Friday 26 March 2010

Once upon a time in Gloucestershire ....

Linda Hart has compiled an anthology of poems titled Once They Lived in Gloucestershire: A Dymock Poets Anthology (Green Branch Press, £6.95). It contains poems by Robert Frost, Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, John Drinkwater, Wilfrid Gibson and Lascelles Abercrombie with headnotes about the origin of each poem. Linda will be giving an afternoon talk on Sunday 18 April followed by a book-signing at Farncombe. Tickets £8 each.

Freelance tutors required for Cheltenham Fine Art

A patient, encouraging and supportive tutor to young people and adults in their personal practice of fine art painting, drawing and sculpture is needed in the West Midlands.

Freelance/drop in tutors required for courses in fine art: drawing, life drawing, painting, sculpture and (coming soon) print at our Cheltenham Studio. You will have more than just an interest in doing a spot of teaching, but have a real concern for the complicated practice of teaching art practice and you’ll want to talk about it too. Ideally, you’ll also be a Gloucestershire, Worcestershire or Oxfordshire artist keen to coordinate and organise your own events at the studio and will join our Artists’ network. You will be reliable, consistent, enthusiastic and passionate for your practice and very hard working. The qualification required is a BA (M preferred) in Fine Art or related area.

A one off or weekly sessions may be available. It will be a paid position at £10 per hour but no travel fees will be provided for. For more information just visit their website at www.cheltfineart.co.uk or you can contact Sarah at sarah@cheltfineart.co.uk for an application form and to arrange a trial session.

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY 2ND APRIL 2010

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Save up to £75 on Painting holidays in the Cotswolds

Bring a friend, relative or colleague and enjoy a weekend with fellow artists at Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds.

To make a booking call 01386 854100 or email enquiries@FarncombeEstate.co.uk. (Please don't forget to quote your offer code "DuoP9" before 31st March 2010 - call 01386 854100 for more details.

Saturday 20 March 2010

Win 2 free tickets to the Country Living Spring Fair !

For the first year ever, Farncombe Estate are delighted to attend the Country Living Spring Fair at The Business Design Centre, London from 24-28 March 2010.

Not only that, but some of our tutors are running free workshops in the craft theatre too! For the full workshop timetable please click here.

Visitors to Farncombe Estate on Stand N18 will have a chance to win a weekend break in the Cotswolds – either at Farncombe or Dinner Bed & Breakfast for two at our sister venue the 4-star Dormy House Hotel. There's also a special 25% booking discount available on selected featured courses.

We have 2 free tickets to give away for each day of the Fair.

For your chance to win simply submit your details via our website www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk - but hurry - prize draw closes Midnight Sunday 21 March 2010 !

http://dmtrk.co.uk/t/ANA-36N4-5517T9BT45/cr.aspx

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Goddess Workshop - places available Saturday 20 March

A painting workshop in Broadway with Christine Barnett - for more details see her website http://www.christinebarnett.co.uk

Tuesday 16 March 2010

New Watercolour Painting course with International Artist Jacky Pearson at Farncombe Estate August 2010

Special new date just confirmed - 20-22 August 2010

Jacky was born in 1958 in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 1991. She has painted and drawn all her life and following a career in environmental conservation she now paints full-time. She has attended workshops with many of the worlds top watercolour artists. Solo exhibitions have included 40 paintings representing the complete series of all New Zealand's classical coastal lighthouses. She is a member of Watercolour New Zealand and has represented New Zealand at the 2006/7 International Biennial Watercolour exhibition/competition and was subsequently selected to represent New Zealand in their permanent collection at the International Museum of Watercolours in Mexico. Jacky has won numerous awards including the 2009 Raye Hannan Memorial Trophy for the best watercolour in all categories at the Royal Easter Show in Auckland.
She is an experienced art tutor and holds regular lessons and workshops around New Zealand and abroad including Art in Action (CASS), Kurrajong, Australia and workshops in Holland, Belgium and UK.


Watercolours with International Artist and Tutor Jacky Pearson - Painting & Drawing

2 new Parchment Craft Day Courses at Farncombe 2010

2 new dates at Farncombe with Purnima Panchal 17 July and 25 September.

Purnima has developed her interest in arts and crafts since 1997 where she qualified as an Adult Education tutor. She currently teaches floristry, sugar- craft, general card making and Parchment Craft.

