Troubadours Come to Town. Wildwood Jack to play at St Anne's Arts and Community Centre in Barnstaple

The travelling acoustic guitar and ukulele duo Wildwood Jack will be playing at St Anne's Arts and Community Centre in Barnstaple on Tuesday 22nd March as part of their UK tour.

Described by Netrythms as “genuinely uplifting” with “intensely adept acoustic guitar stylings” the duo showcase a unique blend of fingerstyle guitar and ukulele that draws influences from folk, country and world music. Over the last two years they've played as far afield as Bangkok, Hanoi and New Zealand. European dates have taken them from street festivals in Croatia, Germany and Italy to a circus tent in Austria as well as two tours of Denmark.

Adam says “'Wildwood Jack' is our name for the independent spirit of music that knows no boundaries and that's very much reflected in both our music and our troubadour lifestyle”.

Their sound has been described as a mix of Paul Simon, Ry Cooder and Nanci Griffiths and their wide repertoire draws from an eclectic songbook as well as instrumentals and original songs.

Tickets are £6 and available from the Heritage Centre shop on the Strand in Barnstaple or from 01271 373003. Also online with a small booking fee www.ticketsource.co.uk/StAnnesArtsCentre

Wildwood Jack,

St Annes Arts and Community Centre 

Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX 

Tuesday 22nd March

----------------

Wildwood Jack
Inventive Acoustic Folk and Roots
"Engaging, uplifting and filled with memorable melodies and clever hooks" R2 Magazine
www.wildwoodjack.com
www.twitter.com/wildwoodjack
www.facebook.com/wildwoodjack

Rosa Rebecka in Barnstaple this weekend

Rosa Rebecka is currently touring her one-woman show Travel’s With My Grandmothers’ Guitar which tells the story of her great grandmother’s guitar, an extraordinary 110 year-old instrument that she has recently inherited. Storytelling, newly composed songs and family favourites, heartfelt singing and numerous instruments tell a universal story of love and loss spanning four generations. The concert at St Anne’s Arts Centre in Barnstaple on Saturday will feature original acoustic material and Swedish folk music, performed with warmth and passion on voice, guitar, and other instruments... beautiful music in an ancient setting.

Born to a Swedish mother and an American father, Rosa Rebecka grew up among the lakes and forests of southern Sweden. Coming from a musical family, she sang with her parents and siblings from an early age. She began to write songs and poetry at the age of five, and later learned to play the flute and guitar. She left Sweden for Devon in 1998 and spent three years at Dartington studying music, composing songs and playing with her fellow students.

Not only an outstanding vocalist but also a truly original and innovative songwriter, Rosa Rebecka continues to produce finely crafted songs which mix haunting narrative storytelling with a playful lyricism and sublime musicality. While her Swedish roots are never far below the surface, and she acknowledges the folk tradition of her adopted land, she has a timeless sensibility all her own. Her music owes as much to female singer-songwriters of her parents’ generation, such as Joni Mitchell, as it does to the centuries-old troubadours she loves.

Rosa’s performances are sometimes unusual, often intimate, always memorable. She writes for a bewildering array of instruments, which she sometimes makes her audience play for her. She loves to engage with an audience, whether drawing them into a story with song or getting them clapping and stamping to the exhilarating rhythm of a Swedish polska. “I think being a performer is an art in and of itself,” she says “it’s in meeting with an audience that the songs come to life.”
Tickets are £8 in advance from the Heritage Centre shop on the Strand in Barnstaple or from 01271 373003. Also www.ticketsource.co.uk/StAnnesArtsCentre
There isn’t a bar but you can bring along your own drinks.

Rosa Rebecka
St Anne's Arts and Community Centre, Barnstaple on Saturday 12 March 2016
Doors Open at 7:30pm Music Starts at 8:00pm
Ticket Price: £8.00* via www.ticketsource.co.uk/StAnnesartscentre
*small booking admin fee of 50p applied by the website 

Or can be purchased in person from Barnstaple Heritage Centre open Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm or 01271 373003 without a booking fee Or on the door for £9 
--------------
Tap here for Rosa Rebecka Website
Tap here to listen to Rosa Rebecka

Real Ale Girls Power the St Annes Sofa Sessions. Free Live Music and Networking Evening at St. Anne's Art Centre, Barnstaple 16th February

North Devon Music Network's Lucy Betts and Dion Sears have been busy again organising the second North Devon Music Network Sofa Sessions which are being held on the 16th February at St. Anne's Arts Centre in Barnstaple.

