There's No Taste Like Home

ITV is currently looking for talented home cooks with interesting family recipes to take part in a brand new cookery show for ITV1 with Gino D'acampo. Any one interested in  taking part?

Contact Neil below.

Thers no taste like Home

Neil Summers | Assistant Producer | ITV plc

ITV Studios  |  M60 9EA  |  Tel: 0161 952 6030  |  Neil.Summers@ITV.com

Star gazer?

                                                 Are you interested in Astronomy? 


Macclesfield Astronomical Society (MAS) and the British Astronomical Association (BAA) will be presenting a full-day of talks and practical sessions to help encourage members of the community to learn more about the wonders of the stars and planets. Their aim is to help budding astronomers learn basic techniques and develop their interest in this fascinating hobby to its full potential.

The full day of talks and workshops will cover diverse subjects such as choosing the right
telescope and which books to buy, through to observing the Moon, and the amazing planets
Jupiter and Saturn. They will also have experts on hand to answer all your questions, and a range of retailers present so you can see telescopes and equipment at first-hand.

Saturday, March 5  Macclesfield Town Hall
To find out more about the BAA Back to Basics workshop and to download the booking form, visit
Macclesfield Astronomical Society's website www.maccastro.com
Tickets cost £15.00 per person. Members of Macclesfield Astronomical Society can
purchase them for £11.00. To make a reservation please e-mail the British Astronomical
Association at or call Hazel Collett on 07944 751277.

Moon image by Andrew Greenwood at Image palette www.imagepalette.com

Something for the weekend?

You'll need an extra  big basket if you are out in Macc this weekend. There is the first Make do and Mend Vintage Fashion Fair at the Senior Citizens Hall today ( Sat) and its Treacle Market on Sunday. 

Glorious food and Drink plus the return of antiques, vintage and craft with some great new stalls to mooch round.Music from Phil Maddocks and get creative with Jean Westbrook.take a look at the Treacle website to see what Jean is up to and the things she needs you to take along for her various artistic projects. Sunday, Market place 10am-3pm.

Perhaps some live music to round off the weekend? Head to Ronnie's for  MACC SABBATH LIVE.Featuring: Rich House and Friends, The Tasers, Bleeding Hands, One Million Fingers and Hot Vestry who you have heard at Treacle.

Sunday From 2.30pm free.

Works in Progress - Thought provoking urban images in oil and collage by Richard Chadwick.

'The Longden Gallery '   26th February until 26th March 2011,  10am - 5pm

Children's craft

You are probably all going crazy at the mid point of half term

There is a window of respite for you if you send the children to the Silk Museum

for Vicious Vikings – artwork and jewellery craft session.  10am – 12noon   For children aged 6 – 11 years,  £6 per child .

24^th and 25^th February 

Education Room, Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield  Booking essential on 01625 612045

Action Transport Theatre (ATT)

are launching their next new writing project 10 Tiny Plays Small Plays with Enormous Consequences. 'We are looking for 10 writers to each write a 5-minute play about ‘youngness’. These will be professionally produced by ATT and showcased as Flash Fiction at the Shell Chester Literature Festival in Autumn 2011. We want to work with a range of writers who are; aspiring, of any age, of any experience including young writers, who have something to say about being young. We are looking for brave ideas that are personal, political, imaginative and theatrical. The ten successful writers will be supported by Kevin Dyer, winner of the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Play for Children & Young People 2010 for ‘The Monster Under the Bed.’ All 10 plays will be directed by Nina Hajiyianni, who recently directed the national touring opera for children, ‘My Mother Told Me Not to Stare’ in a co production between ATT and Theatre Hullabaloo.   10 Tiny Plays is part of our ‘25 Years Young’ campaign to celebrate ATT’s 25th birthday; we want to make a noise about being young in the world today.'   More details and ‘How to Pitch’ & Application Form

Jobs Alert

Chester Performs is a diverse, multi-disciplinary producer of innovative, entrepreneurial arts projects.

