Tag: leisure

by Tricia Beddow

Meet the author: John Poulton

‘Head Hunted’ is John Poulton’s latest novel set in a fictional Lancashire school. September term starts with the head teacher suddenly deciding to retire. The search for a replacement takes place over the ensuing academic year but it’s not as straight forward as you might expect.

Internal candidates competing for the role each believe they are the perfect choice but who, if any, will win? If jousting was fashionable things might have been easier. The wide-ranging mix of personalities is just as you might find in any work situation but the ‘behind the scenes’ view of school life from the vantage point of the staff room is less familiar. The entertaining plot has a good pace with plenty of humour and the occasional shock.

Although the author has 30 years’ experience to draw from he is more than ‘a retired teacher’.

At the age of 16 John left school to become a telephone engineer. With access to cash he spent his late teens living life; going abroad and enjoying a thriving Manchester music scene. As a young adult he became an amateur actor, learned to play guitar, joined a band and volunteered as a youth leader.

“So what prompted the change of career?” I asked.

“The idea was put to me by a monk on a seaside coach trip to Bournemouth. It had never crossed my mind until I had a chat with him. He just suggested it and ‘the lights came on’. I knew I was going to go for it.”

So, in his early twenties, John returned to education. After studying A levels in the evenings, he gained entry to Southampton University and, with a degree in Theology, completed his training at Cambridge University. In 1988 he took a post teaching RE and theatre studies.

“What aspect of teaching did you enjoy the most?” I asked him.

“The interaction with people and the ‘penny drop’ moments of wonder when a kid ‘got it’. I’m naturally gregarious and extraverted (a show off) and being in front of people plays to my strengths. I like to communicate.”

Over the years, John has become an accomplished classical guitarist, singer/songwriter, qualified hypnotherapist and travelled extensively. Inspired by a trip to Africa, he became chair and trustee for the Rwanda Group Trust charity.

He currently spends time helping to care for his elderly father, cycling and walking, while music, theatre, travel and writing remain his life-long hobbies; the latter being expertly combined on his own travel blog website – ‘Should I Go 2’. 

He has also written three other books:

  • Missing the Bus – a memoir of his early life
  • The Luck of the Crane – a novel set against the backdrop of the Rwandan Genocide
  • Atheists for Jesus – Jesus for Atheists – a short theological textbook setting out known historical facts about Jesus

“Do you have a favourite?” I asked.

“I like each of them for different reasons. ‘Missing the Bus’ was for my mum, so it’s special.

I’m proud of ‘The Luck of the Crane’ because I feel passionate about Rwanda and what its people went through.

I’ve always wanted to explain the points that are presented in ‘Jesus for Atheists’. Again, I’m passionate about that and it’s closely linked to my teaching vocation. It’s a discussion I’ve had so many times and just thought I’d write it down.

My favourite book is ‘Head Hunted’ right now, though. I suppose I’m looking back with rose coloured spectacles, but we had such a laugh, both in class and in the staffroom. I’m celebrating those memories.

I always wanted to write a humorous book and ‘Head Hunted’ gave me that opportunity.”

‘Head Hunted’ is self-published and available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats.

If you’re planning a holiday and need ideas, John’s travel blog ‘www.shouldigo2.com’ is definitely worth a look. Just click the image below.

by Marise Lindsey

Lakeside Community at the Café, Boggart Hole Clough

Here we are in January. It’s been a very trying year; many have faced huge difficulties and have struggled as we all faced an uncertain situation together.

One year ago, as the newly formed Lakeside Community Interest Group, we were devastated when our plans for a gardening club, reading circle, Easter egg hunt, lakeside lap challenge and a super VE Day party had to be put on hold for the foreseeable.So, we gave our heads a wobble, looked at what we could do and here’s what we managed to achieve:

We received funding from WeLoveMcr to tackle period poverty within the M9 area, dropping bags at doorsteps, care homes, schools, doctor’s surgeries and nursing homes. We also gave out hand cream, lip balms and hand sanitiser.We were given 100 Easter Eggs from Mantra Learning and Sheridan Lifts, which we distributed to households in M9. Plus arts and craft packs to keep the children occupied during the long months while the schools were shut. As well as bird boxes, bug jars, fairy doors and nature hunt sheets.

When the national lockdown ended we received funding from the Eric Hobin Fund, Northwards Housing. We used this to fund binoculars and bird books to encourage people to come out of the house and admire the natural beauty we have on our doorstep.

White Moss Youth Club gave us over 100 pedometers that we have been giving to people so they can monitor their steps while keeping active.

Working with MCC Parks Team we got involved with the Big Boggart Clean Up. Over 50 people joined in on the litter pick, making the park even more beautiful. We followed it with a cake sale for Macmillan raising £436.

As the weather got colder we created winter packs to give out from Lakeside Café; many of the items were given to us by @HealthyMcr.Over 20 shoeboxes were dropped off in Sharston for the Manchester Shoebox Appeal in November. A box was taken to the Lalley Centre for their reverse advent calendar campaign.

