Martin Neal

Wickford

Senior Story Editor at Reach PLC

Reach plc Senior Story Editor & music/entertainment writer for @hertsmercury, @cambslive, @EssexLive, @InYourArea_UK (print/online). Views all mine.

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Articles

Punk star predicts a great weekend when Undercover Festival comes to new home

1 month ago | inyourarea.co.uk | Martin Neal

ANTICIPATION: Dick Lucas of The Subhumans is looking forward to the festival (image: Gerald Underwood) The frontman of one of the headline acts says he expects the first Undercover Festival in Essex to be a “great” event. Undercover Festival, organised by Mick Moriarty, brings two packed days of alternative music including punk, ska punk and more to The Showground at Battlesbridge Antiques Centre near Wickford, Essex, on September 26 and 27.
Popular former Billericay minister promoted to Archdeacon in Cyprus

2 months ago | inyourarea.co.uk | Martin Neal

PROMOTION: The Rev Paul Carr with the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, Sean Semple A WELL-KNOWN and popular former Billericay minister has been promoted to the post of Archdeacon in Cyprus, where he now lives. The Rev Paul Carr spent more than 16 years as Team Rector of the Billericay, Essex, and Little Burstead Team Ministry and is fondly remembered for his service to the church and the community.
Undercover Festival organiser puts the focus on young, local talent

Mar 5, 2025 | inyourarea.co.uk | Martin Neal

OPENING ACT: Destroy The Idols are playing at the Undercover Festival Organiser Mick Moriarty has decided to make young, local bands a focus of the weekend when the popular Undercover Festival moves to its new home at Battlesbridge, Essex, this summer. The two-day celebration of live punk, ska and alternative music, now its 13th year, takes place on September 26-27 at Battlesbridge Antiques Centre Showground.
Flubbits set to land in Hertfordshire Zoo as poet and author launches new book

Feb 20, 2025 | inyourarea.co.uk | Martin Neal

LAUNCH: Daren Peary is bringing out his first children's book What would a group of space creatures from another planet make of the animals and giant dinosaur sculptures if they landed their flying saucer in Hertfordshire Zoo? Author and poet Daren Peary from Hertford, Hertfordshire, could have the answer in his new book.
Sir Tom Jones to make eagerly-anticipated return to Newmarket Nights

Feb 17, 2025 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Martin Neal

Music icon Sir Tom Jones will make an eagerly-anticipated return to the Newmarket Nights summer concert series. With a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, the legendary powerhouse performer is widely considered to be one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time. He wowed the crowd on his last visit to Newmarket Racecourses in 2021 when he played a sold-out show that coincided with his 80th birthday celebrations.
Legendary band the Levellers say they'll 'have to concentrate more' when they come to Cambridge

Feb 2, 2025 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Martin Neal

The folk-rock juggernaut that is The Levellers has been relentlessly motoring along in top gear for 36 years now – telling it like it is and brazenly doing things their way. The juggernaut shows no sign of slowing either and it trundles into Cambridge this spring. There’ll be some friends on board, too, as The Levellers Collective head out for a tour of acoustic – but no less anthemic or potent – shows.
Frontman of iconic rock band The Who to play huge outdoor show in Essex

Feb 1, 2025 | essexlive.news | Martin Neal

One of the most iconic voices in music history, Roger Daltrey, is to play a huge outdoor show in Essex this summer. Best known as frontman of rock legends The Who, he is the first act to be announced for this year’s programme of Heritage Live outdoor shows in the stunning grounds of English Heritage’s Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden.
Popular family friendly summer music event announces headline acts

Jan 27, 2025 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Martin Neal

Summer Saturday Live is back. The family friendly edition of Newmarket Nights will return on Saturday, August 23, when an afternoon of horse racing will be followed by sets from 00s pop icons Natasha Bedingfield and headliners the Sugababes. Throughout Bedingfield’s illustrious career she has sold more than 10 million albums and earned multiple award nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Cambridge theatre closes its doors ahead of major renovation

Jan 24, 2025 | msn.com | Martin Neal |Ashlea Hickin

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Cambridge theatre closes its doors ahead of major renovation

Jan 24, 2025 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Martin Neal |Ashlea Hickin

A Cambridge theatre is set to undergo a major revamp after a record-breaking year. The Cambridge Arts Theatre, in St Edwards Passage, is temporarily closed so that the upgrades can take place. It's hoped that the renovations will safeguard the theatre's legacy and bring its facilities up to modern standards. The first phase of the redevelopment is funded by a £16 million gift from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.