They play a vital role in the cultural life of the city, where their projects encourage and inspire artists and communities.

Marketing Manager (£20k pro rata)

They need a creative and resourceful Marketing Manager to join the Chester Performs team on a temporary basis. The Marketing Manager will be responsible for devising and delivering the marketing functions for the organisation and the programme they run.

Press and Communication Officer (£18k pro rata)

They need a dynamic Press and Communications Officer to join the Chester Performs team on a temporary basis, to deliver the press, media and communications activity for the organisation and the programme they run, particularly this year’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season.

Deadline Thursday 10^th March

Interview Monday 21^st March

To apply, please download a person spec and application form from http://www.chesterperforms.com/Content/opportunities.aspx

Foreign Film

Macclesfield Independent Language Learning is pleased to announce their forthcoming language and cultural events.

24th February 2011    7 pm    Italian Cinema Evening    Il Caimano

26th February 2011    10.30 am    Portuguese Cinema Workshop    Foreign Land (Terra Estrangeira) presented by George Federico Bentley

Book events by emailing info@themill-online.org.uk or going to http://www.eventbrite.com and searching for The Mill Language People. 

Cinema Evening = £10 (includes food and wine.)

Workshops = £15 (includes food, wine and materials)

 Macclesfield Transition Town group, now has a website www.Macc2020.org and is holding its next public meeting at 7pm  on Wednesday 23rd Feb at the Heritage Centre on Roe Street.

Topics:

Energy Saving,

Energy Generation

 Recycling, Reuse, Repair

Transport

Food

Skills

Local Community / Economy

 Identity!

Contact for further details

Colin Townend

07825 702020

PLease note correct website  www.macc2020.org
Thank you anon. 

Tell your story

To celebrate National Storytelling Week, Modern History is challenging kids to switch off the TV and explore some of the region's top historic attractions to find out what life was like in the past and be in with a chance of winning some top prizes.

The North West is packed full of stories and with half-term coming up they want to hear yours. Simply take the family along to one of a host of attractions open across the region and get your kids to write up the story of their day outto be in with a chance of winning a video camera or Horrible Histories books and DVDs.

The competition is open to children aged between 5 and 12 and there are two categories, 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. The winner of each will receive a video camera so they can film their own stories while runners up will receive Horrible Histories books and DVDs.

The competition is open until Monday 28 February and all entries should be sent through to tellyourstory@modernhistory.co.uk.

Click for more details

Something every day...

For pure inspiration take a look at http://www.somethingeveryday.co.uk/2011/
Wonderful wordsmith, Jo Bell, is this months contributor and writes and posts something (prose or poetry) as the name would suggest, daily. Her poem for the 15 February features the Janes... after a shared, very wet weekend walk (complete with photographic evidence). Thanks Jo!

English Walkers

We’re a little village, straggling up the hill
in soggy wool with knapsacks full
of chocolate and busted brollies,
watching all the children scoot and slip
like lapwings; watching lapwings
dawdle and display above the slope.
We might be going the wrong way
but no-one has a map and no-one minds.

And when we reach the blustered top
we won’t drink the champagne that Jane forgot,
we’ll have a piece of Fruit and Nut
and say how nice the view would be
if we could see it through the rain,
and turn around and slither back again
with wind-bright faces, apples, sodden socks
and smiles as broad as Yorkshire.

In an hour or two we’ll bang our boots
outside the porch, and puff our cheeks
and strip, and sit like muddy prawns
and warm our hands around our mugs
and someone will suggest
that we should all go to the pub, and they will drive.
And these will be our deathbed days,
the days that count, the ones we knew we were alive.

