Jan to March 2008
At the end of January I revisited Galway County in the west of Ireland with 'Recycle Magic'. Sharon Mchugh the Recycling Officer for Galway city and Angela Quinn Recycling Officer for the County organised my hectic four day schedule. Thanks for all the help Sharon and Angela. After two days in the city I went out into the County and ran into some untypical weather; I woke in Athenry to a covering of snow. I finished off the week at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre which is located ten miles or so from Portadown.
All the Way to Galway
All doing the Recycle Rap at the Athenry Boys School
'Billy' up to mischief at Carnaun School
A spot of teaching at Monivea National School
A Great Day in Lough Neagh
Councillor Robert Woolsey Smith at Lough Neagh
The Eco Community Challenge at Lough Neagh was a great success, with various local community groups attending. Ann Greene and Lynn Morrow organised this important environmental awareness event; and set in such a beautiful location made everyone only too aware of what we have to lose if we don't care for our environment. Thank you Ann and Lynn for asking me along. Good luck with all your future endeavors.
'Billy' brushing up on his reading.
On the West Road to Mayo
Recycling Glass in Foxford NS Mayo
Landfill experiment at Knockanilla, Ballina
It is a long west road to Mayo, but worth it. I always enjoy my visits to such a beautiful part of Ireland. Once again I have to thank Sharon Cameron and Mary Forde from Galway Environment department for making it all possible. Thank you both and I look forward to meeting up again.
Right- 'Billy' taking over as usual at Lecanvey NS. Westport
Left - A Litter talk about rubbish at Killeen NS, Louisburgh
Roscommon Visit
Leaving Mayo I headed east to Boyle in Roscommon. The Recycling Officer for Roscommon County Council, Suzanne Dempsey, organised my visit. it was a smooth one, supplying me with maps and directions. The last time I was in Boyle town I was staying in a guesthouse by the old Abbey. While work was being carried out to reinforce one of the Abbey walls, two skeletons were found. Archeologists were called in and the bodies were thought to be of medieval monks. The archeologists were staying in the guesthouse and they took me to the trench and showed me the remains. It was an eerie experience and that night laying in bed my thoughts were on those souls laying less than 50 yards away.
An audience comprising of six local schools at the Boyle Church Hall
Sitting so patiently the students of Scoil Na Aingil Naofa, Boyle.
Left - Drawing it out at Stokestown NS
Right - 'Are you having a laugh' Kilteevan N.S.
Back to Belfast
I left Roscommon and travelled further east to Belfast for my final day of my two week visit to Ireland. My first show was at the headquarters of Newtownabbey Borough Council at Mossley Mill. It was an award ceremony for a number of schools in the area who had recycled thousands of covers off the front of the'Yellow Pages'.
Mary Mcginn had invited me along to perform 'Recycle Magic' for the children who were representing their school.
Joining in the celebrations
The impressive Mossley Mill. Newtownabbey.
After the show at Mossley Mill I was whisked away by Barry Tapster from the Environment Department of Larne District Council. Larne lies a few miles north of Belfast and Barry escorted me to a couple of schools in his area. Thanks Barry for all your help especially the lugging of the equipment.
Assisted in Larne
Smile your on camera
Award winners at Mossley Mill
Feeling Good in Durham
School half term again and time for my 'Feel Good - Feel Magic' show to hit the road. This time I was visiting several libraries in Co Durham. It was a hectic week and I enjoyed every minute. The weather was freezing but the warm welcome I received wherever I went made up for it.
Look what the frost has done to my hand
Sandra at Blackhall Library
Sandra Juggling at Murton Library
Nichola and Sandra
Horden Library
Louise joining in the fun.
Murton Library
Sam dressed for the part.
Seaham Library
Andrea and Kathy.
Shotton Library
I'd also like to thank all those people who weren't caught on camera, for their help and hospitality and big thank you to Susan Skirving and Joe Orton for their support in booking 'Feel Good - Feel Magic'.
And not forgetting all those who came to see the show.
To finish off the week I was asked by Tees Valley Housing Group to perform my 'Fun Magic' show and some walkabout magic and circus stuff at their 'Open Day' at the Golden Boy Community Centre in Middlesbrough. It was great to meet up again with the Tees Valley crew.
Standing quietly Sharon, Jenny and Anne of the Tees Valley Housing Group ; moments later they were all frantically plate spinning.
Doing Tricks in Limerick
A lively audience at the
Modhail School Limerick City
Is that a green wizards hat at Scoil Mhaithait De SCR Limerick City
Two strange characters spotted in Kilmallock.
'Are you ready to meet 'Billy' - Broadford NS
'Billy you are not a Swan!'
