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August 30, 2006
Adventures in Music Courses No. 7, 8 and 9
Three courses here; two in the UK and one in Italy.
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News from New Writing North
The 25th of August bulletin from one of our Cultural Partners...
In this issue:
Bookings open for Julia Darling celebratory evening
NFM screenwriting seminars
National Poetry Day at the Lit & Phil
Palestinian play-reading from Cloud Nine Theatre
Biscuit flash-fiction competition
Make a 5-minute film courtesy of Gateshead Council
Writer’s bursary reminder
Literary Consultancy scriptwriting competition
Good news for renga lovers
Lit Up Festival in Cumbria
Scriptwriting masterclass with Stephen Jeffreys
Events news from Literature Northeast
Award for Peter Mortimer
Competition success for Elizabeth Whyman
New website for Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook
News from Berwick Community Creative Writers
Read on for the full bulletin:
BOOKING NOW OPEN FOR SUDDEN COLLAPSES EVENT
You can now book tickets for a special performance of the poetry of Julia Darling, hosted by The Sage Gateshead. Poems from Julia’s collection, Sudden Collapses in Public Places, have been made into a song cycle with original music by Neil Blenkinsop and David Scott. Zoe Lambert will be performing the songs, with help from Neil and David; the event will have a filmic backdrop, and will be directed by Live Theatre’s Jeremy Herrin. The show will run on 26, 27 and 28 September at 8.30pm, with tickets costing £13 (£7 concession.) To make sure you don’t miss out on this celebration of Julia’s life and work, call the Sage Gateshead box office on 0191 4434661.
SCREENWRITING SEMINARS FOR NORTH EAST WRITERS
If you’re a budding – or working – film writer, and want to get tips on dialogue and scene structure, Northern Film & Media are holding a series of writing seminars this autumn. The seminars will be taken by Wendall Thomas, who is Head of Script at the University of California in Los Angeles. There are still a few places left, so if you’re interested go to www.northernmedia.org and get yourself booked in by 31 August.
NATIONAL POETRY DAY: THE LIT & PHIL NEED YOU!
For National Poetry Day on 5 October, the Lit & Phil in Newcastle are holding a special evening event on this year’s theme, Identity – and they need your poetic input! They write:
“Identity is perceived externally but we can only exist within it. There are many meanings of identity and many ways of presenting/ representing identity: Identity as image, Identity as biological, Identity as fantasy, Identity as labels, Identity as concept, Identity as spiritual, Identity as non-identity, Identity as breathing, Identity as voice, Identity as creativity.
With the advances in technology, it is easy to shift and change identities; to create the person we really want to be without a witness to confirm or contest the creation.�
With this in mind, the Lit & Phil are looking for poems from people of all ages and experience. The winning poets will be given the chance to read at the National Poetry Day event along with Sheree Mack, the Lit & Phil’s first writer-in-residence. Each person selected will also receive a small performance fee.
The closing date for submitting your poems is 15 September, and they should be sent to keasson@litandphil.org.uk
ENTERTAINMENT WITH A MIDDLE-EASTERN FLAVOUR…
Laughter under the Bombs is a play by Palestinian writer, Sharif Abudnnur which, incredibly, was performed nightly in Beirut during the recent Israeli bombing raids. To raise money for the Beirut theatre and relief funds, actors from Cloud Nine Theatre Company and students from Tynemet’s Performing Arts will be giving a reading of Laughter under the Bombs at Tynemet College’s Tom Hadaway Theatre. The event is taking place at 7pm on Friday 15 September, and will also include live music from South Shields-based Iraqi lute player, Firas. For more details or to book tickets, call 0191 2531901.
IS YOUR FICTION FLASHY?
Biscuit Publishing have launched a new ‘flash fiction’ competition, with a £1,000 prize up for grabs. So if you can write an extra-short story of 500-750 words (in any genre) you could scoop the top prize, or one of several ‘mystery’ prizes. The entry fee is £5 for the first story, and £4 for any additional stories submitted. The deadline is 27 January 2007 – but just think how many 500-word stories you could write in 5 months! For more information, visit www.biscuitpublishing.com
5-MINUTE FILM OPPORTUNITIES
Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council and Northern Film & Media are teaming up to give local film-makers the chance to make some 5-minute original short films. The scheme is open to people based in the North East, or to people whose ideas are set in Gateshead. Applicants must be over 18 and not in full-time or undergraduate education – for more information, go to www.northernmedia.org, where you can download the guidelines and application form from the news section. But you’ll have to do it fast, because the deadline for ideas and applications is 31 August 2006!
WRITERS’ BURSARY REMINDER
We mentioned this in a newsletter a couple of months ago, but it’s such a good opportunity that we thought it was worth reminding you about. Medical Case Notes Assessment Ltd is awarding an £18,000 bursary to an aspiring writer who would like to dedicate up to 12 months to writing. The work can be on any subject providing it is original, imaginative and a work of fiction, and the successful writer will retain full copyright. And as they say on TV adverts, there really is no catch! The closing date is 30 November 2006. For more details of how to apply, follow this link to the website: http://www.medicalcasenotes.co.uk/bursary/
TLC SCRIPTWRITING COMPETITION
The Literary Consultancy’s script division has launched a new competition open to writers of theatre and radio. The competition is free to enter and the five winners will receive a full written critique of their script, and will then meet with one of the TLC’s “industry insiders� for further professional advice. The deadline for entries is 31 October, and submissions will be judged by the TLC’s team of script readers, who have worked previously with the BBC, The National Theatre and The Royal Court, among others.) To enter, writers should send a hard copy of up to 60 pages of script (either an entire script or an excerpt) to Patsy Trench, Play Competition, The Literary Consultancy, Diorama Arts, No 1 Euston Centre, London,NW1 3JG. For more information, email Patsy Trench at patsy@literaryconsultancy.co.uk or call 020 7813 4330.
