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

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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