(from the Guardian) Jeremy Hunt has submitted plans to Treasury proposing deep cuts in staff and a move to smaller government building.

Up to one in two of the staff at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are to be made redundant as part of the cuts programme submitted to the Treasury by the culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

Hunt has also proposed moving out of the well-appointed departmental headquarters in Cockspur Street, just off Trafalgar Square, with the remaining staff finding room in a different, existing departmental building.

In a move which will send a chill through the arts world, Hunt, who has proposed cuts of between 35% and 50% of all staff, believes he will not be able to win support for the coming deep cuts in arts and media budgets unless he leads by example. read more here

Potter in the Window, Roy Fleming Photography, Along the Settle-Carlisle Line exhibition, Chicken City… just for of the 24 Best in Eden events this week…

for full details see: http://www.bestineden.com/event/list.cfm?week=4

Today (Monday 19 July) has seen the launch of the Big Society with Eden one of four piloted areas. How arts and culture fit in has yet to be seen but as Sir Andrew Motion said today: “If the Big Society means we aspire to create more civilised places where humanity prevails, and the individual spirit thrives, then artistic and cultural activity is not just indispensible, it must sit at the core, and national and local government must work together in one cause,”

Against the backdrop of the call from national arts leaders for the government to recognise the damage overly severe cuts in arts funding could do, Sir Andrew, Chair of the MLA, said that pressure on local council budgets was probably an even greater threat to the country’s cultural and artistic life.

“Government is asking – which public services are essential and how we can aspire to a bigger society? Cultural engagement is essential to humanity and civilisation and we all have a responsibility to ensure it thrives.” See the full article from the MLA here http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/local_culture_cuts

the Guardian and BBC reports on the Big society launch are here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jul/18/four-authorities-experiment-big-society and here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10680062

For further information and debate on the current Eden link see here http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/richardmoss/2010/07/big_society_or_big_con_why_cum.html

ONLINE TICKET SALES CLOSE at MIDDAY THURSDAY 22ND JULY
Any tickets purchased after midnight this Sunday will have to be collected at the gate on your arrival at the festival!
See you all there!

Jazz enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen are heading to Penrith on Sunday 15 August. Tickets are now on sale: contact 01768 863450 or www.seetickets.com. As part of the popular ‘Eden Arts presents’ programme, which has already welcomed internationally renowned acts such as comedian Bill Bailey and soul singer Earl Thomas – Kenny Ball is next line to provide first class entertainment on our very own Penrith stage.

Kenny is known as the most successful trumpet jazz player this side of the Atlantic and has been with his band for over 50 years. Judi Wright, Eden Arts promoter, said: “Kenny Ball’s classic jazz style is timeless, popular with all ages. It’s not pretentious, but it is infectious, and we’re looking forward to a great summer’s evening of entertainment.”

Kenny himself celebrated his 80th birthday last month, but their stamina and musical integrity make them as popular today as when they started out in the 1960’s. His landmark recordings of the 1960s such as ‘Midnight in Moscow’, which reached number 2 in the UK and US charts, catapulted him to worldwide fame, and since then he has become a living legend. The debut hit “Samantha” and the smash “When I’m 64”, made Kenny a household name.

Penrith Leisure Centre: Sunday 15 August, doors open 7pm. Tickets (£15) now on sale: call 01768 863450 or online at www.seetickets.com. www.kennyball.co.uk/

Eden Arts presents a continuing programme of events – tickets also on sale:
Elkie Brooks on Saturday 6 November, 7.30pm
Maddy Prior on Saturday 16 October, 7pm
Billy Bragg on Sunday 5 December, 7pm
Tickets now on sale at www.seetickets.com or Penrith Leisure Centre 01768 863450.
Visit www.edenarts.co.uk for more information.

Tate announced today the launch of the interactive website and national roadshow of the Tate Movie Project. Children from across the country are invited to take part in creating the Tate Movie, the first of its kind, an animation film made by and for children.

The Tate Movie Project truck takes to the road this weekend on a national three month tour of production workshops. The truck will travel to 55 locations across the UK. It will visit primary schools, family events and festivals and will tour to every region of the UK. The truck folds out into a state of the art creative learning studio, complete with sound studio space, computers and a screening facility, all of which can be cleared away for workshops and activities. The children will work with artists and film-makers in the truck who will deliver hundreds of production workshops, using great artworks as a source of inspiration.

