Sue Cook

Happy 40th Anniversary to the fantastic charity Rainbow Trust.
I became involved as a supporter and patron in the very early days, having presented them with a grant from BBC Children in Need, which I co-presented at the time. The charity offers vital skilled support to families where a child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness; currently more than 1,500 of them across the UK. We celebrated in style with a Gala Dinner at the beautiful Savoy in London, with Xander Armstrong compering and auctioneer Charlie Ross raising enormous funds, not to mention heart rates. Here’s looking forward to their continuing amazing work - and another party for the 50th anniversary!
They found a photo taken in nineteen eighty something featuring big stars of the day, kitted out in Rainbow t-shirts. Spot the celebrities. George Michael was lovely. A pleasure to meet. Sade too. And Julie Walters. We were all kept patiently waiting in a hotel basement somewhere while a massive group of photographers arranged us as they wanted. After all that, I’m not sure I ever saw it published!

This will be an amazing evening !

Derek and many of his friends, both neurodiverse and neurotypical, will be playing live at Dorchester Abbey on Saturday February 7th from 6 - 8pm. Tickets are available here: https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/concert-of-classical-and-jazz-music-by-autistic-performers-6pm-at-dorchester-abbey-4/

This annual concert is always a highlight of the year, featuring the talents of Hannah Davey, who sings in Derek's jazz quartet; Poppy McGhee, who often collaborates with him on the violin; Chapman Shum and Ashleigh Turley, brilliant fellow autistic and vision impaired musicians, and many others.

Orchestra of St John's

So much looking forward to this. He’s such a witty, interesting and talented guy. Not sure but there may be a few tickets left. Look on the Orchestra of St John’s website.

We’re excited to welcome Alexander Armstrong for “The Music in My Life” on the 8th April at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre!

Alexander will be talking to presenter and author Sue Cook about his life, career, and pieces of classical music that have meant the most to him, played live by OSJ.

Ticket sales will go towards Music for Autism, OSJ’s initiative enabling young people with autism and their families to experience the transforming power of music through school visits, educational resources and outreach projects.

Book your tickets for this special evening of music and conversation - it won’t be “pointless!”

🎟 https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/the-music-in-my-life-alexander-armstrong-with-sue-cook-7pm-live-at-sheldonian-theatre

Classic FM

Very much looking forward to a totally Pointless evening!

🎶 We’re excited to welcome Alexander Armstrong for “The Music in My Life” on the 8th April!

🗣 Alexander will be talking to Sue Cook about his life and esteemed career. He'll also discuss pieces that have been the most meaningful to him, played live by OSJ.

🎫 Book now - it won’t be “pointless!” 😬
https://www.osj.org.uk/osjevent/the-music-in-my-life-alexander-armstrong-with-sue-cook-7pm-live-at-sheldonian-theatre

'The Music in my Life' Alexander Armstrong with Sue Cook - 7pm LIVE at Sheldonian Theatre

Wonderful evening last week with this man on stage at the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford, talking to me about his life and times in between his choices of music performed for us live by the superb Orchestra of St John’s. Much as he hates the phrase, I reckon Sir Michael Palin actually is the ‘nicest man in Britain’.

Thanks so much to David ‘Digger’ Barnes for finding this recording. It was such an honour to be invited on to Call My Bluff. 🤩

''Call My Bluff'' S18 E11 (1983) Michael Jayston, Sue Cook, V. Glendenning, Timothy West - video Dailymotion The guests: Michael Jayston, Sue Cook, Victoria Glendenning, Timothy West. Michael Jayston and Timothy West co-starred in ”Nicholas and Alexandra” (1971), as tsar Nicholas II and Dr. Botkin. Chairman and team captains: Robert Robinson, Frank Muir, Arthur Marshall. Episode aired 4 July 1983. Two ...

A few photos from our awesome visit here to Mach Picchu. I’ll put an album together when we get back to the UK.

Stunning, spiritual, spectacular. Photos to follow when I’ve edited them down! Here’s one to start with