Happy World Book Night!

Good evening folks, happy World Book Night. For the second year running, I have been chosen to be a “giver” so I have several copies of ‘The Secret Scripture’ by Sebastian Barry to pass on.

Here’s a bit more info about World Book Night:

“The more I read the more I fought against the assumption that literature is for the minority – of a particular education or class. Books were my birthright too.” Jeanette Winterson, ‘Why be happy when you could be normal?’

UNESCO defines literacy as the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.”

It is widely acknowledged that reading for pleasure improves literacy directly by actively engaging emerging readers in the desire to read.

In the UK over half of adults of working age (56%) have literacy skills below the level of a good GCSE, 40% of these are at Level 1 (similar to a D-G in GCSE English), the government set standard for literacy, and 16% at or below the level expected of an 11-year-old. In teens, literacy levels have been steadily rising as a result of the National Literacy Strategy but directly alongside this, reading for pleasure has begun to decline. Surveys report that between a third and half of the UK population don’t regularly read, see reading as a chore and aren’t interested in or see the value of reading. Many regular readers take it for granted that everyone has had the same opportunity they have – to have been introduced to reading by someone passionate about and to have had the opportunity to develop that passion themselves.

Reading changes lives, improves employability, social interaction, enfranchisement and can have an effect on mental health and happiness.

Through its unique delivery World Book Night involves tens of thousands of people in sharing the value of reading in their communities and delivers brilliant books directly into the hands of those who might never otherwise engage with books and reading.

As a trainee teacher and writer, I am very aware of the power of the written word and that is why World Book Night is one of the most important dates in my calendar each year. The idea that giving someone a compelling book could change their life so fundamentally makes me want to do this every day of the year. 

If you know someone who is not “a natural reader” or “a bookworm”, leave a comment on this post or Tweet me @vpeanuts and I’ll happily share one of my WBN books in the hope of changing their mind. 

Last year I gave ‘Someone Like You‘, a collection of short stories by my favourite author Roald Dahl. The guest post that will follow this one explains how that book made the difference to one young man’s life. 

Vic x

Elope to Gretna for a weekend of crime writing.

 

How do you fancy spending a weekend in the beautiful Mill Forge  in Gretna Green? What about, while you’re there, developing your writing skills; talking to bestselling authors and having the opportunity to pitch your idea to a literary agent face-to-face? Those kind of opportunities don’t happen every day which is why you should attend Crime and Publishment on 8th-10th March.

You’ll get the opportunity to meet best-selling author and all-round nice guy Matt Hilton as well as attending a session from north-east author Sheila Quigley. The multi-talented Allan Guthrie will be wearing two hats at the event, appearing first in his capacity as a best-selling author and, later in the weekend, as a literary agent. Inga McVicar of Full Paper Jacket Literary Consultants will also be on hand to give a masterclass in how to make sure your manuscript gets noticed.

The Mill Forge have several flexible options for attendees so check out their website for more information. Alternatively, you can give them a call on 01461 800344.

This is a mini break and a writing retreat all in one – don’t miss out!

Vic x

New Talent Being Showcased.

January can be a pretty boring time after the December rush of Christmas parties, friendly catch-ups and family get-togethers. People are skint, they’re on diets and there’s generally not much going on. However, ARC Stockton are looking to change that. On Wednesday, 30th January, they’re holding their first Scratch Night of 2013.

After the success of their first new writing Scratch Night and their Short Sharp Festival, ARC are bringing you an evening of 8 rehearsed readings of exciting new short plays by members of Writers ARCADE: their new writing group for emerging playwrights.  Local actors and directors have been working in collaboration with these new promising writers to stage their ten minute plays for your all important feedback. Here’s a preview of some of the work being showcased.

A Small Donation by Louise Taylor.

Beth is. Alex definitely is. Kerry thinks she is, because she doesn’t really know what ‘it’ is. Are you? How much is it worth to you? And what would you be willing to give it up for?

Radio by Mhairi Ledgerwood.

Mam can never do the right thing, while Stephanie is trying to hold the family together. Andy wants a bedtime story, but it may come at a high price. How much value should we place on art and is it worth fighting for?

Unpaid Leave by Allison Davies.
Higgs is off on sabbatical, but first she needs to find a suitable replacement. Might Tio be up to the job of running the show or will he be shown the door? Only time will tell.