DO YOU RENGA?
Artist and poet Alec Finlay has recently re-launched the renga website, www.renga-platform.co.uk and it is now the most visited website dedicated to renga in the world. Many local poets have taken part in the renga days that Alec, Linda France and Subhadassi have presented over the past three years, whether at Hill Forts and in gardens along Hadrian's Wall, at BALTIC, or more recently at The Alnwick Garden and the Garden Station at Langley (where the renga platform itself now lives). The new website includes collaborative poems from the renga days, 100 verse hyakuin renga written at schools in the region, a how-to-do renga section and an ongoing senku 1,000 verse renga. There will be a renga at the Garden Station on National Poetry Day, so watch out for more details. And if you have no idea what a renga is, then it’s probably time you visited the website!
KENDAL IS LIT UP FOR PERFORMANCE
If you’re involved in – or just curious about – performance-based literature, then you may want to book your ticket to Kendal to partake in Lit Up, the UK’s first showcase for performance literature. The festival takes place at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal between 20 and 22 September, and promises to deliver a wide range of live literature, “from theatre, storytelling and reading through to rapping, beatbox and poetry slamming.� You can also support North East publisher, Bloodaxe, by going along to their ‘Being Alive’ event, featuring the work of UA Fanthorpe, Helen Dunmore, Julia Darling and WH Auden. Tickets cost £5/£3 per session or £12/£7.50 for 3 shows. You can view the complete Lit Up programme at www.litup.org
PLAYWRITING MASTERCLASS WEEKEND IN LONDON
If you have £300 to spare and would like to take part in a “stimulating, entertaining and career-changing� playwriting course, then this is your opportunity! Playwright Stephen Jeffreys (The Libertine, A Going Concern) is leading a 3-day masterclass, which promises to be a practical guide to every aspect of writing plays. It is being held at the Royal Court Theatre and the Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten Hotel on Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September. For more information, visit www.stephenjeffreys.co.uk
NORTH EAST EVENTS NEWS - By John at Literature Northeast
Poets making the trek down south for the increasingly popular Write Room at Wolviston's Wellington Inn are the extremely talented Kevin Cadwallender and Aidan Halpin, who are travelling down from Newcastle. Also appearing are Dominic Windram and Lynn Boyd from Hartlepool, alongside local poetry duo Voicebox. A young poet from Stockton, Paul Wylde, is on the bill and two Mudfog poets, Shirley Hetherington and Geoff Strange, will also be filling the room with poetry.
The Writers' Café at Stockton's Georgian Theatre this month also features a presentation of Mudfog poets, including Tara Bergin, Gary Newmarch, Syndou Diarrassouba, Shirley Hetherington and Gordon Hodgeon.
Ekko Words Inc at Newcastle's Sports Café is a new open mic night with readings from Keith Armstrong, Kate Fox and Martin Bloomfield, guest slots from comedian Ken Stott and charva hating rapper MC Gizza Tab. Plus more guests on the night.
The Write Room Wellington Inn, Wolviston: 19:45, Tue 29 Aug 2006
Ekko Words Inc The Sports Café, Newcastle: 19:30, Mon 4 Sep 2006
The Writers' Café The Georgian Theatre, Stockton: 19:30, Wed 6 Sep 2006
For more details on these and the rest of the month’s events, see www.literaturenortheast.co.uk. If you promote literature events in the North East and your event isn’t listed, please get in touch with john@literaturenortheast.co.uk.
AWARD FOR PETE MORTIMER
Congratulations to Peter Mortimer, who has been given a special award by the Arab magazine Yemen Voice! The award is for his services to the Yemeni community in Britain and was presented to Peter in Dudley, West Midlands when he was the guest speaker at the region's special Yemen Day. Peter Mortimer wrote the play Riot - South Shields 1930, and the book Cool for Qat - a Yemeni Journey, both of which appeared in 2005.
COMPETITION SUCCESS FOR LOCAL POET
Well done to Elizabeth Whyman, whose collection of poems was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press Poetry Collection Award. A selection of her work will also be included in the winners’ anthology.
NEW WEBSITE OF INTEREST
To mark their 100th edition, The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook (a must-have companion for every writer, aspiring or established) has launched a brand new website. As well as details of their 100-year history, the site also includes a guide to getting published and a directory of literary agents. Visit the site at www.writersandartists.co.uk
NEWS FROM THE NORTH…
The Community Creative Writers in Berwick have recently held their annual 60-word story competition, which has attracted entries from all over the North East. Each story had to contain a plot, realistic characters and dialogue – as well as a beginning, middle and end. The competition took place at the Castle Hotel in Berwick-upon-Tweed and was won by Mary Thomas. For more information about the group and how to enter next year’s competition, email mavismaureen@aol.com
All information is correct at the time of going to press.