Courtney NS Newcastle West
A long way off at the Gaelscoil Limerick City
Packed in cosy at Kilfinane NS
Attempting to Fly at Lysnagry NS
Trying to control 'Billy' at Scoil Ide Limerick City
Another week away, this time to Limerick. It was a whirlwind four days visiting National schools in Limerick City and County. In all I visited ten schools and I met some very enthusiastic audiences who I am sure will keep the 'Recycling Flag Flying' in Munster. Thanks to Sinead Mcdonnell from Limerick City Council and Joanna Gammell from the County Council for helping me spread the Recycling message.
Tower Juggling
Magic World of Books
There was all kinds of Book stuff going on at Berwick Hill Primary in Middlesbrough in Teeside. To tie in with 'World Book Day' they had organised all manner of events. At the start of the week they had their 'Book Fare' and in the middle of the week they invited me to perform my 'Book Magic' show. At the end of the week, continuing the book theme, the children were encouraged to come to school dressed as one of their favourite book characters.
The children enjoyed the show and loved meeting some of my puppet friends which included 'Read' my book friend, Ms Page a poetic Owl, Sid the Kid doing his ABC's and of course the infamous 'Billy the Bird' who gave me a rather surprising present! I'd like to thank Clare Gowland for organising my visit and all the children and staff for being such a good audience.
Poetic Ms Page meets the children.
'Sid the Kid' at Berwick Hill Primary doing his ABC's
Trip to Trimdon
A trip to Trimdon Library to perform 'Feel Good - Feel Magic'.
The St Williams School and Trimdon Junior were invited along to join in the Healthy Fun.
Left - Margaret and Lucy checking out the Silks just before the show.
ECO Celebration in Teeside
Sarah Ransome the Community Project Officer for 'Groundwork South Tees' invited me along to Eston City Learning Centre in Middlesbrough to join in a big Eco Celebration. Twentyfour schools from the region were present to receive awards for their various Eco projects. When asked, I was only to pleased to hand out these hard earned awards. All the pupils attending were a credit to their school. The 'Recycle Magic' show went well, helped by an enthusiastic audience.
From Darlington to Cornforth
Left - Another busy week kicked off in Darlington at the Gurney Pease Primary School. It is a lovely old school, full of character. A big thank you to Maureen Hobbs for booking me. Maureen was my daughter Flynn's reception teacher in Barnard Castle.
Right - From Recycling to Healthy Lifestyles at Cornforth Library. Margaret helping to keep the energy going.
I'd like to thank Anne Vickerstaff for asking me along and for Cornforth Nursery and Reception for being a great audience
Lincoln Green
A flying one day visit to Lincoln, or to be exact Bracebridge Heath, just a few miles east of the city.
It was the end of the Science Week at Bracebridge Heath Primary and Alison Cowling had booked me for two 'Recycle Magic' shows as a special treat for the students. It turned out a special day for me when Alison handed me some sheets of paper from the children, with comments about the show and drawings capturing some of the action. It is always nice to receive positive comments especially from the children. Thanks Alison and all the staff and pupils for giving me such a warm welcome
Book Surprise in Sunderland
There was a big surprise for all the children who attended my 'Book Magic' show at Sunderland Library and Arts Centre; I'm afraid I can't let you know exactly what happened, you'll have to see the show for that, but it involved a Bird, a Present, some Snakes and a very special Book.
We all had a great time, 'Sid the Kid' doing his ABC's, 'Read', the book puppet displaying his knowledge and 'Ms Page' reciting her favourite poem. And of course 'Billy the Bird' was up to his usual tricks.
Thanks to all the staff for their hospitality and especially to Kate McCubbin for inviting me along.
Above - Ms Page and I at at the
Sunderland Library and Arts Centre
Left - Kate McCubbin and I
before the show
Right - 'Read' talking
to the children
Healthy in Peterlee
Above - Caring & Sharing at
Eden Community Primary
Above - Planting Glad Seeds at Dean House Primary
Above- Water Experiment At Eden Community Primary
Above - Fruit & Veg Display at
Dean House Primary
Above - 'Is this your Chicken Marvin? Fun magic at
Acre Rigg Junior School
Left - Water, water everywhere at Acre Rigg Junior.
Right - Getting ready for the show at Acre Rigg Infant School.
Cockfield Primary
On the way back from Peterlee
I popped into Cockfield Primary.
Right & Left - Students feeling good and having fun.
Family Affair
A wet Saturday afternoon in Barnard Castle turned out to be very special. I was performing my 'Feel Good - Feel Magic' show at the local library and my family came along. That's my son Alex below on the left and my daughter Flynn on the right. If you think you've seen them before, check out the posters.
I was asked by Durham Primary Care Trust to present
my healthy lifestyle show, 'Feel Good - Feel Magic, in a number of Peterlee schools; It was part of the
'Peterlee Project' funded by the DPCT.
I received a warm welcome from all the schools taking part, and look forward to visiting the area again.
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