The evening is held at ARC Stockton Arts Centre, Dovecot Street, TS18 1LL Stockton-on-Tees.

Tickets are £3.00 and free for ARCADE members. Book here or email box.office@arconline.co.uk or ring the box office on 01642 525199. Be quick, ARC’s last Scratch Night was a sell-out!

Vic x

Christmas at the Lodge continues….

Christmas comes to Whitley Lodge!

You may have seen the adverts on the TV and even heard some of the songs on the radio. But Christmas officially gets under way in Whitley Bay on the 29^th of November. Get yourself to Whitley Lodge Shopping Centre at 3.30 to see the lights get switched on.

Students from Whitley First School will be giving a Carol Concert around the tree and stars from ‘Cinderella’ – Whitley Bay’s pantomime – will be there to switch the lights on.

Steve Walls (Buttons), Suzanne Richardson (Fairy Godmother) and James Hedley (Dandini) star in the panto which is on at Whitley Bay Playhouse between Tuesday 18^th December until Sunday 6^th January.

This is the second year that the Lodge has had an official ‘switch on’ and it’s been met with a lot of enthusiasm.  Judy Cartledge of Picassos Restaurant said “Last year, there was a great feeling of community spirit which I know will be bigger and better this year!”

From 7pm on the 29th, St Mary’s Church is showing ‘Miracle on 34^th Street’. Tickets cost £5.00, or £2 for concessions, and are available from  businesses in the Centre, including Picasso’s Restaurant, The Treehouse, Anywhens and St Mary’s Church. For more details go to www.jamjarcinema.com.

The switching on of the lights is the first festive event at The Lodge. On 22nd December, there’ll be a Christmas Fayre. Visitors can meet Father Christmas, browse festive stalls, enjoy refreshments and get involved in the raffle.

Get down there and enjoy yourself!

Vic x

A message from Michelle Obama

Friend –

I didn’t want this to get lost in the excitement of everything that will happen tomorrow, so I wanted to take a moment, right now, to say two simple words that I cannot say enough to all of you who have traveled this journey with us: Thank you.

Thank you for the kindness, warmth, and love that you have shown me, Barack, and especially our girls — your support and your prayers mean the world to us. Thank you for the hard work and energy and passion that you have poured into this campaign — from all those hours knocking on doors and making calls to all those times you dug a little deeper and gave what you could when it was needed the most.

Like me, you have done all this because you love this country, and you care deeply about the world we’re leaving for our kids and grandkids. And you’ve done it because, for these last four years, you have had a chance to see the man I’ve known for the past 23 years: A man of honor and integrity who knows what he believes and stays true to his values. He is an honest man who knows the facts and gives them to us straight — a man whose strength and resolve to build a better tomorrow has never wavered.

With your help, over the past four years, Barack has been able to start moving this country forward. He’s rescued our economy from the brink of collapse. He’s passed health reform and ended the war in Iraq. He’s fought to help women get equal pay for equal work, make sure students can afford college, ensure that our seniors can retire with dignity, and that our veterans can get the benefits they have earned.

For four years, Barack has been fighting to give every single one of us a fair shot at that great American dream, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.

He’s been able to do all of this only because of people like you — because of your hard work, determination, and commitment.

And tomorrow, everything we’ve been working for and fighting for is at stake. Tomorrow, we will decide whether we’ll keep moving this country forward for four more years. So make sure to tell everyone you know to vote, and then help every last supporter get to the polls before tomorrow night. You can even make calls to voters from the comfort of your own home using our call tool.

Our family has been truly blessed to share these past four years with all of you — and we can’t wait to continue our work together for the next four years. So tomorrow, let’s get out there and finish what we started:

http://my.barackobama.com/What-You-Can-Do

Thank you again for everything you’ve done and everything you will continue to do to bring about that change we all believe in.

