Amber believes digital and print books can co-exist in harmony and that the publishing industry is long due  an overhaul that will accommodate this.

The Gothic romance with a supernatural twist is a coming of age novel which focuses on forbidden love     and the exploration of the relationship between good and evil.

Staying true to her northern roots, the author gives a nod to northern life and her work was recently   showcased at The Octagon Theatre in Bolton, chosen as part of the ‘Best of Bolton’ event. Screaming Snowflakes is now being adapted into a screenplay.

For more information, go to www.ambertesia.com

Photo: Andy Whitehead

Taking place on 21st February 2012, the event was delivered by Events Northern and chaired by Patrick Hussey, Digital Manager for Arts & Business who was recently name checked by Ed Vaisey at his State of the Arts conference speech for his breakthrough work on cultural algorithms.

Speakers and workshop leaders included (L-R in photo): Marcus Lilley-Marcus Lilley Consultancy, Tamar Millen-Community Media Association (front), Karen Shannon-Lets Go Global (back), Esko Reinekainen-self-described government hacker, Sam Elliott-Bolton Libraries & Museums, Graham Mallinson-D2 Digital (back), Patrick Hussey-Arts & Business, Richard Lace-Prescap, Liz Hardwick-freelance digital trainer, Paul Oliver-University of Bolton.

The day was a great success with inspirational ideas, new theory and plenty of practical tips for artists, arts and community organisations to get started with digital strategy or use further innovation in their current practice. There was even a brand new event app for Android and Apple.

A web page with full details of speaker presentations, a multitude of resources and handy links will be available soon here.

You can also read an excellent blog article on the conference from Marcus Lilley here.

Watch this space for follow-on workshops in the summer.

Bolton College, Deane Road, Bolton BL3 5BG

Bookings: http://enablingdigitaldevelopment.eventbrite.co.uk/ 

In the current changing economic climate it is important for organisations in the third sector, social enterprise and the creative industries to be equipped with the knowledge needed to ensure they are able to keep up with fast moving digital development, whether using new technology to support promotion, income generation, protect intellectual property rights or to offer something new and innovative to clients.

We know it’s difficult for businesses faced with the constant development of digital technologies and the decrease in cultural grant and government funding to prioritise direction and stay ahead of the game. So, Bolton Council Arts Development service are holding a series of enabling events designed to equip artists, the third sector and creative industries with the knowledge to help inform decision-making and development in the future. 

‘Enabling: Digital Development in the Arts’ can help your business get a grip on digital technology.

GMCVO's Neil Walbran at Enabling: Arts & Health

        The day will cover:

       • Online income generation

       • Digital resources for promotion

       • Increasing community participation online

       • Open data and data visualisation (data narrative)

      • New technologies in arts and culture

      • Social networks, open source software

      • Intellectual property rights

      • Community Media
 

Who should attend?

Arts & Creative Industries businesses, charities and social enterprises.
Those advising artists, arts business and social enterprise.

The Twitter hashtag for the events is #enabol

This is third in a series of 3 events.  The first event was Enabling: Inclusive Practice for Public Health and Well Being in October 2011, and the second was Enabling: Arts Commissioning and Growth in a Changing Climate in November 2011.

The recent Rock It! event on Queens Park, Bolton became a celebration – and the sun even came out! It featured live music from talented young bands, arts, crafts, sports and other fun activities for children and families.

Pictured: Tracey Holmes Photographer: Linda Hind

Representative Tracey Holmes says, “This is a massive boost for the morale of our young people and just goes to show that all their hard work has paid off. We have all breathed a very big sigh of relief!”

Young member Tyler Hind says, “I was gutted to think the project might end. I’d just started volunteering to gain my Silver Arts Award and have organised a lot for the upcoming event, plus I’m now playing in a band. I’m really happy to hear the good news. Long live Rock It!”.

Pictured L-R: Imogen Connell-Howard, John Wood, Mindee Hutchinson, Bethan Fielding, Jonny Chapman Photographer: Linda Hind

Rock It! is always on the lookout for regular funding and partnership opportunities to keep it sustained in the future. Please email Rockitbolton@gmail.com if you would like to find out more about how you can help keep our teenagers off the streets and into music.

Rock It! intends to re-launch during Easter 2012. Keep up to date with developments via the website www.rockitbolton.wordpress.com, on Twitter @rockitbolton1, or through the Facebook group ‘Rock It! Bolton’.

Rock It! Bolton will take place 12-5pm on Sunday 18^th September 2011, and will include live music from talented young bands, arts, crafts, sports and other fun activities for children and families. It has been organised by young people aged 13-21 from the Rock It! Collective, a long-running community group who are committed to bringing a positive image of teens to the public and to give other young people the chance to be creative and develop as young leaders. Rock It! run regular workshops in event training, music making, mentoring and leadership, and many members have successfully achieved Arts Award accreditations through their voluntary work.

One member, Hayley Chadbond sums up her experience:

“I began the Rock It! Project in May 2008 and since then I have gained so many skills. In the first year I learnt to play bass guitar, took part in some big events and learnt more about the arts in Bolton. I enjoyed it so much that I became a volunteer and took part in lots of training and organising events, as well as being voted in as treasurer. I developed as a leader and my experience has led to employment and a place at university. Every young person who finds themselves bored every weekend should go to a project like this as it gives amazing opportunities that you might never get.”

A recent visitor to the project was Mark Day, ex-member of the Happy Mondays and current bassist in Framed, who will perform at the Queens Park event. He said, I am impressed with the project and everything it stands for, including the dedication of its young people, and I hope to visit again in the future.” Mark told our young people to keep up the good work!

If you are interested in supporting the project or upcoming event with in-kind or financial aid, please get in touch to find out more of what your contribution will be doing for local teens. To find out more, email rockitbolton@gmail.com or visit www.rockitbolton.wordpress.com. You can also get in touch through the Facebook group Rock It! Bolton or follow on Twitter @RockItBolton1.

Download the flyer here:

Digital and Creative Futures (DCF) is a special event for year 9-12 school and college students from the region. The aim was to show young people what the digital and creative industries have to offer. It helped students to indentify the right academic route they should follow to pursue a career in the digital and creative industries. The sectors employ around 2.3 million people in the UK.*

This year speakers come from different sections of the industries and covered all kinds of topics. The speakers ranged from past University of Bolton students who talked about breaking into the various industries. Students also got the chance to hear from award winning TV directors and renowned artists, as well as games programmers, artists and designers from leading companies in the games industry; and web developers designing the latest Facebook applications.

Their work goes on display at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, part of the University’s Leisure Lives research event and showing from Tuesday 19 April until June. And their work will be also showcased in a two-day exhibition in the University’s Atrium, from 19 April. 

Photography by Abigail Sewart

In this exhibition, graduates explore the capabilities of social documentary photography by engaging with some of the important social issues in current society.

This is an outstanding exhibition featuring images from 11 social documentary photographers. The exhibition will run until 27th February.

TO BOOK PLEASE VISIT: http://voices2011.eventbrite.com/

For further information please visit the blog: http://voices-exhibition.blogspot.com/