A bright New Year from Spaghetti Gazetti

Since we started this blog in October 2007 the site has received 694,721 hits. The peak month during this time was November 2011 when Spaghetti Gazetti recieved an amazing 34,207 hits which was over 1000 hits per day.

Not bad for a completely free, independent blog about community, heritage, arts and social enterprise events and organisations in the West Midlands region of the UK.

As we steadily approach one million hits, we welcome your news and views from around the region. We also welcome adverts and sponsorship, please email spaghetti.editorial@yahoo.co.uk for more details.

Get active in 2012 with three NSPCC fitness challenges

Looking for a fitness challenge to burn off those mince pies and start the New Year with a spring in your step? Well look no further!

The NSPCC has lined up three fun physical challenges for this spring, summer and autumn - perfect motivation for helping you to keep those all important New Year resolutions.

First up is Climb for ChildLine in Birmingham on Sunday 4 March - climb of 396 steps up and down the region’s iconic Fort Dunlop building to raise funds for the Midlands ChildLine 25th Anniversary Tribute Fund. If your resolution is to ‘take the stairs, not the lift’, this is the challenge event for you. Every penny you raise will help ChildLine to continue to respond to children’s cries for help.

If you’re looking for an summer adventure, how about a 52km, five day trek through stunning Icelandic glaciers, steaming lava fields and boiling mud pools? The Icelandic Lava Trek, taking place from 18 to 22 July might be just the ticket. And whilst you’re taking in the amazing scenery, you’ll be raising vital funds to enable the NSPCC to prevent child abuse.

The challenges culminate with the NSPCC’s annual HACK (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) on 22 September in the beautiful Shropshire hills. Be prepared for fun, breathtaking views and a challenging walk over either a 10 mile or 20 mile route. All to raise funds for some of the UK ’s most vulnerable children.

Sarah Williams, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager said: “Training for an event like Climb for ChildLine, the Icelandic Lava Trek or the HACK is a fantastic and fun way to start a keep fit campaign, with an incredibly worthwhile cause to help keep you motivated.

“The challenges range in length and intensity, which means there’s an event to suit everyone. Of course, if you’re looking for a hat trick of challenges, there is nothing to stop you from entering all three events throughout the year! Every penny raised will help the NSPCC to protect vulnerable children in the West Midlands .”

For further details about the events, please contact the Midlands NSPCC Fundraising team on 0844 892 0217 or email midlandsappeals@nspcc.org.uk  . You can also visit http://www.nspcc.org.uk/  for more information.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

from Spaghetti Gazetti

Celebrate Stirchley with Stirchley Prospects

• A celebration of Stirchley, finding hidden gems and creating prospects for its future.

• Revealing the history of a once vibrant area in need of regeneration.

• Events, Artworks, workshops and zines.

Stirchley, south Birmingham is a primarily residential area with a declining shopping street. The future of the area will be impacted upon in the next few years by a number of changes to the built environment brought about by a major commercial development.

Since June 2011 Place Prospectors, a non-profit community interest company, has been working creatively with Stirchley residents, organisations and businesses in their Stirchley Prospects project, to stake claims, find hidden gems and create prospects for its future. The Stirchley Prospects project is interested in what is of value to people, what is unique about the area and what will be beneficial in the long term for regeneration that is badly needed.

Jayne Murray and Emma Larkinson of Place Prospectors say:

‘Stirchley has very distinct qualities, architecturally, topographically, socially and economically. We believe the creative process can provide new ways of valuing Stirchley’s character and contributing ideas to shape and deliver a better place for the future - particularly when faced with significant changes locally.

Understanding the times when Stirchley has flourished can help inform what’s needed for it’s future.’

For 2012, exciting and informative events and workshops are planned, as well as the continued publication of the Stirchley Knows zine celebrating the past and present and the uniqueness of the area. The project’s headquarters on the High Street will continue to welcome people who want to take part in these initiatives and bring their local expertise. Place Prospectors aim for their work to inform the long-term development of the area by working in partnership with the local authority and those who have interests in the area.

2012 event highlights:

3 March 2012 - Hazelwell Lane In Memoriam– Soon to be lost due to the impending Tesco development on the site, a series of workshops held on Thursday 9 and Wednesdays 22 & 29 February will commemorate the historic street for future generations. The project will culminate in a walk to celebrate the lane’s life on 3 March 2012.

January 2012 - Prosperity – Three artworks on buildings at intervals along Pershore Road in Stirchley with imagery symbolising Stirchley’s prosperity. The intention is to add something beautiful to the degraded environment. The pieces reference the former industries of the area including Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, famous manufacturers of nuts, bolts, and screws, Cox Wilcox – lamp manufacturers, and natural phenomena such as willow beds. It will also reference the keeping of pigs in the area, particularly for the Co-operative Supermarket who has had a presence in Stirchley for many years, and Jewells award-winning pork pies which were popular in the 1940s.

February 2012 - Stirchley Street Railway Station – Art will be located at Bournville Railway Station, known as Stirchley Street Station when first built. The piece aims to reassert Stirchley’s claim to the station, situated in Stirchley yet having taken the name of the famous home of Cadbury’s for over a hundred years. The art, which will be seen by thousands of commuters will highlight the area.

Park at Rear/Stirchley Park Project –

Three events in Stirchley Park for local people who are interested in the park’s future.

Sundays 15 January, 29 January and 12 February 11am-1pm. Meet at the old pavilion. Bring something to sit on, shelter will be provided. Come rain or shine.

PROBUS CLUB OF COLESHILL - December 2011 Meeting

ADVERTISEMENTS OF BYGONE DAYS

In her first visit to the Probus Club of Coleshill Mrs Patsie Jarman brought a touch of good old nostalgia to members by talking about, and showing photographs of, well known advertising posters and logo’s from the last two centuries. We also learned a little history of the persons and companies involved, it was an ideal opportunity for looking back over at least a hundred years and seeing how much our way of life has changed through the way this is reflected in the world of advertising. Mrs Jarman must be complimented on her in depth research into the origins of the companies, their founders and history whose products she named in her talk.

