Brilliant photos by Obi, just had to be shared – mine will follow later!
Category: My Medway
Wakey wakey Jack!
A grand old English tradition played out today, on a cold and grey misty morning at the summit of one of North Kent’s most beautiful spots, Blue Bell Hill.
The Jack in the Green awakening ceremony happens at dawn on May Day, when Morris dancers and Sweeps bring Jack back to life as part of the heralding of spring fertility. It also marks the beginning of Rochester’s famous Sweeps Festival over the bank holiday weekend, now in its 33rd year of entertaining the masses with folk song and dance.
A full programme will be available in Rochester over the weekend, but you can book tickets for some performers on the Visit Medway website here.
As part of Morris side Wolfshead and Vixen (current Green Shield holders) I was there to support them (they’re the ones all in black). Since I only know one dance at the moment, my debut is some time away but I did nab some piccies, which you can view below. I somehow failed to notice the ITV cameraman wandering around entirely – see their video here. I look forward to seeing you all there next year 😀
Medway school criticized for over zealous health and safety rule
Following an incident in which a girl twisted her ankle, PE teachers are told to restrict ascendency based activity.
Another school has come in for ridicule this week, after the banning of triangular shaped flapjacks at an Essex comprehensive.
PE teachers at Greengables Specialist Sports College in Medway, Kent, were told to tie a piece of PE knicker elastic to a point just 1.5 metres on the climbing rope, suspended from the apparatus, and insist that all students begin to descend again the moment it was reached.
It is understood that the decision was made after a Year 7 girl jumped – voluntarily – from the traditional piece of gymnasium equipment when still at least six inches off the ground. She landed on a large blue crash mat but still managed to turn her ankle.
Medway council said the ban was “not a council decision” but confirmed that a full blown emergency meeting was called, complete with lunch, to discuss the school’s decision and if they should be seen to support it, as it was felt it had been a quiet week and they hadn’t been in the news enough.
School spokesman and part time teacher of Russian, Ivor Readan of Greengables, 32, said: “I can confirm that the said piece of knicker elastic was volunteered by female teaching assistant, 36 year old raven haired strumpet, Miss Ima Goer, in an act of generosity at short notice. At no point was Miss Goer coerced into removing her standard issue navy blue PE knickers and no-one was heard to make any comments at all along the lines of “they’re a bit in the loose side anyway, not that we’re suggesting anything” you understand.”
Reports suggest, however, that Head of P.E, 93 year old Didley Squat-Thrust, was seen to ‘tut’ at the instruction, given by the Pastoral Care team, before mumbling something about “we only had a bloody flat green bit of rubber to land on in my day, but we didn’t go round twisting our ankles all the time, bunch of wusses …”
Witnesses report that Mr. Squat-Thrust was subsequently hushed by Pastoral Care Manager, Mrs Feeble, 52, who herself was forced to deny that she had consistently misused cotton wool from the first aid box.
Year 10 boys reacted by stringing their school ties together and using them to scale the canteen in protest.
Medway celebrates International Women’s Day
Every day throughout the world,International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8th March. IWD is a celebration of the achievements, talents and work of women all over the world. Some groups use this as an opportunity to campaign about various issues that affect women, such as violence against women, our working lives, health and our caring responsibilities.
This year the theme of International women’s day is “The gender agenda: gaining momentum”. Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. We celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women’s equality.
In Medway, the celebrations are organised by a small core of volunteers. This year we have arranged for a motivational speech from Sam Hall, founder of 17% the social enterprise championing and encouraging work from female writers and playwrights. We will also have belly…
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Sunny cold days and Zombies
On quite possibly one of the coldest days in recent history, I chose to spend a Saturday afternoon standing – and walking – around Rochester High Street.
My new found freedom from covering every event across Medway meant I was able to respond to a call out for extras for a music video, by the hugely talented Richard De Soussa Silva. It’s the first tune from his debut EP, Us and Them and is a lovely, mellow song you can’t help but nod along to. Check it out here and see if you can spot me!
I also got involved in a Zombie film, Zombocity, which is still in production. I couldn’t make the first shoot but this is the resulting first trailer …
… and this is Zombocity trailer two – my film debut! Messing around with liquid latex and face paints was great fun and I can’t wait to do it again!
Gallery: Chinese New Year Parade, Chatham
Another of Medway’s diverse cultural events saw Chatham’s high street packed yesterday afternoon, for an explosion of colour and sound as the Chinese community let us share in celebrating the Year of the Snake.
You should be dancing!
So sang the Bee Gees, and who are we to argue?
I seem to have been immersed in dance recently, with a visit to Mid Kent College for a Dance Careers Event, an article in Medway’s finest publication, and a Gothic workout.
Hosted by Luci Napleton, from Dance Development of Medway’s Arts Development Team, the Dance Careers Event allowed me to cast my shoes off and take part in a Contemporary half hour workshop, surrounded by students – I thought I held my own – and a Musical Theatre workshop. I managed to not trip myself up, although I was left facing the wrong way on occasion and hitch kicking when I should have been pivoting, but hey, it’s been a while, ok?
