Exeter City Council has drawn up proposals to keep the city’s festivals going despite the financial pressures, with a reduction in the money it can play around with, it’s changed its approach to the festivals, but it’s nice to see there’s a commitment to try to keep them going.

For the next financial year there’s £151,000 available or the four main events, and to be able to make a contribution to the Respect Festival.

There have already been changes to the council’s approach to Animated Exeter, Vibraphonic and the Summer and Autumn Festivals, but there’s going to have to be more, it says, for them to keep going.

The proposals, which will go before the city council’s Scrutiny Economy Committee on March 12, include looking for a new partnership to run Animated Exeter on the same successful lines as Vibraphonic (which is run by a separate organistation and receives a grant towards its costs from the city council).

The future continuation of Animated Exeter will also depend on successful applications for grants from agencies such as Arts Council England (South West) to add to a potential grant of £20,000 from the city council.

It is proposed to retain the City Council’s contribution of £100,000 to the Summer Festival, while also having a greater direct involvement of the main artistic venues.

The council also wants to look at trying other approaches to delivering festivals in the light of inevitable reductions in sponsorship in the current economic climate.

The Autumn Festival next November may have to operate with a reduced budget of £15,000 instead of £25,000, with the main difference being less funding available for grants to support performances.

• STAY TUNED for a round-up of the best new shows in the city

posted by Cptn

(image from Wonky Films’ Suburban Myth, which were included in an Animated Exeter event)

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Katie Marie needs all the sustenance she can muster for as she organises her April 26 gig. But are onions the right way to go?

As usual I’ve been up to lots of weird and wonderful things. One of the funniest moments happened today actually, and it was so stupid I instantly thought that I’d have to share it with you.

My other half and I decided to go on a seven-day detox diet, which promises to make us feel super dooper fit and healthy after wards. One slight draw back is we can only eat fruit and/or a very specific soup which required us to go out an buy the ingredients.

A few of the things mentioned were carrots, broccoli, cabbage, green peppers, V8 juice and green onions.

‘What are green onions?’ my other half asked as we wandered aimlessly round Morrisons.

‘Dunno,’ I replied. ‘I guess they’re like normal onions.How many do we need?’

‘Six, and they have to be large!’

Both of us thought that sounded like a lot, but we were happy to go along with what the recipe was telling us, so we picked up six of the biggest, largest, white onions you’ve even seen and put them in our trolly with all the other bits of veg.

We began the rather grueling task of creating our soup, and first to go in was our massive onions.

We got two onions in, and already our eyes started streaming, so by four onions it felt like our eyes were going to explode out of our sockets and we kept having to take breaks and leave the kitchen to let our eyes recover

After what seemed like an eternity (but actually was about 15mins) later we had six onions chopped up and thrown into the cooking pot. It seemed to fill most of it and about halfway through the creation process we had in fact filled the pot to the brim and couldn’t fit any more ingredients.

We both got the distinct impression that we’d cocked up rather badly somewhere along the line. I went back online to check the ingredients, and felt the biggest plonker on the planet when I realised that green onions are in fact spring onions and not normal white onions!! Which would explain why we’d got more onions than anything else in our soup!!! lol We did feel very silly, but fortunately we had a good old chuckle about it!

So apologies in advance if I absolutely stink of onions this week.

So other than making stinky onion soup, I’ve been spending this week planning and preparing for a gig I’m organising at the lovely Barrel House in Totnes.

It’ll be an acoustical type evening featuring myself and two other acts (Marnie & Me and Dan Crisp). It’s going to be a wonderful evening, but it’s really important that we get as many bodies through the door as possible.

Although the gig isn’t until April 26 (did you get that? April 26!) there’s plenty of things that need to get sorted, and as all you fellow DIY musos know, it’s a case of getting that promotion hat on and getting the word out there in any way you can think of.

I’m hoping I can get most of the local radio stations involved and we’re in the process of sorting out posters and flyers so we can wack em here there and everywhere! So if you’ve any ideas for promo bits n bobs I’m always keen to hear from you.

My studio is slowly but surely getting there, and now I’m in the final stages I’m becoming even more impatient as I’m dying to get in there and get stuck in with some recording.

I’ve got a freshly painted floor in the recording room, and began sticking the floor tiles to the hallway. I’ve just got to save up some spondoolies now and get some carpet for the live room. All that’s left is attaching some shelves and hooks for hanging leads on, a few pictures on the walls and then the re-wiring can begin! Woohoo!

I’ve got yucky work tomorrow

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, as I’m hoping to step down to part time in two weeks from now, and then by the end of April I should hopefully be able to once again return to my wonderful musical world, FULL TIME!! I can’t wait!!