Parchment craft is what she loves the most. She was introduced to the craft in 1997 in a lace shop in Honiton where she bought her first set of tools and parchment paper and set to work. Immediately she was hooked. Parchment paper is strong, translucent and suitable to paint, cut, fold emboss and perforate on. It allows you to create lace borders, book marks, cards, boxes, 3d flowers and lots of other things.

Her passion for parchment craft inspired her to become a qualified parchment craft tutor with PCA in February 2006. She also became a Registered Pergamano tutor in April 2008. She is currently an Associate member and the West Midlands Co-ordinator for the Parchment Craft Guild. Purnima has performed demonstrations and exhibitions around the country. Her courses are designed to cater for students of all abilities and include practical demonstrations and step by step instructions. Her work can be seen on http://www.preciousparchment.co.uk/

Parchment Craft Day School - Crafts & Textiles

Monday 15 March 2010

World Storytelling Day 20 March 2010

World Storytelling Day is a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling. It is celebrated every year on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the first day of autumn equinox in the southern. On World Storytelling Day, as many people as possible tell and listen to stories in as many languages and at as many places as possible, during the same day and night. Participants tell each other about their events in order to share stories and inspiration, to learn from each other and create international contacts.

How do you host an event?
Easy! Your local storytelling group, festival, committee, or even an individual storyteller, can simply plan an event for 20 March, and promote it as part of World Storytelling Day. The theme for 2010 is ‘Light and Shadow’. Dream big, and let everyone know about your plans!

For more information, visit http://worldstorytellingday.webs.com.

Cheese Rolling 2010 cancelled

The organisers of the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake regret to announce that the 2010 event has been cancelled.

The attendance at the event has far outgrown the location where it has traditionally been held for several hundred years: last year more than 15,000 people tried to attend (according to official estimates) which is more than three times the capacity of the site.

The organisers are working with the local Authorities and Police to control numbers which will enhance:

- crowd safety

- respect for the local community

- emergency vehicle access

- traffic flow on local and trunk roads

The event will be back, in a revised form, in 2011.

The Big Match 2010

FORGET BECKHAM, BALLACK, EVEN BRAZIL… TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE REALLY BIG FOOTBALL MATCH OF 2010!

March, 2010, London – Special educational service provider The Philosophy Shop is delighted to announce tickets are now on sale for what promises to be the biggest football fixture of the year: 'Socrates Wanderers' versus 'Nietzsche Albion,' at Wingate & Finchley’s Harry Abrahams stadium, North London, Sunday 9th May.

Fans of both the sharp dialectical wizardry of the 'Greeks' as much as the solid flat back argumentative four of the 'Germans' need to go to http://www.philosophersfootball.com/about-pfm/buy-tickets soon to secure a place at this grudge match!

That's because, inspired as it is by the famous 1972 Monty Python sketch, and with the full backing of the surviving Pythons, tickets for its 2010 re-staging of the classic Monty Python 'philosophers' football' clash of 'Greeks' versus 'Germans' are sure to be in hot demand.

Philosopher AC Grayling and Former England Manager Graham Taylor have been appointed as managers organising tactics for this grudge match, and so far the team sheet includes comedians Mark Steel, Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith and Ariane Sherine, as well as assorted footballers, sorry, philosophers! Julian Baggini, Nigel Warburton, Simon Glendinning, Dr Stephen Law, Angie Hobbs and Mark Vernon. Our supporters on the touchlines include sociologist and Radio 4 Thinking Allowed presenter Laurie Taylor, the BBC’s John Humphrys, footballing legend Gary Lineker and educationalist and author Anthony Seldon.

Tickets are on sale now in advance for just £10 plus postage and packing and are only £1 for under 14s. Tickets will be £20 on the day of the fixture itself.

A host of well-known UK intellectuals, comedians, broadcasters, writers and journalists are playing in the Match or cheering on our philosophers from the sidelines in aid of the theme of 'more reasoning and creative thinking for our children'. From alternative comedians to high profile educationalists and academics, the fun event aims to highlight the importance of thinking in schools and is attracting high-profile support.

