Tuesday 28 December 2010

New Year's Day Treasure Hunt


The New Year's Day Treasure Hunt is a gentle, brisk walk around the scenic countryside of Mytholmroyd, suitable for all the family. Families will receive a sheet of clues and a basic outline of the route to follow. The majority of the walk is on well marked footpaths.
The route starts and finishes at Mytholmroyd Fire Station where tea, coffee and cakes will be served. As the event is now in it's second year, the route will be different from last year, but will be of similar difficulty.
The walk will start at 10.30, but families can start whenever they arrive, the latest start time is 12.30.
The admission is: Adult (£2), Child (£1), Family (£5)
All funds raised go to The Fire Fighters Charity and it promises to be another fun and enjoyable event.
For more information please contact Billy Painter onbilly@billypainter.com or on 0776 886 3233

Saturday 25 December 2010

Merry Christmas!

The Painter's Chronicle Team would like to wish all of our subscripients a very merry Christmas!

Friday 24 December 2010

Christmas Dinner Tutorial

Thursday 23 December 2010

The Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert Review

On Sunday 19th December, despite the cold, the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge supported a large turnout for the ‘Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert 2010’. Organised by Patrick McCallion and Billy Painter, the evening was a fundraising event for the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.


The night was kicked off by ‘One Stop Railway’, a new band from Huddersfield and first-timers to Hebden Bridge. Wearing Santa hats, they covered popular favourites like Bloc Party’s ‘Banquet’ and Arctic Monkey’s ‘I bet that you’d look good on the dance floor’. A very energetic band , their set was thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd, leaving everyone ready for more musical talent.


Next up were ‘Frontier Psychiatrists’ who opened with a festive song called ‘The Frontier Psychiatrists are very jolly at Christmastime’. Featuring heavily distorted guitar and quirky vocals, the Frontier Psychiatrists were an epic presence onstage, with lead vocals Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe even leaping off the stage to join in with the dancing crowd partway through the set. After their performance, Freddy said “It’s been really fun, we’re really appreciative there was such a good turnout.”


Following them were the local favourites ‘Fishing For Bishops’. Described as ‘a heady mix of Zorbic Ska and Foot-Stomping Klezmer’, Fishing for Bishops were truly spectacular to watch and listen to. One by one, the band members took to the stage and took up the starting tune with their instruments. This included a four piece brass section (with trumpets, saxophone and trombone) a harmonica and a accordion. The band are well known for involving the audience in their gigs, and this time was no exception. Call and response melodies went down particularly well, as did the jumping along with the drums - which literally had the Trades Club shaking! It was Fishing For Bishops’ second time at the Trades Club, and they brought several new songs with them, as well as old favourites. A cover of “Call Me Home” - originally performed by ‘the Cat Empire’, (one of the many bands which have inspired Fishing For Bishops) - was a new addition to their repertoire. Isaac Rose (left) said “It’s just been really good to get the whole of the band together and do a gig for charity” As always, Fishing For Bishops were absolutely fantastic, getting the whole crowd dancing along and joining in. The band has both a Facebook and a MySpace page, and do many gigs in and around the Calderdale area, so they’re well worth checking out.


Rounding the evening off was a set by Patrick McCallion’s band “Small Words”. They did covers of several very famous songs, from  MGMT’s ‘Kids’ to ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, a favourite from Glee. One of the real highlights of the night was Patrick’s own song “Fresh in my Mind” (available on iTunes and a total must-listen) which was a huge hit with all the audience. Patrick also played solo for one of his songs, he really was an exceptionally strong performer. Small Words finished with a rendition of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ but with a Rock style twist, a suitable finish to a very well received and much enjoyed evening.


Thank you’s go to Patrick McCallion and Billy Painter for organising the night, the Trades Club, all the Band members for their fantastic performances, and the crowd for braving the winter weather to come down and watch the event. A fantastic evening!