• Check out Katie Marie on MySpace, or on her website.

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There’s more than £157 million available for south west timber processing businesses which feel they could improve the economic value of forests or forest products in the region.

The Sustainable Woodland South West programme has put up the money up especially for forest and woodland owners (including estates) farms, local authorities, and charities.

Projects covered by the cash could include access work such as construction of loading bays or ‘forest’ roads, work on some ‘silvicultural’ operations (were not talking Japan, here), feasibility studies, training, capital investments in forest machinery, and infrastructure for in-forest recreational enterprises (er, a cleaning and some tent pegs would surely do it).

For more information, download the prospectus

posted by Cptn

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An update of what the bands/musicians on SONGS OF THE DOGWATCH are up to. You are to read this, digest and think wow all these cool bands on one limited edition LP, I must go forth to the onec website and purchase a copy – especially as for one week there’s a special offer, yep from 04/03/09 until 11/03/09 the LP is £5! And that includes postage within the UK! Are we mad? probably! Just click on the album cover.

WILLE & THE BANDITS have their debut album New Breed released on April 4, worldwide distribution through Universal. They are one of Plymouth’s hardest working bands, check out their live itinerary.

HEAD OF PROGRAMMES recently completed the recording of their new album which should be out fairly soon, and are playing a plethora of festivals and gigs throughout the next few months.

VINCE LEE has just returned from another European jaunt with The Wildcards, has an imminent album release with his other band The Big Combo, while also continuing his duo sets, another hard working musician!

FISHERMANS MISSION have just recorded their debut album, set to be released by Plymouth based label, Found Objective, pretty soon I would imagine.

THE DHARMA BUMS have recently put out a new album Watching The Dark Move and have a tour of France to look forward to in June, lucky people!

LEMANIS have just released their second album, Revealing The Truth About A Push Me Pull You, there are so many bands in Plymouth releasing new stuff its hard to keep up.

CONSOLATION PRIZEFIGHTER continue to play all over promoting their ‘Share Music’ album, which was released on another Plymouth based label UPR Records. You know there is so much great stuff happening in Plymouth at the moment, embrace it while you can!

DR AKE are just about to go into PMC studios to record their first release which may be out on vinyl or CD or cassette. Their vagueness can be accredited to old age or too much LSD or both!

THE ROBINSONS I have no idea what they are up to at the moment and neither do they have a website/myspace so lets keep the mystery intact.

COSMO JARVIS is, I believe, currently holed up recording somewhere. Actually, Cosmo’s track Waiting On The Hil’ was actually covered by Mad Dog McPhee at a recent show in Plymouth. I used to know a Mad Maggie McPhee, any relation perhaps? Now that’s just silly.

Posted by Pete, Kath, Eva & Frankie

Read the PRSD review: Songs from the Dogwatch

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The Torbay Culture and Environment Partnership is looking for a new chairperson – don’t all put your hands up at once.

It’s an immensely important job, albeit part-time and voluntary – culture and the environment are the linchpins to the future economy and civic well-being of the Bay, so say us.

And what with the nascent cultural hub in the centre of Torquay as well as the vibrant music and creative arts scene throughout the beautiful Bay, it would be many people’s idea of a dream role.

According to vice-chair Dominic Acland, director of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust: “This is an important time for the Bay.”

He goes on to say, the ideal candidate ‘will be committed to using cultural and environmental projects as a tool for regenerating our Bay’.

For more information about the Torbay Culture and Environment Partnership and the vacancy, contact the partnership secretary via email at or telephone 01803 208824.

Or take a gander at the job specs.

posted by Cptn

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Chagford Primary School has secured nearly £44,000 for solar photo voltaic panels at the school.

The school received the grant as part of the Lower Carbon Building Programme and is the highest amount of funding secured amongst the 11 feeder schools to Okehampton College. Match funding is still needed.

Okehampton College itself has recently installed 3kwh of photo voltaic panels.

If you want know more or to get involved call Ginette Ruthven 01647 433895

•  Okehampton Community College is at the hub of a national scale photo voltaic project. Okehampton Community College is part of a community of 12 schools which plan to install around 130kWp of photovoltaics among other energy measures.

The college has already installed a 10kW PV array and has been leading the project to install similar systems in all of it’s 11 feeder primary schools.

You can even view the college’s dashboard of energy production and usage.

Daryll Chapman Okehampton Community College Principal said: “We want to be seen as pro-active and to have every school in the learning community focussing on saving energy.”

The college has seen a drop in the amount of electric consumed. November 2008 saw  22% less electricity used than in the previous year.

The college has been working closely with Okehampton Primary School, which is also set to install solar panels after securing £29,000 grant from the Low Carbon Trust.

