Above - Packed and ready to leave. Just finished an end of term show at Copeland Rd School. Co Durham. I had a wonderful time and managed to pack up and load up before the rain came. Thanks everyone for helping to make it a memorable day.
Above - A spot of Juggling from Charlie at the St James College Fun Day In Bishop Auckland , Co Durham. After the show I held a Circus Workshop and I'd like to thank all those who took part. A big hello to John and Sarah from Chippenham , Wiltshire who were visiting family.
A Family Fun Day in the 'Travellers Rest' in East Rainton near Sunderland. Below Left - A plate spinning session. Below Right - Some Magic Mayhem with a Black Bag, Chicken
and a Man Utd Supporter.
July to Dec 07
Left- My first visit of the School Term to Parkway Day Nursery in Coulby Newham near Middlesborough, The little ones were lovely and enjoyed the show. Thanks Rachel for a warm welcome and congratulations on running a top class facility.
Above Right - Checking out the Honk Horn, prior to my Fun Day entertainment at Marne Barracks ,Catterick. Great kids who had loads of fun during and after the show with the Circus workshop. Thanks Andy for overseeing the event.
Marv's Blog Page
Ferry time again and over to Belfast and an hours drive south to Newry Town. It's was nice to be back again and working with Patrick Mcshane and Tara Cunningham of Newry & Mourne District Council. It was their 'Do You Need A Bag' week and I was booked for two 'Recycle Magic' shows in the Buttercrane Shopping Centre. Two schools were brought in for the shows and we all had a great time. I showed Patrick a mind reading trick and Tara a spot of juggling. Thanks both of you for organising my trip and I hope to see you again soon.
Above- Posing with the Mayor and St Colman's Abbey Primary School, Newry. at the
Buttercrane Shopping Centre- Newry
From Newry it was back to Belfast and the King's Hall for the 'Green Lifestyle Show'. I met some interesting characters one in particular being the 'Bag Lady'. She is doing great work in raising awareness of how plastic bags are having such a harmful impact on our environment.
I also made a smoothie using cycle power. Unfortunately in my eagerness to start peddling the lady didn't have hold of the blender lid and the smoothie mixture spurted up my back!
There was a lovely couple called Michael and Vanessa who introduced me to their baby hedgehogs. They are doing a fantastic job running a hedgehog sanctuary. The two of them visit schools raising awareness of these gentle creatures and the dangers they face.
The two days flew by and I'd like to compliment Gill Mcneill the organiser on her sterling work.
Thanks Gill and I hope to see you next year
Above-'Recycle Magic' Belfast Kings Hall.
Above- A 'Smoothie'
Operator
Left - Marvin
and the
'Bag Lady'
From Belfast to Co Tyrone where David Richardson of the Environment Department of Cookstown District Council had booked me for three Recycle Shows. My first working visit to the county and David helped to make everything run smoothie... sorry smoothly. Thanks David for everything.
Above - First show of the day at St Patrick's Primary. Moneymore Primary were invited to the school for the performance
Above- An attentive audience at St Mary's Primary, Dunnamore
Above - Billy up to his old tricks at Donaghey Primary School. Nearby 'Stuarts Town Primary also joined in the fun.
Baby Hedgehog being fed milk out of a syringe. These little creatures were definitely the stars of the 'Green Lifestyle Show'
Left - Back over the water and here I am hypnotised by a juggling ball on my recent visit to the 'Tufton Arms Hotel' in Appleby, Cumbria. Not really hypnotised, I'd call it concentration, others might call it day dreaming. Hope to go back soon, the scenery is breathtaking.
Northern Ireland Visit
A bagful of smiles from myself ,'Billy the Bird', a young passer-by, Mayor of Newry Michael Cole and the people who organised the event Patrick McShane and Tara Cunningham from Newry and Mourne Council.
Please click (HERE) to find out more about the event.