After a brief introduction we learned about Peak-Freans biscuits whose origins were in the mid 19th Century notably when they merged with Carrs around 1860 and then set up a factory in Birmingham about 1866. This factory was one of a few who took the welfare of their workforce seriously and provided recreational and medical facilities very much like Cadbury’s did for their workers until comparatively recently. Huntley and Palmers were incorporated in 1920 and the firm adopted the name ‘Associated Biscuits’. Many of these firms continued to trade under their own names and it was Peak-Freans who were responsible for the wedding cake at the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten in the late 1940’s – even though rationing was still in force. We were also reminded of grocery shopping in the good old days before super-markets and convenience stores when- when sugar was weighed into blue bags and biscuits were sold loose out of a tin and free samples used to keep children quiet!

Next we heard about the Birmingham chemist Alfred Bird whose wife was allergic to eggs; he developed a custard powder that did not contain eggs as well as baking powder the eliminated the use of yeast. His ‘Custard Factory’ is now the famous arts centre in Birmingham. Although the products are egg free the three stylized birds logo was introduced in 1929. Patsie went on to mention Palmolive soap another 19th Century origin but winner of the Chanel Four Best TV Advert of all time in1973, followed by the strange story of Richard Stoney Smith who introduced extra wheat germ to his bread dough thus creating the still going strong ‘Hovis’ – Stoney Smith – because he was born in Stone, Staffordshire. ‘Bovril’ originated as ‘Johnson’s Fluid Beef’ in 1866 an invention to ensure the poor who could not afford beef could at least get the benefit of the red meat in a hot drink – a creation of John Lawson Johnson who actually won a contract to distribute the product in France in the 1870’s.

None of the adverts that we were hearing about would have been so memorable were it not for the ‘Advertising Agencies’ that were responsible for them. ‘Bensons’ were prominent in the 1920’s (later absorbed into Saatchi and Saatchi). A well known author was one of their copywriters in the 1920’s - Dorothy L Sayers, the creator of Lord Peter Whimsey. If you look at the examples of adverts of the period it is possible to see a common trend running through them regardless of the brand involved.

Love it or hate it ‘Marmite’ saw the light of day in 1902, taking its name from a French cooking pot (shown on the label); founded by a Swiss gentleman, Fred Whistler who moved his business to Burton on Trent because of the plentiful supplies of yeast available from the brewing trade! Containing five essential vitamins Marmite was an established ingredient of the troop’s rations in World War One later on Marmite and Bovril merged and are now a part of the Unilever Group. Before leaving these yeast/beef extracts mention must be made of OXO, originated by Liebig's Extract of Meat Company in 1899 with the first OXO Cube being introduced in 1910, after they had sponsored the 1908 London Olympics. The well remembered Oxo Family TV Commercials were introduced in 1958 with Mary Holland playing ‘Mum’ (a role later taken over by Lynda Bellingham).

The forerunner of instant coffee – ‘Camp Coffee’ was then explained it was developed as a convenience product and the original label depicted a British Army Officer being served a cup by an Indian servant, this was later revised for political correctness. It is still available in todays market although due to a high amount of both sugar and chicory in its recipe does not have the right flavour for many 21st Century tastes!

Dorothy L Sayers, who was mentioned above is reputed to be responsible for the “My Goodness, My Guinness” slogan but others illustrated by ‘Gilroy’ - ‘Guinness for Strength’, etc are equally well known and their adverts have always reflected the news events of the time they were first used such as the rebuilding of Waterloo Bridge (1930’s) and replacement of Eros in Piccadilly Circus after World War Two – not forgetting the Toucan bird…

And so we progressed on through the years: BISTO (1908) and the introduction of the ‘scruffy kids’ image with delicious fumes drifting through the air in 1919! SMASH instant potatoes with the award winning Martians from the 1970’s. Sauces such as HP and Daddies now part of Heinz (57 plus varieties…) but of humble Birmingham origins: Cow and Gate milk fit for (Royal) babies.... Who remembers jars of Virol and being force fed a spoonful a day? Coca Cola and its mimic Pepsi Cola – guaranteed to give you the burps….

Bulmers Champagne Cider (it is no longer ‘P-C’ to include Champagne!) Mrs Jarman explained that is not necessarily a region of France but applies equally to Warwickshire and Worcestershire and derives from the medieval farming practice of strip farming where the strips are described as Selions (from which the term descends). Whilst talking drinks do you remember Double Diamond that ‘works wonders’? We looked, briefly at the popular Esquire Girls – those stylized artists impressions of 1940’s Pin-Up Girls that are mild by todays standards but were held shocking and depraved by some at the time.

Although Cigarette Advertising is now banned it is, of course, an essential part of the history of advertising and even non smokers looked back on old favourites: Wills Woodbines (coffin-nails) Black Cat, Craven A, Marlborough with its Formula One connections; ‘Players Navy Cut’ £0 0s 11½d for 20 in 1929 – now the best part of £5 for the same quantity. Do not forget the collectible Cigarette Cards, one which came in each packet in various series; collections do sometimes appear on the Antiques Road Show and modern reproductions (Framed Sets) are not unknown.

‘Health and Safety at Work’ was unheard of in the 19th Century: Patsie next told us of the hazards experienced by shop floor workers at Bryant and May’s match factory because continual contact with phosphorus. This lead to Government enquiries that resulted in a change in the law in the 1880’s resulting in designated eating facilities away from the work environment. Bryant and Mays, whose founders were Quakers, won a Gold Medal for their products at an exhibition in 1862 albeit at the uncountable cost of the general health of their workers. The now gone but not forgotten C and A Modes fashion chain was another 19th Century creation catering for wealthy ladies who no longer had the need to make their own clothes. Clothes lead on to cosmetics and no doubt many readers will recall ‘Pears Soap’ and it’s use of the portrait of ‘Bubbles’ as it’s advertisement to hint at youth, innocence and flawless complexion: this was the work of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir John Everett Millais although by that time Pears had been manufacturing soaps since 1789. The talk continued with other popular products such as Colgate Shaving Soap, Lifebuoy Toilet Soap, Max Factor products, and Brylcream, that the sportsman Dennis Compton advertised regularly – as an aside it is popularly understood the Brylcream was actually developed in Coleshill.

