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I started the first day of April visiting the dentist; but you don't want to know about that. Something far more enjoyable than having my teeth looked at was my visit to Sedgefield Library with
'Feel Good - Feel Magic'. It was a sell out show; thanks Judith, Ann and Jayne for organising everthing.
Planting Glad Seeds in Sedgfield
A packed house having Fun!
North Yorkshire Visit
Left - Getting ready for 'Feel Good - Feel Magic' at Le - Cateau Primary school in Catterick. This was my second visit to the school, I was there last year with 'Recycle Magic'. It was nice to be back, and 'Billy' received an enthusiastic welcome.
Way Down in Wexford
Another trip to the Emerald Isle and to the bottom right hand corner, Wexford. I was invited over by Wexford County Council to perform 'Recycle Magic' in some of their National Schools. Coming back from New Ross on my first day I came across an amazing silver tree shining in the late afternoon sun. Ireland never fails to surprise me; this tree has to be right up there with the Zebras in Mayo!
Above - Giant fish attacks from behind in Davidstown N.S. in Wexford
Introducing 'Mark' to pupils at
St. Aidans NS in Clonroche
The Amazing Silver Tree
Above - Colourful background at St Josephs N.S. in New Ross
Above - Gory Educate Together School.
Below - St Theresa's N.S. Ballyellis
Trip to Tipp
From Wexford I travelled north to Nenagh, in North Tipperary. I visited four schools during my two day stay in the county. It was my first visit to all the schools and recieved a lovely welcome from the staff and students.
'Billy the Bird', stealing the show at CBS Primary in Nenagh
An attentive audience at
Scoil Ailbhe in Thurles Town
Above & Left - Having a great time at Kilruane N.S. Right - Getting ready for the show at Ardcroney N.S. Both schools are just north of Nenagh Town.
East to the Fair City
From Tipperary I headed east to Dublin. I was in the capital city performing 8 'Recycle Magic' shows over three hectic days, .
Having fun at Our Lady of Lourdes NS. Inchicore
Getting ready for action at
Mater Dei NS Inchicore
Ready to Recycle at St. Catherine's NS. Inchicore
Sorting silks before the show at Scoil Mhuire, Inchicore.
Mayhem with flying eggs
at Inchicore NS
Sunny Drive to Cavan
Home for a week and It's back across the Irish Sea. I leave Durham in sunshine and arrive in County Cavan under blue skies. This time I'm the guest of Cathal McCarthy from the environment department of Cavan County Council.
Salty goings on at East Knockbride's N.S. Cavan
Giant Target at Kilinkere N.S. Cavan; so I quickly get to the point!
Left - Two helpers having fun at St Michael's NS. Cootehill. Cavan.
Right - In dramatic pose at Kill N.S. Can you recognise the bird on my arm?
Right - 'Mark' appears again in spectacular fashion at Lisboduff N.S.
Not Long to Longford
A ninety minute drive from Cavan and I'm in Longford. It was a one day stay to perform a couple of 'Recycle Shows' in Grenard. The Sun was shining on the day of my visit to Grenard National School and that's me on the left taking in its rays. On the right I'm in Bullfighting mode; I think the sun must have gone to my head. A big thanks to Gary Brady from the Environment Department of Longford County Council for organising everything.
North East to Monaghan
From Longford I headed north east to Monaghan Town. This time I am the guest of Moira Kelly the Environment Officer for Monaghan County Council. I visited nine schools in the area, over a busy three day period.
'Billy' pretending to be Wayne Rooney at Scoil Mhuire NS in Clontibret
Setting up at St Patricks NS Broomfield
Working things out at Bunscoil Lug Haid Naofa in Carrickmacross
Having a ball at Billis N.S. Glaslough
Land Fill experiment at
St Mary's N.S. Glaslough
Snuggling up to two cuddly characters outside
St Patricks N.S. Corracrin.
Inside St. Patricks doing, what looks like, a tap dance
Myself and the all the students of Deravoy N.S Carrickcroe.
Taking in the Sun outside
Gaelscoil Ultrain.
Monaghan Town.
One Day in Dublin
Back to Dublin for a day, and probably the last visit this year. The City has a lot to be proud of, not only in art and literature but also in its approach to environmental issues. It has an impressive record when it comes to the environment, with its recently new monorail system (The Luas) and cycle tracks that run right to the heart of this vibrant city.
Set up and ready for action at
Gaelscoil Inchicore.
Working away at Gaelscoil Inchicore.
