At the excellent 50th anniversary event for Hampstead Theatre, I learned more about their fantastic work with young writers. So I am more than happy to pass on details of a competition the Theatre is doing with the RSC for young people who are budding writers. See below:
I am just writing to let you know about a competition we are running here at Hampstead in association with the RSC. I would be really grateful if you could pass it on to any young people who might be interested, no experience is required and they do not necessarily have to have done any theatre writing before, any writing in any medium will be accepted as sample work.
Zoe Cooper
Literary and Creative Learning Officer
‘Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war’
WAR OF THE WORDS COMPETITION
Got something to say about Iraq? Wound up by Jordan and Peter? Feeling itchy to let everyone know about postcode wars? We are offering the opportunity for four young writers to write four exciting responses to the RSC production of David Grieg’s Dunsinane which will presented at Hampstead Theatre this spring. The plays will all be in response to the theme of war as metaphor. The chosen writers will each write a 10 minute play which will then be performed on the mainstage at Hampstead by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company on the 4th of March.
Throughout its fifty year history, Hampstead Theatre has been associated with new writing. The early works of Harold Pinter, Michael Frayn, Mike Leigh, James Saunders, Wole Soyinka, Athol Fugard, David Hare, Stephen Poliakoff and Frank Kroetz were all premiered at the theatre. More recently Terry Johnson, Shelagh Stephenson, Diane Samuels, Tanika Gupta, Tamsin Oglesby, Crispin Whittell, debbie tucker green, Dennis Kelly, Roy Williams and Amy Rosenthal have all found success here.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of the best known theatre companies in the world, operating under its present name since 1961. However the RSC's roots stretch back to the building of the first permanent theatre in Stratford.
Who can I apply?
Young writers aged 10 – 25. We want to invite writers of all kinds to apply whether your experience is in playwrighting, poetry, songwriting, rapping, storytelling or any other kind of creative writing. You can be really experienced or just starting out.
How do I apply?
You just need to send us 4 pages of work in any style and a quick covering letter telling us about yourself and your interest in drama by 5pm on Monday the 7th of December. The work does not need to be about the theme and it can be work that you have already worked on elsewhere or something entirely new.
You can email your entry directly to zoec@hampsteadtheatre.com – with the subject line WAR OF THE WORDS COMPETITION or alternatively send it by post to:
Zoe Cooper
War of The Words Competition
Hampstead Theatre
Eton Avenue
Swiss Cottage
London
NW3 3EU
Zoe Cooper
Literary and Creative Learning Officer
Monday, 30 November 2009
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Crime prevention advice over Christmas as buglaries tick up
Our local Police Team have highlighted that as is usual at this time of year they have noticed an increase in burglaries over the last 2-3 weeks across Camden and we are keen to pass on their advice.
In the North of the Borough there have been a number of offences in the South Hampstead area. On a few occasions the suspects have used garden tools which have been left in the garden to force open doors and windows. They have also opened up garden sheds to get tools to use in the same way.
Some people have left windows open and this has also allowed suspects to gain entry. So the message is that if anyone is gardening (!!) they should secure any tools used afterwards. If you have a shed try and fit a good strong lock to the door.
Before you leave your home just have a quick look round to make sure that everything is secure. For those of you who live in a house converted into flats, can you make sure that the main front door is shut behind you.
More information on burglary, including points about being away over Chrismas, can be found here.
If anyone wants some extra security advice, you can contact police crime prevention officer Terri Weston, she's available on tel 020 8733 6605 or e-mail Terri.Weston@met.police.uk . Terri will come out and offer you crime prevention advice and assistance.
In the North of the Borough there have been a number of offences in the South Hampstead area. On a few occasions the suspects have used garden tools which have been left in the garden to force open doors and windows. They have also opened up garden sheds to get tools to use in the same way.
Some people have left windows open and this has also allowed suspects to gain entry. So the message is that if anyone is gardening (!!) they should secure any tools used afterwards. If you have a shed try and fit a good strong lock to the door.