Joe Cotton

Sunday 19 December 2010

The Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert

Today is the day! The highly anticipated 'Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert' will be streamed live across the internet from 7.30pm (below). For further information, or if you have any problems watching the live stream, then log on to the Big Ass Promotions Website and watch from there. Otherwise, enjoy the show!

  

  

  

  

  

Thursday 16 December 2010

The Deighton Review


Long standing Painter's Chronicle subscripient Jack Deighton has finally joined the PC writing team, and will be entertaining us all with a series of short, precise reviews of whatever he feels worthy of a review from his fine self! Welcome aboard Jack!
Being Human

Premise
Being Human is about three people trying to live a normal life the twist is one of them is a vampire, one is a werewolf and the other is a ghost. The show is about their struggle with everyday life.


The Review
Being Human is an amazingly original TV show. It beautifully crosses comedy with drama in a way that is hardly ever done successfully by other shows. It has a gifted cast and a thrilling storyline. The main protagonists are likeable and memorable, you come to care and love the characters once you see their plight.
I would highly recommend Being Human to anyone who enjoys comedy or dramas. It grips you in thrilling suspense while at the same time makes you roll on the floor laughing it is a rollercoaster ride in emotions.

Being Human returns to our screens after Christmas. I hope you’ll be watching it; I know I will.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Billy On Air!


Our very own Billy Painter will be live on air this Monday night (13th December) as he joins Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe and his partner in crime Jacob Hayes on Phoenix Radio. He will be the honorary guest on the Youth Show, 6pm-8pm. There's sure to be many talking points, but with The Big Ass Christmas Concert just around the corner now, that is likely to be top of the bill in terms of 'hot topics'. 

Make sure you tune in to
96.7FM or listen in online at www.phoenixfm.co.uk 

Questions/queries/banter can be emailed to studio@phoenixfm.co.uk whilst texts can also be sent to the following number; 07766 404142 (Quote "PHOENIX" at start of message). Text messages are charged at your standard network rate.


Should be a great show, tune in and don't miss it!

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Christmas Craft Market in Hebden Bridge - This Sunday

This Sunday sees the return of the Christmas Craft Market in Lees Yard, Hebden Bridge. Open from 9:30 until 3 O'clock, the market really is a fantastic opportunity to buy some excellent Christmas gifts for the loved ones, family and friends. There will be a wide variety of stalls with something for everybody, so be sure to get down there and don't miss this opportunity. 

The Painter's Chronicle supports local causes, and with this in mind local people, producing goods locally to source an income. Why support big multi-national companies this Christmas when people from 'just down the road' provide an equally as good service? Much better value, and much higher quality goods. One market staller this weekend will be Vanessa Kay who specialises in a range of homemade goods and products, well worth a look! Lets support the people who help shape our vibrant community of Hebden Bridge.

Tuesday 30 November 2010

The Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert

Newly formed company Big Ass Promotions will be launching their first ever live charity band night later this month, as the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge will hold ‘The Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert’ on Sunday 19th December.

The night is to help raise funds for
The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust, a local charity supporting young people who suffer from cancer. More details HERE.

Hosted and presented by
Billy Painter and Patrick McCallion, The Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert features four local bands, all playing a different genre of music to suit all tastes. Performing on the night will be; One Stop Railway, The Frontier Psychiatrists, Fishing For Bishops and the highly popular and compelling Small Words.

As well as being a fantastic live event, the concert will also be streamed in its entirety worldwide across the internet allowing anyone, anywhere to tune in and sample a taste of Hebden Bridge entertainment this Christmas. A DVD will also be recorded on the night and available from the website soon after.

Under 18’s are welcome and encouraged to attend as it will be the best club around this Christmas to see the best new musical talent and entertainment that the Calder Valley has to offer.

Ticket prices for this event will be
£4 in advance and £5 on the night, and can be bought from the Big Ass Promotions website any of the bands. All money raised will go straight to The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.

Co-organiser
Billy Painter commented: “The event promises to be a great night and it's one that Patrick and I are really looking forward to, so come on down and enjoy the music and support a great charity too!”