Dare in partnership with Envison have provided energy audits for the 11 feeder primary schools within the Okehampton College learning community and Dare also contributed to the college’s recent Energy Evening series of presentations to parents and the wider community.

posted by Cptn

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Employers in the South West are being urged to sign up to a code of practice for employing migrant workers.

At today’s Employing Migrant Workers conference, Equality South West will encourage businesses to sign up to the voluntary Business In The Community’s code of practice.

Charlie Dorr, who heads up ESW’s Migrant Worker Project, said: “Despite all the economic benefits migrant workers bring to the South West, many still face discrimination and exploitation in the workplace.

“All workers should have rights, no matter where they work or which country they come from, and we hope employers will recognise this by signing up to the code.”

posted by Cptn

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The title, PMTeatime, didn’t immediately ignite a desire to listen in my 21-year-old male brain. But for any avid explorer of new music, PMTeatime is well worth a listen.

The show blended all sorts of music with some learned and playful conversation. Female issues and artists dominated the conversation, which was interspersed with soulful tunes and good, local music.

It was refreshing to listen to a presenter who is passionate about emerging music and local events, as well as wider subjects. It was this ability to discuss a local effect of a world wide issue that I particularly enjoyed.

The architect of the show, Milica Lewis (a.k.a. The Dutchess), eased listeners into issues such as domestic violence and women’s rights, without the hint of an agenda. These are difficult topics to discuss, but with the aid of a guest, the debate remained informal but informative. For example, did you know there is no rape crisis centre in Exeter?

As Phonic FM approaches its first birthday, the station is keen to further develop its image as the alternative sound of Exeter. With its mantra of freedom for all presenters, it often throws up an eclectic selection of music, articles and characters that would be difficult to recreate on a commercial radio station. Presenters commonly work on a rotational basis, and the independence gifted to them brings an added energy to each show. Or maybe it’s just that they’re locked in a small room in a basement, with complete musical freedom and a bar only a flight of stairs away.

The championing of local and emerging talent on PMTeatime was impressive, and this seems to be a philosophy that is supported by all the other DJs on the station. The music played was all by female artists, and covered several decades and styles.

Self-promotion is key for a station such as Phonic, and there was some good advertisement for other shows and local happenings. International Women’s Day, on Sunday, March 8, is keenly supported by the station and there are several events going on in the Exeter Phoenix – Exeter’s arts centre and the base of Phonic FM. The upcoming Vibraphonic festival, canvassing several Exeter venues in March, also promises to be a treat for the music fan.

PMTeatime, hosted by The Dutchess, is on Phonic FM 106.8fm every third Wednesday of each month between 4-6pm.

posted by David Whittaker
(David listened to PMTeatime on February 18, 2009)

• International Women’s Day Live on Phonic FM
Sunday, March 8, 10am-10pm
The female DJs of Exeter’s only playlist-free radio station join forces to present an all-day programme of music by female artists from all over the world, with interviews and discussions

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Oddly enough, leading Exeter Councillors defended their decision to award themselves a mighty fine pension deal – that’s after the £1.5 million they cut from the budget, the staff they’ve made redundant and the money they’ve frittered away on their push for unitary status.

The pension deal will see the council match contributions of eligible councillors and could cost the council around £50,000 in the first year. Previously, the Local Government Pension Scheme was only open to council staff, but the councillors voted to take up the extension to themselves.

To be fair, the vote was evenly split with mayor Paul Smith casting the decider in favour of the pension, and individual councillors can decide whether they take up the pension.

It could be seen as a move to make a more professional element to your local representation, to open it up to those who would otherwise be in no financial position to represent and battle for their community.

But then again Mid Devon and East Devon district councils have rejected the proposal.

And we’ll leave you with some quotes from the Express and Echo story on the matter.

Mark Wallace, campaign director for the Taxpayers’ Alliance, pointed out: “This is a pension that is so generous that it would be unavailable to most of their constituents.”

Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lib Dem representative for St Thomas told the paper: “During these difficult economic times, I think this sends out entirely the wrong message to our electors, many of whom are struggling to pay their bills and could even be facing unemployment.”

Then again, it may just justify them in the face of an uncertain future as the the decision over the local government structure of Devon is still to be decided (for those who aren’t county councillors at least).

• What is the value of your elected official?

posted by Cptn

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A wall-hanging by Israeli and Palestinian women who came to together to urge peace in Gaza has been specially made for Exeter’s part in International Women’s Day, which takes place on Sunday, March 8.

It was brought back from Gaza to Devon by Dr Suaad George, Palestinian women’s rights activist, chair of the Devon Racial Equality Council and friend to the People’s Republic of South Devon.

