MarvsBloggJan toJune07

Above - Right and Left - The Surestart Centre, Ferryhill Station. It was a great day and I made some new friends. Billy had a ball....and a hat!...Mine!

Right - Performing 'Recycle Magic' at Scoil Chaitriona' National School in Galway City,Ireland. I received a warm welcome from Mary the principal and 'Mary' the 'Green Officer' The whole school watched the show, all 400 of them, my largest school audience to date.

With everyone packed in the atmosphere was electric!

The children sat on the floor for over an hour and were a credit to the school.

From Galway I headed for Mayo and the town of Belmullet, a place of breathtaking beauty on the very edge of Ireland looking out to the Atlantic.

I performed five 'Recycle Magic' shows in the town's new Civic Centre. A remarkable building housing a library, courtroom, Mayo County Council offices, an auditorium and it is the home to Belmullet Arts Group. I was honoured to perform the first ever live performance in the auditorium of this impressive building. 13 schools came to the 5 shows and I couldn't wish for better audiences. I 'd like to thank Sharon Cooney and Mary Forde from Mayo environment dept for organising everything. It's Recycling officers throughout the country that help me get the recycling message to so many school children. Thanks again Sharon, say hello to Alex for me.

...398...399...400! Wow!!

Mary the Green Officer

(She's not really Green!)

On the right, Edenderry National School Hall, Co Offaly.

Doesn't it look grand.

Nice to be back in Birr (Right & Left) the last time I was here I was ten foot tall - stilt walking.

I stayed at the 'Maltings Guesthouse' and had breakfast watching the ducks on the river - lovely.

On the first day I had three performances in the renovated 19th century Oxmantown Theatre in Birr and on the second day two performances at Edenderry National School. Thanks everyone in the theatre and Edenderry for all your help. And a special thank you to Clare Dunne Recycling Officer from Offaly County Council who arranged everything.

Doing the business in Stillorgan Library Dublin.

I began and ended May with visits to two North Yorkshire schools. On a sunny May-day morning I visited Sutton on the Forest Primary near York and performed my 'Recycle Magic' show to an enthusiastic audience of approx 80 students. And in the last week of May I was back in the area at the Huby CE Primary school. I'd like to thank staff and students at both schools for giving me such a warm Yorkshire welcome. I look forward to seeing you all again in the not too distant future.

Across the water again to Dublin. It was my first work for Dun Laoighaire and Rathdown Council in Dublin and I had a great time. Here I am performing 'Recycle Magic' at Stillorgan Library - below middle and right, and all ready for action at the Dundrum Library - below left.

A big thank you to Marie Grant from the Environment Department for inviting me over

Waiting for the audience

in Dundrum Library

Working away at Cosby National School, Stradbally Co Laois - above. Hope you all enjoyed your puppet making. Top right - Proudly displaying their Green Flag.

Having fun entertaining the local National School in Castletown Community Centre Co Laois - left.

Big smiles at Clough National School, Ballacolla - right

Below left, An attentive audience at Arles National School, Co Laois. Below right at at St Fiaacs National school introducing my 'Rubbish Puppet', made from a milk carton.

Strutting my stuff at Ballyadams National School, Co Laois - above.

Left - All ready for the Green Award presentations at Portlaois Parish Centre I'd like to thank Anne Marie Kelly and Karen Cuddy from Laois County Council for organising my tour of the schools in the area. It was nice meeting you both.

It was lovely to back in Sligo again. W. B. Yeats the Sligo poet is one of my favourites and the sight of Ben Bulben never fails to lift the spirits. Fiona Kelly from Sligo County Council and Michelle Coyle from Sligo Borough arranged my performance schedule, which started on Tuesday at Dromore West Community Centre and ended on the Friday in the 'Black Box Theatre' situated in the 'Model and Niland Arts Centre', Sligo Town.

All action at Castleconnor Community Centre with the land - fill experiment -above left, and demonstrating a recycled hat - above right.

Above left - A demonstration on how to recycle paper at Enniscrone National School - Above right - Asking 'Billy' to behave himself -

Several schools in Sligo were invited to the Council Chambers to receive their 'Green Flag Awards' . After the ceremony I performed 'Recycle Magic' to a an excited audience. It was a special day for all those schools involved - well done.

Jan to June 07

Sharon Mchugh the Environment Officer for Galway City Council organised my 5 show tour and saw to it that I didn't get lost in the city. Thanks Sharon. I'd also like to thank the four other schools for hosting

the show.

Here I am at the Belfast Waste Fair, having a great time entertaining and soaking up the sunshine. It's my second year here and so far the weather and craic have been great. Belfast with its impressive buildings and lively atmosphere is a joy to visit and It was great to be back and see some familiar faces. Above left - Billy and I pose in front of a giant ball made from rubbish. Above Right - Doing a spot of juggling. Above Centre - Entertaing a visiting school with some 'Recycle Magic'.

Its a long way to Tipperary but well worth the visit. Lorraine Power from North Tipperary County Council invited me over to perform some 'Recycle Magic' in five schools in Thurles town and district. Thanks Lorraine for all your help. My first visit was to Gaelscoil Bhride before moving on to Leugh National School. That's me in Leugh - Above left and Above Centre - Surrounded by the blue and yellow of Tipperary. My final show of the day was at Ballycahill - Above right - sorting out some silks after the show.

Above Left - On my second and final day in Tipperary I visited Holycross National School, here I am taking steps to leave the stage - Above centre - Walking to the car , that's Holycross Abbey in the background. Above Right - Performing with my milk carton puppet at Littleton National school. That was my last school and then it was a dash back to Dublin to catch my ferry home. A busy day and I appreciated my large cappuccino while waiting to board the ferry.

Having a chat with 'Sid the Kid' during a visit to West Cornforth Surestart, Co Durham

Above and left - Performing at Peases West Primary School in Billy Row, Co Durham. 'Billy' was delighted, Billy in Billy Row!

It looks like I'm doing a little dance on the left.

Left & Right - Back in the UK and a visit to Escomb Primary School, Co Durham. A wonderful day and with an enthusiastic audience of over 200 students we had a great time. A big hello and thanks to head teacher Keith Taylor and his staff and of course the children who all contributed to an exciting event. Keith tread the boards himself and was once in a production directed by the late great Laurence Olivier. Keep up the good work Keith.

Left - Outside Newton Aycliffe, Surestart Children's Centre, Co Durham with Lisa and Lianne doing a spot of plate spinning.

Right - Police Officer Louise and I 'Clubbing It' outside Shildon Surestart Centre (Juggling clubs that is!)

The first police officer to feature on my Blog.

Louise was showing the children her police wagon.

They loved the siren!

Left - Loading up after my last appearance of the summer for Surestart Co Durham. This time I was at Fishburn Primary School for their Fun Day. I was there to promote the proposed building of a new Surestart Children's Centre in Fishburn. I'd like to thank everyone for making my visit an enjoyable one, and look forward to returning in the not too distant future.

All action at Newton Aylcliffe, Surestart Children's Centre. On the left I'm entertaining some of the families from the area, and on the right - doing a spot of plate spinning with some local children.

It was the Children's Centre official opening day and the place was packed with local people who came along to enjoy the festivities. Tyne Tees Television were present and that added to the buzz.