The concert will commence from
7pm and more details can be obtained from www.bigasspromotions.co.uk

Thursday 25 November 2010

Film Review With Sam Larner


Jackass 3D (18)
This is the new instalment in the Jackass stable. It was made for $20million which is not a lot at all considering the obscene spends of “Avatar” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. It has already made eight times its budget and so clearly it has to be considered a major success. I will state from the very beginning that I am not a particularly big Jackass fan. I never had sky so I couldn’t see it in my youth which seems to be where most people saw it. Later when the internet made it possible to view the clips I was never very interested. I was always told by friends that it is the funniest thing they’ve ever seen and it just made me feel bad for them because clearly “Blazing Saddles” and “Airplane!” are the funniest things ever made, aren’t they?
So firstly let’s look at what’s wrong with Jackass. Firstly it doesn’t need to be in 3D it’s a complete waste and to me seems like a ploy to get those extra few pounds off of you. There is literally nothing in the film that is enhanced by being in 3D and this is a view shared by a lot of the people I’ve talked to about it. Secondly, the scenes where they do stuff to themselves and the other actors are fine however when they go out into the streets in an effort to make other people feel uncomfortable I just find it unnecessary and in the end just side with the people on the streets who to me are dealing with the situation in as good a way as you could. Lastly, this isn’t great comedy. Just in the same way as shouting boo in a horror movie doesn’t make it a great scary movie. Hitting someone with a big hand is funny but it isn’t comedy. I do realise how snobby that sounds by the way.
Despite all this I must admit that I saw this on a Friday night and as an hour and a half of mindless entertainment goes this ranks very highly. It was a lot of fun from start to finish and I laughed at least the required seven times. Watching people throw themselves off things and into other things is funny to watch. Especially when it seems like they’re having a good time doing it makes it even better. It may be the high budget version of “You’ve been framed” but everyone knows that was the show you watched if your tea was a little bit late and “Final Score” had finished, and everyone knows it was a very funny show. I winced through Jackass however I also laughed sometimes uncontrollably and that is what you want. Would I watch it again? Of course and you know what I would probably laugh again.
Sam's Star Review: ****
Next Week – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1


Wednesday 24 November 2010

Press Release Regarding Hebden Bridge Demonstration

The following statement was made by the students who carried out a demonstration in Hebden Bridge today regarding the HE Cuts.

Today a few hundred students from the Calderdale area took part in a protest against public sector cuts, particularly cuts in education and rises in tuition fees. 

The protest was organised by local sixth formers who go to college in Mytholmroyd, Halifax and Huddersfield in order to coincide with the National Walk Out Day. 

The first protest was held from 7:30am - 9:30am at the Marina in Hebden Bridge. Most students involved then dispersed and went to their lessons. At 11am students walked out of Calder High and joined our protest, however, no students from lower school were encouraged to join the sixth former's protest at any point.

The protest then marched back to Hebden Bridge, took a short break and reconvened at 3pm. The protest then moved back to the Marina and protested for two hours, at which point the following statement was read before peacefully dispersing:

Our message today is simply to demonstrate the anger felt by many in society against our government’s actions, specifically their policy of cutting higher education to the extent that it will only be available to the well off. We represent a nation of people who have been misled by the current government, a government whose Deputy Prime Minister said he would not raise tuition fees. This regressive cuts system, of which education is just one part, will hit the most vulnerable hardest, leaving those with disabilities, children and from poorer families in the dark. The depth of the cuts will damage this country and create an ever more growing gap between the rich and poor, and in education at least, an intellectual one as well as a financial one. Education is not a privilege but a right, and it is not fair to hurt those in society whose lives haven’t even started yet.

*The above press release was not made by The Painter's Chronicle, and the views above do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire Painter's Chronicle Team. 

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Hebden Bridge - "Best Town in Britain"

We all knew it, but now it's official in black and white, Hebden Bridge is the 'Best Town in Britain". There isn't too much to say on the matter, but as a local, I am thoroughly proud and delighted that Hebden Bridge has finally received official recognition and I am even more happy to say that Hebden Bridge is the home of The Painter's Chronicle. Does any town come close?

