Royal Academy of Music to open new campus in Docklands
Work on London City Island should start in spring 2026 after designs are completed this autumn.RAM hopes the 22-minute journey time from its main base "will provide additional opportunities for students, relieve pressure on the main building".It added that there were "no plans to increase the intake of students, and these new facilities are designed solely to improve the student experience".The building is close to English National Ballet's headquarters and will be designed by AOC Architecture whose recent work includes Young V&A in Bethnal Green, the National Archives in Kew and Somerset House Studios.
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Daily Mail
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As a result of their negative experience, they branded the festival 'a complete joke', while one unhappy visitor said they had been 'left disappointed' by the 'overpriced' event that was a 'waste of money'. Previous attendees have also raised complaints about the significant cost of parking and 'extortionate' food and drink prices. Despite the bouts of negative feedback, one local resident from the small town of Romsey described the unique launching of the balloons as 'a spectacle not seen in the town for some time'. Meanwhile, another individual who had attended the Cornwall event wrote: 'Had a wonderful day. Was gutted the weather meant balloons couldn't go up but safety first, typical Cornish drizzle all day but has a wonderful family day out! Will be going again.' Others also expressed sympathy for the festival, adding that 'unfortunately, they can't control the weather for the balloons to go up', but they had been appreciative of the staff 'making the effort with a fire show at the end of the night'. Another visitor to the Cornwall event spoke favourably of their experience, stating: 'Had a great evening, we arrived later on because of the weather forecast but the rain held off most of the evening. 'The monster truck show was cut short and balloons couldn't fly, both due to weather, but the music was fantastic and we had great food and danced. We will be back for the balloons next year.' On their website, Balloons and Tunes state that 'ballooning is a wholly weather dependent activity', adding that 'if the weather is not suitable, they may not be able to inflate properly or safely take off'. Last July, the inaugural Northumberland Balloon Festival failed to take off with visitors calling it 'atrocious', 'comical' and a rip-off. Described as the UK's largest Hot Air Balloon Festival, it promised up to 25 balloons for Saturday night's 'big balloon launch' and huge tethered balloons for photo opportunities throughout the three-day festival. However, visitors instead said that they arrived at Tynedale Rugby Club in Corbridge to find just four hot-air balloons in a muddy field and an Elton John tribute act singing Status Quo. One visitor even compared it to 'Potter's Pink Palace' from Phoenix nights. The festival, organised by Richardson's Amusements LTD and involving Exclusive Ballooning, was been slammed as a rip-off, with families complaining a lack of communication. The event was been likened to a 'funfair with a few balloons tacked on at the end of the day,' rather than a balloon festival, with hundreds of comments on the event's Facebook page calling for refunds on the £15 tickets removed. A post on the Northumberland Balloon Festival Facebook page said: 'The heavy rain overnight causing wet ground conditions combined with some forecast potential drizzle during flying time this evening means we don't expect to be flying this evening. 'However, the teams on site are confident that the shelter on the launch site will allow us to inflate balloons throughout the afternoon. We have a number of SkySafari unique animal balloons on site and all of these are scheduled to make an appearance at some point today. 'These include Puddles and Splash the famous penguins along with Tall Steve, the world's tallest penguin. We also have the Wallace and Gromit Moon Rocket here with us which will be out at some point. Finally, if conditions allow, we have a surprise balloon to inflate just in time for the football which is on the big screen.'