New Writing North is funded by Arts Council England and some of our project work is supported by the CSDI programme which uses funds from the European Union, ERDF and ESF programmes to support the development of work opportunities and training for writers.
New Writing North
2 School Lane
Whickham
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE16 4SL
Tel: 0191 488 8580
Fax: 0191 488 8576
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New facilities in Saltwell Park for young people
It's fast becoming the park with something for everyone, and Saltwell Park will soon have new football and basketball courts funded jointly by Gateshead Council, Barclays Spaces for Sports, Groundwork and the Football Foundation. There will also be organised sporting activities on the site, programmed by Nacro, the national charity which works in local communities to give young people more direction in their spare time.
For more on Saltwell Park, go to: http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/Saltwell%20Park/Home.aspx
Nacro's home page: http://www.nacro.org.uk/
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August 29, 2006
New MA Courses at Newcastle University
The International Centre for Cultural & Heritage Studies at Newcastle University welcomes applications for its two exciting new MA Programmes: Art Museum & Gallery Education / Heritage Management, both commencing in
September 2006.
On-line Application Forms can be found at
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/applicationforms.phtml
MA in Art Museum & Gallery Education
This innovative new programme has been created specifically to meet the growing national and international need for qualified visual arts educators. It offers an exciting opportunity for those wishing to pursue graduate-level professional training as gallery, art museum and freelance art educators. It combines cutting edge research with the chance to learn directly from the practical experience of professionals from Tate Modern, BALTIC and others operating in the field.
For further information about Art Museum & Gallery Education, please see
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/subjects/culturalheritage/courses/462
Prospective students can also contact Dr Bernadette Buckley on
bernadette.buckley@ncl.ac.uk
+ 44 (0) 191 222 3940.
MA in Heritage Management
This programme is designed to provide students with a good understanding and working knowledge of the management of heritage resources and sites which will enable them to gain employment in the sector or to conduct further research. Modules are delivered intensively in weekly teaching blocks making access to the programme easier for part time students and heritage professionals.
For further information about Heritage Management, please see
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/subjects/culturalheritage/courses/461
Prospective students can also contact Dr Aron Mazel on
a.d.mazel@ncl.ac.uk or tel. + 44 (0) 191 222 7845.
Best Regards
Bernadette.Buckley & Aron Mazel
Dr Bernadette Buckley
Lecturer in Art Gallery & Museum Studies
International Centre of Cultural & Heritage Studies
Bruce Building
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
0191 222 3940
bernadette.buckley@ncl.ac.uk
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August 23, 2006
Autumn news from Seven Stories
This summer Seven Stories has an action packed holiday programme to engage and delight visitors, and there are still two weeks of Knickerbocker Glory book-based fun to go! Log onto our website for full listings.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Just look what’s on this Autumn…
Seven Stories from Seven Stories
Join us for some very special author events linked to Seven Stories from Seven Stories, a new series starting on ITV on Sunday 3rd September. Top writers, illustrators and actors from the region have come together to create new stories based on the seven basic plots of story: Quest, Tragedy, Voyage and Return, Overcoming the Monster, Rebirth, Comedy and Rags to Riches. Authors including David Almond, GP Taylor and Melvin Burgess will be visiting Seven Stories throughout the autumn and into 2007. Check out our website for more details.
New Beginnings with Adam Bushnell – Sunday 3 September
The Summer holidays draw to an end and new beginnings are upon us. Listen, join in and create stories old and new at Seven Stories. Tales that will guarantee to start the new school year with smiles on many a face. Sessions at 1pm, 1.45pm & 2.30pm. Suitable for a family audience. 5+
Roald Dahl Day – Wednesday 13 September
To celebrate what would have been the 90th birthday of Roald Dahl, Seven Stories is offering a special programme of activities for schools and groups and visitors throughout the week. Roald Dahl Day is being celebrated nationally. For more details log onto www.roalddahlday.info.
Roald Dahl Day weekend celebrations Sept 10 & 11 and Sept 17 & 18
Come dressed as your favourite Dahl character. Prizes will be available each day for the best costume. Why not come in yellow, Roald Dahl’s favourite colour? We have classic party games with a wacky Dahl twist, including pin the ears on the BFG! There are hands-on drop in activities relating to Dahl’s colourful characters and you could meet Willy Wonka or Mrs Twit!
Roald Dahl Day School and Group Programme Monday – Friday September 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15
Our school and group programme aims to celebrate the life and work of Roald Dahl through a variety of creative and fun activities. These include character building, party fun and a character collecting trail. Key stage 1 and 2. Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Call Alison Neill on 0845 271 0777 for more details.
Voyages Storytelling, in association with Universal Building Society – Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September
Universal Building Society commences the second phase of its three year sponsorship of Seven Stories. The project aims to take children on a voyage of literary discovery to enlighten them about the arts, literature and creativity. Come along to a colourful, seafaring-themed weekend of events at Seven Stories. Children will be taken on a magical journey to search for hidden treasure and hear enchanting tales of voyages and adventure told by inspirational storytellers Pascale Konyn and Sudha Mooney. Please see the website for further details.
Nick Arnold & Tony de Saulles, Horrible Science Roadshow - Friday 22 September
Come for an entertaining evening event for adults and find out how Nick and Tony create the Horrible Science Roadshow together. Includes a Q & A session, a taster of the show and book-signing. Ideal for teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators and adults with an interest in children’s books. 6-7.30pm. Pre booking is advisable. £3.50, £2.50 annual pass holders. In association with Scholastic Children’s Books.