Hebden Bridge has been named as the best town in Britain and Ireland at the Urbanism Awards.
The judges praised the West Yorkshire town's arts scene and eco-friendly policies such as a ban on plastic shopping bags.
John Thompson of the Academy of Urbanism gave out the awards.
He said:"Hebden Bridge is a worthy winner of the Best Town award, with its vibrant, independent economy, welcoming streets and a stunning valley setting."
The market town beat off strong competition from Stroud and Westport in Ireland to win the title of 2011 Great Town of the Year at the Urbanism Awards, which recognise the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.
Historically, Hebden Bridge played an important role in the wool trade in the North during the 19th and 20th centuries.
In recent decades the town has developed a rich arts scene, with an arts festival and fringe arts festival taking place each year in the late spring, but has maintained a healthy economic outlook.

Above story courtesy of the BBC, the full story can be read HERE.

Monday 22 November 2010

National Student Walkout - This Wednesday


On the 24th of November 2010 there will be a national walkout by all institutions of learning. All levels of the curriculum will be getting involved; schools, colleges and universities. The walkout will take place at 11am and   will be a protest mainly against the following: 
  1. The Budget Cuts
  2. Cutting of EMA
  3. Rise in Tuition Fees
The protest comes after recent announcements from the Conservative Party to initiate the above in the very near future, and with the majority of the current Painter's Chronicle readership planning on furthering their education we felt that it would be appropriate to publicise the planned walkout to give everyone the information should they feel that they wish to take part. More information can also be found HERE.

*The information supplied in the above article is to inform the Painter's Chronicle readers about the walkout, and is in no way trying to persuade people to take part should they not wish. The Painter's Chronicle Team have different views on the walkout, and with this in mind the above is information rather than our own personal views.

Thursday 18 November 2010

Film Review With Sam Larner


Due Date (15)

Due Date is a 1987 comedy film directed by John Hughes starring Steve Martin and John Candy it follows them as they try to get across the country in time for Christmas. Ahh, ermm, no sorry that was (Planes, Trains and Automobiles). Oh well “Due Date” is basically the same movie.

So Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr are kicked off a plane in Atlanta. Downey Jr needs to get back across to Los Angeles to see the birth of his first child. Having lost his bags in transit and with no wallet Peter Highman (Downey Jr) is forced to enlist the help of Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis). They set off in the hire car for a hilarious adventure.

The first review I ever did for the Painter's Chronicle was (The Hangover) and I know I’m in the minority but I didn’t like it. This is the buffer movie between The Hangover and its sequel. It’s directed by the same guy (Todd Phillips). So the potential was there for this to be, in my opinion, another dud.

Firstly I’ll go over what’s wrong with Due Date. The main problem is that it’s an almost shot for shot remake of the excellent film (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) and in many ways it struggles to live up to its illustrious forefather. The second problem is that these two characters are far more unlikeable characters than Martin and Candy. Downey Jr is an uptight architect who is incredibly unkind to Galifianakis along the way. Whereas Martin was always uptight you did have sympathy with the frustration he faces, Downey Jr is just a horrible person throughout this film. In the original Candy is portrayed as a bit of an idiot with some odd personality traits however Galifianakis is not at all a believable character and come across as a bit of a caricature. Last of all Due Date doesn’t have enough laughs to sustain it for its 1hr 40min playing time. Also some of the set pieces which you imagine are put there purely for big laughs just don’t do it.

However, I have to say that the second half of the film had me smiling away to myself stupidly as the beautiful scenery swished and swirled across the screen. There is some beautiful cinematography in this film and that was one plus I certainly wasn’t expecting. Also it does have some quite funny moments. I counted about five laughs throughout the whole film which is perhaps just below the “funny” threshold but it’s not bad. Lastly, it’s quite good as an hour and a half of mindless entertainment which is a niche that needs to be filled by movies.