The dedicated match website www.philosophersfootball, built by media design consultancy on-IDLE, features the finest graphic artistry from global comic business, 2000 AD. The site also features a messaging facility where supporters leave a message on the theme of 'more reasoning and creative thinking for our children,' or if feeling inspired by the classic Monty Python clash of Greeks versus Germans, send some musings on the connection between philosophy and football!

There is also a Facebook group and twitter page for supporters to track our progress, while a special eBay auction for the Match memorial football, signed by all the surviving members of the Python team, is set to begin 10 days before kick off.

Finally, there is also a T-Shirt buying facility, where you can wear your intellectual and football credentials on your chest with a Match-inspired T-Shirt, designed by 2000 AD comics and with the slogan ‘Cogito, Ergo, Goallaaa!’ emblazoned on it – a must-have for philosopher footballers everywhere... even on Copacabana! (T-Shirts cost £15.99 for adult sizes and £12.99 for all junior sizes.)

The Philosophy Shop, the group behind the Match, helps Philosophy graduates conduct practical Philosophy sessions for primary school children (ages 5 to 11) as part of a drive to boost their critical reasoning skills from a very early age. This is in order to better support young people’s learning and development plus enable kids from all backgrounds to enjoy the intellectual excitement that comes from doing Philosophy.

“We are delighted with the interest and momentum generated for the fun event which has such an important deeper message,” says Peter Worley, The Philosophy Shop Director. “So post a message on the website or better come along and cheer for 'your' favourite style of Philosophy football!”

For more information about The Philosophers Football Match 2010 and for tickets, visit http://www.philosophersfootball.com/.

For further information and for interviews, please contact Amanda Jane PR:

Email – info@amandajanepr.com
Tel: 020 7241 1390 / 07920 052 160

– ENDS –

NOTES TO EDITORS:

SUPPORTER'S MESSAGES JUST IN

"A great footballer achieves that status as much through his ability to think on his feet and read a game as it does from training or innate ability. How could anyone not agree that teaching children to think about everything in their lives wouldn't be just as useful?" - Gary Lineker, Broadcaster, English Football Hall Of Fame Inductee. Reported to be planning move to top Brazilian team. Top Brazilian team as yet unaware of this.


“I didn’t think I would ever be managing the Socrates Wanderers. But the project is an important one, as well as being a fun event.” - Former Watford, Aston Villa And England Gaffer Graham Taylor. Manager.


"Children are philosophers by nature and should be given every opportunity to think and enquire and become little Socrates in their own rights." – Philosopher AC Grayling. Manager. Reported To Be Banned From The Touchline For Barracking The Fourth Official For Crass Determinism.

About The Philosophy Shop

The Philosophy Shop is a social enterprise and a member of Social Enterprise London, operating on a not-for-profit basis. Any operating surplus is reinvested in providing educational services or promoting Philosophy in the community. All money raised in connection with 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' will be used for increasing awareness of the 'Four Rs' campaign and for these purposes.

The Philosophy Shop will be using 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' as a springboard for increasing awareness of its 'Four Rs' campaign, centred on flagging the importance of the four, not three, Rs: Reading, (W)riting, (A)rithmetic AND Reasoning. http://www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk/

Philosophers' Football Match Partners

2000 AD; on-IDLE; Performance Ticket Printers, The Philosophers’ Magazine, HowTheLightGetsIn, Mitre

http://www.philosophersfootball.com/partners

1st Chipping Campden Literature Festival 2010

Tues 4th to Sat 8th May, 2010

The first Festival 'IN THE MARGINS' is a short celebration of the art of writing and joy of reading, exploring the theme of what it is to be on the edge of society.

By offering lively, entertaining, and informative events including interviews with Man Booker and Orange Prize listed authors, a big book group, a panel discussion, poetry readings, lectures and workshops in various venues within the town, we hope to achieve a sharing of ideas on the solitary pursuits of reading and writing.

For more details visit www.campdenlitfest.co.uk

Saturday 13 March 2010

2 new sewing courses for 2010 with Sue Hazell

21 Mar 2010
Learn How to Make Curtains, Cushions & Blinds

19 Sep 2010 * NEW *
Learn how to use a sewing machine

3 Oct 2010 * NEW *
Cushion Crazy


Sue holds the National Teaching Certificate for Tutoring Adults, teaching all aspects of soft furnishings. She lectures nation-wide, training interior designers’ staff and those wishing to enter the Soft Furnishings business themselves. She also teaches those wishing to furnish their own or friends’ home.

