April 28, 2006
Morris Dancing, the Mini-skirt and the Domesday Book named as icons of England
When the controversial mini-skirt hit the streets of London in 1966, no one could have predicted it would be declared a national treasure 40 years later. Hold on to your hems, the status of the mini-skirt has now been confirmed with the second release of national icons from the Icons - A Portrait of England project, announced Friday, 28 April.
Icons is a virtual collection of England's most cherished cultural treasures, from Big Ben to the humble cup of tea. Members of the public are invited to nominate their own favourite icons and to vote on the icons that other people have suggested. The site launched in January 2006 and has already attracted a quarter of a million visits, more than 5,000 nominations and 300,000 votes.
Other icons joining the mini-skirt in this latest release of icons, include Morris Dancing, The Hay Wain, The Pub, Cricket, The Globe and Big Ben, the Domesday Book and The Globe theatre.
April 27, 2006
Film and education luminaries welcome premiere of Film Street
Leading lights from children’s TV and film welcomed the launch of a new website for very young filmmakers at the Film Street launch event at the Curzon Mayfair in London (27 April).
Anna Home OBE, Chief Executive for the Children’s Film and Television Foundation, Greg Childs, Managing Director, Childs Eye production company, Stewart Till CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of film distributor, United International Pictures (UIP) and Barney Harwood, CBBC presenter launched www.filmstreet.co.uk at a film premiere attended by more than 100 primary school children plus teachers, film and TV industry executives and educationalists.
Film Street is an exciting and fun website for 6 to 9-year-olds, designed to unlock imaginations, introduce the joys of film and encourage expression through filmmaking. The website is full of interactive activities, fresh movie-making ideas, expert advice and endless hours of learning enjoyment plus downloadable teaching and learning activities mapped to the curriculum.
Film Street has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and developed by First Light. Partners include CBBC, the British Film Institute, the UK Film Council and Creative Partnerships.
The Film Street launch event was a showbiz film premiere with a twist. The event was developed and organised by primary school children who created their perfect film launch including a red carpet, paparazzi, cartoons and a children’s style tea party as refreshments.
Children’s BBC presenter, Barney Harwood, hosted the colourful event in the main cinema at the Curzon alongside characters from the site. Stewart Till, Chairman and Chief Executive of film distributors, United International Pictures introduced Film Street: "Inspiring and nurturing the next generation is crucial to the future of British film. Film Street is an inventive and accessible way for you children to actively learn about film."
Pip Eldridge, First Light’s CEO, walked the 300-strong audience through Film Street meeting a whole host of characters on the way, from pirates and cowgirls to chickens and space hoppers, who offer a wealth of filmmaking advice, activities and games.
Pip said: "Anyone of any age can log on to Film Street; we’ve made it really easy so everyone can join in the fun!"
Anna Home OBE, the Chief Executive for the Children's Film and Television Foundation and former producer of such classic children’s TV as Grange Hill and Jackanory, added: "I love the idea of Film Street. It places film and all its possibilities right at children's finger tips and encourages them to explore this medium and start creating!"
Charles Dickens in the hot seat
Children are being offered the chance to fire questions at Charles Dickens in Headline History's first hot seat chat session.
The award-winning website for young children (Key Stages 2 & 3) brings history to life using a series of virtual newspapers covering the Romans, Tutors, Victorians and World War II. Pupils can use a range of materials - including filmed 'witnesses' - in order to complete their stories.
The live 30-minute chat session takes place Monday, 8 May at 6pm. Teacher, actor and Dickens expert, Will Jessop, will play the author.