A Helping Hand

I've mentioned the Canalside Heritage Centre on here a few times, as it's an exciting and worthwhile project. The plan is to turn some derelict lock cottages into a heritage, arts and educational centre.

The work is progressing well, with the renovations are really making a difference to how the buildings look. Interestingly, most of the building materials have been delivered by boat, as the location is difficult for wheeled vehicles.

The projet team have recently entered a competition that is being run by Marks and Spencer's, to win a biomass boiler, which is worth £12.500.

A member of the project team was out in Beeston today to promote the competition and to get shoppers to vote for them.

They are presently running second, so to help them win, I am asking everyone who reads this post, if they would kindly pop over to the M&S website and vote. The project is listed under the Central East area.

The website address is accessed through this Weblink

Thanks. And I'll let you all know if you have made a difference.

Bows And Arrows

The Old Market Square has been transformed into an arena for archery, as there will be a tournament taking place at the weekend.

They have been busy installing the seating, podiums etc over the last few days.

As the area has been completely sealed off, people are either having to walk round, or take a shortcut across the entrance to the Council House. Being such a busy area, this shortcut has got quite crowded as people have crossed on the stairs, which are quite narrow.

I won't be going to see the action, as I have been to see a couple of these things at Wollaton Park, and t's not that exciting to watch. Besides which they were free to go in. This one you have to pay.

Factor Five

Tonight I paid my first ever visit to the Rescue Rooms, a music club in the city centre that is adjoined to Rock City.

I was there tonight to see the final of Notts Factor, a music competition that was last arranged two years ago.

There were seven singers & bands performing to win £500, a photoshoot and the change to play at a couple of big gigs next year.

Some of them weren't that good in my opinion, but some showed a lot of potential, and I'll certainly be looking out for any gigs that they do.

The winners were a band called 94 Gunships, who reminded me a bit like the Kinks. Clearly guitar based, but not in the AC/DC, Iron Maiden mould. They were certainly popular with the audience, and clearly the judges, of whom three of them I personally know.

Last year's winners One Girl, One Boy were meant to be doing a set whilst the judges added up their scores, but sadly they couldn't make it, so instead a friend that the compare knew was enticed on stage and sung a song in a Capella style. And very good she was too, but sadly I didn't catch her name.

Given The Brush Off

A new sculpture appeared in the city centre yesterday in the shape of this woman and child cleaning their garden.

The sculpture is entitled "The Sweepers" and has been created by a company called Shipshape Arts. It is in recognition of Nottingham becoming the cleanest city in Britain.

It has attracted a lot of attention from passers by since it was placed there, with people having their photos taken whilst standing next to the two figures.  In fact a woman asked me to take her and her family's picture whilst I was shooting this.

It's A Winner

The organisation that I work for publishes an in-house magazine every month, and besides the usual work related articles, they run a photo competition. I have never gone in for it before, partly due to either forgetting, or not liking the themes.

But this changed last month, as I read that the theme for March was going to be 'retro', and I know exactly which photo I would enter with.

I took this photo last year during the Pride celebrations in the city centre. These two were standing outside a vintage store in Hockley. Obviously the owners, and they were outside the shop and enjoying the summer sunshine.

Some tweaking in my digital darkroom, to give it an aged look. The only giveaway that it wasn't taken in the 1960s is the fact that the blonde on the bike is holding an iPad.

Anyway I found out today that my photo had been picked out as the winner, and I have won a £20 shopping voucher and a mug. Not a huge prize, but it's the first one that I've ever won with one of my pictures.

I Should Be So Lucky

There's a competition that's just begun in Nottingham, featuring the little Aussie diva Kylie Minogue.

Apparently there are a number of these cardboard cut-outs of her dotted in buildings across the city centre, and if you have your photo taken with her, you get the opportunity of winning two tickets to see her in concert at the Arena next month.

I tend not to be a lucky person, so I resisted the opportunity of taking a pic of myself with her and Tweeting it across the world. Instead here is the cardboard cut out all by herself.

Bows, Arrows And Bikes

I took a trip to Wollaton Park this morning to see some of the National Archery Finals that were taking place today in the grounds. It was a free event, so seemed silly not to go and see what it was all about.

They had sectioned off the area at the back of the hall, and had provided some raised seating for the spectators. I didn't sit down to watch, preferring to wander around looking for shots.

There were quite a few people watching the action, if you can call it that, as the competitors only get to shoot three arrows at a time. Still it's something that I couldn't do as I am a bit short sighted. I'd have trouble looking for the target, let alone the bullseye!

I stayed a couple of hours and bumped into a couple of photographers I knew. One of which was covering the event for the City Council.

On my way back to my car, I came across this rather neat looking motorbike. Certainly individualistic in colour and design, with lots of native American influences. I couldn't find a makers name, so couldn't tell you if it a Harley Davidson or not.

Let Them Eat Cake

Cookery competitions are all the rage on TV these days, but there was a real one in Beeston today.

The first ever Great Beeston Bake-Off took place at a local school. Many people took part, baking their special cakes and pastries.

The event was aimed at raising some money for Oxfam, and was opened by the deputy mayor of Broxtowe, who incidentally I've done a few acting projects with over the last couple of years.

The competition was open to both professionals and amateurs. Even kids got in on the act. Bradley's creation is spectacular, and I just love the way he's spelt ingredients. No spellchecker when you're writing; only a dictionary.

The winning cake was the one with blueberries on it, which was made by a local cafe. You could buy the cakes after the judges had had a taste, so I bought two of the cupcakes, which had a drop of beer in them. And very tasty they were too.

The 'N' Factor

                                                                                                                                                 1Girl 1Boy

    Band Of Jackals                                                                                                                   

Music was definitely in the air tonight as Alice Cooper was playing a concert at the Royal Centre. I thought about going, but the tickets were £36, and besides a couple of songs, I don't really know any of his back catalogue.

So instead I went to see the final of 'Notts Factor', a talent contest for local musicians. It was free entry, but contributions of £3 for Framework were encouraged. I happily paid that, as the charity helps homeless people.

There were ten acts all vying for the winners position. The prizes included £500 cash, an interview on local radio, a photoshoot and help with recording their songs.

There was a good selection of artists; several acoustic guitarists, folk band that included a cello, and a couple of rock bands. The acts had the opportunity of playing two songs each, and were then judged by a panel of four people, which included one of the bosses of the Playhouse and another local musician.

In the end the judges found it impossible to pick one artist, so they decided to award a second place prize. This went to Band of Jackals; a high energy rock band, and my favourite of the night, as they worked well together and the guitarist on the left was amazing.

1Girl 1Boy won after much deliberation. They sounded a bit like Portished. Quite melodic, but dark songs. it will be interesting to see how all the acts fair in the near future.