Love's Sweet Song

It's an evening of favourite vocal music, songs, arias and duets from
operas like The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute and some G&S
and musicals too. There are four singers, all from Guildhall School of Music & Dramal, who make
up a quartet so there will be a few choruses and ensembles, as well as
solos and duets.
It should be a lovely evening of well loved vocal music (ideal for
valentine's day) and there's a glass of wine in it for the audience
too.
Saturday 19th February
7.30pm
St John's Church, Buxton
Tickets £8. £5 Student/ concession, £3 Children
email rosielomas@gmail.com or ask at Margin Music (Macclesfield) or
the Tourist Information Centre (Buxton)

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE CONCERT FOR THE LATE STUART PEVITT

GIG 4 PEV 2011

SAt 19 February  8-11-45pm.

Door  £5 

THE BAILEY CONCERT ROOM -POYNTON ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Georges Road West -opp. Poynton Church Alms Houses

THE ANDY STARK BAND

PURPLE GANG 4 (former members)

THE BRIDGWATER BLUES BAND

Compere CHRIS JOE BEARD

Something for the weekend?

It's Day day well V day to be precise as tonight sees the second of three performances of the Vagina Monologues. There may be tickets on the door but best check first. Good luck to the plucky cast. Last year was brilliant thought provoking stuff. Do not miss it.

Nothing Sinister play the Swan with Two Necks tonight ( Fri) and there is an Irish Session at the Hollins on Black rd or if you fancy a bit of Trad Jazz Annies Saints and Sinners (above) play the Egerton Arms tonight.(they will be back at Treacle marketi n March too).


KEMS play a concert on Saturday evening at St Michaels in Market Place, and the NCO play the Heritage centre Saturday also.


For something visual head to Bollington Art centre to see Hannah Young's photograpphy in the Gallery.

Vagina Monologues Fri 11 and Sat 12 February, with doors opening at 7.15pm for a performance start at 8pm. Tickets cost £7.50 (£5.00 for students)

Annie’s Saints+ Sinners Fri 11 Mar 8.30pm Egerton Arms,Chelford 01625861366
www.chelfordegertonarms.co.uk

KEMS Sat 12 Mar 7.30pm£10/£2.50 St Michaels Church 01260 252444
www.kems.org.uk

NCO Sat 12 Feb 7.30pm £16 /£13 / £7 /under18s free Heritage Centre, Roe St 0161 2472220
www.ncorch.co.uk

 Hannah Young Photographs. Sun 13 Feb BAC Open Sundays 2 – 4 and during other events

Peak District Artisans Young Artist of the Year 2011

  Peak District Artisans Young Artist of the Year is a new regional art competition open to anyone aged from 16-19 living in and around the Peak District.

As working professional artists they understand the challenges faced by young artists starting out in this field. This competition offers the winners a unique opportunity to exhibit with them and gain a valuable insight into the life of professional artists and makers.

Up and coming talented young artists are invited to submit work on any subject matter and in any discipline - both 2D and 3D. They are looking for work that demonstrates a unique insight and creative vision as well as skill with materials. They are offering the opportunity to win not only the prestigious title of PDA Young Artist of the Year and a £200 cash prize, but also the chance to take part in their annual exhibition, The Great Dome Art Fair.
Full details about the competition from their website
www.peakdistrictartisans.co.uk/youngartist.htm

Get writing

The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting The third Bruntwood Prize has been launched. The panel of judges include: Writer Jackie Kay, Actress Sue Johnston, Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom, Chairman of Bruntwood Michael Oglesby, Actress Maxine Peake and Playwright Simon Stephens will read through hundreds of scripts this Summer to select the winner of the first prize plus three subsequent runner ups.

As well as the total prize money of £40,000, the four winners will have the opportunity to develop their play with the Royal Exchange Theatre, with a view to production. For details of how to enter, writing tips, resources www.writeaplay.co.uk

A reader despairs of Macc. Your thoughts please.

'We have just received this comment on a very old blog post "Art Centre for Macc?":  Many thanks Anon.
We didn't want it to get lost so are posting it here.