The Mayor, Cllr. Vaughan Hewett was on hand with praise and encouragement for the students of Mid Kent College and the Medway Youth Dance Theatre, following their excellent performances, while the awesome Loop Dance Company reprised the Joss Arnott choreographed ‘Current Being’, their commission for last year’s Big Dance 2012. It’s an inspiring company, led by Nina Atkinson, who began it twenty years ago upon realising there were very few chances for aspiring and professional dancers in Medway. Go see them!
Loop Dance Company: (Top) Anna, Nina, Natalie.(Bottom) Claire, Emmy, Marie
The February issue of Wow Magazine is a dance special spectacular, an interview with the Ballet Boyz being the highlight. And I finally made my debut for Emma Dewhurst’s classy must-read mag, interviewing Craig Bartley of local dance studio, Starquest. You’ll find that on page 14 in the magazine here. On the opposite page, there are a selection of dance classes and groups in our region. For Sarah, who I met at Mid Kent College, here’s a link to Jade Street Dancers – I expect you’ve already found them by now, but just in case!
My other debut, in practise at any rate, was for Wolfshead and Vixen – I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before. The premier Morris side from Rochester have been auditioning for new members and somehow ended up with me. It’s much harder than you think – I was more tired after twenty minutes of Vixens than after an hour at the Dance Careers Event. I’m hoping I’ll have learned enough to be ready for the Sweeps Festival (although, I’m not so sure about dancing at dawn on May Day!) If you fancy trying out for us, there’s a workshop being held at the Beacon Court Tavern, Gillingham, on Sunday, March 3rd, from 1pm.
In national news, Let’s Dance for Comic Relief is back with us again from this Saturday, persuading comedian Tim Vine and others to set aside their modesty and don leotards and leggings. Read all about it here. Time permitting, I’ll cover it on The Rhythm of Life.
“Exceptional dancers in my experience are also exceptional people. People with an attitude towards life, a kind of quest and an eternal quality. They know who they are and they show this to you willingly.” Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Creative People and Places announce community engaging events
Swale and Medway residents are being invited to say how they’d like to spend their share of an arts grant totalling £1,476.000 at a series of events being held throughout both boroughs.
Last summer, Arts Council England awarded the grant to a consortium called Creative People and Places: Swale and Medway, who will ask locals for help in deciding how the money should be spent on art-based activities within the community. The aim of the grant is to inspire people and groups who don’t think the arts are for them to become more involved and the events will give them the chance to suggest what kind of art projects, events and activities they’d like to see staged to improve their local environment.
The first event will be on board LightVessel 21, the floating cultural facility moored at Gillingham Pier. Called ‘Hook Up’ it’s taking place between 11am – 4pm on Sunday, February 17th. You can drop by anytime to help create a “message in a bottle” installation, generate electricity by pedal power, star in a film about the day and enjoy a free soup lunch, tea and cake, subject to availability. Wear flat, non-slip shoes; access is limited due to steep stairs.
A clay modelling day has been organised at Castle Connections in Queenborough, by FrancisKnight Contemporary Arts Practice. It will take place on Saturday, February 23rd, from 11am until 4pm and you’ll be able to get your hands dirty, make stuff, play, chat and tell the FrancisKnight girls what you would like to get involved with. Flamboyant ceramic artist Duncan Hooson will coax the creativity out of you! To book a free place at the clay day, phone 01795 661277 or email castleconnections@btconnect.com
Castle Connections pottery snake
‘Flux’ will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, March 2, at Creek Creative, Abbey Street, Faversham. A stall in Market Square will showcase locally produced art and craft with live demonstrations, while performers will entice the gathering crowds along to Creek Creative’s premises, where an intriguing hub of activity with live musical experimentation awaits. Demonstrations, films and performances and surprising characters will delight and entertain.
Three more public events will be held in March, including a pop-up cinema, interactive performance and open discussions between active members of the arts and non arts communities.
Residents are also asked to nominate ‘community catalysts’ – prominent members of local life who do a lot locally and will encourage others to become involved. Nominations can be made at the events and via the website (address below) from March.
Sign up to receive regular updates and newsletters about Creative People and Places: Swale and Medway at http://www.creativepeopleplace.info/
The Swale and Medway group was one of seven successful applicants across England and the only one in the South East. In total, just under £16 million has been awarded.
New Year, New Pastime: Paralympic sport for all in Gillingham
The Royal Engineers Museum isn’t the only place worth visiting in Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham. Just opposite the award winning attraction you’ll find the Prince Arthur Road Indoor Bowls Club, where a regular Saturday morning Boccia Club is held and looks set to flourish in 2013.
For disabled and able bodied people alike, Boccia is a low cost activity that everyone from age 7 upwards can take part in – so there’s no excuse not to work off that turkey and chocolate, together!