Nick Arnold & Tony de Saulles, Horrible Science Roadshow - Saturday 23 September
This crazy show and book signing, based on the Stunning Science of Everything Book from the multi-award winning Horrible Science series, explores a range of demonstrations, readings from the books and quizzes. Aimed at a family audience of children aged 6-13 and their parents. 11 am -12 noon. Pre booking is advisable. In association with Scholastic Children’s Books.
Stephen Potts - Wednesday 27 September, 12.30 – 2.30 pm.
Stephen Potts is a versatile and gifted writer whose first children’s book, Hunting Gumnor, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. His latest page-turner, Abigail’s Gift, is a gripping historical adventure, partly set in modern times and spanning back two centuries. Abigail Jones has a rare gift – an imagination that transports her from the grey world of schoolwork into wild adventures and in particular, the story of Morag, a free-spirited girl from the Scottish Island of Mull in the 19th century keen to escape the poverty she lives in. ‘Exciting, poetic and mysterious’ Carousel.
Join Stephen Potts for a discussion about his writing, followed by book-signing. Open to school groups. Includes a gallery tour before the event. Suitable for KS2 ages 9-11. To book please call Alison Neill on 0845 271 0777. In association with Egmont Books.
Michelle Paver – 30 September
Join a family event with Michelle Paver, author of Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker, part of the acclaimed Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. Come and celebrate the release of Michelle’s latest book Soul-Eater, and hear her talk about how she created the world of Torak, her love of wolves, her experiences researching pre-historic clans, her encounter with a bear and much more. Followed by book signing. Suitable for families and children 9+ at 11.00 am. Pre booking is advisable. In association with Orion Books.
Hidden Magic with Pascale Konyn - Sunday 1 October
Sunday Storytelling. At the red gold turning of the leaves, at the time when the dark nights grow longer, the air becomes crisp and it seems as if the earth and its creatures are preparing to sleep, what hidden happenings might there be beneath our feet, under our noses or maybe even in front of our eyes? Discover for yourself when you come and share some tales in the turning season. Sessions at 1pm, 1.45pm & 2.30pm. Suitable for a family audience.
Jackie Kay – Wednesday 4 October – Children’s Book Roadshow event
Join prize-winning poet and author Jackie Kay for a National Children’s Book Week event. Recently awarded an MBE for her services to literature, Jackie draws on personal experiences in her work. From 11am – 12noon in the Artist’s Attic, plus signing. Open to schools, groups and anyone interested in literature, age 7+. Pre booking is advisable.
Jackie Morris – Thursday 5 October
To celebrate National Poetry Day, award-winning illustrator Jackie Morris will be visiting Seven Stories. Jackie has illustrated over 30 children’s picture books including Can You See a Little Bear? The Seal Children and Lord of the Forest. To tie-in with the publication of Classic Poems, an illustrated anthology on 30 September, Jackie will be running a morning workshop for adults and a session for schools in the afternoon. Supported By Barefoot Books.
The workshop is for adults and young people with an interest in illustrating for children and runs from 11-12 noon followed by book-signing. Pre booking is advisable. To book please call 0845 271 0777.
The schools’ session is suitable for KS2/3, years 6-8, and runs from 12.30 - 2.30 pm. This includes a gallery tour before the event and book-signing with Jackie Morris. To book please call Alison Neill on 0845 271 0777.
Andy Stanton – Sunday 15 October
Join Andy Stanton, a regular member of the improv workshop The Crunchy Frog Collective, as his humour takes flight in his first book You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum. In this tale of a fierce old man, Andy Stanton accumulates silliness and jokes in a laughter-inducing romp, with wild scratchy illustrations, daft asides to the reader, barmy tangents, one liners and a great song (The Sunday Times). Not to be missed. 3pm, ages 7+. Pre-booking advisable. In association with Egmont Books.
Last chance to catch Harry Potter manuscripts!
Don’t forget that September will be your last chance to see original work by JK Rowling for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Favourites with visitors have been her hand-written draft manuscript for Platform Nine and Three Quarters and her outline for Chapter 7 The Sorting Hat
The Incredible Journeys exhibition transports visitors into the magical worlds of story. It presents key books, manuscripts and artwork from the past 70 years including Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Borrowers, The Gruffalo, Fred, Avocado Baby, Danny the Champion of the World and The Little Wooden Horse.
Where pre booking is advisable, please call 0845 271 0777. Normal admission charges apply, unless stated. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
For updated information on events, please log onto our website: www.sevenstories.org.uk. Thank you.
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August 22, 2006
Living Streets' Walk to School Campaign
Living Streets are the champions of streets and public spaces for people on foot. They work on practical projects to create safe, vibrant and healthy streets for all.
Their belief is that "local streets are a service that we all use but that for decades, traffic priorities have been allowed to overwhelm them, and they have been left dirty and unsafe. Vibrant streets help to revitalise neighbourhoods and reconnect people."
Living Streets organises two national Walk to School campaigns every year.
Read on for the details and contact information, but the campaign meets on the fourth Tuesday at Gateshead Civic Centre at 6.45pm, nine times a year (not Christmas, Easter or August)...
Walk to School Week last October (2005) was a huge sucess with over 1.8 million pupils taking to the streets and walking to school.