Before you leave your home just have a quick look round to make sure that everything is secure. For those of you who live in a house converted into flats, can you make sure that the main front door is shut behind you.
More information on burglary, including points about being away over Chrismas, can be found here.
If anyone wants some extra security advice, you can contact police crime prevention officer Terri Weston, she's available on tel 020 8733 6605 or e-mail Terri.Weston@met.police.uk . Terri will come out and offer you crime prevention advice and assistance.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Roger Freeman speaks on Brent Cross scheme
Roger Freeman reports the following: As Chairman of Camden's Development Control Committee, I spoke last Wednesday at the meeting of Barnet's Development Control Committee where the Brent Cross planning application was on the table. You will no doubt have read of the enormity of the proposal and the fact that it was approved by Barnet's committee.
My tack was not to comment on the scheme per se but point out the impact it will have on Camden. Apart from a lack of affordable housing , there are I feel negative ramifications for the health of the Swiss Cottage (and indeed Kilburn) shopping centre. It has to be said that the GLA planning experts in their wisdom say the impact will be insignificant. I am not so sure. The biggest issue will be the amount of traffic this will generate on Camden's streets. There will be an increase in traffic going down the Finchley Road. The impact will be more seriously felt on the Kilburn High Road which will be saturated.
Most alarming are figures showing that traffic going up Westbere Road in Fortune Green will more than double in the evening rush hour; this will have a serious knock on effect on local streets, especially West End Lane. The impact in terms of noise and pollution will be unfortunate to say the least. Personally I recognize that improvements are needed around Brent Cross. The plan approved is for me far too big and reliant on the car, but perhaps we can take cold comfort from the fact that the current economic climate will in all probability mean that what comes out will be more modest in size.
My tack was not to comment on the scheme per se but point out the impact it will have on Camden. Apart from a lack of affordable housing , there are I feel negative ramifications for the health of the Swiss Cottage (and indeed Kilburn) shopping centre. It has to be said that the GLA planning experts in their wisdom say the impact will be insignificant. I am not so sure. The biggest issue will be the amount of traffic this will generate on Camden's streets. There will be an increase in traffic going down the Finchley Road. The impact will be more seriously felt on the Kilburn High Road which will be saturated.
Most alarming are figures showing that traffic going up Westbere Road in Fortune Green will more than double in the evening rush hour; this will have a serious knock on effect on local streets, especially West End Lane. The impact in terms of noise and pollution will be unfortunate to say the least. Personally I recognize that improvements are needed around Brent Cross. The plan approved is for me far too big and reliant on the car, but perhaps we can take cold comfort from the fact that the current economic climate will in all probability mean that what comes out will be more modest in size.
A La Recherche du Swiss Cottage
I see our putative LibDem opponents next May have published a nice map of Swiss Cottage ward on their website (republished here).
Now I don't normally talk too much about other parties, after all councillors of all parties have a lot in common and we achieve a lot together for Camden.
But I was amused that, hot on the heels of the Swiss Cottage-South Hampstead debate we triggered recently, the LibDem map seems to be missing a few streets in the east of the ward. Avenue Road, Elsworthy Road, Harley Rd. And Kings Henrys Road and Wadham Gardens. Plus St Edmund's Terrace and Broxwood Way. Oh and St Stephens Close. Not forgetting Norfolk Road. And Queens Grove. And indeed one side of Woronzow Road, which doesn't actually have any residents but where we are responsible for the street. There's a link to a correct map of the ward on the links on the right or click here.
I'm sure they'll get it fixed now. And indeed as a Euro candidate in the 1990s I occasionally wandered out of Lincolnshire villages into the next county without realising. But this would be the perfect subject for the turbo-charged moral indignation of a Focus leaflet, if only someone else had done it!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Council switchboard number changing
Camden Council’s old switchboard number - 0207 278 4444 - is being turned off from next month, making the Council's current number, 020 7974 4444, the only way to contact the Council switchboard and the out of hours emergency telephone service. The difference between the two numbers is small but the cost of keeping them working is large, so the old number – 020 7278 4444 – is being switched off.