Medical Cure-alls have always been widely advertised and we were reminded of Bile Beans, Carters Little Liver Pills, Eno’s Fruit Salts (withdrawn from the market in 2010!) and of course Beechams Powders and Pills. The outstanding name in soap must surely be Lever Brothers/Unilever who we mentioned above; their first product was Sunlight Soap and everyone must have heard of Port Sunlight on the Wirral (it was featured on a Time Team programme some months ago). This fascinating talk concluded with a few of the often seen public information posters from the Second World War including ‘Dig For Victory’ and several covering the Women’s Land Army and their activities: Patsie also said that she thought it regrettable that only recently has their service been recognised with a medal but because after 60 odd years is a little too late for many who served, over 80,000 women were involved. The talk wound up with a reminder that rationing continued into the early 1950’s and information posters continued urging people to continue in the wartime spirit of ‘Grow Your Own’.

It was a an education for many of our younger members and a very nostalgic experience for others, there was something for everyone and a fair amount of audience participation was generated, Thank you so much Patsie for sharing this with us.

Jerry Dutton

Press Secretary

Theatre review by Vidar Hjardeng - Nutcracker at the Hippodrome

Review of BRB’s audio described performance of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome on the afternoon of Sunday 11 Dec at 1 pm.

For many of us a key part of the Festive Season can either be a pantomime and/or a ballet. Ever since I was a child I have been lucky enough to enjoy an annual panto which has been even more enjoyable in recent years, thanks to audio-description. Much as I love a lot of ballet music, I am afraid that I’ve never been able to appreciate the actual art of ballet, so I was delighted when, earlier this year, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Hippodrome started to discuss the possibility of an audio-described performance of the seasonal favourite ‘The Nutcracker’.

Originally this idea had emerged a couple of years ago and I was fortunate to be involved in, what amounted to be, a pilot at that time. Building on this and encouraged by audience interest in such an assisted performance, BRB and the Theatre arranged for Sightlines’ describers, Jonathan Nash and Julia Grundy, to audio describe the final performance in the 2011 run – the matinee on Sunday 11 December at 1 pm.

Turning up at the Hippodrome in time for the 10.30 am touch tour, it was great to see so many visually impaired patrons and their companions eagerly waiting to be taken on stage to explore the set and costumes. Equally impressive was the number of theatre and BRB staff there too, all keen to ensure that we VIPs all got the most out of the whole experience.

On stage we were shown the Christmas Tree and a number of the props, such as some of the toy soldiers and the all important nutcracker doll itself. We were also told about the set with its spacious drawing room with imposing fireplace, rich velvet curtains, and a window looking out onto a wintry landscape. We were then ushered behind the scenes, to the so-called ‘quick change’ area, to literally get a feel of some of the elaborate costumes, many of which were surprisingly heavy given that the wearers actually had to dance in them! As Jonathan, Julia and BRB’s Deputy Stage Manager, Eliska accompanied us on our tour, we learnt a few tricks of the trade too, which is always a bit special, for instance, we were shown some rosin which is used on the ballet shoes to stop the dancers from sliding about, and apparently the stage floor is sometimes swept with water containing Coca Cola, to give it a slightly sticky surface also to prevent any slipping.

As there was a relatively long gap between the end of what was a very comprehensive hour long touch tour, and the pre-show notes, the Hippodrome very generously laid on coffee, tea and mince pies for us all, and as we relaxed in the bar area, Laura (playing principal role in that day’s performance) and Jade from BRB, came to talk about their roles as Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers – another real bonus. They even encouraged us onto our feet to try out a couple of ballet steps! Then equipped with headsets, which the theatre staff and describers had helpfully handed out over the morning coffee, we took our seats in time to tune into the12.45 pm ‘live’ pre-show notes giving further information about the cast, costume and set and even a bit about the story of the Ballet. At 1 pm when Jonathan told us that the auditorium lights had faded, the 50 piece orchestra struck up, and for the next 2 hours, I, for one, relaxed to some of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful melodies, including, ‘The Waltz of the Flowers, ‘March of the Toy Soldiers’ and of course ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’. Talking to people informally during the morning, this was, for some, their first experience of any type of ‘live’ audio description, and there was nothing but praise for the warm welcome and informative behind the scenes tour.

Regular theatre-goers, who make the most of audio-described shows, will be familiar with Jonathan and Julia’s expertise, and that Sunday afternoon’s enthralling production was certainly no exception and, unquestionably their skilfully timed commentary helped me to get so much more out this magical story and the very visual art of Ballet itself. Based on people’s genuine enthusiasm it would be lovely to think that an audio-described ballet could feature as an integral part of the Hippodrome’s annual repertoire of assisted performances.


For those unable to attend this particular audio described event, there is still a chance to enjoy another audio described seasonal favourite in the shape of the Birmingham Hippodrome’s panto, which this year is Cinderella, and the a d performances are matinees on Wednesday 18 and Saturday 21 January 2012 and details on how to book tickets, headsets and places on the touch tour can be obtained by ringing 0844 338500

Theatre Review by Terry Wills - Grease at New Alexandra Theatre until December 31st 2011

"Grease' is the Word' , is the word that you heard, it's got groove, it's got meaning.

Grease is the time, it's the place to the motion, Grease is the way we're feeling".

An early Christmas treat for fans of the 1950's smash hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John that smashed all kinds of records and was subsequently described as being 'The No 1 Greatest Musical'.

That's a subjective opinion. But what can't be argued is that from the time the audience are waiting for curtain up (and already tapping their feet to the overture) until the end of the show ( that sees the young enthusiastic company whirling around the stage in dances choreographed by the inimitable Arlene Phillips) it is a fun night out.

No need for an in depth analysis of the story. Suffice to say that the mutual hard to hide feelings between Danny (Danny Bayne) and Sandy (Carina Gillespie) inevitably shoot to the surface and at the end they realise it's a match made in heaven!

Much to the delight of the students of the Rydell High School. A school that evokes memory of the period with pictures and paintings of the likes of James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Elvis,etc.

Naturally any touring theatre production couldn't possibly bear comparison to the Hollywood movie but with all the so recognisable hit songs, 'Grease Lightning' -'Hopelessly devoted to you' -'Summer Nights-'Sandy' and of course the closing number, 'You're the one that i Want' -that's instantly forgotten.

A surprising delight was the star of the show Robin Cousins.It's hard to believe that this assured confident performance came from a former Olympic and Ice skating World Champion, playing the role of D.J Teen Angel.

A performance that outshone the principles. His singing had the audience on their feet and led to him receiving the loudest applause at the finale as the whole of the all round splendid enthusiastic cast received a standing cheering ovation.