The wall-hanging, along with other designs made by women for the event, which have been sewn together to create banners, will be carried around Exeter during the Walk for Peace on International Women’s Day.

Last winter Nicci Wonnacott, resident art lecturer at the Exeter Phoenix, appealed for women to to design their own symbol of peace on a white square of cotton using embroidery, appliqué or other textile techniques.

The venue was inundated with work sent in from individual women and women’s groups from all over the world. In the run up to the walk, teams of volunteers have worked round the clock for days sewing the work together to form banners.

The Walk for Peace gets off the blocks at noon on Sunday, March 8. Here are more details and for the goings on at the Exeter Phoenix.

International Women’s Day Walk for Peace
Sunday, March 8, noon (assemble at 11.45am), FREE, Bedford Square, Exeter’s City Centre
Walk for Peace, starting at noon in Bedford Square and ending at Exeter Phoenix. A number of banners will be carried, created from the textile peace panels produced as part of Exeter Phoenix’s ongoing Sewing For Peace project, launched in November 2008. Women are encouraged to wear the official International Women’s day colours of dark green, purple and white on the day.

International Women’s Day Fair
Sunday, March 8, 1-4pm, FREE, Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
An International Women’s Day fair with information stands and international craft stalls, children’s activities and refreshments.

International Women’s Day Live Performance Schedule
Sunday, March 8, 2-4pm, FREE, Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
Exeter Phoenix’s Black Box studio will be presenting an exciting programme of International Women’s Day themed performance, poetry, music and sketches throughout the afternoon.

International Women’s Day Live Evening Benefit Concert for Exeter Women’s Aid
Sunday, March 8, 8pm, £6/£5, Exeter Phoenix, main auditorium, Box Office 01392 667 080
A chance to see Devon’s finest female stars in the rising together on one bill: Nuala and the Alchemy Quartet, Rebecca Worthley, Rosa Rebecka, Hollie Rogers, Laura Dugmore and Jackie Oates (2009 BBC Folk Award Winner). All artists have agreed to perform for free and all profits from the night go to Exeter Women’s Aid.

International Women’s Day Live on Phonic FM
Sunday, March 8, 10am-10pm, listen live on 106.8 FM (Exeter area) or via www.phonic.fm
The female DJs of PhonicFM join forces for an all-day programme of music by female artists from all over the world, plus interviews and discussions.

• If you’ve got more events going on in the region, get in touch

posted by Cptn

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The South West Observatory is holding its sixth annual conference, Weathering Storms: Regional Resilience and Future Proofing, in the northern reaches of the region at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, on Wednesday March 11. And the experts will be taking care to avoid panic and despair – won’t we all.

The three threats the crystal-ball gazers are worried about are: recession and the state of the economy; climate change and environmental threats; and the continued pressure of population growth and growth in household numbers, which will re-emerge with economic recovery, the say.

According to the chair of the Observatory, Professor Martin Boddy, in times of widespread change we must avoid knee-jerk reactions if we are serious about tackling these challenges now and in the future.

He told the PRSD: “The danger at the moment, particularly on the economy, is one of grand but ineffectual gestures, or quick-fixes.

“We must avoid short-term, knee-jerk reactions – or worse still, panic and despair!

“We must continue to look at the evidence, listen to the experts, weigh-up the alternatives, in order to forecast and plan for the next 10, 20, 30 years.

“It will be our ability to keep calm and take the long view that will ensure the region stays on course to weather the storms ahead.”

For more details about the conference, including a conference programme and speakers list, visit the South West Observatory site.

posted by Cptn

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“I started out in journalism on a fantastic regional newspaper in Plymouth,” says Abigail Edge on her Grassy Roots blog. It’s even more impressive to know she said it to Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian. They were talking about the future of newspapers and new media, something we’d all like to know. So what did these two great minds come up with?

Abigail is a self-confessed fan of online media. “It’s not that I don’t think online media is fantastic – really, who can argue with it?” she asks. But her experiences in Plymouth left their mark. “One woman told me how she always read The Herald from cover to cover, starting from the back and working her way through to the front to save the “best bits” until last. You can’t do that on a website,” she says.

Abigail is adamant: there will always be a place for print media. Rusbriger insists “Change is coming,” before he shuffles off to be mysterious elsewhere.

Read the full article with all of Abigail’s reasons print won’t die on: What do newspapers and the dodo have in common? A conversation with Alan Rusbridger on Abigail Edge’s site, Grassy Roots.

• Here at the PRSD we’ve expanded our coverage. You can read us on the web, but also on your mobile phone, either through RSS or our optimised mobile service. You can have the newsletter delivered straight to your inbox, or you could get the daily updates on your browser through RSS. We’re even in print – the latest print magazine from arts+culture will soon be available.

posted by Cptn

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