Winning Hearts and Minds have gave us 20 Christmas gift bags to distribute which accompanied the 100 boxes of mince pies supplied by Iceland. White Moss Youth Club enjoyed some at their luncheon club.

Partnering with Manchester Libraries we passed on 20 Winter Library Activity Packs, crammed with essential info and activities.In December we ran an amazing Christmas Raffle. The brilliant prizes included hampers from North Manchester Fitness, Winning Hearts and Minds and a fishing membership from King William IV Anglers.

None of this would have been possible without the support, help and generosity of the local community. We’ve been overwhelmed with the positive feedback and beautiful compliments received this year.

In no particular order our huge thanks go to: North Manchester Fitness, White Moss Youth Club, Walk2Run, MCC Parks Team, We Love Mcr Charity, Eric Hobin Fund, Northwards Housing, MCC Neighbourhood Investment Fund, HealthyMcr, Winning Hearts and Minds, King William IV Angling Society, Sheridan Lifts, Mantra Learning, Iceland, Manchester Libraries. Thank you all so much from the Team at Lakeside Café. We raise you a glass to say goodbye to 2020 and look forward to a fabulous 2021.

Keep up-to-date with opening times and events at the Lakeside Café on their Facebook page, just click here. And for Lakeside CIC click here.

Boggart Hole Clough is a large park with gardens, lakes and woodland walks situated on Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester. There’s a visitor carpark to the right of the main entrance.

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by Tricia Beddow

North West Theatre Arts Company – Live, love, dream, believe

It seems an age ago but, on Thursday 12th March this year, I went to see Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at NWTAC’s theatre on Lightbowne Road. Not for the first time, they took me by surprise.

I was late, distracted by news of the spreading virus, so I grabbed a drink at the bar and went to find my seat; through the doors and stopped – the entire auditorium was completely different.

Gone were the tiered rows of seats. The ‘stage’ was positioned in the centre rather than at the far end of the building. Seating was arranged around the edges, creating a true ‘theatre-in-the-round’.

The usher led me to a ring-side spot that put me inches from the performers, who were taking their positions. When the lights went down I could pick out the faces of my fellow audience and catch their expressions.

From start to finish there were clever connections to Manchester. Reflecting on the similarity between our own Piccadilly Gardens and the court of Athens, where Shakespeare opens his play. Queen Titania’s ‘cohort of fairies’ were portrayed as our famous worker bees.

They buzzed through their performance and I was mesmerised.

As ever, the acting was superb. The young performers slipped into character with ease and professionalism; engaging the audience, drawing them in. And, as the play unfolded, the stage was transformed into flower-covered woodland in front of our eyes as if by magic.

Two hours flew by. Before we knew it, we were leaving the theatre into the chilly night air. We left the dreamy world created by Prab Singh’s team behind us. Lockdown began just days later and, against all expectation, dragged on for months.

NWTAC has 10 years’ experience of adapting to change. It’s made them resilient. Their doors were closed but not all the ‘lights’ went out. Almost straight away they launched a series of on-line activities; fitness sessions with choreographer Katie Gough called ‘Dance Along with NWTAC’. Musical Director, Beth Singh, began ‘Story Time with Beth’ reading out Roald Dahl books. And on Friday evenings she ‘wowed’ us with her ‘Lockdown Live’ concerts.Rehearsals continued remotely for the theatre’s students using the on-line meeting platform, Zoom. The empty theatre was re-painted and steam cleaned in readiness.

In August, term-time resumed in line with government guidelines and a month later NWTAC re-opened its doors to the public to perform Factory Fest, a show originally scheduled for May…and I had a ticket!

Once more I arrived to find a transformed auditorium, only this time to make it Covid secure. Socially distanced tables had replaced the tiered seating, with waiter service only taking orders from the bar. Temperatures were checked prior to entry and all the doors were open so you could go straight to your allotted table without touching a thing. Masks were mandatory. Even the performers kept within their peer groups to avoid mixing.

Factory Fest was a full on indoor festival concert, a dizzying compilation of hits and routines, all brilliantly performed. Harmonies, choreography, variety, comedy. New students performed for the first time alongside the more experienced and together they knocked our socks off. Lockdown and six grim months had gone by but it was worth the wait; for the second time this year all thoughts of Coronavirus were left behind.

So many industries have been hit hard in recent months, performing arts is just one of them. We need it though, now more than ever and it needs us.NWTAC are continuing to work on projects including ‘The Sound and Soul of Hitsville Mowtown’ to be staged in November and the pantomime ‘Puss in Boots’ throughout December. This weekend, for two nights only on 16th and 17th October, Beth Singh will perform live at the theatre.

Keep an eye on social media for updates and, if you missed them first time around, you can still access Dance Along, Story Time and Lockdown live through NTWAC’s Facebook page.

Tickets for this weekend and future shows can be booked by calling the box office on 0161 207 1617.

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