'Grease' runs until the last day of the year and is well worth a visit either as a 2011 Christmas present or an early 2012 New Years present!

Get along, join in the fun, and i would be very surprised if you leave the Alex without a spring in your step and memories of a fun, very enjoyable musical memory.

"It's the One that you Want"

Terry Wills

iSE’s first ‘pitch your wares’ event sets trend for the future

Yesterday we held a first for us at iSE — a pitching and networking event for social enterprises to come along and tell others why they should buy their products and services.

Each person had three minutes to tell their story and then feedback was invited from those assembled on what they had heard.

People brought along samples for tasting, touching and sharing and there was a tremendous energy and buzz from all concerned. We have already been asked to do a repeat which we are keen to support and nearly 30 people attended!

One participant, Martin Hogg, said, “Today’s networking was fantastic. A real spirit of support in the room and great to hear what others are doing. You and Lizzie really have created a distinctive showcase event that people loved.”

I think there’s real potential in developing these kind of business-based, inter-trading type events, and we intend to continue doing this under the Shop for Change banner. There’s a real appetite amongst social enterprises to pitch their wares and explain what they do — and perhaps more importantly their prospective customers want to hear what they do too!

New ways to protect cultural services under scrutiny in Herefordshire

Alternative ways of managing a range of council services, including libraries, leisure services, arts development and the Herefordshire Music Service, are to go under the spotlight.

At yesterday’s (Thurs, Dec 15) meeting of Cabinet, members of the committee heard that a trio of possible options have been drawn up which would provide more efficient ways for the council to deliver a range of cultural services.

The Cabinet has asked the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to examine the options and ensure a broad range of views from councillors of all political parties are considered. People who use the services and key local organisations will also be consulted before any changes are made.

Also within the scope of the review is Halo, which runs the county’s leisure centres on behalf of the council, Hereford’s Courtyard Centre for the Arts, sports development, arts development and the council’s heritage services.

Cllr Roger Phillips, cabinet member for enterprise and culture, told the meeting that the council did not have a statutory duty to provide the services.

“The services are valued and add significantly to the quality of life right across the county.

“However, we need to look at the way these services are managed in the light of huge reductions in public expenditure. Unless we do this, we will not be able to sustain these services in the future.

“It’s important to note that it’s not about closing down any of the services but making savings in the way we manage them,” he added.

The three options being considered are:

• Set up a large single organisation to manage the services

• Split the services into distinct groups based on the people who use them and the way they are used and bring in smaller trusts to manage the groups of services

• Keep the management of the services within the council but have clear arrangement for commissioning them.

Cabinet agreed that the three options should go the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Outstanding public procurement saves millions

A partnership of eight local authorities has been praised for saving £4.5million of public money – despite being pipped to first place in a national award for outstanding procurement performance last week.

The group of councils from Bromsgrove, Malvern, North Warwickshire, Redditch, Warwick District, Worcester, Wychavon, and Wyre Forest took second place at the 2011 Society of Purchasing Officers’ award for Outstanding Achievement in Procurement.

The group was recognised for breaking down barriers between traditionally separate local authorities to collaborate, with regular meetings held at rotating venues seeing decades of professional expertise and experience held by the councils shared in an open and transparent forum.

Examples of the group’s collaborative procurements include an award-winning £1.7m saving on insurance services (including Staffordshire Moorlands District Council), over £250,000 saved on stationery and employing casual staff, and almost £500,000 saved on trade waste collection services. Local taxpayers in the collaborating areas have saved at least £4.5m since 2006.

Darrell Pulver, Procurement Services Manager at Worcester City Council said, “collaborative procurement is simple enough in practical terms, the real challenge to overcome is cultural.

“The benefits of collaborative procurement are clear and we are delighted the Society of Purchasing Officers has recognised our work in this way.”

The group also better supports small to medium enterprises, particularly local and start up businesses, to secure business from the public sector. With more consistent advice, paperwork and systems across the area, local business can be more informed and confident in how and where to tender for contracts.

The expanded group continues to identify opportunities for goods and services that are opportunities for collaborative contract action.

School stars wanted! New award by Council and NEC recognises talent.

Sponsored by the NEC, and launched by Councillor Joe Tildesley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the competition is open to all 23 secondary schools, including special schools, in the borough.

Schools have been asked to nominate four pupils from the GCSE year for four awards – outstanding Maths; outstanding English; and most improved Maths and English.

The four pupils nominated from each school will receive £25 each, and will go forward to a borough-wide final, where four overall winners will be chosen.

The overall winners will be presented at a ceremony later in the year (2012).

The awards have been sponsored by the NEC group, who have given £6,000 for the three year programme.

Councillor Joe Tildesley said: “I’m thrilled to be able to announce these awards. I know we have some immensely talented young people in our schools, and I think it is fantastic that we can recognise their achievements.”

Jane Jarvis, Director of HR at the NEC Group, said: “As one of the region’s largest employers we take our responsibility to the communities in which we reside seriously, and we’re delighted to support these awards.

“The future of our economy depends on today’s students, so encouraging the recognition of excellence can only help spur on our young people to strive to do the very best they can.”

Schools will be contacted in the New Year with details how to put forward their students.

Pop Will Eat Itself (PWEI) - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton : Friday 16th March 2012

Following reunion tours from fellow Stourbridge bands Ned's Atomic Dustbin and The Wonder Stuff, 2005 saw the Poppies back on patrol for the first time in nearly a decade.

In 2011 the band re-formed again, with a new line-up that includes original band member Graham Crabb and co-vocalist Mary Byker from fellow grebos Gaye Bykers on Acid.

Official Website: http://www.pweiofficial.com/

Tickets priced £16.00 On Sale Friday 16th December 10am are available from Midland Box Office : 0870 320 7000 or online at http://www.wolvescivic.co.uk/

Free tickets for Matinee Show for your friends&families and groups

Seasons Greetings!

We have 30 free tickets remaining for the matinee show at the Library Theatre on the 19th of December at 2pm.If you would like some of these tickets then please email me at rachel@communityvibe.co.uk  asap.Your tickets will be reserved and you will just turn up on the day at 1.30pm to be allocated to your seats.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY-FREE XMAS THEATRE TICKETS FOR GROUPS AND FAMILIES.PLEASE BOOK NOW

Professional Theatre Company “Don’t Go into the Cellar!” is bringing a series of free interactive family theatre shows to heritage venues around the West Midlands and Black Country throughout December with the Steampunk adventure, “The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack”.