Anyone who calls the old number from 1 December 2009 will hear a pre-recorded message which will tell them to redial our current switchboard number 020 7974 4444.The old number was originally diverted to the current switchboard number. However in July this year the charges were increased so we are saving money by closing the old number.The recorded message on the old number will stay in place for six months until the number is disconnected completely.
The key point of course is what happens when you get through to the council's switchboard. All the feedback is that in the last couple of years the quality of the response you get has improved, we know there is more to do. The range of council services is huge, and getting people through to the right person is quite a challenge.
Anyone who calls the old number from 1 December 2009 will hear a pre-recorded message which will tell them to redial our current switchboard number 020 7974 4444.The old number was originally diverted to the current switchboard number. However in July this year the charges were increased so we are saving money by closing the old number.The recorded message on the old number will stay in place for six months until the number is disconnected completely.
The key point of course is what happens when you get through to the council's switchboard. All the feedback is that in the last couple of years the quality of the response you get has improved, we know there is more to do. The range of council services is huge, and getting people through to the right person is quite a challenge.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Swiss Cottage area forum agrees street & youth activity improvements
The Swiss Cottage residents area forum recently at Crossfield Centre was quite well attended, with good discussion on local concerns, and specifically how to spend the £10,000 that councillors have allocated for local people to spend on area improvements. You can see the minutes here:
http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/having-your-say/area-forums/swiss-cottage-area-forum.en
The meeting decided that the money would be spend on:
· Replacement of damaged external and internal fittings at the Winchester Youth Project
· Review of street signage in Swiss Cottage to reduce clutter
· Flowers and shrubs for the Belsize Road roundabout
Council staff are now making this happen in liaison with us as ward councillors.
A lot of other issues were raised, including speed bumps and various problems requiring action by Transport for London, such as more trees on Finchley Road, addressing traffic problems on Fairfax Road, and improvements around the tube station. We are very aware of the problems on Finchley Road and we continue to lobby TfL on a regular basis to work more effectively with Camden Council.
http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-and-democracy/having-your-say/area-forums/swiss-cottage-area-forum.en
The meeting decided that the money would be spend on:
· Replacement of damaged external and internal fittings at the Winchester Youth Project
· Review of street signage in Swiss Cottage to reduce clutter
· Flowers and shrubs for the Belsize Road roundabout
Council staff are now making this happen in liaison with us as ward councillors.
A lot of other issues were raised, including speed bumps and various problems requiring action by Transport for London, such as more trees on Finchley Road, addressing traffic problems on Fairfax Road, and improvements around the tube station. We are very aware of the problems on Finchley Road and we continue to lobby TfL on a regular basis to work more effectively with Camden Council.
Friday, 13 November 2009
How easy is it to get an Evening Standard around Swiss Cottage?
We've now seen the end of London Lite, and I'm a bit concerned to hear that many people in outer London are finding it hard to get hold of the (now free) Evening Standard. Obviously newsagents don't generally stock a free paper as they make no money on it (and the fact the Standard has gone free is bad news for struggling newsagents, as people often ended up buying something else as well).
I must have a look in the next few days and see how easy it is to pick up a Standard around NW3 and NW6.
Whatever concerns we might have about the Standard's Russian owner, let's all hope the paper does now flourish as a free paper - a city like London surely deserves a decent City newspaper. And it must be properly distributed across London so it's not just available to those working in central London.
I must have a look in the next few days and see how easy it is to pick up a Standard around NW3 and NW6.
Whatever concerns we might have about the Standard's Russian owner, let's all hope the paper does now flourish as a free paper - a city like London surely deserves a decent City newspaper. And it must be properly distributed across London so it's not just available to those working in central London.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Camden celebs donating clothes for Council's new recycling campaign
I'm delighted at this initiative by the Council as part of our "Small Steps, Big Difference" campaign:
Recycling Celebrities, including Emma Thompson, Ridley Scott, Julian Clary and Terry Gilliam have donated items of clothing to Camden Council in support of a new environmental campaign. The small steps campaign aims to encourage residents to take small steps to become environmentally friendly in their every day life.