The event will be a networking night for all lovers of live music including venues, performers and musicians. Performers on the night are up and coming and have been rarely heard before in North Devon. The sessions are free to play and attend.

The best outcomes are often the connections people make from the sessions. This event is being sponsored by The Real Ale Girls a North Devon firm run by 2 sister's who provide local real ale & cider to pubs, shops, hotels, festivals, weddings and parties.

Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/839412009502830/

Free Live Music and Networking Evening

February16th 7.30 pm St Annes Art Centre, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1BH

 Contact: Dion Sears/Lucy Betts, St Annes Arts Centre
Facebook North Devon Music Network

Email: ndevonmusicnetwork@gmail.com

Barnstaple Stories - Short films uncover fascinating stories of life in Barnstaple

Do you remember Raymond's pasty shop in Barnstaple? Did you ever see elephants walking around town? How did Butcher's Row become knee deep in dough? 

Barnstaple Stories is a new collection of short films uncovering some fascinating stories Barnstaple life in days gone by. The project was commissioned by Barnstaple Town Council to record and share personal and family histories of life in the town.

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image who produced the films, says the project uncovered some delightful anecdotes "We held a drop-in event at Barnstaple's Guildhall in November, inviting people to come in and share their stories. The interviewees talked about their personal memories of growing up and living in Barnstaple and we were captivated by the little details of everyday life which are now just that - memories."

Reaction to the films has been really positive and the sharing event was such a success that Barnstaple Town Council have decided to run a monthly local history scrapbooking event. The first meeting will be at The Guildhall on Friday 4 March 2016 and is a chance for people to come along and bring their stories, photographs and documents. From the information gathered, the group will produce the Barnstaple History Scrapbook to preserve and share precious details of life in Barnstaple.

The Barnstaple Stories films are currently available on the North Devon Moving Imagewebsite http://www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk/films.html and will soon be available to view on the touch screen display at St Anne's Arts Centre in Barnstaple.

Dick Raymond and Ian Irwin tell their Barnstaple Stories 

Peter Jewell talking to Amanda McCormack from North Devon Moving Image.

Free Flm Making Opportunity for Young People in North Devon

In association with education charity Into Film, St Anne's Film Club in Barnstaple is inviting young people between the ages of 11 and 14 to apply for a FREE film making course in Barnstaple.  Under the guidance of industry professionals the young film makers will learn about the film production process from research through to marketing and create a short film of their own.

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image (NDMI), who is leading the project says it will be a great hands-on learning experience for young people in North Devon "This opportunity has been made possible by funding from Into Film, a fabulous education charity whose overriding mission is to put film at the heart of children and young people's learning and cultural experience in the UK.  We are really excited about working with a group of keen young film makers and enabling them to develop their skills and share their creativity."

The project will take place at St Anne's Arts & Community Centre in Barnstaple on Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm starting on 8 March 2016.

To apply please contact Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image at northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com, telephone 01271 860610 or visit the website www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk/news.  Closing date for applications is Friday 26 February 2016.

Critically acclaimed "Gigspanner" in concert at St Anne's Arts Centre, Barnstaple 17th February

Since his departure from folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span at the end of 2013, legendary fiddle player Peter Knight has turned his full attention to his trio Gigspanner, and in the process has firmly established their burgeoning reputation as one of the most innovative acts on the folk/roots scene.

Justifiably met with significant critical acclaim, Gigspanner’s riveting new album ‘Layers of Ages’ sees the band blowing the dust from a collection of well-worn traditional music and song to reveal authentic moments of staggering originality and great beauty, and has been added to the Telegraph’s ‘Best Folk Albums of 2015’ list.

Hailed by Songlines magazine as “another milestone in folk’s rebirth of cool”, Gigspanner present a skilfully narrated program of material that goes way beyond the folk genres usual boundaries. Modern in interpretation yet classical in its virtuosity, it is music that continues to inspire audiences of all leanings, bringing them back for more.