The original piece is based on the urban myths surrounding the Victorian bogeyman – superhero figure who gripped the imaginations of Britons across the United Kingdom during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Jack was even sighted in parts of Birmingham and the Black Country during the 1880s!

The theatre company has already established itself as the UKs only professional troupe that specialises in original Victorian ghost and horror tales, Music Hall revivals and Steampunk shows.

Artistic Director- Jonathan Goodwin is delighted that Cellar Theatre is giving families across the region an opportunity to see exciting and fun filled theatre for free in these cash-strapped times.

Company Manager-Rachel Green says, “We are very proud to present this family theatre show and re-introduce children to the Victorian Era’s very own superhero in a doctor who style adventure!

This project has been funded by Awards for All/The National Lottery

“The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack” will be performed at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on December 10th, Bantock House in Wolverhampton on December 11th and Birmingham’s Library Theatre on December 19th at 2pm and 6pm. Further details can be found on the Company’s website, http://www.dontgointothecellar.com/

Free Humbugs will be available for all Grumps that will attend! Tee Hee!Please email thebestcellar@gmail.com  or call 07772572060 to reserve your tickets now

New management arrangements for Cultural Services in Herefordshire

The future management of cultural services in the county is under review.

The review covers a wider range of services including arts, sport, libraries, countryside and heritage including the services provided by the Courtyard and Halo.

The review is concerned with retaining services and making sure they are viable in the long-term while facing the current financial constraints all local authorities are experiencing.

Councillor Roger Phillips, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for enterprise and culture, said: “This review is about how best to make sure that the cultural services the people most value can be retained, and continue to have a positive effect on our quality of life, economy and community vitality.”

The findings of the review will be discussed by Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet on December 15 2011. The report identifies three options which will provide a greater degree of collaboration across services and organisations to create greater co-ordination and efficiencies.

It is proposed that further work will be conducted on the three options along with public consultation on any future arrangements.

The cabinet paper can be found on the council website by logging onto http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/

Belgrade’s production company set for success

The set design for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s recent production of The Lord of the Flies, which was built in Coventry by Belgrade Production Services, has been nominated for a prestigious What’s On Stage Award.

The nomination recognises the work of Set Designer Jon Bausor who designed the ambitious and sizeable set for The Lord of the Flies, which included the fuselage of a real aeroplane, charred debris and scattered cargo.

His design vision was brought to life by the Belgrade Theatre’s set building company Belgrade Production Services (BPS), who built the set at their workshops in Red Lane, Coventry over a period of four weeks. As part of the build the BPS team had to construct a nine metre aeroplane wing on which the cast could stand and a six metre vertical tail fin, both of which were attached to the plane fuselage.

Andy Hilton, Head of Workshop at Belgrade Production Services said, “We’re really pleased that John Bausor’s set design has been nominated for such a prestigious award. His design for The Lord of the Flies was fantastic and we’re very proud that we had the opportunity to build the set for him. It’s also a great achievement for Belgrade Production Services because when we opened in 2007 we only had two members of staff and now we’re employing up to 15 people and building sets for theatres up and down the country.”

Andy added, “Working on large scale projects such as The Lord of the Flies is not only great for us but also for the city as it enables us to create more jobs for skilled workers. We’ve had great feedback from all of the theatres and designers that we’ve worked with so hopefully we can continue to grow. We’ve certainly got lots of work lined up, which is great.”

The set design for The Lord of the Flies was also nominated for an Evening Standard Theatre Award, alongside Giles Cadle’s set design for the National Theatre’s recent production of The Kitchen, which was also built by Belgrade Production Services.

From its workshops in Red Lane, Coventry, Belgrade Production Services manufactures and installs sets for all of the Belgrade Theatre’s productions and for theatres around the country, including the National Theatre, Stafford Gatehouse and Newbury’s Watermill Theatre. The team also builds sets for film, TV and other events. In addition to the construction of sets, the BPS workshop also houses a fully equipped wardrobe department and a scenic art department.

The What’s On Stage Awards, from the UK’s leading theatre website, Whatsonstage.com are the only UK event for the theatre industry voted for purely by the ticket-buying public. This year more than 11,000 theatregoers have cast nominations for their favourite performances and productions across 26 different award categories.

The public can vote for their winners at www.whatsonstage.com until 31 January 2012 and the winners will be announced on 19 February at a live concert and ceremony held at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre.

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre is on the move

Change of Address - Birmingham Disability Resource Centre

You may be aware that the Bierton Road site in Yardley, where BDRC is presently located, is due to close at the end of this year. BDRC will therefore be moving premises.

From 23 December 2011 our business address will be:-

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
Head Office
11th Floor
Edgbaston House
3 Duchess Place
Five Ways
Birmingham
B16 8NH

The telephone number for this new location will remain the same, although the FAX and Minicom numbers will change (see overleaf).

Some of our community based services will continue to be delivered locally in the Yardley constituency. From 1 January 2012, our Information, Advocacy and Debt Advice Service will be held as a drop-in facility every Thursday at South Yardley Library, Yardley Road, Birmingham B25 8LT. We will also continue to operate these services across the city through outreach venues.

If you should have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact Pete Millington, Information Manager or any of our delivery staff on our usual telephone number 0121 789 7365 or email pmillington@disability.co.uk

With seasons greetings.


Louise Mckiernan

Chief Executive and Company Secretary
Email: lmckiernan@disability.co.uk


New Address:

Floor 11, Edgbaston House, 3 Duchess Place, Five Ways,Birmingham, B16 8NH

Telephone: 0121 789 6645

Minicom: 0121 248 4522

Fax: 0121 248 4521

E-mail: bdrc@disability.co.uk

Consultation Event for Learning Disabled People in Birmingham

People First Birmingham will be holding a meeting in conjunction with Birmingham City Council to gather the views of learning disabled people on key aspects of the Birmingham City Council Budget Consultation 2012-2013.

Park Lane Garden Centre -- Decorate Your Home for Christmas -- Workshop Places Left -- Just!!

