£500K fund to Stimulate Digital Innovation in the Arts

Good to see that the Arts are able to get funding to join in with the explosion of Digital change and reach more people. Too often the Arts are sidelined due to either a lack of funding or a lack of vision from the organisations involved.

 

Tim

 

 

Funding will promote the use of digital technologies to connect with wider audiences and explore new ways of working.

Arts and cultural organisations are being given the opportunity to apply for a share of a half-a-million-pound fund to harness new technology.

The Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture was announced today by Arts Council England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

It follows a speech by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey in January where he called on cultural organisations to embrace new technology and the opportunities it offers.

“Our lives are increasingly defined by how we engage and interact with the world digitally and cultural organisations can’t afford to be left behind,” Mr Vaizey said. “Too often finances, structures or traditions can constrain the arts from making best use of the technology which now sits at the heart of many people’s everyday lives.

“This programme seeks to show how digital technology can revolutionise our cultural engagement, helping people to derive greater value from cultural activities and to find new ways to generate income.”

Organisations that are eligible to apply to the programme include visual and performing arts organisations, cultural organisations in England including arts and cultural archives, literary organisations, museums and galleries, libraries, commercial arts and cultural organisations and creative industry businesses. Applications will be open until 2 September 2011.

 

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Skeleton found at Edward Jenner's Berkeley house

Archaeologists have uncovered a human skeleton at the former home of vaccination pioneer Dr Edward Jenner.

A team from the University of Bristol unearthed the remains during their annual dig in the garden of The Chantry in Berkeley, Gloucestershire.

The skeleton is believed to date from Roman or pre-Roman times and is said to be extremely rare.

Excavation leader Professor Mark Horton said it was "a completely unexpected but really important discovery".

He added: "It fills in the history between the Roman villa that we believe is on the site and the Anglo-Saxon monastery discovered during earlier digs."

 

Sealed remains

The skeleton is that of an adult, but the sex has not yet been determined.

It was found underneath the sealed remains of part of the Anglo-Saxon Mynster, founded in the 8th Century.

The excavation team, led by Professor Horton and Dr Stuart Prior, has been excavating part of the garden during a series of annual digs since 2007.

They have already established that Berkeley is an important Anglo-Saxon site with a mynster on the same scale and status as Gloucester.

Dr Edward Jenner lived in the house from 1785-1823 and pioneered the world-changing vaccination against smallpox there in 1796.

Visitors to the museum at Dr Jenner's House are able to visit the site and speak to the experts until Thursday 9th June 2011.

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St Mere Eglise and Paratrooper "John Steele"

St Mere Eglise and Paratrooper "John Steele"
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

This picture is always popular on 6th June, as it shows the paratrooper dummy placed on the Church in Ste Mere Eglise each summer, commemorating the night of 6th June 1944 when US paratroopers landed in the town square. John Steele's parachute caught on the church tower and he hung there playing dead for a couple of hours before being captured. The event was shown in the film "The Longest Day"

Get on your Bike!

Calling all riders…we want you to get on your Bike and raise money to help fund the £100million needed over the next five years to continue our life-saving research into better diagnosis, treatments and cures for all those with blood cancers.

The Bristol Bikeathon is back for 2011 and it’s time to set yourself a new challenge!

 

Join us once again for a fantastic day out in the heart of the South West. Starting at the beautiful Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, the route once again promises to be a stunning tour through the park and the picturesque country lanes of the surrounding area.

 

Like all our Bikeathons, the ride is suitable for cyclists of all abilities as you have a choice of either 14 or 28 miles and you are free to go at your own pace - remember, it’s a ride, not a race!

 

For those of you who want to stay behind then we have stalls, face painting, a very large bouncy castle and refreshments. Why not bring a picnic and make a day of it!

 

To enter please go to http://beatbloodcancers.org/event/bristol-bikeathon

 

For further information about the Bristol Bikeathon please contact event organiser Jo Bray at jobray@llrbristol.org.uk

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The Restored Temple of Vaccinia

The Restored Temple of Vaccinia
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Copper Phoenix was able to obtain a grant to restore this Grade II* listed building. It was where Edward Jenner vaccinated the poor for free against smallpox.

It has been rethatched, repointed with lime mortar and a new leaded light window put in.

www.copperphoenix.co.uk

Purton Wrecks - Envoy

Purton Wrecks - Envoy
Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

Looking like some sculpture, thi is the first wreck you meet.

These ships were placed here during the 20th Century to reinforce the river bank and protect the canal. See more info at www.friendsofpurton.org.uk/index.html

Edward Jenner Museum Ghost

Edward Jenner Museum Ghost Originally uploaded by CopperPhoenix

On Easter Monday 2011 there will be guided tours of the Attic in The Chantry, Berekeley, where the ghost picture was taken given by Tim Davies of Copper Phoenix. To book see www.jennermuseum.com