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Creative Education
Entertainment Potential
May/June Blog Page
If you want to know what I've been up to and where I've been, then you've come to the right place.
May - I go to Wexford!
May time and a visit to Wexford in the south east of Ireland. A long journey through the night from my home in County Durham, in the north east of England. I arrived in Dublin Port at 6am and drove to Gorey Town in Wexford for my first, 'Recycle Magic' show, at 9.30 am at Gorey Central School: the first of five schools I would be visiting at the request of Wexford County Council.
Above - Early start at Gorey Central School.
Below - Packing away after the show with my faithful trolley.
St. Patricks N.S. Craanford.
A student helps out and right recycling newspaper.
Murrintown National School.
Left - Sorting out my coat.
Above - Sorting out 'Billy'!!
Mercy School Wexford Town
Above - A spot of basketball (not really).
Right - A student performing some fantastic puppetry.
Screen N.S.
Left - Looks like I'm singing opera, but really its just a 'Mark' moment.
Right - What a colourful lot.
Waterford Way
From Wexford it was down to Waterford to present 10 shows over four days; the first five in the county and the second in Waterford City.
Kevin Moynihan asked me to perform 'Recycle Magic' as part of the county council's litter campaign. Thanks Kevin for organising everything.
Killea N.S.
Above - Doing that 'Mark' thing; sshh it's a secret!
Below - The small round brown object above my head is an egg.
Light of Christ National School.
Top Left - Young helpers deep in thought.
Top Right - Spreading the Re - Use message.
Fenor N.S
Above - Arriving with the equipment.
Below - All posing for a photo.
Newtown N.S
Above - Rapping away.
Left - 'Mark' speaks to the audience!
Portlaw N.S
Left - A budding magician
receives the applause.
Above - Another high energy show!
From Country to City
With all the county shows completed it's time to visit some city schools thanks to Ella Ryan in the Envrionment Department of Waterford City Council. Ella organised my two day visit to five schools to perform 'Recycle Magic'.
Scoil Lorcain Primary
Above - Action during the show with the school's amazing art emblem, as a backdrop, that hangs on the wall in the reception area.
Below - A student makes a quick getaway!
St Stephen's Primary.
Above - Looking quite dashing!
Below - A landfill chat.
Newtown Primary Waterford City.
Left - Head to head with a puppet.
Above - Eyes closed with an egg in my hand - not a good combination
St Mary's Boys N.S
Top Left - A student meets my number one 'Fan'.
Top Right - All watching my wee dance.
Waterford Educate Together school
Left - The start of another
'rubbish' show!
Right - Help from a student.
The fabulous backdrop is hanging in the stairwell at the school.
Have your Say
Click 'Billy'
Two days in Galway
Another tour starting in Galway in the west of Ireland. I was the guest of Galway County Council who had asked me to perform five 'Recycle Magic' shows in the area.
Ardrahan National School
Above - The Recycle Rap.
Below - Magic toilet paper!
Kinvarra N.S.
Above - Great audience and a great background.
Below - Chit chat with a student.
Balinderreen N.S
Above - A rare quiet
moment with 'Billy'.
Right - Message in a bottle.
Doorus N.S
Above Left - Puppet hovers in classroom!
Avove Right - Two volunteers ready for action.
Tierneevin N.S
Above - Let the show begin.
Left - Billy time with colourful backdrop
May Time in Mayo
Farewell to Galway and sunny two hour drive north to Mayo. Mary Forde in the environment dept of Mayo County Council sorted out my five school visits and everything went well. Thanks Mary it was nice to meet up again.
Day one in Mayo and my first school at St Joseph's in Killala. St Joseph's played host to three smaller schools in the area. St Joseph's generosity in opening their doors to neighbouring schools, allowed me to perform two shows; the first performance for St Joseph's and Creevagh N.S and the second for TemplemaryN.S and Banagher N.S.
Above - Making my 'Mark'.
Top Right - Getting the show
on the road.
Right - 'Fan'tastic work.
Scoil Naomh Brid, Ballycastle.
Above - 'Showing 'Mark' the
'Recycle Rap'.
Below - Chatting about
environmental matters.
Balindine N.S.
Above Left - Solar Orb (Sun Catcher) standing proud at the entrance to the school.
Above Right - Recycle Magic everywhere!
Irishtown N.S.
Above - Milk Carton puppet comes to life.
Left - An exciting day as the Green Flag is raised; it was awarded to the school by Mayo County Council
in recognition of
their fine contribution to environmental awareness.
Across to Cavan
Leaving Mayo behind I head for County Cavan to present my
'Recycle Magic' show in 5 schools around Cavan Town. I'd like to
thank Cathal Markey from Cavan County Council
environment department for all his help.
KillyGarry National School.
Above - Last minute
check before the show.
Right - Juggling warm up.
Colurgan National School
Above - Where has
the salt gone?
Left - Under the Recycling Tree.
Billis National School
Left & Right
Last show of the day and what a great audience.
Down the Road to Longford
Arvagh N.S
Above Left - Doing the Recycle Rap
while levitating (not really).
Above Right - 'This bottle isnn't 3000 years old!
Scoil Naomh Brid
Above left - Having a ball!
Above Right - A very special 'Rubbish' puppet.
An hours drive from Cavan to Longford and the final two days of my 'Recycle Magic' tour. This time I'm host to Gary Brady of Longford County Council. Gary will be organising my schedule.
As with all my visits to the various counties I really appreciate the help from people in the Environment Departments and the warm welcome I receive from teachers and students at the schools I visit.
Above - 'Open the pan Man'.
Landfill experiment at Cloontagh N.S
Above - Colourfull backdrop at Cloontagh N.S
Above - and Below - Spot the difference!
Left, Right and Below -
Recycle Fun at
St Micheals Boys
A Day in Historic York
Beautiful weather and a drive to York city. It's the Teesvalley Housing Associations Road Show and they've asked me along to entertain the younger visitors. The event took place in the Merchan Taylor's Hall, a fine old building; I think it's older than Bobby Charlton!
Above - Getting ready for the show.
Right - Jenny & Val trying out their circus skills. Jenny (on the left) is quite adept and promised to bring her juggling clubs for the next event in July.
Above - Hobnobbing with those in power.
Left - Ready for action with the force behind me.
Phew! Taste of Summer at Belfast Waste Fayre
The first week of June, glorious weather and time for the Belfast Waste Fayre. This is my fourth year and I'd like to thank Belfast City Council for inviting me and for the warm welcome I always receive from everyone; it's also nice to meet up with the Waste team again. Once again the Fayre was a huge success with schools attending from all over Belfast. The event, spread over four days, took place in parks, north, south, east and west around the City
Above - Naomi Palmer (centre) with her waste team. Can you spot the fella with the feathered hat
Keeping ahead!
(A puppet head that is)
Watch out !
Rubbish on the head!
Impressive character standing outside, Alderman Tommy Patton Park. Wow what a sky!
Fun and Games in
the Park
Five minute juggling warm up before the first school of the day arrive.
At'tent'ive audience enjoy the show.
Woodvale Park
Falls Park
Quick cuppa before I begin.
Watch the yellow hanky.
A young helper brings
a puppet to life.
Help with a
'Land Fill' experiment.
Alderman Tommy Patton Park.
Musgrave Park
Oh dear! The front row splashed with water.Still, it will help cool them down.
Students enjoying a sit down after their nature 'walk & talk' around the park.
Children enjoy some Puppet fun, alfresco style.