We think there are lots of points here that loop readers may want to respond to. 

'I come from Blackheath/Greenwich in the SE & thought it was 'normal' to have a variety of places to go at the weekends ie craft markets,food fayres,live music,antique & Bric a Brac stalls,great cafes,street food etc.The life & soul of a town.Macclesfield is sadly lacking in 'Life' !It's not usual for there not to be anything on in the SE at the weekends for families & single people.The area is vibrant,full of creative,artistic types & makes for a convivial 'village' for them to get out & meet others with similar interests.


Macclesfield is cold/heartless.There's no buzz here! What I have found, over the past two years is, people aren't friendly!They don't welcome outsiders/strangers.They don't seem to want to give any help to newcomers,to feel comfortable/part of life here in Macc.


.I joined several evening classes,a rambling group & the summer Italian Meetup,hoping that the locals would understand my situation and be friendly.It would have been fantastic for the town's redevelopment plans to have gone ahead.
There is a huge need for change and to 'create' a better environment.The big car park in the middle of Macc should be turned into a buzzing market for ALL.This will generate 'life' and money for the town from renting out stalls.People are creative & the idea of making & selling their goods will give everybody a sense of worth.It is very costly running a shop,but this be the answer!I'm sure I'm not alone.There are many people who could put on demonstrations of their craft.Greenwich undercover market offers everything from photography to leather work,jewelry,printing,children's/adults clothes,shoes etc.......You only have to look at the areas that do this,to know it works.


The areas are a nicer place to live,There is a 'heart'& people are friendlier! '
Anonymous.

9 comments in response to this. Please see below

Vagina Monologues

This was extraordinary and powerful theatre  when the show was put on for the first time last year. We asked Jude de Souza, the Director about repeating it two years running.

 

'For anyone who came to see the Vagina Monologues  last year  this performance will by no means be a straight repeat of the last. Not only have we put one or two new pieces in, we've also found a new spin on most of the Monologues we performed last year meaning that returning audience members will find a fresh take on the previous material. So don't miss out just because you think you've seen it before!' 

 The Vagina Monologues will be held in the Town Hall on Thurs 10, Fri 11 and Sat 12 February, with doors opening at 7.15pm for a performance start at 8pm. Tickets cost £7.50 (£5.00 for students) with all proceeds going to fund the  

 

Gateway Recovery Programme running in Cheshire.

 They're on sale from either Magpie Music and DVDs (in the Grosvenor Centre) or the Town House Pub (on King Edward Street, near Macclesfield Library). They can also be purchased online at www.vdaymacclesfield.co.uk although charges from their merchant necessitates a 50p surcharge per ticket. 

Remaining tickets will be sold on the door, but based on last year they  recommend people buy them early, particularly for the Friday and Saturday performances. The site features a 'frequently asked questions section' that aims to answer any nagging queries anyone has, gents included!

They also have a Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=157386694289025

loop 18

Loop 18 came out last weekend, so ideally you will have been scouring its pages to discover the cultural heart beat near you. Maybe its a pint and a band tonight or a classical concert and a meal, an exhibition, film or Morris Dancing taster session? Or any  combinations of those!

Whatever you get up to spread the word and pass the loop on to some one new.

Incidentally if you didn't receve yours as usual in your in box, your server may have high handedly rejected it. Answer? Put us in your address book or mark us as a safe sender.

Don't get the loop?

Send us an email at maccloop@googlemail.com and you will!

Spiralling into Mystery & History...

Jane (the Birch one) reads her short story Ghost in a repeat performance (from Nov in case you missed it) with Matthew Hyde providing a short history of the Savage Chapel and Tower. You can even climb the spiral if you dare. 

Tuesday 15 February at 7.30pm. It's a Free event but booking is essential on 01625 421984 as places are limited.

