Southwark Cathedral Concert (May 10, 2025)

[Surpinto]

Just from the EU or from other countries as well? It looks like all countries from which visas are not required to enter the UK (such as the US) require this new ETA document. How annoying!

'ETA' is similar to the 'ESTA' that the US has required from tourists for years.
'ETA' is the UK's version of it.
The EU is also expected to introduce its own system 'ETIAS' later in 2025.

Yes I was aware of the US requirement. Seemed a bit unfair to those who were traveling to the US from the EU.

I know that ETIAS was delayed because I was going to fill it out when I traveled to the EU this past summer 2024 but the implementation was delayed by the authorities so I didn't have to bother.

But it's good to know these things in advance because I certainly wasn't aware of new paperwork requirements for UK entry.... and if for some reason I'm traveling to the UK for a summer tour I would not want to have been caught off guard.

So thanks to both of you for keeping us apprised of this!

[theriverflowson]

Just from the EU or from other countries as well? It looks like all countries from which visas are not required to enter the UK (such as the US) require this new ETA document. How annoying!

This is good to know as this is something that has only been implemented in 2025. Thanks for the information!

Sorry, my previous post might be a bit misleading. Citizens from the many other countries (like the US) already have to apply for an ETA since January 2025, but from April on this is also the case for nationalities from the European Union. Howsoever, most of us who travel to the UK are now affected by this and I hope everyone is aware of it in a timely manner Five years after the Brexit many people from the EU are still not aware that they now need a passport instead of their ID card to enter the UK. Hopefully, the news about ETA spread a bit faster

[Surpinto]

Just from the EU or from other countries as well? It looks like all countries from which visas are not required to enter the UK (such as the US) require this new ETA document. How annoying!

This is good to know as this is something that has only been implemented in 2025. Thanks for the information!

Sorry, my previous post might be a bit misleading. Citizens from the many other countries (like the US) already have to apply for an ETA since January 2025, but from April on this is also the case for nationalities from the European Union. Howsoever, most of us who travel to the UK are now affected by this and I hope everyone is aware of it in a timely manner Five years after the Brexit many people from the EU are still not aware that they now need a passport instead of their ID card to enter the UK. Hopefully, the news about ETA spread a bit faster

Thank you for informing everyone, this is definitely something we all need to know. But this is why we're all here, we all get so much from everyone's collective knowledge and input: whether its analysis of music, help navigating foreign cities/venues, or geopolitical changes impacting travel

[Yorkie]

Just from the EU or from other countries as well? It looks like all countries from which visas are not required to enter the UK (such as the US) require this new ETA document. How annoying!

This is good to know as this is something that has only been implemented in 2025. Thanks for the information!

Think yourself lucky - the UK version doesn't require fingerprints to be taken unlike the US & EU versions.

[fan_de_LoK]

the UK version doesn't require fingerprints to be taken unlike the US & EU versions.

Fingerprints ? I'm surprised.
Along the years I applied for as much as 10 ESTA for myself and the nephews/niece to travel to the US.
It was done easily online and the result was given online a couple of hours later. No fingerprints were required.

You were asked to provide fingerprints for you own ESTA in November ?

[Yorkie]

the UK version doesn't require fingerprints to be taken unlike the US & EU versions.

Fingerprints ? I'm surprised.
Along the years I applied for as much as 10 ESTA for myself and the nephews/niece to travel to the US.
It was done easily online and the result was given online a couple of hours later. No fingerprints were required.

You were asked to provide fingerprints for you own ESTA in November ?

Sorry, I meant at the airport during immigration. In the US they fingerprint you and take a mug shot - you dont do it when applying for ESTA.

I think the EU are planning on taking prints too.

[Choirfan]

Hmmmm....I'm not sure if I'll get to this one or not. It will depend on finances. The good news is it doesn't clash with the Eurovision Song Contest final a week later so in theory I will be free for it. A new cathedral for me if I do attend.

I wonder if these new requirements for entry into the UK will apply to Irish nationals, as we have the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK which means you don't need to go through border security.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll be able to attend

[fan_de_LoK]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll be able to attend

Hope to see you there

We’re all eagerly awaiting ticket sale details.
Hopefully, whoever is in charge, be it the cathedral or Libera, will choose a Saturday to launch sales, so that those of us with jobs aren’t put at a disadvantage.

As for me, there’s one particular Monday I’m dreading (which I shall not name, lest I tempt fate).
I’ll be in a client meeting that day, with the big boss in attendance, and I fear that frantically refreshing my phone mid-meeting might not be the best career move

[Yorkie]

Hmmmm....I'm not sure if I'll get to this one or not. It will depend on finances. The good news is it doesn't clash with the Eurovision Song Contest final a week later so in theory I will be free for it. A new cathedral for me if I do attend.

I wonder if these new requirements for entry into the UK will apply to Irish nationals, as we have the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK which means you don't need to go through border security.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll be able to attend

No, they don't apply to Ireland. Citizens of Ireland and the UK, as you say, share a common travel area with reciprocal rights to live & work in each country. You will just need your passport to prove you are an Irish citizen and you can walk straight in.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a ... eed-an-eta

Hope to see you there - assuming we can get tickets of course!

[Pnut]

Patrick.
Someone must be listening to you as as they have gone for a Saturday.

Updated: Spring Concert Announced
We have announced a spring concert at London’s iconic Southwark Cathedral. We are very much looking forward to our first visit to this wonderful place. We will be performing on 10th May 2025 at 7.30 pm.

Tickets: £5 – £45
Tickets sales open on Saturday 8th March at 2PM
Tickets on sale from Ticketsource
or call 0333 6663366.
A booking fee applies

Please Note – this is the Anglican Cathedral by London Bridge.

[fan_de_LoK]

Patrick.
Someone must be listening to you as they have gone for a Saturday.

A wise person
Bless him/her

[seraphita]

Poster Southwark

[fan_de_LoK]

Attention: From 2 April 2025 on travelers from the European Union will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to be able to enter the UK. ETA registration will be possible from 5 March 2025 on. It costs 10 GBP to apply, approval might take up to 72 hours.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when- ... sation-eta

I applied today and it worked fine.
I submitted my ETA application at 23:05 and at 23:07 I received a second email saying :
"Your ETA application has been approved.
Your ETA is valid from 2 APRIL 2025 to 2 APRIL 2027.
You can travel to the UK as many times as you want until your ETA expires."

[Choirfan]

The front rows went very fast. Thought I had a seat in row D but when I went to pay, it said someone had beaten me to it and I had to start again! Finally got a seat in row F. Not the best but could be worse

All being well, see you all in May

[Pnut]

Choirfan. Started picking 3 seats in Row B and kept being bumped out and now also in row F. Tickets certainly going fast !