Michelle

Random Acts of Kindness

So, winter is here. The nights are drawing in, it’s dark, it’s cold, the weather’s miserable and your summer holidays are but a distant memory. People are worried about dieting to squeeze into that Christmas party dress, others are concerned about their bank balance in the run-up to Christmas. Many people are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

However

After reading another blog, I had an idea of how we could help each other to get through the winter. Commit to a random act of kindness. It could be one thing that you’re going to do before 2012 is through – like donate some money to a charity. Maybe it’s something you could do on a weekly basis like help out at a soup kitchen. Perhaps you could help a neighbour or a family member with their shopping or their cleaning. If there’s someone you know who lives alone, maybe you could give them a quick call or send a letter, maybe pop in for 10 minutes. You could make someone breakfast in bed, carry someone’s shopping to their car – or anything you fancy; use your imagination!

My pledge is to share a smile at least once a day, even if I don’t feel like it. I honestly believe that a smile can go a long way.

There is a Guinness World Record attempt to get more than 100,000 people to commit to Random Acts of Kindness before the end of 2012. You can register your pledge here:  http://cluster.gishwhes2012.com/pledge.php  They won’t bug you with mailing list stuff unless you opt in.

I’d love to hear about your Random Acts of Kindness, what are you going to do or what’s someone done for you that’s made a difference to you?

Vic x

Writers: something for the weekend?

Are you looking for a comfortable, clutter-free environment to write?

Do you think your writing would benefit from being in the company of other writers?

Do you intend to give yourself time to write and then realise that you’ve read the news online, done your internet banking or spent the time playing Bejewelled?

Often, we don’t make the space mentally or physically to sit down and give ourselves quality time to write. The Writer’s Café offers such a space.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, everyone is welcome!

Bring your paper, pens, laptops, tablets and open minds and be motivated and inspired by like-minded people in hassle-free surroundings.

Following successful sessions at the Settle Down Café in Newcastle, The Writer’s Café is coming to Whitley Bay! Saturday, 6^th October sees the beginning of weekly sessions at Di Meo’s on Marine Avenue. Sessions are 10-12 and are everyone is welcome. Sessions are drop-in.

For more information, please leave a comment here.

Vic x

Are you looking for a comfortable, clutter-free environment to write?

Are you looking for a comfortable, clutter-free environment to write?

Do you think your writing would benefit from being in the company of other writers?

Do you intend to give yourself time to write and then realise that you’ve read the news online, done your internet banking or spent the time playing Bejewelled?

Often, we don’t make the space mentally or physically to sit down and give ourselves quality time to write. The Writer’s Café offers such a space.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, everyone is welcome!

Bring your paper, pens, laptops, tablets and open minds and be motivated and inspired by like-minded people in hassle-free surroundings.

Following successful sessions at the Settle Down Café in Newcastle, The Writer’s Café is coming to Whitley Bay! Saturday, 6^th October sees the beginning of weekly sessions at Di Meo’s on Marine Avenue. Sessions are 10-12 and are everyone is welcome. Sessions are drop-in.

For more information, please leave a comment on this post.

Vic x

Review: ‘Chalet Lines’ at Live Theatre

Whilst I was reviewing for a local newspaper four years ago, I was treated to a showing of ‘Me and Cilla’ by playwright Lee Mattinson.

I remember the intelligence with which the play was written, combining humour with poignancy as well as a realistic representation of working class life. When I found out ‘Chalet Lines’ was written by Mr Mattinson, I was suitably excited.

Set in Butlins, Skegness, ‘Chalet Lines’ is an exploration of one family’s female relationships, spanning five decades. Initially starting with a party to celebrate Nana Barbara’s seventieth birthday, ‘Chalet Lines’ jumps backwards and forwards in time, considering the reasons for this particular family’s dysfunctional relationships. Why hasn’t Paula, Barbara’s daughter, turned up for the party? Why is granddaughter Abigail playing an imaginary keyboard?

I really enjoyed ‘Chalet Lines’ and thought the cast did a brilliant job. Sharon Percy as the at times despicable Loretta gave the performance her all and Sammy T Dobson provided much of the comic relief as Jolene. I thought the casting of Donald McBride was inspired.

What I love about Lee Mattinson’s writing is his ability to combine belly laughs alongside misery and emotions. I found that there was a lot of ambiguity in the play, with allusions made to certain things but left to the audience to draw their own conclusions.

Lee has a real knack for demonstrating the intricacies of human relationships. His portrayals are realistic and don’t shy away from packing a punch.

There’s plenty of strong language in this play but it is totally worth a watch. ‘Chalet Lines’ is on at Live Theatre until Saturday 6 October.

Vic x