She is also involved with The Arts & Craft network based in Oxfordshire, which brings together tutors to share ideas, experiences and problems.

Sue will also be running a free bag making workshop at the Country Living Spring Fair in London on Wednesday 24th March. Come along and meet her on Stand N18, Gallery Hall, Business Design Centre, Islington.

Friday 12 March 2010

Elgar to be removed from £20 note

The Bank of England is withdrawing the older style £20 notes that show a portrait of Sir Edward Elgar. Holders of these notes may continue to use them until the end of June 2010.

Thursday 11 March 2010

Win a Gift Voucher to the value of £175

Top UK cookery school, Eckington Manor, is working with Farncombe Estate which offers a host of leisure courses throughout the year - apart from cookery - and is set in 300 acres of privately owned parkland in the Cotswolds. The two venues are now working together to offer a range of benefits when individuals book a course at both Farncombe and Eckington.

Special Prize Draw: To celebrate their working together, Farncombe are offering a Farncombe Gift Voucher to the value of £175 to enjoy any of the courses and events on offer in 2010. Subjects include arts, crafts, gardening, music, singing; writing, history and bridge. The winner will also receive a VIP invitation to the official launch of the 2011 Farncombe programme in September. All entrants will receive a 15% discount voucher code – if you do not wish to receive information on Farncombe courses and this discount voucher, please indicate “no thanks” in your entry.

http://www.eckingtonmanorcookeryschool.co.uk/farncombe-estate-promotion.aspx

Win Free Things to do with Ooh.com

New things. You should be doing more of them !
That’s why the Ooh team is back with another fantastic UK Giveaway.

This month, we’re hooking up with Farncombe Estate, who offer many of their fantastic residential art and creative courses on Ooh.
http://www.ooh.com/win

Wednesday 10 March 2010

FREE information event for older people

Live your life your way

Changes to social care will help you build a support network of trusted people, places and services

FREE information event for older people

10.30am - 2.30pm

Tuesday 16th March 2010,The Bingham Hall, Cirencester GL7 1JT

Friday 19th March 2010, Moreton Area Centre, Moreton in Marsh GL56 0AZ

Discover how you can stay healthy and get the most out of life:

Informative talks
Exhibition stands
Tai Chi demonstration
Free refreshments and buffet lunch
For more information or help with transport, call Vicki Hewlett or Barbara Piranty on 01452 528491.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

AUTISM FILM

An autism campaigner and author from Staffordshire is looking for a film director who can help turn his autobiography into a feature film.

Kevin Healey, who has Asperger's syndrome, decided to write a book based on his experiences and those of his identical twin brother Shaun, who has autism.

The book, Twin Brothers Worlds Apart, was published 15 months ago with proceeds being split between the charity Kevin founded, Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS) and the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge.

Kevin, 35, said: "As a person with autism, I feel that autism has never been portrayed correctly.
"All the autism films show adults on the high functioning end of the spectrum, and adults with genius savant abilities, like Dustin Hoffman in the film the Rain Man.

"My twin can't communicate - he is locked in a world of his own, he can't even tell you if he feels ill, or if he is in pain.
"On one occasion we nearly lost my twin with double pneumonia because the health bodies thought and assumed he was OK.
"There have been other instances where people have not accepted my twin because of his condition, maybe because they don't understand him. "

"Most twins grow up playing together and enjoy the social aspects of life such as going out, and we have not been able to do this.
"At 26 I was contemplating suicide, because I was not understood or accepted in today's society.
"People's attitudes have moved forward slightly in the autism field, but more educating and understanding of the condition needs to be addressed.
"Hopefully this can be achieved with the film."

Kevin hopes to obtain funding for the film and find actors will play the roles. All the proceeds from the film would go to SAAS.

SAAS aims to provide support to people with autism and Asperger in Staffordshire. It arranges activities and outings for adults the conditions. For more information visit www.saas.uk.com.
Any director interested in making the film should contact the charity on 01782 617088 or email infosaas@ntlworld.com.

Free craft workshops with Farncombe tutors at the Country Living Spring Fair London

Come along and learn a new skill in our workshops located upstairs next to the Food Hall. The workshops are free of charge and our team of experts will be there to guide you through each project. Places are available on the day on a first come basis.