Peter is joined by Roger Flack on Guitar and Vincent Salzfaas on Percussion for his concert at St Anne’s Arts Centre, Barnstaple on 17 February 2016. 

Gigspanner
Wednesday 17 February 2016
7.30pm doors, 8pm on stage
St Annes Arts and Community Centre, Paternoster Row, Barnstaple, EX31 1BH

ooOoo

Tickets - £12 in advance £14 on the door (if there are seats left!) from www.ticketsource.co.uk/StAnnesartscentre 

or the Heritage Centre Shop on the Strand in Barnstaple open Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am – 4pm Tel: 01271 373003

WHO SAID WHAT about #Gigspanner

• “Magnificent…a feast of imaginative music” The Telegraph
• "With his trio, Peter Knight breaks new ground and is second to absolutely nobody...ground-breaking, engaging, frequently astonishing, Gigspanner deliver a quite simply superb set"
  Maverick Magazine
• "Gigspanner has taken traditional tunes as a starting point and rearranged, orchestrated and improvised around them to create fascinating new works, leaving no doubt that Gigspanner’s increasingly impressive sound is like no other" Folk Radio UK
• “Gigspanner work together in musical genius” English Folksong and Dance Society Magazine
• “A glorious musical tour de force. Simply exquisite” -Spiral Earth

Magic Cooking. A new cooking club for children in North Devon

A new cooking club for children in North Devon will be launched at taster (!) sessions in Braunton and Barnstaple on 15 and 19 January 2016.

The Magic Cooking Pot is a cookery club for children aged 7 – 14 in North Devon and will be run by local charity South West Family Support. They plan to run 6 week courses after school in Braunton and Barnstaple, helping children to cook meals which can be taken home as a family dinner. The groups will be small and focussed so every child has the chance to get hands on experience and learn how to cook. The club will try out a new recipe every week, so that by the end of the course members will be confident and safe in the kitchen. The charity want children to find out more about food, flavour and where our food comes from, so there is a focus on healthy and more unusual foods – and tasting and experimenting is all part of the fun!

The income earned from the Magic Cooking Pot goes to support the charitable work of South West Family Support who help support families in North Devon when things are difficult to find a way to move forward.

The taster sessions on Friday 15 January in Barnstaple and Tuesday 19 January in Braunton are only £5 to cover the cost of tuition, ingredients and use of the venue. At the session everyone will be invited to join the club. Club members will receive an apron, the chance to book any of our courses and exclusive access to a secret page on our website. On the web page we share all the recipes we cook in our classes week by week and our members log on to add comments, their advice and make suggestions for extra ingredients or side dishes.

The Magic Cooking Pot can also run sessions for individual groups – so please do get in touch with organisers if you would like to request a session at a venue near you or for a group for your agency. Remembering that all profits will be reinvested in supporting families in need in the local area.

1st Taster Session 
  15 January 2016 4pm St Anne’s Arts Centre Barnstaple 

2nd Taster Session 
19 January 2016 4.15pm Braunton Academy 

Places must be booked in advance by contacting: South West Family Support booking@swfamilysupport.org.uk or text or phone to 07805 642268. 

The office opens again for the new year on 4 January 2016 

A six week course for members will begin at the end of January and run weekly at 4pm 

Places need to be booked in advance 

About South West Family Support

South West Family Support is a charity working with children, families in their communities. We help support families when things are difficult to find a way to move forward. The charity offer a flexible and creative family support service across Devon. Our family support workers offer practical and emotional strategies to support children and their parents and help coordinate support around them. South West Family Support formed in March 2001. As a social enterprise we invest all income back into our work with families. South West Family Support is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

Ho Ho Ho Barnstaple Craft Market finishes its 1st year with a Christmas Special!

Barnstaple Craft Market will be celebrating its first year in business with a Christmas special on Sunday 13 December – perfect timing for shoppers looking for a unique and handmade gift. 

The monthly craft market has now been running since June to compliment the Real Food Market in the Pannier Market. As usual all the crafts on show will be handmade in North Devon, it’s a showcase for the best of local makers in a truly unique setting. 

Established by Barnstaple Town Council, local craft event organiser Jo Isaac now runs the show, “I’ve really enjoyed managing the monthly Craft Markets in the Guildhall, it’s is a fantastic space right above the pannier market that few people get the chance to visit.  The craft community has been very supportive of the markets in their first year, each month brings new sellers and customers.  The Christmas Market will be a fantastic end to our first year.”