This year, Monday 22nd to Friday 26th May and Monday 2nd - Friday 6th October 2006, we hope that even more pupils, teachers and parents will support the weeks and reap the health benefits of walking on a regular basis.
Walk to School is an exciting campaign asking parents, pupils and teachers to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives by walking to and from school whenever possible.
Walk to School messages are promoted with the support of 65% of local authorities. The campaign reaches more than 1 million pupils and their carers twice a year and receives widespread media coverage.
The benefits of walking to school:
SAFETY training Walking regularly with a child from a young age enables them to develop life skills; preparing children with road safety and personal awareness skills.
CONGESTION reduction
Fewer cars on our roads is good for the environment and local communities; fewer cars at the school gate can make it safer for pupils making their way to and from school.
HEALTH benefits
Walking to and from school allows adults and children to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
ON THE BALL PUPILS who walk to school arrive wide awake and are therefore more prepared for the school day ahead.
OUR fun and friendship
Friends and family can walk to and from school together and enjoy some quality time.
LEARNING for life
Walking regularly enables a child to become more familiar with their surroundings and provides them with the opportunity to learn about the weather and changing seasons first hand.
Campaign background and history
The very first 'Walk to School' week took place in 1995 with just five primary schools. The following year the idea was launched as a national campaign and has continued to grow in size ever since.
Only eight years later, there are two national focus weeks a year (early in the autumn term and during the summer term). In the UK, the campaign is managed by a national campaign co-ordinator and overseen by a partnership involving Living Streets and Travelwise. October 2003 also saw the first ever International 'Walk to School' Week, which gained the support of 33 countries including America, Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The two national Walk to School weeks enable pupils, parents, schools and local authorities to come together to promote the importance of walking to school to the media and therefore the community at large. The campaign co-ordinator based at Living Streets, works closely with road safety, education and transport planning departments all over the UK to ensure Walk to School messages reach more schools, pupils and parents with every campaign.
Increasing numbers of visits to the 'Walk to School' website www.walktoschool.org.uk highlights the popularity of this campaign. An average of 2500 new people visit the site each month.
How Walk to School Works
Walk to school resources are designed and prepared by the national partnership in advance of every focus week. Local authorities are responsible for the distribution of these resources to schools in their area. Information is also available to schools, teachers, parents and local authorities through the official Walk to School website or by contacting the national campaign co-ordinator directly.
Schools promote Walk to School in all sorts of innovative and informative ways. Tried and tested campaign ideas include incentives for pupils who walk to school (such as stickers or certificates), teachers incorporating road safety or environmental awareness into lesson time and Walk to School themed publicity events. Where we see good practice, we aim to tell others about it.
With each campaign that passes, new schools sign up to the Walk to School message. And it works:
Promotion of the Walk to School campaig does attract media attention, not just locally, but nationally and so brings the message to a much wider audience.
Schools do want to combat the problem of traffic congestion
Parents do want their children to benefit from regular physical activity
Pupils do want to walk to school with their friends!
The future of Walk to School
Despite all this, there is still so much more that can be achieved with the Walk to School campaign. More than half of our children are still not regularly walking to school. The number of cars involved in the school run is increasing and as a nation we are becoming less active.
The next 'Walk to School' week will be Monday 2nd - Friday 6th October 2006
For further information on the National Walk to School campaign, please contact Jo Pike, National Walk to School Week Campaign Coordinator at Living Streets, on email: donna.mcloughlin@livingstreets.org.uk or telephone number: 0207 8201010.
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Colourfest - Gateshead's Sculpture Festival
An explosion of colour and shape in Saltwell Park
Sunday 27 August
12noon - 6pm
FREE
North Fields, Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Performance
Artist installations
Street Theatre
Music
Storytelling
Workshops
Bring your picnic and enjoy!
For further details contact Gateshead Council’s Arts Development Team on 0191 433 6927
Gateshead Sculpture Festival forms part of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative’s world class festivals and events programme.
For further information visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com or www.gateshead.gov.uk
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August 17, 2006
Good news about Gateshead
A healthcheck by local government watchdogs says Gateshead Council is performing well and improving services for residents. Teams of Government inspectors from the Audit Commission visited the area earlier this year to assess how well it is doing as part of its performance checks on local councils and found its services were “good quality�.
The result is that Gateshead has achieved some of the highest grades in the country so far under the new inspection process.
Read on for the full results...
This story courtesy of Steve Heal in the Communications Team at Gateshead Council. The full story can be found, along with associated reports and all the Council services on the main website: www.gateshead.gov.uk
They found the Council is tackling deprivation through regeneration, provides good education in schools, is improving health, meeting older peoples’ needs and is helping reducing crime.
They said the Council also works well with partners and local people, provides strong community leadership and has succeeded in creating confidence and a ‘sense of place’ in the area.
At the same time another team of inspectors looking at services for children and young people classed it was a good place for children and young people to grow up in. They studied not only what the council provides but looked at services from all agencies to see how well they work together.
Audit Commission senior manager, Lynne Snowball, said: “It is encouraging to see the progress that the Council is making in tackling the many issues that still face Gateshead. The quality of services is improving, particularily in areas that the Council has identified as being the greatest priority.