Please note that all times and workshop content may be subject to change at short notice.

For the full workshop list and other show details visit www.countrylivingfair.com/spring

Monday 8 March 2010

The Festival of Quilts 19-22 August 2010

Bookings are open for the Festival of Quilts from members of The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles as well as those who are members of any affiliated associations and Guilds linked with the European Quilt Association. Bookings from non-members will begin at midday on 8 March 2010.

The Festival of Quilts has earned a reputation over the past seven years as the largest, most inspiring quilting event in Europe – and with good reason. The Festival of Quilts boasts a host of gallery exhibitions from leading international artists and groups.

The competitions form a critical part of the Festival of Quilts and attract around 1,000 entries. In 2009, entries were received from all over the globe with over 27 countries represented, including Brunei, Estonia, Latvia, South Africa and Sierra Leone!

To enter just register your interest by 30 April 2010 using the registration form available on the website.

Parish Music Concerts in 2010

Ivor Gurney: Composer and Poet of the Severn and Somme.

An illustrated talk by Anthony Boden Saturday 20 March 2010 Alstone 8pm

Anthony Boden’s talk on the extraordinary life and work of Gloucester-born Ivor Gurney (1890-1937), will include recorded examples of Gurney’s music and readings of his verse. Gurney, who studied composition under Stanford at the Royal College of Music from 1911, was wounded and gassed during the First World War and was committed to an asylum in 1922. Following long years of neglect, he is now recognised as one of this country’s finest composers of song and a poet of striking individuality.

Anthony Boden has a particular interest in British music and literature. Following a career in the medical services of the Royal Air Force he was appointed Administrator of the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester, a post he held from 1989 until 1999. In 1995 he became founding Chairman of the Ivor Gurney Society and in 2001 a Trustee of the Ivor Gurney Estate. He has lived in Gloucestershire since 1975.

All the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The Corelli Ensemble - Haydn at Home Saturday 10 April 2010 Teddington 8pm

The Corelli Ensemble makes a welcome return to Parish Music. Warwick Cole, square piano, Ben Sansom, violin, and David Hatcher, cello and viola da gamba, will play music from Haydn’s time in London during the 1790s, using a piano of the period. Works by Haydn (London PianoTrios in Amajor and G major, “Gypsy Rondo”), Clementi (Monferrinas), Lidl (Viola da Gamba trios), and Dussek make up their programme.

Corelli Concerts began when Warwick Cole founded the Corelli Orchestra, named in honour of Archangelo Corelli, the 17th century Italian composer and violinist. Now specialising in period-instrument performance, the Corelli Orchestra provides groups of various sizes for concerts in Cheltenham and further afield. Central to the Corelli’s ethos is a commitment to vibrant, engaging performances and a desire to explore to the full the still untapped riches of 18th century music.

The Glevum Consort - Music from Spain and Italy Saturday 15 May 2010 Overbury 8pm

The eight singers of the Glevum Consort will perform an exciting programme of Spanish and Italian sacred music from the 16th and 17th centuries. The composers include Monteverdi, Gabrielli, Palestrina (Missa Papae Marcelli), Victoria and Lobo.

The consort is Gloucester’s new professional chamber choir, founded in 2006 with singers drawn exclusively from the local area. It is a versatile group, unique in the West Country, and performs a diverse range of music for a variety of occasions. It has collaborated very successfully with the Corelli Orchestra in concerts of Handel and Bach.

The director and founder of the consort, James Atherton, is an experienced consort singer and soloist with a passion for church music making, who joined Gloucester’s world-renowned cathedral choir in 2005. He enjoys creating carefully chosen and appealing programmes which draw on his many musical skills.

Tourism for All at Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Show 2010

Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum 2010 will run from Wednesday 17th - Thursday 18th March at London's Olympia. With all the domestic travel industry now fully united behind it, BoBI boasts its largest ever exhibitor list with more than fifty companies participating for the very first time and nearly four hundred regions, destinations, attractions and hotels represented.

Tourism for All will be on stand E130 with a business clinic.

Discover the best that Britain and Ireland have to offer on 19th & 20th March at the Consumer Days. Our friends at Shakespeare Country will be there on Stand J24.

For more information or to download a ticket please click on the following link - www.seetickets.com/bestofbritainandireland and enter the following code: SwTM2309 – this will save you up to £10.

