This March, Sir Karl launched his 80th birthday UK tour at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert marked the 3000th performance of Jenkins’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, which has travelled the world since its premiere at the turn of the millennium. The programme also featured the UK concert premiere of music from his recent work One World. The tour travels on to Glasgow (17 March), Birmingham (30 March), Nottingham (6 April), Cardiff (13 April) and Manchester (14 April), all conducted by Jenkins.

Comments on Sir Karl’s Facebook page read: “A fantastic concert! We felt very privileged to be there. Thank you so much!” and “Your music arouses such spiritual and deep emotions in me and has a very personal connection”. Sir Karl was happy to meet so many friends and fans at the record signing after the performance.

The concert was followed by a party for Sir Karl with friends, family and musical collaborators. There was an enormous cake provided by Dayos Delicious Cakes, with a mini Sir Karl standing proudly on top!