The environmentally friendly 'Luas' tram speeds commuters to the heart of Dublin.
Feeling Good At Half Term
Sarah and Margaret from Woodhouse Close Library, getting to know Sid the Kid.
Gillian, Deborah and Kay, all smiles at Spennymoor Library
During the half - term school holidays I visited several County Durham libraries, with my healthy lifestyle show, 'Feel Good - Feel Magic'. The Feel Good show is really going down well with the young audiences, and it's lovely to see some of the big people having a laugh. It just goes to show how eating healthy food and exercising can really make you,
Left - Lucy, myself and Niall at Wingate Library. Niall put on my coat for size; he looks well in it.
Belfast Waste Week June 08
Back to Belfast for this years Waste Week. It was arranged this year by Naoimi Palmer from Belfast City Council. This was my third year at the event and I was so pleased to bring 'Recycle Magic' back to this rejuvenated city. The Northern Irish people are always so friendly and helpful, a good example of this was the 'Recycle Education Team' led by Naomi; they helped make it a fun packed week for the hundreds of school children who attended and had a great time. This year we were visiting four parks in the city - literally north, south, east and west - to promote recycling and how we can care for our environment.
Day one, entertaining pupils in Alexander Park Belfast
Recycling in the Park
The second day of the Waste Fair took place at the Alderman Tommy Patton Park in the east of the city.
I met the big guy (top left) just outside the park, and (above right), enjoying the show, one of the many schools that visited throughout the day.
On day three we were in West Belfast at the Falls Park.
It was a great day out for local schools in the area. All of the schools taking part were enthusiastic audiences and had a lovely time. A big plus was the weather, the rain stayed away until all the schools had left. Thats me above left - having a ball, and top right - chatting about recycling with 'Mark'.
Above right - The Last day and two schools enjoy the sun and fun at Ormeau Park.
Above left - Naomi and her 'Recycling Education Team' who worked so hard to make the week long event, a success; a great bunch and I look forward to working with them again.
Newry Town where the Sun Nevers goes Down!
Alright maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but the sun shone for days on end during my week long visit. I was a guest again of Patrick Mcshane and Tara Cunningham from Newry and Down Environment Department. Patrick and Tara know how to look after a guest - how about lunch on the first day in a 12th century banquet hall! It was a lovely lunch it was just a pity I had to fit it in between shows and had to dash off with Tara before the apple crumble! So with the sun, the lunch and three great audiences the first day went very well indeed.
Showtime at St Colmans Abbey Primary
Environment talk at
St Patricks Primary
Balancing act at
St Malalchy's Primary
The Newry and Down district council are running a competition to find the best 'Art Bin'. Wheelie bins throughout the area have been transformed into works of art. Above are some of the entries on display in the Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry.
Have you 'bin' to the art exhibition?
Happy group at
St Joseph's Primary, Killeavy
Floating tube at
St Teresa's Primary, Mountnorris
'Pan' demonium at Killeen Primary.
Start of a 'Rubbish' show at Kilkeel Primary.
I've got the bottle at
St Coleman's Primary Kilkeel.
'Fan' tastic work at Moneydarragh Primary.
Some of 'Billy's' admirers gather round at irish speaking school, Bunscoil an Luir in Newry.
Getting down to Land Fill business at St Pauls Primary, Cabra. I was reluctant to leave as they were just dishing up a roast pork lunch, which smelt lovely.
Two of my assistants helping out at Kilbroney Integrated Primary, Rostrevor.
Now you see it now you don't at St Brigids Primary, Crossmaglen.
A quick cuppa before starting the first show on the last day of my Newry week, at
St Patricks Primary, Glassdrummond.
The last show at Jonesboro Primary. A lovely way to finsh my tour, at a delightful school and an attentive audience.
With the final show over I headed off to the ferry in Belfast. It's been a busy two weeks (30 shows) and I can't wait to see my kids again ( I need to remind them what their dad looks like ) . I've really enjoyed my visit and I look forward to making the journey across the water again in the not too distant future.
Feeling Good Recycling Home
Back home and the first week finds me Feeling Good in a local library and 'Recycling the Magical Way' in a Durham primary school. The first visit was to Coundon Library where I was well looked after by Zena and Anne. My second show was at Lakes Primary school in Redcar; where I was the guest of Caroline Chadwick. Both events went well and I'd like to thank everyone involved.
Zena and Anne at Coundon Library
Left and Upper Right - Having a fun time at Lakes Primary, Redcar.
April to June 08
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