“Educational attainment in schools is very good and there have been siginificant reducations in crime over the last two years. Political and managerial leadership is strong and there is a strong focus on working with a wide range of partners to achieve the necessary improvements for all who live and work in the borough.�
Council Leader, Councillor Mick Henry, said he welcomed the report and added that the Council was already dealing with those areas where inspectors said the Council could get even better.
“Most people are aware of the Council’s role delivering major projects on Gateshead Quays, but I am pleased this inspection highlights the important work we do every day with our partners to provide the good quality essential services that local people rely on,� he said.
“We are already tackling their suggestions, like directing effort into areas of greatest need, through our neighbourhood management initiatives which will deliver services which are more responsive to what people want in their area.�
As well as council services the inspectors also looked at partners, including Gateshead Primary Care Trust, Gateshead NHS Trust, Northumbria Police, Northumbria Probation, Connexions Tyne and Wear, Learning and Skills Council, schools, Gateshead College and voluntary organisations.
Highlighted in the reports were the following points:
The council works well with partners and local people, and has succeeded in creating confidence in the area.
It is successfully tackling deprivation through regeneration, improving health, meeting older peoples’ needs and helping reduce crime.
Gateshead is a good place for children and young people to grow up, with very good education in schools and services work well together.
The Council provides strong community leadership and its political and managerial leadership is a strength.
It has strong partnerships to provide for children and young people and these have been effective at improving services.
Young people achieving five of more A* to C grades in their GCSEs is impressive
Perinatal and infant mortality rates are below national average and decreasing
Teenage pregnancy rates have fallen faster that the national average
Youth nuisance incidents are falling and re-offending rates and offending amongst looked after children is lower than that of similar areas
Children and young people are encouraged to establish positive relationships and take part in activities that nurture a sense of responsibility
Opportunities for the most vulnerable groups of children and young people to have their views heard are established and improving
There are effective integrated services for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
Children in need of protection and family support benefit from a timely response from social care
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August 10, 2006
Congratulations to Gateshead's Artsmark-winning schools
This year, Gateshead had the second-highest number of Artsmark awards out of the twelve local authority areas in the north east of England, with ten schools taking awards.
This success is another indicator of the borough's determination to enrich the learning experience for its young people.
The scheme is run by Arts Council England and is supported here by Gateshead Council's Arts Development Team and the Raising Achievement Service.
The three categories of this national award (Artsmark, Artsmark Silver or Artsmark Gold) are given to schools who show a commitment to the full range of arts - music, dance, drama and art & design.
The winning Gateshead schools were as follows:
Artsmark
Larkspur Primary
Lobley Hill Primary
Artsmark Silver
Bill Quay Primary
St Joseph's RC Primary, Gateshead
St Aidan's CofE Primary
Artsmark Gold
Fellside Primary
Crookhill Primary
St Peter's RC Primary
Carr Hill Primary
Emmaville Primary
If your Gateshead or Newcastle school is considering applying for an Artsmark award for 2007, we strongly advise you to book a place on our seminar:
Artsmark Seminar
10am - 12noon - Wednesday 13 September 2006
Caedmon Hall, Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead
A free seminar for Gateshead & Newcastle schools interested in applying for Artsmark.
Artsmark is a national award for schools in England. It is a symbol of recognition for schools making a strong commitment to the full range of the arts and is becoming a benchmark for excellence in schools and a nationally recognised symbol of quality creative curriculum provision.
Ten Gateshead schools were awarded artsmark this year - five Gold, three Silver and two Artsmark awards. We have also had interest from schools who are interested in applying this year, so the seminar is an opportunity to find out more about applying for the award. The deadline for applications for Round 7 is 17 November 2006.
Arts Council England North East and Gateshead Council's Arts Team are hosting this free seminar in order to support and develop Artsmark applications from schools interested in applying in the future. The seminar will provide a basic introduction the following:
· An outline of the Artsmark scheme.
· Programming and preparation for an application.
· Advice on auditing your arts provision.
· Case study from a successful school.
· Benefits of Artsmark to your school.
The session will be led by Caroline Redmond, Arts Education Consultant, member of the national Artsmark project team and Artsmark validator. Also present will be Cheryl Gallagher from Arts Council England North East and Karolynne Hart from Gateshead Council's Arts Team.
Application packs are available from 14 July 2006, visit www.artsmark.org.uk for full details.
Please RSVP for a place on the seminar to Karolynne Hart - karolynnehart@gateshead.gov.uk
Tel. 0191 433 6917 as soon as possible.
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Stephen Sondheim's Follies
Felling Stage Society present Follies
from Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st of October.
Weekday performances 7.15pm, Saturday 6.15pm.
at
The Dryden Centre
Evistones Road
Low Fell
Gateshead
Director: Wayne Shellard
Musical Director:Graham West
Tiered stalls: £8.00
Front stass: £6.00
Seniors: £6.50/£5.00 Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Children £6.50/£5.00 all week.
To book please telephone: 01207 270 596.
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Shakespeare Schools Festival
The Shakespeare Schools Festival is a unique arts education initiative which enables young people to perform abridged productions of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in their local professional theatre.
They run a UK-wide Schools Festival and a Youth Festival in alternate years which are open to all secondary schools and youth theatre groups within the UK.
Registration for the Schools Festival begins occurs in March each year.
Go to: www.ssf.uk.com for more...