Light House Cinema returns to the magical world of musical film, opera and ballet to celebrate the festive season

Light House Cinema in Wolverhampton will celebrate the festive season this year with a world of magical scenery, exquisite costumes and enchanting music in a programme of ballet, opera and musicals for all ages. Festivities begin with the Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty streamed live from Covent Garden on 15 December, followed by a special screening of one of the greatest musicals ever made, Meet Me in St Louis starring Judy Garland on 22 December. The New Year will see The Royal Opera’s Cendrillon, Jules Massenet’s delightfully tuneful version of the Cinderella story, screened on 12 and 15 January. Tickets cost from £7.30 - £18 and are available from Light House Box Office on 01902 716055 or online at http://www.light-house.co.uk/

As Christmas draws closer, Light House brings the magical world of Sleeping Beauty to Wolverhampton with a live screening direct from London’s Covent Garden on Thursday 15 December, 7.15pm. First performed in January 1890, Sleeping Beauty is one of Tchaikovsky’s finest compositions and is a perfectly preserved example of Imperial Russian ballet. This revival is a reconstruction of the 1946 Sadler’s Wells Ballet’s production created to celebrate the Royal Ballet’s 75 years. This lavish production stars Lauren Cuthbertson and Sergei Polunin and is true to the original 40s designs. Tickets cost: £18 adults / £12.50 under 15s.

Light House returns to the golden age of cinema with their Christmas screening of Meet Me in St Louis, a cinematic musical gem from the golden age of MGM musicals, on Thursday 22 December, 8.20pm. It tells the story of a turn-of-the-century family in suburban St. Louis of 1903. The city, and the well-to-do Smith family (with four beautiful daughters), is on the verge of hosting the arrival of the spectacular 1904 World’s Fair. However, the family’s head of the house is beckoned to New York for a job promotion - an uprooting move that threatens to indelibly change the lives of the family members forever. Tickets cost: £7.30 full / £5.90 conc. with a complimentary Christmas cocktail for every ticket holder.

Massenet’s magical re-working of the Cinderella story, Cendrillon, will offer the perfect feast for the pantomine season this New Year and a treat for music lovers of all ages. This is the first time The Royal Opera have presented this opera, which was premiered in Paris in 1899. French music specialist, Bertrand de Billy, conducts Massenet’s perfectly proportioned score in this production by Laurent Pelly, who charmed audiences last year with his La Fille du Régiment. There will be an evening screening on Thursday 12 January, 7.15pm, tickets cost: £18 adults / £12.50 under 15s. There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday 15 January, 3pm, tickets cost: £14.50 adult / £7.50 under 15s.

For more information or to book tickets for any of these performances contact Light House Box Office on 01902 716055 or visit http://www.light-house.co.uk/

Moorpool Residents Association Carol Walk and Concert this Sunday

Dear Moorpoolers

The annual Moor Pool Residents Association (MRA) Carol Walk and Concert will take place this Sunday 11th Dec at the main Moorpool Hall. The concert by the excellent Queen's Park Sinfonia starts at 3.15pm, doors open at 3pm. The Carol walk will follow at 4.15pm starting from the hall then walking around the estate. We will then return to the hall at 5.30 for mince pies and mulled wine.

Come and join us for all or part of the afternoon. Don't forget your lanterns and torches for the walk and wrap up warm.

This event is free, though donations and subscriptions to Moorpool Residents Association are welcome.

best Moorpool Wishes and Merry Christmas from the MRA

Birmingham’s first Consortium of User-Led Organisations launches

User-led disability charities in Birmingham are entering an exciting new stage of development with the launch of Birmingham’s first Consortium of User-Led Organisations — combining services and working together to provide the best services and support possible for service-users.

Go along to the launch and find out more about how advocacy charities in Birmingham are putting service-users at the forefront of how they operate.

Winter Walk and Visit - A few places remaining!

Christmas warning for cash-strapped Coventry and Warwickshire residents

Household budgets are under pressure across Coventry and Warwickshire, according to new figures from debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) showing the scale of the financial squeeze in the area. According to the charity’s latest figures, the average person in Coventry and Warwickshire seeking help with their debts was £5 short of the amount needed to cover even their basic living expenses each month – and the charity has warned that the added pressures of Christmas will push many further into the red.

A total of 1,407 people in the area contacted CCCS last year for advice on dealing with an average of £19,415 owed on credit cards, personal loans and other kinds of unsecured debt. The charity recently warned of its concern over personal debt in Coventry and Warwickshire after revealing that the number of people contacting it for help in the area had risen by 25% percent in just two years.

CCCS’s new figures reveal the extent of the challenge facing many struggling households who cannot afford to meet their living expenses and have no money available to repay debt or save for the future. The charity is warning that high inflation and rising bills in the period since the data was collected mean that the situation is likely to be even worse for local families in the run up to this Christmas.

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS director of external affairs, said: “Many households in Coventry and Warwickshire who were already struggling to cope have seen their disposable income fall relentlessly this year, and I am concerned that the added pressures of Christmas will push many further into the red.

“I would urge anyone in the local area who is in this position to seek free advice from a debt charity such as CCCS as early as possible. Don’t leave it until January to seek help – as the earlier you seek free advice on how to deal with the problem, the easier it will be to solve.”

CCCS provides free and confidential debt advice via its telephone helpline (0800 138 1111) and anonymous online debt counselling tool, CCCS Debt Remedy, at http://www.cccs.co.uk/  

RATIONAL FX ANNOUNCE UNIQUE CHARITY FUNDRAISING MATCH FOR BOXING DAY – BIRMINGHAM CITY v WEST HAM UNITED

Rajesh Agrawal with Chris Wood

Rational FX have decided to help raise awareness and funds for a Birmingham based charity by donating the match sponsorship for one of the most prestigious games of the season - Birmingham City v West Ham - to a local charity. This match will be televised live on Sky Sports and will generate UK-wide and event world-wide awareness for the chosen charity. And to underline the connection with Birmingham City, Rational FX have asked Blues supporters and other interested parties to nominate and now help to select the charity via their website.

Additionally, Rational FX will work with the chosen charity to maximise the fund-raising and awareness-raising benefits of the Rational FX Boxing Day Charity Match; such as donating pitch-side advertising time and leafleting and money collection opportunities before the game.

Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman and CEO of Rational FX, said: “Rational FX has made a great connection with Birmingham and football fans in general via our sponsorship of Birmingham City, and we want to take that spirit into the festive season with a unique and highly visible donation of time, effort and goodwill to a local charity, chosen with the help of the Blues fans.

“All eight charities in the running were nominated by Blues fans following a letter published in the match day programme and now we want everyone to help is choose the charity. Every charity nominated will get something as all of them will received a signed home shirt or match ball.” He continued, “the next step is for all Blues supporters, Birmingham residents and the supporters of the nominated charities to register their preference at www.rationalfx.com/RationalFX-Boxing-Day-Charity-Match”.

Ian Dutton, Blues' Commercial Manager, added: “This is part of what we have always seen as a huge commitment to support as many charities in the Birmingham area as possible. This is a wonderful add-on to the hugely positive charity work we do throughout the city in the form of the club's Our City, Our Vision project. We fully support this generous Rational FX initiative and will willingly help the selected charity to raise funds for their good cause."

To nominate your preferred charity, please register the charity at www.rationalfx.com/RationalFX-Boxing-Day-Charity-Match

Birmingham Film Co-op Screening of 'Moving to Mars', 7pm, Thursday 8th December - All Welcome!

Birmingham Co-operative Film Society

www.justfilm.coop

Presents:

Moving to Mars

The story of two famillies from Burma who travel from a vast refugee camp on the Thai/Burma border to their new homes in the UK. having accepted that they can never reeturn to their home country, the film follows the families relocated to Sheffield, England.

7pm, Thursday 8th December

(Doors open at 6.30pm)

Midlands Co-operative Member Relations Centre
Birmingham & Midlands Institute, Margaret St, Birmingham, B3 3BS

Tickets: £2.50 (members) / £4.50 (non-members)
(Membership costs £10 a year for individuals - first film free)

All Welcome!

Best British Talent Lighting up Hospice Lives this December

Britain’s Got Talent star Pippa Langhorne will be Lighting Up Lives this December when she takes part in Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s moving Festive remembrance ceremony.

The classical singer, who appeared on the hit show with her lhasa apso puppy Buddy earlier this year, is set to perform at the charity’s annual winter event in which thousands of people remember the lives of loved ones lost.

Pippa will be accompanied on stage by veteran radio star Ed Doolan, who will illuminate a tree adorned with lights dedicated to the memory of folk from across Birmingham, regardless of whether they were patients at the Hospice.

This year’s Light Up a Life takes place on Wednesday, December 14, beginning at 7.15pm.

Pippa explained why it was important to her to perform at the event, which last year raised around £65,000 for the Hospice:

“I was first introduced to Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice by a good friend of mine whose mother was looked after by them. He was amazed by the improvement he saw with his mother and how she was helped to have a happy life towards the end. That really touched me and made me see what wonderful support people can get at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.”

Ed added: “I’ve been switching on the lights at Light Up a Life since it began around 13 years ago. It still amazes me, that moment when the lights go on. Everyone holds their breath and goes silent. It’s very moving. For me it’s a real privilege to be involved and I urge people to dig deep to support this very important local charity.”

This year people participating in Light Up a Life are being given the chance to purchase a candle to light at a special time on the night. Those unable to attend but would still like to take part are urged to put the candle somewhere prominent like a window and light on the evening of December 14.

People who have registered to attend before Friday, December 2, will be able to view their loved one’s name in the Light Up a Life Book of Remembrance on the night. Names taken after that date will be entered into the book by December 23.

In addition to the performance by Pippa Langhorne, there will be songs and music by Saxophony, the Birmingham Festival Choir and the Choir of Colmore Junior School. The artists will be joined on stage by Music in Motion who will be signing the ceremony and songs for those with hearing difficulties. There will also be warming refreshments on sale.

People attending will be able to view their loved one’s name in the Light Up a Life Book of Remembrance.

Hospice Chief Executive Tina Swani thanked Pippa and Ed for helping to make the 2011 Light Up a Life special.

“I’ve heard Pippa’s performances and she is just amazing. She’ll definitely add a new dimension to proceedings this year. I’m looking forward to welcoming people along on the night and thanking them for supporting Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice as we remember lost loved ones at this time of family.”

In return for taking part the Hospice asks that people make a small donation of an unset amount. To attend this year’s Light Up a Life ceremony please contact the Hospice on 0121 472 1191 or email: lightupalife@bsmh.org.uk.

Birmingham based supporter honoured as ChildLine’s longest serving volunteer

HRH the Countess of Wessex honoured ChildLine supporters for their commitment and dedication at a reception in Buckingham Palace the week before last, including Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council Colin Butler, whose 25 years of support makes him ChildLine’s longest serving volunteer.

Colin, a Malvern resident who volunteers for ChildLine in Birmingham and who has been a counsellor from the first day the service started, said he couldn’t imagine a time when he will stop volunteering for ChildLine. “If children are in danger or distress and you can help, how could you stop doing that? I’ve enjoyed my time as a counsellor and take great pride in the thought that I have helped many vulnerable children – and will continue to do so for as long as I can.”

Colin was one of three counsellors honoured at the event for ‘going above and beyond expectations’.

Founder and President of ChildLine, Esther Rantzen CBE, said: “ChildLine’s 25th Birthday is a tremendously exciting moment to celebrate 2.7 million lives which have been saved or transformed. The Patron’s Awards quite rightly throw a spotlight on individuals and organisations who have given us the crucial support to comfort and protect countless children. All this year’s recipients have shown outstanding commitment to the welfare of children.

“We were enormously privileged to be able to honour our award winners in the fabulous surrounding of Buckingham Palace which made the day especially memorable. We are immensely grateful to HRH the Countess of Wessex for making this possible.”

The event was sponsored by BT and celebrates ChildLine’s work as the service marks 25 years of helping children.

In 2010/11 counsellors at the West Midlands ChildLine base in Birmingham carried out 37,428 counselling interactions with young people from across the country. Issues that young people wanted to talk about included family relationship issues (12 per cent), bullying (11 per cent) and physical abuse (7 per cent).

See Herefordshire’s past in focus

What was happening with storks and feasting in a medieval castle in west Herefordshire? Who was buried in Merlin’s Cave after the Romans had left Britain? Why were people smelting iron in a prehistoric fort near Symond’s Yat? What diseases did people die from in medieval people in Hereford?