Crafts on sale will range from prints and pictures, textiles and jewellery, illustration, glass and natural bath products.  There will be a free raffle for visitors to the market with a wonderful hamper of handmade gifts to win, just visit the main chamber of the Guildhall to collect your free ticket.  The winning ticket will be drawn at 3pm by Father Christmas!

The next market is on Sunday 13 December 10.30am – 3.30pm in Barnstaple Guildhall which can be accessed from Butcher Row or the door inside the Pannier Market.

 Photos above feature goods made by Silver Springs, CherOcean Skyes Designs, Martha and Hepsie and Hogwash Soap

• Barnstaple Craft Market Facebook 
• Barnstaple Town Council - Events  
• St. Anne's Arts & Community Centre - What's On

Machines that Draw. Winter Artists in residence at St. Anne's Art & Community Centre, Barnstaple.

St Anne’s Arts Centre has welcomed its next artists in residence – Edmund Eva & George Baldwin, eegb drawing. The pair are the successful applicants to Septembers call for a winter artist in residence at the arts centre. Last year Ed and George both graduated from Falmouth University and have spent the last 8 months working in Belfast on an artist residency. They build machines and robots that draw. Previous work includes an interactive polargraph set inside a shipping container. When the public walked by, a sensor picked up their movement and the machine drew. This led the public to engage with the machine, inviting them to play, move and dance to affect the resulting drawing.

“We can’t wait to see what they might build or develop whilst they are at St Anne’s. I’m looking forward to visiting one of their open studio sessions to hear about their work in progress” Cllr Mrs Val Elkins, Mayor of Barnstaple

The aim of the residency is to provide a personal and professional development opportunity for an artist, helping to introduce new audiences to their art form and in turn interesting people in the building and its history. As part of the residency the artists will be opening their studio to the public, leading workshops for school groups and giving talks for groups of adults. Ed and George are hosting Open Studio sessions on 26 + 27 November, 3 + 4 December, 9 + 10 December all 11am - 7pm, it’s an opportunity to meet and chat to an artist while they are working and learn something of their creative process.

There will also be a special workshop for families on Friday 11 December from 10am – 12 noon, it’s a free drop in session to try out the artists Scribble Bots – tiny robots that race around drawing large scale pictures on the floor.

“We believe the juxtaposition of modern technology in this 14th Century chapel will refresh the space, inviting in new audiences to engage in the arts as well as the heritage of Barnstaple’s most interesting building”. Ed Eva

In 2016 St Anne’s will be offering a series of opportunities for Devon artists in any art form – visual art and sculpture, craft, music, theatre, poetry, dance or any combination of these.

“Offering our building, heritage and experience as inspiration will help us to showcase Barnstaple’s history and culture in a new way for visitors and the local community. This time round I received a fantastic range of applications, there are some wonderful artists living and working in North Devon. A call out for an artist in residence during the spring will be released in the new year.” Dion Sears, Culture and Community Development Manager

You can also sign up for the St Anne’s mailing list to keep up to date with news about events and open studio days http://eepurl.com/bwCkhX

Machines that Draw - Photos copyright eegb drawing  (All rights reserved)

Keep in Touch

St. Anne's Arts & Community Centre
Barnstaple Town Council
eegb drawing
Event Dates:

·         Open Studio sessions on 26 + 27 November, 3 + 4 December, 9 + 10 December all 11am - 7pm
·         Free Workshop for Families – Scribble Bots 11 Dec 10am – 12 noon
·         Talk with Petroc Art Students 1 Dec 1pm
·         Workshop with Park School 25 Nov 10am
·         Exhibition 14 – 24 Dec
·         Exhibition Preview 17 Dec 6.30pm

BARNSTAPLE STORIES - FREE ORAL HISTORY DROP IN EVENT AT THE GUILDHALL 27 NOVEMBER 2015

Local community film makers North Devon Moving Image are working on an exciting new project to unveil and preserve Barnstaple's hidden heritage through your personal stories and photographs.  They will be holding a free drop in event at Barnstaple Guildhall on Friday 27 November 2015 between 10am and 3.30pm where you can contribute to the project.

