
Enchanted Light was created to introduce my new role as Composer in Association with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. It is the 9th in the Bluebird series, a collaborative online project with Belinda Evans. I'd recently worked with Colin Booth who commissioned me to write for the ottavino (Diamond Fantasia) and I wondered what it would be like to combine that with the majestic sound of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and of course the wonderful voice of Belinda Evans!
Enchanted Light was put together by the amazing team of Lukas Greiwe (UWE Bristol) on sound, video by Sam Johnston and animation by Gary Andrews. It was later broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Words are by Carole Bent, the creative catalyst of our Bluebird project through her inspirationalSTEM to STEAM gatherings.
If we are lucky, we all have moments in the sunlight,
when the day seems a little warmer
and the sky a little bluer.
If we are lucky, we notice the glitter in the concrete,
the sparkle in the cement
and we remember to stop and to smile.
If we are lucky, we see hearts everywhere,
not just in the eyes of those we love,
but all around us as we walk in nature,
in a leaf blown or a smudge left
or a pebble rolling back from the sea.
And at the end.
This is it.
Only love and nature really count.
(C) Carole Bent

A Durham City venue will come alive with the sounds of brass music this weekend.
The Story, our culture, heritage and registration venue, will host the Durham County Brass Band Association's competition this Sunday (17 May) from 10am until 5pm.
In its 80th year, the competition sees 11 of the region's brass bands competing, with a winning band announced at the end of the day.
Families are welcome at The Story from 10am, with bands starting to battle it out from 10.30am.
Bands taking part include Bearpark and Esh; Billingham Silver; Craghead Colliery; Dunston Silver; EDMG Peterlee; Felling; Ferryhill Town; Spennymoor Town; Trimdon; and Valley Brass.
In addition to The Story café being open, street food catering vans will be on site throughout the day and there'll be a range of family-friendly activities for younger audiences.
Face painting will be on offer between 11am and 3pm, and a visit to the venue's Search and Discover area will offer children a chance to create their own badge and banner.
Free parking for the event is available at Howlands Park and Ride, a five-minute walk to The Story.

Some of the best brass musicians in the world, at the peak of their powers, each presenting a programme of contemporary and traditional repertoire, along with major solo works, effortlessly linked by the inimitable Frank Renton.
Each band will be encouraged to present themselves in their best possible light, playing to their strengths and free of the stresses and strains of contesting.
The bands are:
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band: 10:30-11:15
Willebroek: 12:00-13:15
Black Dyke Band: 14:00-15:15pm
David Childs Solo Recital: 16:00-16:45
Flowers Band: 17:30-18:45
Foden's Band: 19:30-20:45