Camden Council will work with national charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) to raise awareness of the urgent need to reduce the amount of textile waste sent to landfill. To date TRAID has successfully diverted 1022.3 tonnes of unwanted textiles from landfill sites in partnership with local London authorities, businesses and communities.The UK spend £46 billion on clothes and accessories every year and throw away 1.2 million tonnes of clothing. Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill.
Workshops will be running with designers from TRAID to provide a solution to this problem. Designers will provide tips and techniques to adjust update and revamp old clothes, providing a stylish alternative to buying new. The celebrity’s clothes will be restyled and turned into high street fashion pieces and fashion accessories.After the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to direct and snap their own fashion shoot. Everyone involved will get to keep their recycled design and photos.
The Council’s ‘small steps’ campaign provides a raft of initiatives to support people and include: A new and improved website which will enable you to get information you need about the environment as quickly as possible; A freephone environmental helpline which can offer you advice on anything from draught-proofing to sustainable gardening; A range of small steps hubs at popular locations across Camden with innovative displays and access to a range of environmental information.
Celebrities who have donated clothes include: Julian Clary - Christian Lacroix shirt Emma Thompson - black Prada jacket Ridley Scott - a cap from his new film Robin Hood Victoria Wood - jumper Terry Gilliam - jeans Damian Lewis - jacket Helen Mcrory - a red velvet jacket Pauline Collins - three piece Jean Muir suit Derek Jacobi - Italian trousers Martin Amis -a tie
Small steps can make a big difference, if all Camden households turned their thermostats down by 1°C they could save around £5,799,300 per year and almost 29,700 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is enough to pay the yearly fuel and power bills for more than 5,000 households.
Recycling Celebrities, including Emma Thompson, Ridley Scott, Julian Clary and Terry Gilliam have donated items of clothing to Camden Council in support of a new environmental campaign. The small steps campaign aims to encourage residents to take small steps to become environmentally friendly in their every day life.
Camden Council will work with national charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) to raise awareness of the urgent need to reduce the amount of textile waste sent to landfill. To date TRAID has successfully diverted 1022.3 tonnes of unwanted textiles from landfill sites in partnership with local London authorities, businesses and communities.The UK spend £46 billion on clothes and accessories every year and throw away 1.2 million tonnes of clothing. Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill.
Workshops will be running with designers from TRAID to provide a solution to this problem. Designers will provide tips and techniques to adjust update and revamp old clothes, providing a stylish alternative to buying new. The celebrity’s clothes will be restyled and turned into high street fashion pieces and fashion accessories.After the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to direct and snap their own fashion shoot. Everyone involved will get to keep their recycled design and photos.
The Council’s ‘small steps’ campaign provides a raft of initiatives to support people and include: A new and improved website which will enable you to get information you need about the environment as quickly as possible; A freephone environmental helpline which can offer you advice on anything from draught-proofing to sustainable gardening; A range of small steps hubs at popular locations across Camden with innovative displays and access to a range of environmental information.
Celebrities who have donated clothes include: Julian Clary - Christian Lacroix shirt Emma Thompson - black Prada jacket Ridley Scott - a cap from his new film Robin Hood Victoria Wood - jumper Terry Gilliam - jeans Damian Lewis - jacket Helen Mcrory - a red velvet jacket Pauline Collins - three piece Jean Muir suit Derek Jacobi - Italian trousers Martin Amis -a tie
Small steps can make a big difference, if all Camden households turned their thermostats down by 1°C they could save around £5,799,300 per year and almost 29,700 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is enough to pay the yearly fuel and power bills for more than 5,000 households.
Friday, 6 November 2009
Free Family Fun Day at the Winch, Swiss Cottage Sunday 15th Nov
The Council’s Families in Focus service are inviting Camden families to a Fun Day at the Winchester Project, Swiss Cottage, Sunday 15 November from 12-4pm, which will include a host of exciting and fun events for all the family. From circus acts to face painting and free food to football skills there will be something for everyone, with the emphasis on families enjoying themselves together.