The answers to these and many other questions that have arisen from archaeological fieldwork in 2011 will be discussed at ‘The Past in Focus’ a day-meeting hosted by Herefordshire Archaeology, the council’s county archaeological service, to be held at the Performing Arts Centre at Hereford Sixth Form College on Saturday, December 10.

The meeting will be held from 9am to 5pm and a light lunch is provided as part of a ticket price of £10. There is free parking at the College, and for further information please contact Moira Cassidy on 01432 260470 or email mcassidy@herefordshire.co.uk

David Williams of Herefordshire Archaeology uncovering an area within the former kitchens of medieval Eardisley Castle, one of the projects that will feature in 'The Past in Focus: Archaeology in Herefordshire 2011' at Hereford Sixth Form College on Saturday, December 10.

January 2012 Dance classes for inclusion

2012 exhibitions at Compton Verney

Into the light: French and British painting from Impressionism to the early 1920s

31 March – 10 June 2012

 

Philip Wilson Steer (1860-1942), Walberswick, Children paddling
© Tate, London, in the collection of the Fitzwilliam
Museum Cambridge

This era marks a decisive period in the history of European art. This exhibition surveys the production of paintings on both sides of the Channel from the 1870s to the early 1920s, revealing connections, allowing a comparison of the artist’s work and seeing how their more spontaneous approach to painting produced stunning depictions of the shifting of light over the landscape.

The exhibition comprises 54 paintings and drawings by artists including Vanessa Bell, Eugène Boudin, Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Walter Sickert, Alfred Sisley, Alexander Stanhope Forbes and Philip Wilson Steer.

This exhibition is organised by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter and curated by Professor Sam Smiles.

Gainsborough’s landscapes: Themes and variations

31 March – 10 June 2012 PLUS


Thomas Gainsborough, Landscape with a View of a Distant Village,
late 1740s or early 1750s, © National Gallery of Scotland


 Exclusive opening to pre-booked parties 11 February – 29 March 2012

This exhibition is the first exhibition solely devoted to the landscapes of Thomas Gainsborough’s (1727 – 1788). It brings together a wonderful group of paintings and drawings from public and private collections spanning his whole career. If painting portraits was Gainsborough’s business then painting landscapes was his pleasure. These works reveal, the mind of the great artist at work and play.

This exhibition is organised by the Holburne Museum, Bath and curated by Dr Sue Sloane.

Flight and the artistic imagination


Walter Monnington Fighter Affiliation:
Halifax and Hurricane aircraft co-operating in action,
(1943), Imperial War Museum

29 June – 30 September 2012

This major exhibition explores the instinctive human desire to fly from Icarus centuries before the modern era, when man could only imagine defying the limitations of gravity, to The Wright Brothers and Yuri Gagarin, when powered flight is an everyday occurrence.

Through an intriguing combination of paintings, sculpture, photographs, drawings, prints and video, including work by Leonardo de Vinci, Francisco Goya , Paul Nash, Peter Lanyon and Hiraki Sawa, this exhibition will provide a unique overview of artists’ creative responses to flight, from the earliest imaginings to an era in which space travel has allowed us to glimpse other worlds.

The exhibition contains work from national collections such as the Imperial War Museum, the British Museum, Arts Council Collection and the National Galleries of Scotland.

Tapestry: Weaving the Century at Dovecot Studios 1912 - 2012

20 October – 16 December 2012

Tapestry is an extraordinary and special craft. This exhibition brings together world-class textiles of the 20th and early 21st centuries which are the result of a special working relationship with the weavers of Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, who collaborated with well-known artists to create hand woven tapestries and rugs.


Detail from Sir Eduardo Paolozzi Whitworth Tapestry (1967),
The Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester.

The exhibition features original works and designs by artists David Hockney, Graham Sutherland, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Patrick Caulfield, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Claire Barclay, on loan from major museums and private collections in America and Britain. Each tapestry on display is a unique work of art; the texture, colour and form of the weave individual to the weaver.

These chart the fascinating story of how Dovecot Studios evolved over a century from 1912 to the present day as an active tapestry studio.

A Dovecot touring exhibition curated by Dr Elizabeth Cumming

Historic Environment and Design Champion to be appointed for Worcester

The value of Worcester’s historic buildings and environment is to be championed by a new role set to be created by the City Council.

Councillor David Wilkinson, vice-chairman of the Planning Committee, is to be appointed to the new post of Historic Environment and Design Champion, if councillors back a recommendation to Cabinet.

The new role will see Cllr Wilkinson working to ensure that Worcester’s historic environment is at the heart of policies and decisions made by the council, protecting outstanding buildings like the Cathedral and the Commandery.

Cllr Wilkinson will also have responsibility for promoting good design in the council’s work and strategy, with a particular aim of ensuring there are high standards of urban design in the city.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I am honoured to be nominated for this role. There’s a fine balance to be achieved in Worcester between ground-breaking new design and preserving our city’s unique heritage. My job will be to make sure we get that balance right and to help drive Worcester’s reputation as a thriving and appealing place to live, work and visit.”

The Cabinet will consider whether to appoint Cllr Wilkinson to the proposed new role on 6 December.

Letter to the Editor re: youth unemployment

Dear Editor

Across Warwickshire young people are concerned about their future and the struggle to get a job. The government has now announced a new jobs programme for young people called the young person’s contract where they have set aside £1B to pay employers to take on young people for at least six months. This comes after last year they scrapped the previous government’s Future Jobs Scheme which had set aside £1B to pay employers to take on young people for at least six months. The government call their scheme “innovative” and Labour’s scheme “a failure”. In practice there is little difference. No wonder young people are cynical. This sort of old fashioned party political knock about at our expense shows how utterly useless this government is.

Britain’s economy has not grown in the last nine months. Only Greece and Portugal have grown less in the EU and in the whole western world only tsunami-hit Japan has been worse.

Unemployment is currently at its highest level since 1992 when John Major was Prime Minister. The number of women unemployed is at its highest level since 1988 when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister. It is disgraceful to think that one of the first acts of the new government was to scrap the Future Jobs Fund which helped young people into work and left young people with nothing for a year as youth unemployment climbed to 1 million. Then they announced, with a few tweaks, much the same thing as the previous government. Its back to the future then.

Yours exasperatedly,


Harry Taylor