The truck will visit family events and selected primary schools in the North West of the UK in August and September, visiting locations including the Greenhouse Project in Liverpool, as well as Brougham Hall, Penrith on the 15th Aug and the Rheged Centre, Penrith on the 14th Aug.

At the heart of the Tate Movie Project is the website www.tatemovie.co.uk. Children will be able to be involved in the whole movie making process online, from the hand-drawn characters and plot twists, down to costumes and sound effects. When children enter the website they are welcomed by Ronnie, the animated “Movie Director”, alongside a host of other cartoon characters who will guide them through the process. The website has been designed to appeal to children aged 5-13 and will enable them to explore animation, scripting, editing and sound effects. Their creations and contributions to the movie are uploaded directly onto the website where they can interact with all the activities and resources it provides.

The vast bank of material created over coming months will be brought together by Tate, Aardman and Fallon in the most impressive way possible using the latest animation technology.

The next stage of group activities will be workshops that take place from October 2010 – March 2011 at a network of partner galleries across the UK. Full details of The Tate Movie truck’s tour is posted on the website at www.tatemovie.co.uk

The finished film will be broadcast on BBC TV in mid-2011. Meanwhile, CBBC’s Blue Peter will be following the real-life production process and encouraging kids to get involved.

It is hoped that up to a million children will be involved in the project as a whole.

The project has been made possible through £3million of funding from Legacy Trust UK, and will become part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. BP, as one of the Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad, is providing further sponsorship and practical support to the education programme underpinning the project. As well as broadcast support, BBC Learning are producing fun, accessible resources for kids and teachers alike.

Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate said: “Showcasing the vivid imaginations of kids, The Tate Movie project will use great artworks to inspire 5-13 year olds nationwide to contribute their ideas to an animated movie. We hope that over one million children will be involved in The Tate Movie and we will help them to draw on their imaginations, lives and communities whilst developing their visual literacy, and inspiring the artists of the future.”

Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK said: “Legacy Trust UK is delighted that the Tate Movie has launched today. It will enable children to participate in creating a film like no other, and encourage them to engage in the London 2012 experience. The partners that are delivering the Tate Movie are bringing a unique and exciting opportunity to children across the UK, and creating a lasting legacy for everyone involved.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just about sport, and The Tate Movie project can help not only to engage children in cultural and creative activities in the run up to London 2012, but also to give creative professionals the opportunity to play an important role in placing the UK on the world map as a cultural leader.”

Andy Akinwolere, Blue Peter Presenter, said: “We’re giving children an amazing opportunity to see their drawings, jokes, ideas and characters come to life as part of this fantastic animated film. At Blue Peter, we’re passionate about kids trying out new things, learning new skills and, most of all, letting their imagination loose. The Tate Movie Project is a brilliant way of doing just that”

Ruth MacKenzie, Director of Culture for London 2012, said “The Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012. I am delighted that this innovative project will be part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, engaging with young people across the UK to take part in a national initiative in such an inspiring way. ”

Peter Mather, Regional Vice President, Europe, & Head of Country, UK, BP said: “BP is delighted to build on our longstanding partnership with the Tate by supporting the Tate Movie project. As one of the Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad, we look forward to seeing Tate Movie inspire young people around the UK between now and the Games in 2012.”

For further press information please contact Helen Beeckmans/Kate Moores at Tate Press Office Call 020 7887 4940/8730 Email: helen.beeckmans@tate.org.uk, kate.moores@tate.org.uk

For further information about Legacy Trust UK, please contact Julie Morrow on julie.morrow@legacytrustuk.org or 020 7920 6430

For further information on the Cultural Olympiad please contact Paul Woodmansey in the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 469, paul.woodmansey@london2012.com, or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/london2012

For further information on CBBC, please contact Valerie Taylor on valerie.taylor@bbc.co.uk or on 07889 666594.