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August 9, 2006
arcadea presents - the mimosa festival
arcadea presents
the mimosa festival
arcadea is holding the mimosa festival throughout the month of September aimed at celebrating the artistic equality of disabled people across a range of venues and artforms, including Dance Art and Film at Dance City, Film, Theatre, An Evening of Divine Disabled Divas and The Metamorphosis Ball at The Sage Gateshead, Visual Art at both the AdHoc Gallery, Buddle Arts Centre and The Mushroom Works, Ouseburn, and an innovative programme of live art performance, live film performance, dance art and poetry at The Star and Shadow Cinema
For the full details and booking, see this attachment...
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Readers Holiday in Yorkshire - Bank Holiday Weekend
Gateshead Council's Reader Development Librarian, Dot Cameron writes:
A Holiday for Readers (Like a Readers Day only longer!)
Many of us have experienced the fun and friendship of a readers day or a reading group: meeting other readers and finding out that it really is OK to be passionate about reading!
Now there is the opportunity to extend this experience to a three-day weekend (over the August Bank Holiday weekend) with a holiday designed especially for readers.
Located in a 17th century manor house near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire we will be reading, talking about books, eating lovely food, walking and meeting other readers. There will be workshops and visits from authors with the added bonus of not feeling guilty about reading, not having to rush off to do the washing up, not being disturbed and actively discussing how we can continue to avoid such hazards! All inclusive price for the weekend is £175 (including wine, beer or fruit juice with evening meals). Or come for just the day (Saturday 26 August) for just
£45. Be sure to book early by contacting A Good Read on 01282 414287 or by visiting the website for more information: www.findmeagoodread.com/holiday.htm
There were still places available on Thursday 9th August.
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The English National Youth Arts Network
ENYAN - the English National Youth Arts Network has been launched by David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture, at a high profile event at The Unicorn Theatre, London on Monday 12th June. ENYAN is delivered by Artswork, the
national youth arts development agency and part funded by Arts Council England South East.
The ENYAN website - www.enyan.co.uk - is now live, and the network open for free or full (paid) members to subscribe.
ENYAN offers excellent value for money, providing an online community for all those currently using or looking to use the arts with young people to create connections, as well as advice, news, jobs, events, training and
professional development resources. The first 50 people to subscribe as full members will also recieve a free copy of the Upstart Youth Arts Directory (worth £19.50 plus £3.25 p&p). Additional benefits, including discounts of Artsplan training and other relevant resources are also available to full members, with new benefits being added all the time.
The ENYAN website also offers 2 FREE valuable resources available for download:
- the new Artsplan Youth Arts Learning Passport (also available as hard copy): a unique, interactive, FREE creative professional development tool - FREE Artsplan guidelines for delivering Music Projects with young people
(normal price £7.50)
"What I want to say is that this particular initiative, ENYAN, is vitally important. I have seen wonderful projects across the country, particularly working with the most deprived young people. Working with young people who
are looked after or in care, looking after young people who are in the local pupil referral unit, working with young people that are caught up in crime, as well as working with all young people whatever their background in a
particular area, and many of the youth leaders particularly are heroes - they deserve huge awards because they are often doing it in isolation. I don't want to be in a place as a politician in ten years time where we are
still having this debate. I want it to be settled, I want the funding to be there, I want you guys to be networked , I want you to grow as a sector, and I want in that coming together for the sector to be a powerful force - and
that?s what I think ENYAN can achieve. That coordination, that ever greater stride for professionalisation, and that ability to advocate for young people yes, but for the arts for young people across the country." - The
Right Hon, David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture at the ENYAN launch
UPSTART, the only youth arts magazine for the UK has now been re-launched as "Upstart online", part of the ENYAN website available to Full Members. June's articles include a focus on the latest policies and news affecting
the sector:
- Rick Hall on future changes and developments for youth arts
- Jon Keane on 'Youth Matters'
- Kerry Furneaux talks about PLUS Enrichment and national developments
between the arts and the Youth Justice Board
- Stuart Hawkes gives a brief insight into a positive creative consultation
project in Yorkshire
- Sarah Grayer, OYAP Trust looks at what lessons can be learnt from the
problems faced by the Reaction Festival in Oxfordshire
- Rosy Prue guides through the current youth arts CPD (Continuing
Professional Development) menu
- Upstart revisted looks back at previous pieces by Professor Shirley
Bryce-Heath and guidance on child protection and safeguarding
ENYAN offers a wide range of additional benefits for Full members - full details are available from the site, under the 'About' section - www.enyan.co.uk
For further information email: hello@enyan.co.uk.
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Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum for the Cultural Olympiad
Leading figures from culture, creativity and the arts have pledged their support to the development of a national cultural programme leading up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
At the first meeting of the Government's new Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum for the Cultural Olympiad, held on 25 July, members made clear that they believe that the 2012 Olympics in London are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the very best of Britain's arts, culture and creativity to a world-wide audience and to encourage excellence and greater participation by children, young people and communities across the country.
But they warned the Government that action is needed now to ensure the success of the Cultural Olympiad and called for a coherent national vision and a framework within which the cultural programme can be developed.
The full article featuring quotes from Culture Minister David Lammy, who chairs the Forum can be found at www.culture.gov.uk
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London Schools Arts Service
London Schools Arts Service
LONSAS is the leading online arts and education resource for London schools and artists. They matchmake schools with artists and arts organisations, promoting creative opportunities and academic achievement throughout the curriculum.
