🇮🇪: £53,000

Meanwhile in 🇬🇧: £29,384

Junior doctors aren't holding the NHS to ransom. They're holding the NHS together.

Pay them what they deserve.

#JuniorDoctorsStrike

[BladeoftheSun @BladeoftheS]

When Junior Doctors are on £16 an hour and MP's are on £46 an hour.

And raising the Junior Doctors pay by £4 an hour is unaffordable, even though they just raised MP's pay by £5 an hour.

It's hard not to see the lie.

RT if Junior Doctors NEED paying.

[Methodist College @MethodyBelfast]

Tune in to listen to our renowned Chapel Choir on Radio 4 and Radio Ulster over the festive period 🎄⭐

Sunday Worship, Radio 4, Christmas Eve, 8.10 am
Morning Service, Christmas Eve, Radio Ulster, 10.03 am
Morning Service, Christmas Day, Radio Ulster, 9.03 am

#MadetoLead

[LVR27 @LVR271]

@stephen_rusk Great news, Stephen! 🐾 🥳

[Stephen Rusk @stephen_rusk]

People of #ballyhackamore we need your help. Our cat has gone missing and we have two kids who, instead of enjoying the run up to Christmas, are beside themselves with worry. Please share and help us find him.

[Dr. Genevieve Guenther (she/they) 🪬 @DoctorVive]

This is the whole problem stripped down to its essence. Thank you @GeorgeMonbiot