Youth Music funding for music-making activities (England)

deadline: 10 September 2010

Youth Music is the UK’s largest children’s music charity. Through its Open Programme, grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 are available to support projects that provide music-making activities for children and young people in support of Youth Music’s goals. Youth Music will fund any non-profit-making organisation more than one year old, that is committed to music-making activities for children and young people up to 18 (or up to 25 if they have special educational needs, disabilities or are in detention).

For more information, visit: www.youthmusic.org.uk/looking_for_music_funding/Open_programme.html

12 events in Eden over the week-end: Appleby Carnival, Langwathby Art Mart, Lettercarving in Stone (Askham), Live Music and Children’s competition at Orton Farmer’s Market, James Reynolds Open studio at Tirril, Truly Open Studio at Milburn, Unsung Heritage walk in Penrith, introduction to watercolours at Greystoke, Gainsborough Ensemble at Dufton, Winton Garden Wander at ….Winton (Kirkby Stephen) full details at www.bestineden.com

Dear all,

Eric Pickles’ speech at the LGA conference

Can I start by congratulating Dame Margaret and Sir Jeremy on their elevation to the peerage. Both of them are magnificent ambassadors for local government.
Do you know, public borrowing is more than double the total grant that councils get from Government each year?
That means far more than just trimming a few budgets away.
If we don’t get it right, Britain will be an economic laughing stock.
Future generations will be paying for our mistakes for decades.
Now, I’m under absolutely no illusions about the difficult challenges in local government.
But none of us went into public service to smell the roses and bask in perpetual sunshine.
There is a choice.
We can either assume that because government has no money, public services have to get worse. And accept an age of enforced, unthinking, austerity.
Or we can say, hang on a minute.
Did all that big government, all those billions of pounds of unsustainable spending, actually get things done?
Or is there a better way?
We could take this forced opportunity to shake up the way Britain works.
We could replace big government with the Big Society.
And we can make localism a reality.
Not because it’s an economic necessity. But because it’s the best way to get things done.
To run services, to build a stronger economy and a stronger society.
We do not need to be less ambitious, or less radical, just because we have less money.
Instead we will put people back in charge of their lives.
Put businesses and councils back in charge of economic growth.
Put town halls back in charge of local affairs.
That’s what localism means.
For the first time in decades, councillors have the chance to take real decisions.
To get things done.
To genuinely make a difference.
You won’t be strangled by central government or smothered by regional bureaucracy any more.
It’s time to put things right.
The previous government did talk a good game.
But their actions spoke louder than words.
In one year, my immediate predecessor, the former Secretary of State managed to publish more than 1200 publications.
Like the 74 page guidance on filling in the ‘handypersons financial benefits’ form?
I think if you need 74 pages of guidance to fill in a form, there’s something fundamentally wrong with the form.
I’ve got to accept some blame too.
I must admit, while I’ve been Secretary of State, there have been twenty more publications.
So I want to apologise, here and now, for those. And the extra, unnecessary burdens they’ve put on you.
That’s not what I’m about.
In the past fifty days instead of writing guidance, I’ve been shredding it.
Instead of creating legislation, I’ve been dumping it.
You’ve been a prisoner of regulation, chained to the radiator with red tape, for too long.
I want to liberate you.
Focus on what really matters. Making localism a way of life.
So by the time the localism bill is introduced into Parliament, localism is already a fact. How are we doing it?
By taking powers away from bureaucrats and quangos and from me.
And restoring powers to communities and elected officials.
And I can announce today, as I promised to a fringe meeting here two years ago, we’re also abolishing the TLA. The three letter abbreviation.
We’ve already scrapped the IPC, the CAA, the RDAs.
We’ve put an end to the centrally imposed, unwanted garden grabbing which blights so many communities.
The HIPs which tied up the housing market.
Instead we’ve given you control of the money.
You are now in charge of something like £38 billion every year, no strings attached.
And put you back in charge of the decisions which matter.
How you get the job done – improving standards and saving money – is down to you and your voters.
I don’t presume that I know more than you do about how your area should be run.
You and your voters, should decide how you organise yourselves. Whether you want a mayor, a cabinet or a return to the committee system, I don’t mind. That’s up to you

For the rest of the speech, go here

www.communities.gov.uk/speeches/newsroom/lgaconference2010

www.bestineden.com/event/map.cfm