Okay, so it’s stupid entertainment, it’s quite fun but and it’s a big but, this is a glorified rip off. If you want to see this movie only better, then get “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. This is the problem; “Due Date” serves as a reminder of just what a great movie that was. So there we are, its good fun and I did enjoy it, however its older brother is cooler and that’s who you want to spend your time with.

Sam's Star Review: **

Next Week: Jackass 3D 

Wednesday 17 November 2010

The Frontier Psychiatrists - Gig On Friday

Do you like loud guitars? Do you like loud guitars which are accompanied by other instruments, layered to create tunes? If you answered YES to either of these questions, The Doghouse this Friday night at Arden Road Social Club could be for you! Come down at 8:30pm and for just £6 (£5 if you’re a Frequent Dogger, £4 for NUS members) you can watch The Frontier Psychiatrists, The Little Darlings and A Genuine Freakshow.

The Frontier Psychiatrists are proudly supported by The Painter's Chronicle.

Monday 15 November 2010

Remembrance Sunday Parade - Mytholmroyd



Thanks to Fran Robinson (www.mytholmroyd.net) for the footage.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Captain Ska - Liar Liar





Dark days have arrived in Britain. The coalition government and their toxic flotilla of cuts are ruthlessly hacking away jobs, damaging vulnerable lives and chipping away at the very fabric of our society. We cannot afford to stand by and let this country sail towards a future of inequality.

Fear Not! Captain SKA and his ship have arrived to fight this coalition, but more crew members are urgently required, there is strength in numbers.
Pass this video on to other potential shipmates.

Happy Sailing
Captain SKA

Remembrance Sunday


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, May 1915

Friday 12 November 2010

Mike's Wonder

Okay, I know this happened a couple of weeks ago now, but have you heard about that new planet? Yeah, scientists have found a new planet. You don’t care? Well this one’s special.

^ Artist’s conception of Gliese 581G
‘Gliese 581G’ (unimaginatively named after its star, ‘Gliese 581’) is right in the middle of its star’s ‘Goldilocks zone’.  The Goldilocks zone is the area around a star that isn’t too close (and too warm) or too far away from it (and too cold); it’s the place which is juuuust right. This means that Gliese 581G is the right distance from its star to have water and support life.  Also, it’s three or four times the size of Earth meaning that it has enough gravity to have an atmosphere, but not enough to crush people who might go there.

However, it takes the planet as long to spin around as it does for it to go around its star. This means that on one side it’s always daytime and incredibly hot. The other side is permanently dark and freezing. Therefore, unfortunately, only the bit of the planet in the middle of the light and dark bits would be able to support life. But still, that’s better than nothing. Another thing is that it’s twenty light years away (about 120 trillion miles) which isn’t far compared to the rest of space, but it would take people a while to get there with today’s technology.

Still don’t care? Okay, it’s not drastically important right now I suppose. But surely finding planets that people might be able to live on is important isn’t it? We’re not exactly being too kind to the one we live on with all of the polluting we do, so we might have to move in a few hundred years. And what if a massive disaster happens that takes out Earth? Wouldn't it be better to have a backup human civilisation somewhere else? Not really that interested? Fair enough.

Mike James

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Film Review With Sam Larner


Burke and Hare (15)

Burke and Hare is the new film by John Landis (Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London), he’s well known for directing dark comedies and also Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis star as the two title characters, I like both actors although as Pegg has turned up in more and more Hollywood movies the number of laughs per movie seems to have been on the decrease. Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson) stars as Lucky, William Hare’s (Serkis) wife and is one of the best things in the film along with the brilliant Ronnie Corbett.

