All Things Considered

The Early Bird
Posted by Simon Lewin

A simple little card we letterpress printed recently - a gift for an early rising letter writer!

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 30th, 2009

Stoer Head Lighthouse
Posted by Simon Lewin

Had a couple of nights on the wild West Coast last weekend. Treated ourselves to a stay at The Albannach - a very welcome return.

On our last morning we had a stunning walk close to Stoer Head lighthouse, built in 1870 by David & Thomas Stevenson. It was only when we got back and did a quick Google search that we found out you can stay at the lighthouse - The National Trust for Scotland have converted the building to provide two apartments. Very tempting.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 28th, 2009

Norfolk Broads
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Recent weekend jaunts with our bikes have taken us to the Norfolk Broads. Starting at Reedham and taking the clunky cable ferry across the River Yare has been a happy reminder of just how beautiful the Norfolk Broads are.

Elegant and timeless yachts float alongside pleasure cruisers. Martham Boats, as mentioned in the Old Town's excellent Evening Star, has a collection of traditional 1950s wooden motorboats and sailing yachts for hire.

I’m quite taken with the idea of discovering some of the quieter Broads waters in a canoe or kayak and combining a days paddling with camping by the waters. I came across The Canoe Man who offers just that.

“Canoeing allows near silent exploration of all but the most miniscule of the Broads Park waterways - you can paddle down miles of quiet, undisturbed tributaries, dykes and streams often never seeing another soul but often seeing some of the Broads best kept secrets - the kingfishers, the bitterns and even the elusive otter”.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on June 26th, 2009

Letterpress printing course
Posted by Simon Lewin

New North Press in Hoxton, London is running a five-day intensive workshop in letterpress printing for artists' books & posters. The workshop runs from the 20th – 24th July 2009.

On the first two days participants will look at a range of artists' books and posters printed at New North Press, and will then be given an introduction to setting type using wood and metal fonts to design and print an individual poster.

The remaining three days are then dedicated to the design, setting, printing and hand-finishing of a book - again, each participant will take home their own bound copy.

To find out more about the course, e-mail Graham Bignell at graham.bignell@talk21.com

As a taster, below is a film of Graham working at the Press with Richard Ardagh on a poster to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Wilton's Music Hall.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 25th, 2009

Knockando Woolmill Open Day
Posted by Simon Lewin

If you're anywhere near the north east of Scotland this weekend, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Knockando Woolmill before the restoration work begins later this year.

The Knockando Woolmill Trust has now secured funding for the £3.5 million restoration programme which will save the Mill and allow the skills that have been employed there since 1784 to be passed onto generations to come.

There are still a number of ways in which you can become involved - from joining the Friend's scheme to making a larger donation - St. Jude's are pleased to be sponsoring one of the 40 waterwheel paddles that need to be replaced.

The Open Day takes place on Sunday 28th June between 10am and 4pm. Further details via the Knockando Woolmill Trust website. Please do pass details of this onto anyone you might know in the area.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 22nd, 2009

Mark Hearld
Posted by Simon Lewin

UPDATE Mark Hearld will be exhibiting a range of prints and unique collages at our North Norfolk gallery in Spring 2010. For details nearer the time, please sign up for our e-mail newsletter. We will also be launching the second of Mark's textile designs for our St. Jude's range in Autumn 2010.

We've previously mentioned Mark Hearld's recent exhibition in Scarborough, The Magpie Eye.

It wasn't easy to explain the breadth of the work Mark had produced or curated for the exhibition - but a short film produced by Mark and friend Lauren Godfrey does provide a great snapshot of the event for those who missed it.

Keep an eye on our textile website for details of Mark's second design for us, Bird Garden. A follow up to his successful Doveflight print.

 

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 18th, 2009

Firecracker Recordings
Posted by Simon Lewin

Thanks to Paul Hammond for passing on the link to this great film that features Edinburgh-based house label Firecracker Recordings screen-printing sleeves for their limited edition vinyl releases.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 17th, 2009

Speyside Organics
Posted by Angie Lewin

One of the first things we try to do when we arrive in the Highlands is get in our supplies from Speyside Organics. On this trip we were able to visit them on their stall at the first ever Forres Farmers’ Market.

As well as their own excellent organic lamb and beef, we bought Phoenix Bakery rye and sourdough loaves from Findhorn plus some locally grown fruit and veg. Keep an eye on the Speyside Oganics website for details of the local Farmers' Markets that they attend - you can visit them next at Inverness (July 4th) and back in Forres (July 11th). But if you live further afield, a mail order service is available - and highly recommended.

Posted by Angie Lewin on June 16th, 2009

Acid Brass
Posted by Simon Lewin

I have fond memories of playing trumpet & tuba (not at the same time) in our school brass band. Not long ago I mentioned this to a local barber who - I hadn't realised - was a local band leader. I had visions of being thrust on stage with the Aylsham Town Band but have managed to postpone taking on this committment for now.

Robin Turner's piece on Caught By The River on the work of Jeremy Deller reminded me of his Acid Brass collaboration with the Williams Fairey Brass Band, covering a number of acid house anthems including A Guy Called Gerald's "Voodoo Ray" and 808 State's "Pacific 202".

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 14th, 2009

The Neil Cowley Trio – Revolution EP
Posted by Simon Lewin

The Neil Cowley Trio head to the North America today for a handful of live dates.

And just released is their 'Revolution EP' featuring a fairly radical Beatles cover version and (a current ATC favourite) 'Kalabis'.

The four-track digital-only EP is available now on iTunes. To hear other material by the Trio, visit their Myspace page.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 12th, 2009