Moving Out Graduate Platform, Summer Dancing

Summer Dancing is a festival of workshops, performances and classes that is taking place in Coventry, June 2010. As part of the festival there will be a Graduate Platform, Moving Out, showcasing work from 6 recent graduate/post graduate students. This evening will be held on 30th June.

Please visit the website www.summerdancing.co.uk/movingout for more information regarding the evening and to download an application pack.

Contact: Jenna Hubbard movingout@summerdancing.co.uk

Buy One Get One Half Price !!

Book 2 places on one or more event taking place at Farncombe before 19 April 2010 and get the cheapest place HALF PRICE! To qualify for this discount please ring 01386 854100 and quote "MAMH". The offer code cannot be backdated or used in conjunction with any other discount. Offer code expires 5pm Wednesday 10th March 2010.

Saturday 6 March 2010

Free writing critique by Sue Johnson

Interesting settings sell stories! Sign up for the "Travellers Tales" writing course on 28 March and tutor/writer Sue will give you a free critique on a piece of work.


Travellers Tales: Write from Your Experience - Literature & Writing

Special Offer for NADFAS members ends 31 March

Farncombe Estate 1st Time Booking Discount for members of NADFAS.

All special offers from the Nadfas magazine are now online at www.nadfas.org.uk

Friday 5 March 2010

* New 1-day course * The Art of Ceramics 22 May 2010

Take up Ceramics!
Have a one day tactile experience and want for more!

Join Angie Sayer and design and make a hand built construction either for use or decoration.
Clay is a fantastic material and working with clay is a very satisfying experience. If you have never tried it before, you will soon see how easy, effective and pleasing it is to model and construct an individual hand-crafted item. You will be able to use your dextrous skills in an imaginative way and see the processes through from ideas to firing. Not just for beginners. Those with some experience will be able to extend their ideas and skills fully.
There will be a short introductory seminar by Angie outlining her passion for clay which she has had since she was a teenager. She will show pictures of her unique collection of contemporary pots, followed by making sessions for all.

Participants work will be fired to collect later.

Fee includes materials and firing - for more details or to book visit The Art of Ceramics (for greater pleasure) - Crafts & Textiles

Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts is fully booked

For detail of other Art History and Art Appreciation events please visit Art Appreciation & Fine Arts - Short Weekend Courses, Leisure Breaks & Events, Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Cotswolds

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Writing Competitions Calendar

The new site for Sally Quilford's popular competition calendar. Also features calendar of events, including festivals, workshops and other writing related events. All competitions are listed by closing date unless stated otherwise.

Visit http://www.writingcalendar.com.

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Congratulations to our winners !

Congratulations to our winners ! A Eastbury, D Dickens & P Grew who all won Farncombe gift vouchers in our February referral scheme prize draw.

To take part in our referral scheme please visit http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/referafriend.asp

Monday 1 March 2010

British public backs music education

NINETY-ONE per cent of adults in Britain want children to have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at school, according to research from the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

The musicians' professional body commissioned YouGov to survey 2,095 people online in a representative sample of all adults in Great Britain.

People from all backgrounds were strongly in favour of giving children the chance to learn an instrument, with 90% or more support in all age groups and social grades.

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, will announce the findings in her keynote speech, entitled 'Fighting for the future', at the Music Learning Live conference in Manchester on Friday 26 February. She said:

'These results are overwhelming evidence that people in Britain are hugely supportive of our world-class music education system. Now is the moment for us to speak up loudly and proclaim just how good music education is in this country and how much support it has.'

'In a time of political and economic uncertainty with the threat of cuts, we need to fight for the importance of music education. We now know that the public is unquestionably behind us.'

'Reasonable cost'

The ISM survey also found that 77% of respondents think the cost of central government funding for music lessons in England is reasonable.

The government contributes £82.5 million to music education through the Music Standards Fund - around 3p per person per week. This is supplemented by a further £137 million from local authorities, schools, parents, sponsorship and charities.

Adults' musical ambitions

The ISM research also looked at adults' own musical ambitions. It found that 19% of respondents said they already played an instrument or sang in a choir, and 43% said they would like to do so.

Deborah Annetts said:

'Every human being is born with a certain level of musical potential and music education must reflect this. We need those working in music to link up and ensure that all people have access to music education from the cradle to the grave.'

