Good morning.
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| Jon Snow |
Listening to Art Garfunkel's Angel Clare. I just downloaded it from Itunes. There is a reason for this which I will explain later. I haven't listened to this album since I was about 17!
What a day yesterday was! I got into the office at 7.30 am and had a lot to do in finishing off proposals for new work. This time of year is always interesting, many seeds that have been sown through the year start to break through the earth. I guess its a spring thing! And as importantly perhaps its when people realise they have underspends for the past financial year! Its often the case that we successfully bring in about a third of our year's income during February and March. Its as certain as anything is in this funny old industry. In the fallow parts of the year I often lose faith that it will happen, because I can't see it. After 28 years I ought to have got the hang of the annual cycle a bit better than I have. Its always been thus. We put in the work to develop and make new work continuously, and some just doesn't take seed, but much does. Its always a lovely surprise to get the phone call from someone you have been sharing ideas with months ago, to say that they have got the funding to make the project a reality! So it was that I got a call yesterday too from Mina in Luton to say she had a significant sum of money to make a new show!
And yesterday was a redletter day too because I got an email from Jon Snow (Journalist and Broadcaster) to confirm that he will take up the role of Patron for Arc! I am thrilled. We have known Jon now for about 4 years. He was of course instrumental in supporting Doreen and Neville Lawrence in the work of the Stephen Lawrence Trust. Neville of course has been an Arc Patron since 2001. This is how we got to meet Jon who is also a theatre lover. It was my friend Amari Blaize who suggested that Jon would be a great Patron for Arc only last week. In spite of his busy public life and many commitments he came back to me straightaway with his acceptance. I am so excited. I feel strongly that Jon is the right person for us, because we share many of the same values and beliefs. I love the fact that Jon refuses to wear any symbol which may represent his views on air; in the run up to Remberence Day he condemned what he called 'Poppy Fascism' because "in the end there really must be more important things in life than whether a news presenter wears symbols on his lapels". And he refused an OBE because he believes working journalists should not take honours from those about whom they report. His ethics are clear. I signed up to his Snowmail recently, and its always interesting reading to get his take on current affairs. You can signup at Snowmail <snowmail@mailing.channel4.com>.
So I very much look forward to welcoming Jon to Arc and the inevitable adventure that will mean!
Yesterday was rounded off nicely by the Barking and Dagenham Rising Stars Awards at Jo Richardson School. Natalie's young women's programme Finding the Words had been short listed for an award in the Performing Arts category and about 16 of our girls attended the event which was hosted by our own Teejay Jembere and his partner in Acting Up Ashley J. TJ and Natalie had also just come from touring with our show Crossing Over in Camden schools. He and Ashley brought their own unique and very funny presenting style to the evening.
Our project didn't win but the citation was fabulous and the project was celebrated. There will be more about them in a couple of weeks when the girls all receive commendations for their work from Chief Superintendent Andy Ewing, Borough Commander for the Barking and Dagenham Met Police. The programme is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and focuses on developing leadership and presentation skills for a group of young women who are exposed to the risks of gang involvement and teenage domestic violence. They made a film with Natalie, Neelofer Wildflower Mir with the content and shape facilitated and led by our film maker Grace Pluckrose-Oliver. The girls then presented their film and facilitated a workshop and discussion with their peers in schools in Barking and Dagenham. They have become influencers and role models for many of our young people. I am so very proud of them and their achievements.
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| Rising Star Awards 2013 |
So all in all a great day for Arc in our home borough alongside lots of people working hard to raise opportunity and aspiration with and for our young people. Well done to Helen Jenner, Director of Children's Services for the vision to have an awards ceremony that celebrates our young people's efforts and achievements. Its a great borough to work in!
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| Our Fabulous FTW Young Women |
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| The girls show their film at Jo Richardson School |
Have a lovely weekend.
ps. I was prompted to re-buy Angel Clare by something TJ said whilst chatting on stage about the impact of the music we listen to when we are young! Not sure what it says about me!
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