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Pensions for Artists
A message from Arts Council England
Almost 60% of people working in the arts are at risk of not saving adequately for their future... are you one of them?
A new website, www.pensionsforartists.org.uk aims to help artists unravel the mystery of pensions.
If you work in the arts, whether as an artist or arts manager, then this site is for you.
It provides essential information about recent changes to the legislation surrounding the provision of pensions and you are invited to complete a short survey that will help us to understand more about pensions awareness across the sector, and what we should be doing to meet your needs.
The following document gives more background about why this site has been created:
Remember, to help improve the current landscape we need as many people as possible to visit www.pensionsforartists.org.uk and complete our survey!
Thanks for your time,
Simon
Simon Zimmerman
Coordinator, 'Artist Time Space Money'
Arts Council England
Direct Line: +44(0)1392 229247
Fax: +44(0)1392 229229
email: simon.zimmerman@artscouncil.org.uk
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August 1, 2006
Chris Penn exhibition at Newcastle Arts Centre
The Newcastle Arts Centre is pleased to invite you to a very special retrospective exhibition,
’40 Years at the Cutting Edge’ by Chris Penn.
Chris Penn is a renowned printmaker who specialises in the rare skill of copperplate engraving. Her subject matter is as diverse as the media she chooses to work in. Her engravings include a finished version of Albrecht Durer’s ‘Unfinished Crucifixion’ and her lino-cuts, pyrographs and painted wooden sculptures range from the traditional to her more hard hitting leftfield personal and political works.
Penn on her output;
“Looking back over forty years of continuous art production, the human form wins hands down! The medium, from large black and white engravings on lino, through hand-coloured copper engraving, to carved and painted wood is ever-changing but the subject, the human being, has remained the centre of each creation.
….Every emotion, political belief, religious ideal, can be expressed most poignantly using the human form as a scaffold, and if looked at carefully, much more can be communicated than by the written word.
…The art of engraving is in danger of extinction. No longer taught in art colleges, its painstaking technique is out of step in an age of split second throwaway images. Some of my engravings have as many as forty different motifs hand carved into a single copper sheet and the prints taken from them will respond to careful and repeated study.�
This exhibition is at Newcastle Arts Centre from the 2nd of August and will run until the 29th. The opening times are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, admission is free.
To view images please visit:
http://www.newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk/06%20chris_penn.htm
Kind Regards
Mike Tilley
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Gateshead Cultural Ambassador abseils for charity
Gateshead's 'roving' Ambassador Pat Riddell took the plunge on the 2nd of July by abseiling down the Malmaison Hotel on Newcastle's quayside.
Pat undertook this feat in aid of Education Action International - a charity providing teaching in the most deprived parts of the world.
Drama ensued halfway down when there was a breakdown in communications between the roof and the ground!
Luckily, Pat is one to look before leaping, so whilst stranded on a narrow ledge, she contemplated the following advice given to her prior to the event:
From her Pilates teacher:
"Banish all negative thoughts, take in the elements, breathe in the air, trust in those supporting you"
From her Probation Officer daughter:
"Remember, you have the choice, before you step over, you don't have to do it"
From an ex-soldier and fellow abseiler:
"You'll feel a better person when you get to the bottom"
From the man sending her down from the top:
"You're the person in charge, you control the rope"
"Don't look down..."
From the official (who talked Pat through on the ledge when she lost the rope and the support rope was far too slack) to the cheering crowd:
"She got down because she was good at following instructions"
Put together, Pat wonders whether these are good rules for life...!
Pat raised a substantial sum for EAI and we are glad to have her back on the ground.
Very well done!
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An opportunity for young people and local businesses
Join the region’s largest mobile showcase of north east business…
This summer you have the opportunity to join the region’s largest ever mobile showcase of north east business.
Aspire – through the North East Really Delivers (nerd) campaign – will be out and about on a double-decker bus throughout July and August, which will be jam-packed with career information, competitions and fun activities to let the region’s young people know about the exciting and varied opportunities for them in the north east.
To support the tour, nerd will be on the look-out for organisations from a range of different sectors to come aboard and demonstrate that the north east really is the place to work, study and ultimately to succeed.
Whether you’re looking to recruit, would like the opportunity to promote your organisation to young people, businesses and parents across the region, or just feel passionately about letting young people know that they don’t need to leave the region in order to achieve their potential, then nerd would love to hear from you.
The bus will be making the following stops this summer after having already visited Durham and Northumberland:
Stockton Int’l Riverside Festival Friday 4th August
Newcastle, Haymarket Friday 11th August
Sunderland City Centre Thursday 24th August
Taking part in the tour is absolutely free and there are a number of ways in which your organisation can get involved:
• Nominate yourself or one of your colleagues to come aboard the bus to tell young people about opportunities in your business or what it’s like to be part of your industry sector.
• Sign-up for one of our career ‘demo slots’ to provide a practical demonstration of what your company does or the sort of work you’re involved in. For example, this could involve a demo of how you make one of your products.
• Provide information about career, training or work experience opportunities in your organisation to be displayed on the bus.
• Donate promotional materials for use in the tour’s goody bags or a prize to be offered as part of the tour’s online competition.
This list is by no means exhaustive and we would love to hear any suggestions you might have about how your organisation can get involved. Let us know by registering at www.nerd-world.co.uk/tour, emailing us at comeaboard@nerd-world.org or by giving Danielle a call on 0191 261 1333.
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