Left- Rubbing shoulders with a celebrity. It's 'Emma Jayne' the dragon on her first birthday. This lovely lady is the mascot at Emma Jane's Nursery in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. It was their first anniversary of opening and they asked me along to entertain the wee ones with my
A week of 'Feel Good' shows kicked off at Barnard Castle Library in Teesdale, Co. Durham. That's me on the right, Feeling Good, juggling fruit and veg. I was entertaining and spreading the healthy lifestyle message to St Mary's Nursery. It was my first 'Feel Good - Feel Magic' show in the town and I'd like to thank the children, teachers and of course the library staff, Katy, Jeanette, Fiona, Jean and Sue for making it a fun morning
'Jude the Dude'. Mary visits libraries in the area organising various storytelling events. I'd also like to thank Elizabeth and Helen for their warm welcome. And a special thanks to my young audience from schools and nurseries in the area
After Thornley it was off to Blackhall Colliery Library. That's Anna and Sandra on the left giving me a hand to get organised. Thanks everyone and especially the audience:
St Joseph's RC School, Hesleden Nursery, Blackhall Primary, Bright Stars and
Giant Steps Day Care. Elizabeth Bell organised the two shows at Thornley and Blackhall. Thanks Elizabeth, I had a lovely time.
'Feel Good - Feel Magic Show' Hits the Road
Back to Barnard Castle to end the week. An enthusiastic audience from Green Lane and Kirklands Nurseries came to see the show. On the left are Fiona, Jean and Katy joining in the fun and on the right June Gowland the Divisional Manager for Libraries in West Durham. All the events were funded by
No, I'm not in Greece, it's Penrith, Cumbria.
I was back over the Pennines for a christening. Here I am doing a spot of juggling while taking in the air.
October arrives and I'm on the Ferry again to Ireland. This time I'm visiting Dundalk in Co Louth. Aishling Sheridan the Environment Officer for Louth County Council invited me over in what turned out to be a very special weekend for her and all her colleagues in the Environment Department.
'Billy will you come back Here!'
October / November 07.
Above - In the Marshes Shopping Centre, with Aishling Sheridan, Kathleen Muckian and the rest of the Environment Team proudly displaying their special award for being the top Local Authority Department in Ireland. Well done everyone.
I'd like to say a big hello to James Croke, a Kilkenny Man from the environment care company 'Ellicro'. James was demonstrating his amazing Can recycling machine in the shopping Centre.
Above Left - With Aisling and Recycling Robbie in front of the Recycling Bus at the V&W Recycling Centre in Drogheda.
Above Right - Juggling cans and plastic bottles with Willie Martin the owner of V & W. I performed two shows in the Centre and I'd like to say well done to the owner Willie, Amelda and all who work there for making it a super day.
Above- Trying my Hat on Billy during one of my performances at the Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth
Feeling Good in North Yorkshire
My second visit to Huby Primary in North Yorkshire; this time I was presenting my 'Feel Good - Feel Magic' show. I received a warm welcome from Rachel Hindel and her staff who were looking forward to a well earned half-term break. The children were wonderful and excited to see their old friend 'Billy' again, they also made a new friend 'Jude the Dude'. Sid was a great hit and talked about planting 'Glad Seeds' ( helping each other by sharing and caring ).
Having fun sorting out the Fruit and Vegetable Food Groups
Above
'Jude the Dude'
says hello
Recycling in North Yorkshire
I started the week in spectacular fashion with a trip to Moorsholm Village Hall in North Yorkshire, with my environment show 'Recycle Magic'. Spectacular is the only way I can describe this beautiful part of the country. Melanie Greenwood booked me for the day and I'd like to thank her for asking me to help with her environmental project.
Later in the week I took the show to Wibsey Primary School in Bradford. Ian Flory asked me to present the show for the Class 3 students who are doing an environmental awareness project. Lucy looked after me that day as Ian as he was off sick. Thanks to the other members of staff who made me feel so welcome.
Billy and I taking in the air at a local landmark near Moorsholm Village
Left - Halloween Fun with Alex, Shannon and Daniel at Strikes Garden Centre, Chester le Street, Co. Durham. What a Spooky Crew.
Right - Posing for a photo with Nicola and Holly at Rosedean Hemlington Nursery in Middlesborough.
A big thanks to Maxine, the manager, for asking me along to entertain the little ones.
The Leeds Connection
November arrives and its time for a visit to the 'Buzz' careers convention held at the Royal Armories in Leeds. This was my third year at the convention and as always everyone had a great time. West Yorkshire Connextions, who give help and advice on career possibilities for young people, run the event. Connexions is all about connecting 13 - 19 year olds to all the things they need to know. Young people with a learning difficulty or disability can use 'Connexions' until they are 25.