Savage Chapel, St Michaels , Market Place, Macc

cinema;cinemac

Cinemac
Heritage Centre
Roe Street
Macclesfield SK11 6UT
Recorded Information: 01625 423535
Enquiries: 07871 422937

Films from 2 Feb -- 10 Mar

Weds 2: The King''s Speech (12A) 1.30
Thurs 3: The King''s Speech (12A) 5.15, 8.00
Fri 4 Feb:  Black Swan (15)  5.30, 8.00
Sat 5 Feb: Arthur and the Great Adventure (PG) 3.00
Sat 5 Feb: Black Swan (15)  5.30, 8.00
Sun 6 Feb: Arthur and the Great Adventure (PG) 3.00
Sun 6 Feb: Black Swan (15) 5.30, 8.00
Mon 7 Feb: Black Swan (15) 5.30, 8.00
Tues 8 Feb: Black Swan (15) 5.30, 8.00
Weds 9 Feb: Black Swan (15) 5.30, 8.00
Thurs 10 Feb: Black Swan (15) 5.30, 8.00

JOB ALERT

Youth Participation Mentor

Cheshire East Arts, Heritage & Museums (A,H&M) service is looking to appoint a Youth Participation Mentor to work with a group of young people known as ‘The A-Festival’ group. The post will work alongside the young people mentoring them to deliver a Youth Arts Festival in Crewe, July 2011. As well as this the post holder will create two tool kits. One for young people with a guide to putting on an arts event. The second for organisation as to how to work alongside young people on youth-led projects.

Background – The A-Festival
At the end of 2009 a group of young people got together to organise a youth arts festival. After attending many NAYT BYTF events they decided they wanted something local that would bring local groups together and where they could learn a new skill and attend fun workshops.With Cheshire East Council for support they secured funds from YOF to make the dreams of the 'A Fest' come true.The ‘A-Fest’ 2010 was a huge success. 40 young people attended and had access to 3 workshops ranging from Circus Skills to visual arts. All the young people that attended had a memorable day and were very passionate about it happening again.The A-Festival group were inspired and encouraged by their first festival that they have again secured funds from the YOF and the Festival will happen again in 2011! See The A-Festival website that the young people set up: www.theafest.co.uk
Contract based on 30 days @£175 per day plus expenses. Total contract £5,750.
How to apply: Forward a proposal to include the following:

• A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the Youth Participation Mentor post and previous experience (one side of A4)
• Examples of previous and relevant experience
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact details of two referees 

 Please post or e-mail your proposal to:Siân Rourke Arts, Heritage & Museums Service,Floor 1, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach CW11 1HZ sian.rourke@cheshireeast.gov.uk   
CLOSING DATE WEDNESDAY 9th FEBRUARY at 5pm

As a carnivore you may have your favourite local butcher or source your meat at a local market such as Treacle. There is anther excellent local option too.Food4Macc who are a brilliant local community organisation who work to encourage the use of local land and disused gardens to grow food, have developed a scheme called food4maccdirect a non profit making community enterprise.They operate as a buying group for lamb and  free range chicken from local farmers.They aim to reconnect people with where their food comes form  and understand and influence how it is produced.

If you would like to sign up to this positive initiative ( they will expand their range) or just want to find out more, contact them at direct@food4macc.org or call Tim 01260 2539987

Have a look at their website for details of their exciting Transition Town Initiative and how you can get involved.

Opera Prize

The UK’s major conservatoires nominate their most promising singer to compete in the Opera Prize.

The nominees sing their 3 chosen arias during the first half. The judging panel and audience then have the opportunity to discuss and vote for their favourite singer during the supper interval.

The winning singer receives a cheque for £2,000, the runner-up receives £500 and the audience’s favourite receives a magnum of champagne. Why not take this opportunity to have your say!

Saturday 5 Feb

7pm

£30, £25 - 70 minute supper interval

pre-order supper or bring your own food

Clonter Opera Theatre

Swettenham Heath

Congleton

Cheshire

CW12 2LR

Box office 01260 224514