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of NDMI says "We are fascinated by tales and images of old Barnstaple and there is nothing quite like hearing about the past from those who have lived it or who have stories passed down through their families."

The drop in day will be an informal and friendly event where people of all ages will have an opportunity to share their stories of Barnstaple.  Interviews recorded and photographs scanned on the day will be used to produce a series of short films which will then be shared online and on the touch screen display at St Anne's Arts Centre in Barnstaple.

Amanda adds "The Barnstaple Stories event will be an opportunity for people to come along and share their own memories and pictures of Barnstaple in days gone by.  It will be an informal event with free tea, coffee, cake and a chance to put your feet up after a hard morning's shopping. We are hoping that we will hear stories connected to local landmarks and significant historical events as well as romantic and poignant anecdotes and preserve them in the form of short films for future generations."

Previous NDMI Oral History Project

Old photo Barnstaple High Street - Mac Fisheries and WH Smith Shops

The Guildhall is fully accessible with a lift to the first floor and at 12.30pm on the day there will be a free guided tour for anyone who is interested.

For further information contact Amanda McCormack, Creative Director, North Devon Moving Image 01271 860610 northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com

 

Barnstaple Guild Hall

All Photos copyright Amanda McCormack North Devon Moving Image CLC (All rights reserved) 

North Devon Music Group gets off to a great start with it's first Sofa Session

Some very crowd pleasing specially selected music was played at the St Annes Sofa Session on October 27th to an audience made up of venue reps, promoters, open mic hosts and music lovers. The musicians said they really loved having the opportunity to play at St Annes Arts Centre in the heart of Barnstaple and having the bonus of quality sound engineering provided by music legends Doc Honk (Kev Teague) and Brain Tucker

The very talented young musician Wren Frost stated on facebook "Tonight was absolutely amazing, wonderful venue, fantastic people and an incredible amount of support and opportunities given to me for the future"

Every musician playing had professional shots taken by Josh Stevenson who offered his services for free. The musicians who played have already grabbed and uploaded these to their facebook pages - check out Mama Says’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mamasaysnorthdevon.

Feedback from those who attended this free music networking event was really positive with their every need provided for by the organisers Dion Sears and Lucy Betts including a very comfy sofa, home-made brownies and a well stocked bar thanks to Clearwater Brewery. Beverley Eastwood who’d come up from Exeter stated “Lovely event with lovely people at a lovely venue! .....ooh and some lovely chocolate brownies”

Dion Sears and Lucy Betts, the founder members of the North Devon Music Network, were so pleased with the turnout, outcomes and feedback for the event that they are planning to hold another Sofa Sess in the new year. For more information check out their facebook page  or email ndevonmusicnetwork@gmail.com

St. Annes's Sofa Sessions - Photo copyright Josh Stevenson (All rights reserved)

Wren Frost -  Photo copyright Josh Stevenson (All rights reserved) 

 Ben F Goddard  - Photo copyright Josh Stevenson (All rights reserved)

North Devon Music Network - Web Site

North Devon Music network - Facebook

North Devon Music Network - Email

Striking A Chord. Get ready for the North Devon Music Network.

A few months ago Dion Sears, Development Manager St Annes Arts and Community Centre and Lucy Betts (Frithelstock Fest), sent out a questionaire regarding live music in North Devon. They set a target for responses and by the number of questionaires that came back they knew there was great interest.

They then looked at the feedback and came up with a networking evening where there would be direct access to good quality up and coming musicians that venues and promoters could book on the night if they fit with their program of events.

This is a great opportunity to meet other promoters, venues and supporters - a way to meet and help each other. 

It will also be a social evening with some great music. Josh Stevenson will be taking shots of the musians performing for free. They know people's time is short so they've kept the program to one and a half hours, but this is flexible and there will be a bar. 

It would be great if people could come and support this night, they hope people will enjoy it and gain from coming along.

This event is Sponsored by Clearwater Brewery

 _______________

Get in Touch via

Facebook 

Email: ndevonmusicnetwork@gmail.com 

FREE ENTRY - Get Tickets

________

Venue

St. Anne's Arts and Community Centre, Paternoster Row, Barnstaple EX31 1SX