Happy memories of the days Black Cats fans went down Wembley Way
Sunderland are heading back to Wembley after reaching the final of the Papa John’s Trophy. Sadly, the pandemic means fans can’t be inside the stadium to cheer them on. So here’s a reminder of the massive turnout of Wearsiders at previous finals.
BBC 6 Music poet in residence Murray Lachlan Young and theatre maker Nina Hajiyianni were due to tour their family show The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps.
Of course lockdown had other ideas so like many artists Murray, Nina and the Funnelwick Limb team had to rethink.
They have been working throughout lockdown on their new project The Chronicles Of Atom And Luna, the first two chronicles of which are available now to enjoy free of charge online at funnelwicklimb.com site.
For the new project Murray reunited with school pal Paul hartnoll to create six audio tales – with illustrations by Bek Palmer – and a groundbreaking Augmented reality story game for families, Quest for Old Mother Redbeard made with MBD Ltd.
The story centres around heroes 11-year-old twins Atom and Luna who are left home alone in the care of their magical childminder Iffly Sney.
When Iffly falls terribly ill, only the twins can save him by seeking out the mysterious Old Mother Redbeard in the heart of a magical forest.
A journey that will change their lives forever!
Chronicle One – the audio tales – tells the backstory of the magical forest that Atom and Luna must travel through, while Chronicle Two – the interactive AR – allows players to explore the forest in search of Old Mother Redbeard.
Murray Lachlan Young said: ‘During The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps my fellow performer Joe Allen would constantly play Pokemon Go!
“While on tour I became fascinated with the potential of this technology as a storytelling tool. As a result The Quest for Old Mother Redbeard – a kind of traditional storytelling ballad told in the form of an AR game where players get to go ahead of our heroes into a mystical forest – was born.
“Ultimately I am interested in inspiring in young people a love of language, of
storytelling, of rhyme and rhythm and what better way to do that then by using tech.”
Murray’s first collection was released by EMI on both CD and book form, leading to him being dubbed “the £1m poet”.
Murray has experimented and collaborated in a wide range of digital media. Over lockdown with Hartnoll he has been releasing a series of Virus Diaries online extolling the virtues of baking, jogging and shopping.
Other recent – more experimental online work includes Community of Souls his collaboration with filmmaker Charlotte Ginsberg for Poet in the City and City of Things his collaboration with Ivor Novello nominated sound artist Caroline Devine in celebration of Milton Keynes.
With film director Kevin Allen he co-adopted the 2015 film version of Dylan Thomas
Under Milk Wood and his previous collaboration with the Atom & Luna team – The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps used VR, tablet games and online audio to tell a family orientated gothic murder mystery.
Paul Hartnoll – one half of electronic music giants Orbital – has innovated and explored the use of technology in his music crafting some of the most innovative, imaginative and accessible dance music ever.
He has scored Peaky Blinders, the opening sequence of the Brian Cox Arena Tour and has scored the film Concrete Plans.
Quest for Old Mother Redbeard has been commissioned by The Space – a unique digital development agency supported by Arts Council England.
To find out more about the story sign up at www.funnelwicklimb.com site.
Children who have been separated from their classmates and friends by lockdown and social distancing can become anxious or withdrawn because of the enforced isolation.
And it’s as hard for parents who are having to educate their offspring at home while juggling day jobs and family life.
One in five children is affected by anxiety and the current pandemic will do nothing to allay their stress.
Singing has been proven to relieve stress and anxiety, improve mental health and mood, enhance memory, improve posture and lung function.
Performance arts help children to let off steam and express their frustration which in turn boosts their state of mind.
But with many performance arts schools, choirs and singing groups not being able to meet in person, these community activities have been temporarily moved online.
Jo-Anne Wright, principal of Little Voices drama and singing franchise in Buckingham, said: “We are and have been, right from the beginning of the very first lockdown last year, focussing on the mental health and wellbeing of all of our pupils.
“As well as transferring immediately to delivering our lessons online, we have been offering many different things during the year to others that aren’t pupils in order to support as best we can during this difficult time.”
Little Voices are passionate about creating an environment where children feel safe and are encouraged to talk about their feelings. The experience of lessons in performing arts can help to promote positive mental health and create happiness.
During the unsettled times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Little Voices Buckingham is helping to promote happiness in the youngest members of families.
Jo-Anne said: “We have recorded four lessons that are available for parents to download and use with their
children during lockdown.”
Parents need to fill in a small form and then these lessons will be sent once a week for four weeks and at any time they are welcome to trial Little Voices lessons virtually too.
Continued Jo-Anne: “We are so thrilled to welcome our pupils every week and to work on their voices. Happiness and fun is central to our lessons. Friendships and talking are a crucial part of our lessons. These ingredients are helping children’s mental health to survive this third lockdown.”
Little Voices Buckingham welcomes children aged four to 18 years. Singing and dancing lessons also help to build confidence in the pupils and promote their personal and personal and social development, equipping them with skills for life.
The confidence they gain from performance arts
will help them in adulthood whether it’s a job interview or an equally tough situation where they have to present themselves in the best light to get the result they desire.
For details about Bucckingham’s Little Voices contact Jo-Anne on 07838451532 or email jo@littlevoices.org. uk and, for more information about lessons, visit www.littlevoices.org.uk/ buckingham website.
Little Voices’ highly qualified tutors have been nurturing and guiding children from Clitheroe in Lancashire to Gillingham in Kent for 13 years.
Sky News featured the franchise during the first lockdown and Little Voices are aiming to help as many children as possible this time.
For more information on what’s available in your area visit www.little voices.org. uk site.