until two years ago the opera in holland park was a council service, the same as any leisure facilitywho have questioned the priorities of those of the royal borough of kensington and chelsea. the philistine council would rather spend £30 million on opera for a minority in holland park over 20 years — why is this relevant to our debate today? because kensington and chelsea council has for many years misspent government and council taxpayer funds on countless vanity projects and handouts, as we have heard, while underfunding essential services... singing but those who run the operating system that theirs is the most accessible opera company in the country and have long contributed to north kensington through fundraising and direct involvement with the community. when you pitch it as opera is not as important as homes and living standards in the borough, then that is not an argument i would ever have with you or anybody else. but they spend millions of lots of other services, and i think it is the word opera that is clearly a problem for people. perhaps if we were a straight theatre com

our correspondent was at holland park before the curtain went up. it isa curtain went up.ur of the victims of the grenfell towerfire. i can speak honour of the victims of the grenfell tower fire. i can speak to the director of opera here. you have been rehearsing all day. tell us about the performance. it has been an exciting and emotional day. we chose requiem because it is an operatic version and it is a fitting, beautiful tribute to the people involved in the disaster. this is a tragedy which has struck particularly close to home for you, isn't it? not only are we in holland park, just a mile away from where the tragedy happened, but one of your members of staff was affected. indeed. only a your members of staff was affected. indeed. onlya mile your members of staff was affected. indeed. only a mile away. we had to react to losing one of our close members of staff who had been with us for many years. it had a double effect, the tragedy, because we are embedded in our community. but also losing a close friend. even more reason to do something like this. what would you sa

the philistine council would rather spend £30 million on opera for a minority in holland park over 20 but those who run the operating system that theirs is the most accessible opera company in the country and have long contributed to north kensington through fundraising and direct involvement with the community. when you put it as opera is not as important as homes and living standards in the borough, then that is not an argument i would ever have with you or anybody else. but they spend millions of lots of other services and i think it is the word opera that is clearly a problem for people. perhaps if we were a straight theatre company it wouldn't be as controversial. i don't know. but in this country opera generally has this stereotype that people tend to hold. stereotype or not, last night's one—off performance was a sell—out with all proceeds going to help the victims of grenfell tower. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london news, i'm sonja jessup. weapons, including two—foot long serrated zombie knives and a machete, have been fou

people always come to ladbroke grove, around shepherd's bush, holland park, notting hill, and a mention, but after g re nfell, prevent grenfell happening, but after grenfell, definitely we are moving. socrates, we would love to hear your song now, if you would be happy to perform it for us. thank you very much. socrates is going to play us out of the programme. thank you very much for your company today. #in # in horrified shock we watched a raging fire #it raging fire # it climbed up the grenfell tower in the dead of night # when most were asleep, we saw a big like and we are still left to grieve # still in mourning for those who did not survive # while counting our blessings for who made it out alive # five in the name of our cherished loved ones # survivors demand justice # survivors demand justice # for those who are perished, may they rest in peace # may their soul rest in peace # may their soul rest in peace # may their souls rest in peace # may their souls rest in peace # 0ur heart goes out to the survivors who from the council demand answers # for their loved ones who sadly peri