Board Meeting Official Footage!

Happy Birthday Jimmy

PC subscripient Jimmy Li today celebrates his birthday. Happy birthday Jimmy, have a fantastic day!

Hyatt is 16!!!

The lovable David Hyatt celebrates his 16th birthday today. Hyatt has apparently spent many days off school "preparing" for the special day! Happy birthday to a true Calder Valley character!

Pace-Egg Rehearsal Log

So came the second rehearsal for this years Pace-Egg. The Eggers began work on certain scenes (if you can call them this) in the Pace-Egg. A great atmosphere was in the air, as the team set out. Under the musical supervision of Isaac Rose, the Pace Eggers have been singing the Pace Egg song with great zeal, and hopefully will do it well this year, unlike other years. The saga continues...

Happy Birthday to the Editor

Yesterday, our Editor celebrated his sixteenth anniversary of his birth. Now he is sixteen, he can enjoy several privileges, such as wasting his money on Lottery tickets. He attended Syhiba Indian Restaurant in Sowerby Bridge with some members of his family and he looks forward to posting a review in the upcoming edition.

I would like to say, as his friend and employee, that I hope he had a very good birthday, and I hope he has many more. I am sure I echo the wishes of the subscripients.

Fishing For Bishops - MySpace Launch

Today was the launch of "Fishing For Bishops" MySpace page! Members of the band are Matthew Wedge-Roberts (Rhythm), Ben Lomax-Thorpe (Guitar, Lead Vocals), Matthew Dawson (Trumpet), Isaac Rose (Keyboard, Backing vocals), Joachim Goddard (Bass Guitar), Cormac O'Neill (Saxophone). The band have only just formed but are steadily progressing through covers from artists such as The Specials, The Kinks, Madness and Stevie Wonder. To visit their MySpace go to: www.myspace.com/fishingforbishops

To the right of this post, you can see a picture of a bishop, who may or may not be "fished" by this would-be band.

"Dream Come True"

Painter's Chronicle subscripient May McQuade has been accepted into the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. May auditioned in Leeds on Saturday and took part in some technique classes throughout the day before performing a solo dance piece to a panel of judges. After a gruelling day May was then interviewed by the panel and shortly after offered a place on a degree course starting in September 2009. May described the news as a "dream come true" Well done May!!!!

Sunday's Kitchen - Chocolate Cola Cake

Ingredients
For the cake:
250g butter, plus extra for greasing
250g self-raising flour
300g golden caster sugar
3 heaped tablespoons (tbsp) cocoa
Generous pinch of bicarbonate of soda
200ml cola
75ml milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:
60g butter, softened
200g icing sugar, sifted
2-3 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp cola

For the sauce
King-sized caramel chocolate bar
Splash of double cream
2 tbsp of mini marshmallows

What to do:
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas mark 4. Grease a 24cm loose bottomed cake tin. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa and bicarb of soda into a bowl.

Gently melt the butter and cola together in a pan, and then add to the dry ingredients, together with the milk, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix gently but thoroughly, and then tip into the cake tin.
Bake for about 40 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack for about 15 mins whilst you prepare the topping.

To make the topping, beat the butter, icing sugar and cocoa together in a bowl until blended. Beat in the cola to combine. Spread over the cake and allow the topping to set.

To make the sauce, melt the chocolate bar gently in a pan with a splash of cream, then stir in the marshmallows. You may need to add a little warm water to get a pouring consistency The sauce is rich and sweet as is the topping so you might only want to use one or the other.
Sean Groves

The Great Leap Forward

The Chairman

I think that we have come to a historic moment in the history of the Painter's Chronicle. Yes, I say this all the time, however every time I say it, something historic is going on. What it is this time, is that the PC website has hit (as you can see at the bottom of the page) one thousand views. And, more to the point, they are not just us, the Board.

What this shows is that in the short time that this website has been up and running, it has become somewhat a regular feature among our subscripients. People are viewing in, and people are commenting, for example on the post about the Isreali-Hamas ceasefire, someone, quite intelligently, posted "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!". So, not only are people viewing this, but the people who are viewing this are of the highest intelligence and awareness. No seriously, it's all good.

What else is important about what has been done, is we have removed the Google Search from the bottom of this page. Not only was it unsightly and vulgar, but it drew connotations that we, the PC, somehow support the enormous electronic juggernaut that is Google. Google, the search engine which complies with Chinese censorship, and Google the corporation who maps our internet use. Yet while they do this, they also host the PC website. It's a difficult line to draw.

Painter's Chronicle Website Passes Landmark!!

The website today reached a massive milestone in reaching 1000 hits! The Painter's Chronicle website was launched on the 7th January '09 and since then it has proved a massive success with an average of 62.5 hits each day! Thank you for your response to this, we hope the site remains as polular has it has been so far and don't forget to share our link with your friends and family to spread the PC word!

Pace-Egg to Support Local Charity

This week, the Pace-Egg team voted on which charity they would support this year, and overwhelming support was pledged in favour of the charity which Billy put forward: The Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team.

