The culture department hailed the inclusion of three arts philanthropists in the New Year honours list, part of culture secretary Jeremy Hunt's commitment to boost private donations to the arts. Some might say: "What, only three? Out of nearly a thousand?" Hunt could argue that he only announced his 10-point plan for cultural philanthropy last month; gainsayers might respond that it's supposedly been at the forefront of his thinking for three years.
Anyhow, congratulations are due to Vernon Ellis, the mightily generous chairman of English National Opera, who was given a knighthood; and also to the two philanthropists given OBEs – Janice Blackburn, from London, and Carlisle-based Robert Bowman. Presumably the slow-moving wheels of the establishment will turn quickly enough for the next Birthday honours to include many more long-term givers.