Having a fun time with some colourful friends at the Royal Armories, Leeds
Daniel, Kirsty and Jonathon meet
'Billy the Bird'
Zebras in Mayo
Off again, this time along the road to Ballina, County Mayo in the West of Ireland. I was invited by Carmel Murpy, the Town Clerk of Ballina Town Council, to visit nine schools with my 'Recycle Magic' show. The council were introducing a fabulous recycling initiative in all of the Ballina Schools. They are going to give each school a Christmas Tree and the children have to make decorations from recycled materials. The Trees will be judged on the last week of the Christmas term and the winner will receive a digital DVD recorder. Each school also will receive a cash incentive for taking part. So I take my hat off to the Council ( it makes a change from Billy taking it) for the great work they are doing to help our Environment.
Lisa and Linda from the council accompanied me throughout the visit and helped me find my way around. While driving down one of the many back roads between the schools I saw two zebras grazing with a herd of cows; Ireland never ceases to surprise me, you never know what's around the next corner.
Getting some great assistance
from a pupil at Rehins National
School , Ballina
Introducing 'Mark' to everyone
at Scoil Iosa School Ballina
Left - 'Val' the Litter Warden in Ballina doing the Recycle Rap or is it a Flamenco Dance
Right - Gael Scoil from Ballina all assembled at the Chamber - Ballina Civic Offices. I'm in the background rubbing shoulders with the Mayor. Also there are, Carmel, Lisa, Linda and other members of the Council.
Down the Road to Antrim
Leaving Mayo I headed east and stopped off at Antrim Town where I was the guest of Danielle McCormick, Environmental Education and Awareness Officer for Antrim Borough Council. I was performing three 'Recycle Magic' shows for the top three schools in the 'Cash for Clobber' competition run by the Borough Council. The council will award each school £2 for every bin liner-sized bag of unwanted clothes and textiles collected, and a local company, 'Cookstown Recycling Textiles' will also contribute 25 pence to the Northern Ireland Cancer for Children Fund; another great recycling initiative. I'd also like to say well done to all the schools that took part, because the only way to help our environment is by working together.
It was my first working visit to Antrim and I received a great reception from all the schools.
I look forward to returning in the not too distant future.
Above- Billy meeting everyone at Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach, Crumlin near Antrim who came third in the 'Cash for Clobber' competition
Left- Having a laugh with the children
of Ballycraigy Primary, who were runners up in the competition.
Above Right - Meeting up with Danielle at Creavery Primary.
Right - Conducting a magical experiment at the school. Creavery, who came first in the 'Cash for Clobber competition, is one of the oldest schools in
the area; it was built in the 1830's
Working Together in the Durham Dales
'Working Together in the Durham Dales' was held at Durham's County Hall. The two day event highlighted the importance of children, young people and families working together to achieve great things. It was organised by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, Durham Children and Young Persons Services and various schools throughout the Durham area. I was asked along to run some Circus Skills workshops. The young people who took part had a great time and were up for the challenge; with plates spinning and juggling balls flying. I also performed my healthy lifestyle program, 'Feel Good - Feel Magic', on both days.
I'd like to thank all those who watched the show for their support and enthusiasm.
Feeling Good at County Hall
Airing my Silks outside Wibsey School Bradford
Ferry Good Recycling in Ireland
Danielle and I smiling for the camera
'Dublin Up'
Above- A moment of
Inspiration at St Mary's
Primary - Sandyford.
Above- Having fun with a
wonderful audience at
Bennicassa School Blackrock.
Billy and I posing for the camera at
Our Ladies of Good Council in Dun Laoghaire
Far Left - A Landfill experiment.
Left - Introducing 'Billy' to a new audience at
Our Lady at the Wayside School in Dun Laoghaire
Over the Irish Sea to present 'Recycle Magic' for two Local Authorities in Dublin. I started the week working with Kate Hynes from Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown environment department. Kate helped me negotiate around the town and locate the various schools. In the latter part of the week I was the guest of Claire Hynch from Dublin South County Council. I'd like to thank Claire for making sure I didn't get lost by sending me a detailed map. And I'd like to send a big hello to all the schools I visited.
Above - Now you see it now you don't and Below - Taking a bow at Sacred Heart National School - Tallaght
Left & Far Left -
A Xmas feel at 'St Thomas National School - Tallaght.
It was a festive start to the day with Christmas Carols playing in the hall as I set up for the show..
December
Christmas Fun
Back from Dublin and straight into the Christmas Season.
Two weeks of non stop Shows visiting Schools, Nurseries and Community Centres throughout North East England.
I see a Big Fan of mine
Creative Education
Entertainment Potential
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