The day celebrates the fact that Families in Focus has a brand new site in the northwest of the borough which will enable even more families to take advantage of this innovative project. The Council’s Families in Focus project provides community based services for children and young people aged from four to 16, and their families. It combines universal services for the whole community with more targeted intervention for families and children who may need extra help or guidance.
The project offers various methods to help bring about positive change to people’s lives and improve quality of life. It does this through parenting education and support, information and sign posting to existing services, advice, behaviour management help, practical and emotional support and family group conferences. The project draws on research which suggests that the role of parenting has a part to play in the prevention of youth offending and anti-social behaviour. It highlights the importance of community and whole family working in building a strong society and strengthening families.
This is a great initiative since we know that supporting families and young people to make the most of positive opportunities is critical to everyone's quality of life around Swiss Cottage.
The day celebrates the fact that Families in Focus has a brand new site in the northwest of the borough which will enable even more families to take advantage of this innovative project. The Council’s Families in Focus project provides community based services for children and young people aged from four to 16, and their families. It combines universal services for the whole community with more targeted intervention for families and children who may need extra help or guidance.
The project offers various methods to help bring about positive change to people’s lives and improve quality of life. It does this through parenting education and support, information and sign posting to existing services, advice, behaviour management help, practical and emotional support and family group conferences. The project draws on research which suggests that the role of parenting has a part to play in the prevention of youth offending and anti-social behaviour. It highlights the importance of community and whole family working in building a strong society and strengthening families.
This is a great initiative since we know that supporting families and young people to make the most of positive opportunities is critical to everyone's quality of life around Swiss Cottage.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
£1000 prize for shopping at independent stores in Camden this Christmas
A lucky shopper will scoop a £1,000 prize by shopping in Camden this Christmas - that’s the amazing cash reward Camden Council is offering visitors to the borough.
We're doing this because we want to attract more day trippers, shoppers and tourists into Camden to buy presents from local independent businesses – so helping traders through the recession.The council’s Christmas Shopping Guide is currently being distributed at tube stations, cafes and bars highlighting the fantastic range of products and discounts available in the borough's many diverse and vibrant independent shops.
The ‘golden ticket competition’ means shoppers who spend over five pounds in Camden’s local independent shops can enter this free draw – with the chance of scooping the £1,000 cash prize.The council will officially launch its Christmas Shopping Guide and golden ticket competition in Inverness Street Market, Camden Town, Saturday 7 November, 11.45am - I (Councillor Andrew Marshall) will be there along with Cllr Keith Moffitt). The council’s festive team will be handing out copies of the guide with help from a giant golden Santa stilt walker and music from a Steel Pan band.The golden ticket can be found in the back of the guide or online at lovecamden.org. Shoppers can enter for each separate purchase giving them more chances of winning. Lovecamden.org also lists the shops which are offering discounts on festive goods.
We're doing this because we want to attract more day trippers, shoppers and tourists into Camden to buy presents from local independent businesses – so helping traders through the recession.The council’s Christmas Shopping Guide is currently being distributed at tube stations, cafes and bars highlighting the fantastic range of products and discounts available in the borough's many diverse and vibrant independent shops.
The ‘golden ticket competition’ means shoppers who spend over five pounds in Camden’s local independent shops can enter this free draw – with the chance of scooping the £1,000 cash prize.The council will officially launch its Christmas Shopping Guide and golden ticket competition in Inverness Street Market, Camden Town, Saturday 7 November, 11.45am - I (Councillor Andrew Marshall) will be there along with Cllr Keith Moffitt). The council’s festive team will be handing out copies of the guide with help from a giant golden Santa stilt walker and music from a Steel Pan band.The golden ticket can be found in the back of the guide or online at lovecamden.org. Shoppers can enter for each separate purchase giving them more chances of winning. Lovecamden.org also lists the shops which are offering discounts on festive goods.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