The Urban Folk Quartet - March 2010 Tour

The Urban Folk Quartet was launched in June 2009 and played in the UK, Italy, Belgium and

Spain in their first 3 months together, headlining major festivals from the word go.


The UFQ is virtuosic not just in feel and technical ability but in musical concept as well

– it is a coming together of four of the most inspired and experienced young people working in world music today.

BIRMINGHAM Wednesday 3rd March

Launch of the Urban Fox Folk Club with support from Ruth Angell.

Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, Birmingham, B3 3HJ

Doors open 7:30pm www.urbanfoxfolk.com

Tickets £7 (£5 students)

http://www.theticketsellers.co.uk/buy_tickets/events/?id=10010129&elId=1398&ref=btnfact


CANTERBURY Thursday 11th March

Music for Change at The Farmhouse, Canterbury.

11 Dover Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3HD.

01227 456118

8pm

Tickets £6.50 (over 18s only)

http://www.thefarmhousecanterbury.co.uk/venue_buy_tickets.htm


BRIDGWATER Friday 12th March

Bridgwater Arts Centre

11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3DD

8pm

Tickets £10. £9 & £7

http://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/whats_on.php


RUGBY Saturday 13th March

Lawrence Sheriff School - Rugby

Clifton Road, RUGBY, CV21 3AG

7:30pm

Tickets £12

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/68595


BIRMINGHAM Sunday 14th March

Joe Broughton Fiddle School, Birmingham

SOLD OUT


SWINDON Monday 15th March

12Bar – Swindon

179 Westcott Place, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5HT

8PM

Tickets £8 (£6)

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/711155


BEDFORD Tuesday 16th March

Harpur Suite – Bedford
Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LE

www.fabnights.co.uk

8PM

Tickets £12

BOX OFFICE 01234-269519


LEICESTER Wednesday 17th March

The Quarter – Leicester

41 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1TR

8PM

This is a change from the advertised venue as they haven’t finished building it yet!


BATH Thursday 18th March

Rondo Theatre - Bath

St Saviour’s Road , Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6RT

8PM

Tickets £10 (£8)

http://www.rondotheatre.co.uk/production/625/


MILTON KEYNES Friday 19th March

The Stables - Wavendon

Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU

8.30PM

Tickets £11.50 (£9.50 advance)

http://www.stables.org/Whats_on/Event/The_Urban_Folk_Quartet


THORGANBY Nr YORK Saturday 20th March

Village Hall - Thorganby

Main Street, Thorganby, YO19 6DB

8PM

http://www.thorganbyvillagehall.co.uk/events.htm


CHESTER Monday 22nd March

Alexanders – Chester

2 Rufus Court, Chester, Cheshire , CH1 2JW

Special double bill with Broughton-Bainbridge!

http://www.myspace.com/broughtonandbainbridge

8:30pm

Tickets £8 (£5 NUS)

http://www.alexanderslive.com/5.html#ufq


KENT Wednesday 24th March

Newstead Wood School for Girls - Kent

Avebury Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SA

7pm

Tickets and Info 01689 853626


LONDON Thursday 25th March

Passing Clouds - Dalston

Richmond Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AA

9pm

Tickets £8 (£6 advance)

http://www.themagpiesnest.co.uk/gigs/urban-folk-quartet-theo-bard-passing-clouds-dawn-chorus


DARTINGTON Nr TOTNES Friday 26th March

Great Hall - Dartington

Dartington Hall, Totnes, South Devon, TQ9 6EL

8PM

Tickets £14, £13 (£5 young people)

http://www.dartington.org/arts/urban-folk-quartet



CLITHEROE Saturday 27th March

The Grand – Clitheroe

18 York Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2DL

www.thegrandvenue.co.uk

7:30pm

Tickets £10

www.wegottickets.com/event/71834


Listen to the UFQ here: www.myspace.com/theurbanfolkquartet

Farncombe Estate Centre's Fan Box

Where to find us and what we do

Farncombe Estate is situated just outside the Cotswold village of Broadway. We are approximately 50 minutes from Oxford, Birmingham and Bristol and easily located from the M5, M40 and M42.

There is a direct rail service from London Paddington to Moreton in Marsh which is our nearest rail station. To help rail travellers we offer a return taxi collection service from the station.

For a location map and further directions please visit our website.