This is a charity based in Mytholmroyd, and is trained to respond to incidents involving the search and rescue of people on and around the South Pennine moors. Not only this, but they often assist with searches for missing people in urban areas.

The Pace-Egg team felt that in supporting this charity, they'd be building a link with the local community, and would be donating to a very worthwhile cause. Not only this, but the people running the charity actually come to see the Pace-Egg, and are delighted to have a well know Calder Valley tradition donating to them. To find out more about the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team visit their website: www.cvsrt.org.uk

Happy Birthday Hannah

Happy Birthday to PC supscripient Hannah Conway, Hannah is 16 today and can now legally buy herself a lottery ticket! Have a lovely day Hannah, and don 't be too down hearted that you have a science exam - today could be your lucky day!

Barack Obama - The Inauguration

Matt Frei and Huw Edwards present the inauguration of Barack Obama today on BBC 1. The footage starts at 16.00, do not miss this historic event!

Don't forget to look out for PC subscripients Janet Oosthuysen and Judah Smith too, they will be amongst the thousands gathered in Washington.

Pace-Egg Rehearsal Log

Rehearsal One
The instant I walked into the room for todays first Pace-Egg rehearsal of the season, I instantly felt relieved, excited and prepared for yet another year of fun, enjoyment and a little bit of performing in and amongst! It trully was great to be back and taking part in what I feel is the finest piece of drama in the Calder High calendar.

The session was basically running through the Pace-Egg script and familiarising ourselves with our lines, along with coaching the new team members theirs and also letting them realise what they had got themselves in for!

All in all a cracking rehearsal and hopefully a sign of things to come!!

Hamas Announces Ceasefire in Gaza

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, according to Hamas officials.

The group said it would hold fire for one week so long as Israel withdrew all its forces from the Gaza Strip.

Full report on BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7836205.stm

Happy Birthday Lesley

PC subscripient Lesley Austin today celebrates her birthday. Lesley is a keen Cliff Richard and Russell Watson fan and some of her hobbies include arts and crafts and caravaning with her husband Brian. The PC team would like to wish her a very enjoyable and happy day. Happy Birthday Lesley!!

*Do you know a friend who is celebrating their birthday? Why not share it with everyone and give them the publicity they deserve on their special day! Contact: info@painterschronicle.co.uk

GCSE Maths Results

Today saw the return of a set of GCSE maths results from an early examination taken in November. The fast track group, which is a selection of "gifted" students, took their GCSE exam in November; six months earlier than the majority of students. This is designed so that the best students can continue and take an extra, AS-style qualification, called Additional Maths.

And the results were excellent. In the group of thirteen students, there were no grades below an A, and the majority of the group got an A*. This is down to two things.

Firstly, it is due to the standard of mathematicians in the group. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it is due to the standard of teaching, without which, these grades would have been possible. Thanks, therefore, are in order to Mrs. Booth and Mr. Stephenson, who have taught this group and brought them to this high standard. This is, indeed, a massive achievement for the individual students, but also is a substantial achievement for comprehensive education.

Pace Egg - The Class of 2009!

The auditions for this years Pace Egg performance finally took place on Monday lunchtime and after a great turn out a final cast list was finally announced. Thank you to everyone who auditioned, the casting was extremely hard!

We will be updating the website regularly with all Pace Egg gossip, news, information and even a rehearsal diary! So do log on and make the build up that little more exciting!

*We are still currently without a bus driver and this is imperative if the day is to go ahead! We desperately need your help and we would be extremely grateful if you could be the hero/heroin and step in to help us! Please contact us ASAP on - paceegg@painterschronicle.co.uk Thanks!!

The Cast (In Order of Appearance)

The Fool - Billy Painter

St George - Isaac Rose
Bold Slasher - Johnny McQuade

The Doctor - Joachim Goddard

Black Prince of Paradine - Sam Harris

King of Egypt - Dario Coates

Hector - Dylan Wilby

Toss Pot - Thomas Deadman

The Buglers - Clara Collett & Jess Woodhead

The Hecklers - Cormac O'Neill & Matthew Bladon

Management - Mrs. Roebuck

*The Pace Egg takes place on Good Friday - 10th April

Ski Sunday Returns

Ski Sunday returns at 17:10 on 18th January (next Sunday) and High Altitude starts the following week, 22:00 on 25th January.

Before then, BBC will be showing the Wengen Downhill event, live on the red button on 17th January at 11:30 and the World Cup Slalom at the Swiss resort at 12:15 on 18th January.

Bus Driver Needed!

The Pace Egg team need a qualified minibus driver to help transport the team around the various venues in the Calder Valley. The event takes place on Good Friday and is an all day event, however, the day is also extremely rewarding, not only will you gain the respect of Pace Egg performers and audiences, you will also be first hand witness to some first class performances. We would really appreciate your help and support with this, if you are able to help then please do get in touch ASAP! Contact Billy on: paceegg@painterschronicle.co.uk

Thanks, we look forward to your potential support!

