Keith Gulliver

Teesside has lost one of its greatest sons. Chris Rea was more than a world-class musician. He was one of us. Born in Middlesbrough, shaped by Teesside, and always proud of where he came from. His voice, his guitar, and his songwriting carried the sound and soul of this place far beyond the River Tees and across the world. From working-class roots to global success, Chris never forgot home. His music was honest, emotional, and deeply human. Songs that spoke of love, hardship, journeys, and home resonated because they were real, just like him. For so many of us, we felt that perfectly when he sang about “driving home for Christmas”, a line that felt less like a lyric and more like a shared Teesside moment. For generations of people on Teesside, Chris Rea was proof that you could come from here and still touch the world, without losing who you are. Today, Teesside mourns. But we also say thank you. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the pride. Thank you for always carrying Middlesbrough with you. Rest easy, Chris. You will never be forgotten.

Councils in England face clampdown on four-day working weeks. By Aletha Adu. Steve Reed writes to South Cambridgeshire council raising concerns over performance and value for money. theguardian.com/society/2025/o…

Safe travels Dave You left us with some amazing music

Morning Tweets x Coffee?

Dave Ball, synth-pop hitmaker as one half of Soft Cell, dies aged 66. By Ben Beaumont-Thomas. Synth player and producer had huge success with Tainted Love and other Soft Cell hits, and later returned to UK Top 10 with dance project the Grid. theguardian.com/music/2025/oct…

Today at Bella Union, we are wishing a very happy release day to the one and only, @bccamplight. The masterpiece "A Sober Conversation" is out now so go forth and order/listen here: ffm.to/asoberconversa…

Government to intervene in Croydon council as report warns of ‘financial crisis’. By Jessica Murray. Commissioners to run council which report says is ‘heading for effective bankruptcy’ for fourth time since 2020. theguardian.com/society/2025/j…

I’ve ditched streaming for CDs – and fallen in love with music all over again. The lure of a limitless digital jukebox was great, but as the algorithm increasingly served up music I didn’t enjoy, I’ve taken back control of my listening. By Rich Pelley. theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

(3/3) Details of the Government’s response can be found here: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statem…

(2/3) STRB also made suggestions for actions in a range of areas to improve the attractiveness of the teaching profession and ensure taxpayer value for money. The report can be found here #STRB gov.uk/government/pub…

(1/3) The School Teachers’ Review Body 35th report has now been published. STRB’s pay recommendation is a 4% increase to all ranges and advisory points effective from September 2025.

Inside the gardens that made Cecil Beaton’s art flourish on.ft.com/430bjho

On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked, "If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?" Allow our scaled diagram to explain...

I'm shocked and saddened by Rick's passing. I'm thinking back to us all rehearsing in my bedroom in Stanley Road, Woking. To all the pubs and clubs we played at as kids, to eventually making a record. What a journey! (1/4 - P.W)

56 years ago today, The Beatles performed on the rooftop of the Apple Corps building in London for their final concert:

Some people are not fans of "compressed working"

Place of Work. savagechickens.com/2025/01/place-…

@Gary_Cookson A great way to end Gary, thank you.

Today marks the end of the 14th series of the #AdventBlogs - my 6th and final series as curator. Today's #AdventBlogs post is from me. One last post... epichr.co.uk/2025/01/13/adv…