Just before Christmas, the club held its very first tournament – a challenge extended by the Boccia Club to the regular indoor bowlers. With seven Boccia Club teams and five Prince Arthur Bowls teams, it was a well supported event. Unsurprisingly, it was an easy victory for the Boccia Club, who posted a huge winning margin. I went along with local film maker, Mdhamiri Nkemi, to find out more about it from organiser Malcolm Clark.
Lynette Stock, who, along with Malcolm, began the Boccia club told us: “We started off with just a poster on the wall, asking if anyone was interested to put their name down. We had a man who came in and started us off with skittles, balls and hula hoops before being shown the proper game. Just one person came at first but gradually it took off, especially after we’d taken part in an exhibition day at Medway Park.
It’s a perfect sport for severely disabled people, a good way for them to meet others and is very inclusive. I often stop wheelchair users in the supermarket and ask if they’ve heard of it – being involved is very rewarding.
This is the first tournament we’ve held, so we’re extremely pleased with the turnout.”
Vicky Armstrong brings her son Clifford, a Spina Bifida sufferer, along to Boccia. She says: “It’s a good opportunity for him to mix with and make friends with other people; he and another member, Amy, have become firm friends since meeting at the club.”
Severely disabled Charles is helped by Emily, who positions the specially designed hand pointer ramp for him, with Charles directing her with his eyes – ‘eye pointing’, as Emily puts it. Using his communications book, he told us “Boccia is good!” From the joy on his face with every good shot, it’s clear he enjoys it very much.
The tournament results:
1st: Reeves Clan 41 points/14 ends
2nd: Jibbering Jellyfish 30 points/11 ends
3rd: The Twits 27 points/13 ends
4th: Twinkletoes 27 points/12 ends
5th: Simply the Best 22/16
6th: The Pros 17/8
7th: Christmas Crackers 15/12
8th: Lewingtons 14/7
9th: Bayfords 8/4
10th: The Leonards 3/2
11th: The Stiffs -2/7
12th: The Plebs -9/2
Boccia became a Paralympic sport in 1984 and is one of only a few sports to have no equivalent in the Olympic Games. This year, we had nine players in the London Olympics and won two medals: Silver for David Smith in the BC1 Individual, and the BC1/BC2 team (David Smith, Nigel Murray, Dan Bentley and Zoe Robinson) winning Bronze.
How to play Boccia:
- Each game uses six balls: six for one player in an individual game; three each in a pairs team or two each in a triple team.
- The balls used are either Red or Blue.
- Red team go first; colour is decided by coin toss. Red can place the jack to their advantage, beginning from Throwing Box one. The teams alternate, with Blue in Throwing Box Two and so on.
- Red throw the jack beyond the ‘v’ and the team skipper chooses which of his/her players have the best chance of getting closest.
- The other (Blue) team have their chance to throw, and will continue to do so until they are either nearest the jack or have run out of balls. Then the Red team take over again.
- Once all the balls have been thrown, the number of balls of the same colour nearest the jack wins that end and is recorded for the overall score. I.e. If a blue ball is nearest the jack but the next nearest balls are red, that would be one point to blue.
- Possession of the jack moves to the right, so throwing box two position will begin next.
- The winner is the one with the highest score after all the ends.
- In the event of a tie, a play-off round will follow until a winner is determined.
Prince Arthur Road Indoor Bowls Club welcome new members, both as players or socially – give them a call and take the family along.
Workshop: Get Yourself Out There! An introduction to blogging.
As a blogger for almost five years, I’ve run a number of blogs and I’m keen to pass on what I’ve learned to others stepping into the blogosphere. So here it is, a workshop for people who want to blog but are not sure how to get started or where to go with it.
The golden rule for writers is ‘Show, don’t tell’ – so I’m going to do exactly that! I’ll show you how to set up and customise your own blog, without any knowledge of programming, HTML, CSS or other techy talk! The only ‘tell’ you need is why you’re doing it: Which is, to get yourself out there and link with other like-minded souls, or, to find an audience and/or potential customers!
Using Blogger.com, the aim of this workshop is to give you an online presence which is simple for you to maintain, particularly if you’re busy or dislike using the internet. My wish is for each participant to leave the session with a fully operational, customised blog. If time permits, we can look at linking with social media, directories and other bloggers too, in order to build your audience.
You will need:
· a wifi enabled laptop (although our venue, coFWD, does have Ethernet cables if needed)
· an email address – you will automatically have a gmail account set up for you as part of your Google profile but it’s good to have an alternative for security.
· a unique password.
· A title for your blog – this is different from the web address and can be changed. The web address cannot be changed though, so I’d recommend using your name for that. E.g jayenolan.blogspot.co.uk is my blog address but the title is ‘A tingle in my fingers’.
Also, have a favourite picture of your own saved that you’re happy to share with the world, a favourite Youtube video you can find easily and a written piece about yourself you can use in your first posts. (You can always delete or amend afterwards).
The workshop will be held at coFWD, the coworking space at 161 Rochester High Street, on Tuesday, January 15th from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. The cost is just £12.50 and space is limited to just 6 places. Please visit the Eventbrite page here to secure your booking.
I look forward to seeing you,
Jaye 🙂
Jaye Nolan 