Lowering The Voting Age

The Ministry of Justice has notified on its website of a consultation about lowering the voting age to 16 – see http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/voting-age-consultation.htm

There is a consultation that can be completed by individuals supporting the idea. See http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/voting-age-consultation.pdf the deadline for the consultation is 20th January, so get completing and make your voice heard!

Pace Egg Auditions

We just can't hype on enough about it. The Pace Egg is our favourite Easter tradition. Today we had our first meeting in 2009 for the Pace Egg, and we agreed that we would hold auditions on this coming Monday (12th January 2009).

If you're a Calder High student, and you're male (sorry girls, we'd be lynched by the past-Pace Eggers were we to have female cast members, and thus break with tradition) then please consider coming along. The Pace Egg is a great Calderdale tradition, spanning hundreds of years. We need people with loud voices, and with a commanding presence on the street.

If you're interested, then come along Monday lunch to the Theatre. We'd really like to see you. Speak to Isaac or Johnny for more information, or to get the audition piece.

Breaking Dawn

The Chairman

Yes, dawn has broken on the Painter's Chronicle. A new dawn, that is. As the sun set at the end of volume two last September, the Painter's Chronicle entered hibernation, descending into a chrysalis as it underwent an exciting and revolutionary metamorphosis.

Gone are the short, often average, monthly editions. In are the super-huge, and fine tuned seasonal editions. Which come out on the appropriate Christian festival. Because we are all very, very pious.

Part of this metamorphosis is this domain name and website, which hopefully will become a sprawling mass of PCdom, and will help keep the fires of the Painter's Chronicle burning throughout the periods where no PC is released.

So, I should end by saying that I hope this is a success, and that this breaking dawn will blossom into the golden fury of a Painter's Chronicle noon. Welcome. And may the Red Bear be forever benevolent.

PS - I should also like to apologise for using the word "risqué" incorrectly in the last PC, in the attached document "London Logs". The word I believe I was searching for was in fact the much blander, "risky".

New Domain!

The Painter's Chronicle are proud to announce their new domain name:

http://www.painterschronicle.co.uk/

Many thanks to Chris Ratcliffe for setting us up with this domain, we have now "officially" moved on to the worldwide web!

We are currently in the process of creating some new PC email accounts so that you can contact us on any PC related issues. For the time being, if you need to contact us please send emails to billypainter@painterschronicle.co.uk

Happy Surfing!

Happy Birthday Christine

Our German subscripient Christine Pollithy today celebrates her 17th birthday. The Painter's Chronicle team hopes she has an enjoyable day. Happy Birthday Christine!

Pace-Egg Meeting

The introduction meeting for the Pace-Egg will be held tomorrow (Wednesday 7th January) in the theatre, 12:35. Come along and join some real Calder valley festivities! For more information please speak to Johnny or Isaac.

New Vice Chairman

At the last Board Meeting the PC Board decided it would be a good idea to elect a Vice Chairman to help the Board with their current overwhelming workload. The Board drew up a list of candidates, but only one stood out as a suitable individual to take this role, Calum Paramor MYP. Calum's work ethic in recent times for the Chronicle has been extremely helpful and needed, the PC Board noticed this and rewarded him for his efforts. Calum will assist Chairman Rose, support the Editor with his final editorial and generally fill in any gaps that may occur. Welcome aboard Calum!

Painter's Chronicle Annual Awards

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Painter’s Chronicle End of Year Survey. The results that came back were both useful and . . . interesting! We used some of your ideas and suggestions in the last edition, most notably the page 3, we hope you approved of the three fine
models as they didn’t come cheap! To receive the document containing the data we received from the survey, please contact The Editor and he will get one to you.

For those of you who logged on and completed the survey you will have noticed the first two questions were about, “PC Writer of the Year” and “PC Article of the Year”. Myself, with the Boards approval thought it would be a nice gesture to show some recognition for the subscripients favourite element of the PC at this time of year. I can genuinely say that the voting was extremely close and every vote really did matter as the winners were constantly changing and in the end both awards were scooped by a single vote!

Cormac O’Neill’s “Band of the Month” clinched the crown of, “PC Article of the Year” and Dylan Wilby was the winner of, “PC Writer of the Year”. Congratulations to both Dylan and Cormac, I am sure I speak on behalf of the PC subscripients when I say your articles are always a joy to read! Like I said though, this is the same for all articles within the PC, as the results just go to show that the PC has something for everyone as every article received a vote!

Board Meeting

The PC Board met for their post Christmas Edition Board Meeting and discussed their thoughts and the thoughts of the subscripients who took the PC Survey. They received some very useful and constructive feedback that they will look to take action on in the next edition. The minutes are now available from the meeting, please contact The Editor.

Painter's Chronicle Christmas Edition

The Painter's Chronicle Christmas Edition has now been emailed out to all subscripients, it should have landed in your mailbox on Christmas Eve. if for any reason you did not receive it, please contact the Editor and he will try and sort you out! We hope you enjoy the edition and we are all looking forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions on it!

Blog Created

The Editor created the blog on 4th January 2008, the idea of creating a Painter's Chronicle blog was suggested by Mike Barrett. Thanks for the idea Mike, so far, so good!