Archive for January, 2007
Any kids who watched Bryan Singer’s recent film would be forgiven for thinking Superman spends his days convincing Lois to ditch her hubby and getting chinned by skinny bald blokes. Wadda swizz.
That’s why (kinda) ChildLine is giving youngsters the chance to put the spotlight on their own everyday heroes by nominating them for the BT ChildLine Awards 2007.
They don’t have to have magical powers or demonstrate super-human strength (though that would be pretty cool) but nominees should go out of their way to make a difference to young people’s lives.
Although you can’t pick close family members, you can nominate foster parents and ChildLine also wants to hear from parents or carers on behalf of children who, through illness or disability, are unable to make their own nominations.
The winners will be announced in June and invited to a glittering awards ceremony at London’s swanky BT Tower to receive their award - as well as a handful of notes to donate to a charity of their choice.
Superman eat your heart out, eh? But not at the ChildLine Awards. That’d be gross.
Posted by Thin White Duke
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January 26th, 2007
Stand-up comedian Josie Long has been taking the biscuit all over the place, that’s touring around the country to you granddad! She’ll be in the Exeter Phoenix tonight.
And according to her promotional literature, she’s really rather funny. But wait, those outrageous claims are backed up by funny people we know and love, like Stewart Lee, who said something like she’s really rather funny.
She’s on at the Exeter Phoenix tonight at 8, tickets £5 or £6.
Posted by Cptn
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January 25th, 2007
At least race is back on the agenda - yeah, like it ever went away. But if you’re keen to really understand the depth of your prejudice, a new programme run by Plymouth’s Barbican may be the topping your poppadom has been screaming out for.
Hold on to your hats, though, you can only get into this shindig if you’re studying key stages 3 and 4 (I’m afraid if you haven’t learnt by then, well, you’re a bit - pick your own word for it).
Called the Day of Difference, young people are encouraged to examine their values, attitudes and beliefs in the morning and in the afternoon they actually meet people from different cultures.
Good idea? Undoubtedly. Well delivered? I’m sure. But the question that lingers is what difference does a day make? Race is back on the agenda - yeah, like it ever went away…
To book a place (and yes, teachers can get a heads up on what some may call diversity training) call 01752 242 017 or email mark@barbicantheatre.co.uk. The Day of Diversity runs from February 19 to March 30.
Posted by Cptn
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January 25th, 2007
Equality South West is backing South West MP Ben Bradshaw in a row over adoption by gay couples.
Apparently, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has come under fire amid reports she wants to allow faith group adoption agencies to refuse to place kids with same-sex couples.
It may not be a complete coincidence that Kelly is also a member of the Opus Dei Catholic sect, which inspired Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and regards practising homosexuals as serious sinners. How’s that for a double whammy?
Anyhow, Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has condemned the move, reasoning there would be outrage if people were not allowed to adopt a child because they were black or disabled.
Paul Dunn, chief executive of Equality South West, agrees, telling PRSD: “Either the Government believes in equality or it doesn’t. If it does, then it should treat these proposals with the derision they deserve and throw them out, because some people cannot be more equal than others.
“Anti-discrimination laws are there to protect everyone. The Catholic Church is protected by equality regulations, yet it wants to deny the same protection to others.”
Regular readers can probably guess which side of the debate the PRSD is on - after all, the only sinners we have a grudge against are Dan Brown fans. Oh, and homophobic tw*ts. Obviously.
Posted by Thin White Duke
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January 24th, 2007
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Getting to grips with the underbelly of the Devon music scene.
Podcast
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January 24th, 2007
If, like me, you’re sick of the fast lane, and all that comes with it, especially fast art, then you should head, at a sedate pace, to the Slow exhibition at Plymouth Arts Centre.
Slow? You ask. Why Slow? This is what the blurb says: “By slowing things down, critical reflection is made more possible in contrast to the uncritical speed of change represented by urban regeneration and wanton consumer capitalism.”
These people are speaking my language! And they’re working in this whole Slow Movement thing, you know Slow Food, Slow Cities and the like. What’s more these people actively seek participation - Slow Films, Slow Talks. There was even a Slow Meal, but you missed it.
So pop along, but do it in your own time, the show runs till March 18.
Posted by Cptn
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January 23rd, 2007
Have we been left in the dark? Surely not. But we may all be if carbon beating proposals to cut early hour street lighting in Exeter and Kingsteignton get the go ahead. We at the People’s Republic of South Devon say it’s a jolly good idea, but then we get to bed early and refuse to rise before the streets are safe from the marauding school runners. If you have any more energy saving stories, write them up and send them in.
Posted by Cptn
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January 22nd, 2007
Last survivor alive out of the World Trade Center and 9/11 truth campaigner William Rodriquez is set to visit the People’s Republic next month.
Turn to D+CFilm for all the details, as well as a clip of Rodriguez in action. And heck, while you’re about it, why not have a look at this week’s new movie releases and all the info about the forthcoming Animated Exeter shindig?
It sure beats reading about Jade so-called Goody. Let’s clear this up, once and for all: she’s not a racist, she’s just incredibly stupid. There.
Posted by Thin White Duke
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January 21st, 2007
Saying ‘I don’t know much about art, but I do know what I like,’ is no longer an excuse for bad taste.
Get informed at the Red Propeller Gallery in Kingsbridge, which is launching a handful of talks on contemporary modern art led by Kristina Bieganski.
The whole series is launched on Tuesday, January 30, with ‘An Introduction to Pop Art and its Early Influences’ (and let’s not forget that The People’s Republic of South Devon spent a few moments with British Pop Art’s granddaddy Peter Blake).
So find out what it’s all about, understand why a tin of soup can make the whole world gasp. Other talks in the series will include ‘Influence of Primitive Art in Early Modernism’, ‘Roots of early Abstraction’, ‘Development of Art and Design within Utopian Ideals’ and ‘Abstract Expressionism’.
And while you’re abstractly considering expressing an interest it’s a good time to mention the programme of five talks will take place in the gallery on the last Tuesday of the month between 11am-12.30am, costing £6 per session or £25 if you pay for the full series in advance.
Pop along, because then you’ll at least be able to defend your bad taste.
Posted by Cptn
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January 21st, 2007
Tridents refits are done in Plymouth, right? And at a time of world-wide nuclear proliferation, war and a proclamation by nuclear scientists that the ‘Domesday clock‘ is closer to midnight (now that doesn’t sound good), CND, the Stop the War Coalition, and the British Muslim Initiative are organising a national demonstration on Saturday, February 24, calling for ‘No Trident’ and ‘Troops Home from Iraq.’ It is expected to be Britain’s largest anti-nuclear demonstration in decades.
Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “A decision not to replace Trident is the best way for Britain to ensure its future security. It must be taken in tandem with government initiatives towards its stated goal of multilateral disarmament: backing a World Summit on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and working towards a Nuclear Weapons Convention banning all such weapons.”
Read the press release for more details, and great links to polls saying the decision to replace Trident should be taken by parliament, not the Prime Minister alone.
Posted by Cptn
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January 20th, 2007
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