Okay, so I watched Burke and Hare on a Wednesday (big movie night) at a preview in the East End and there were 5 of us in the cinema, 5! That wasn’t a great start and in terms of box office success it hasn’t been particularly stunning. The question is, is this a dark comedy or a dark comedy? If it’s the first one then there are not nearly enough jokes in the film. I had one chuckle during the film when Ronnie Corbett announced that he was Jewish, that in context is quite amusing. The audience I was with had a similar non-reaction to the jokes. Also the filmmakers seem to believe that the film is much funnier than it actually is. There’s many a pregnant pause after a joke seemingly to allow the audience to pick themselves up, but I must admit there was no laughter ahoy.
So therefore it must be a dark comedy. Well if that was the plan then there was no horror throughout the movie and literally no period where I was scared or had to look away. That’s not some kind of macho, “I’m not scared” kind of attitude but rather because there is literally nothing happening remotely scary during the film.

So what does that leave the film with? Well honestly, nothing, it’s pretty much a massive disappointment. Simon Pegg’s films have left me feeling a bit underwhelmed recently, actually ever since Shaun of the Dead. I thought that Hot Fuzz was quite dull and not very amusing, Run Fatboy Run looked promising but again was not massively amusing and this is really the worst of the lot. They cram as many British comedians into the cast as they can for seemingly pointless reasons. For instance Stephen Merchant as a footman is in it for about 2 lines. In the end it’s not enough fun and it’s not enough scares.

Sam's Star Review: *

Monday 8 November 2010

RSA Animate




This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink's talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Film Review With Sam Larner


The Social Network (12A)

Facebook, everyone uses it, I’m currently using it now. It can be a useful aid and it can also hamper efforts to complete coursework and homework. But it’s just a website so surely there’s no room for the making of a good movie? Well that’s what I thought and that’s why I didn’t go and see until last week…

It’s directed by David Fincher (Se7en and Fight Club) so the omens were good for a smart, funny and cool film to emerge from what, at first, seems like a fairly underwhelming idea. I went to see this film late on Sunday in a cinema in the East End of London and it was absolutely packed despite the film being a few weeks old. I will admit that for 2 hours (a not inconsiderable running time) I never looked at my watch and I was fully engrossed in this amazing story of invention and deception. Jesse Eisenberg is fantastic as the geekchic Mark Zuckerberg, who gets a very hard time from the film makers throughout the film yet Eisenberg still manages to come across as cool and funny.

The film starts with Zuckerberg’s girlfriend breaking up with him after he seems more interesting in getting into prestigious Harvard sects rather than hanging around with her. He then goes back to his flat and begins a drunken blogging sesh which after some “input” from the Winkelvoss’ results in “The Facebook”. This is initially a small operation centring around Harvard but when they realise how popular it has become it starts to spread across America and ultimately the rest of the world. This growth is interspersed with present day scenes where Eisenberg is being sued by the Winkelvoss’ and his only friend from college Eduardo Saverin, who is amazingly cool in this film.

There is almost nothing wrong with The Social Network. Actually there is nothing wrong with The Social Network. It’s quirky, fun, exciting, ground breaking and it some parts moving. Especially the scenes where Saverin is increasingly marginalised from the facebook operations. Justin Timberlake actually shows his thespian talent that had been hidden in previous movies playing the thoroughly unlikeable Sean Parker. I would encourage everyone to go and see this movie, if you were discouraged like I was by the idea of a movie about Facebook then trust me, it is brilliant.

Further Info – The Social Network will be showing in Hebden Bridge Cinema between Friday 26th and Monday 29th of November.


Sam's Star Review: *****

Tuesday 2 November 2010

West Side Story

West Side Story will be performed from Tuesday to Saturday next week (9th-13th November) at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax. Starring Painter's Chronicle fanatic, Patrick McCallion, tickets for the show are priced £6-£16 and can be obtained by calling the Box Office on 01422 351158 or by contacting Patrick directly.

Should be a good show, so get yourselves there!

Monday 1 November 2010

RSA Animate

Following on from Ben Topham's video recommendation last week, Callum and I were so blown away by some of the high quality videos that RSA Animate produce we thought we'd share a few more with you over the coming weeks...

Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.


Sunday 31 October 2010

Happy Hallowe'en!

Saturday 30 October 2010

Don't Forget... Clocks Go Back Tonight!

The Winter is now firmly upon us, and the end of October is just hours away. This can only mean one thing, the clocks are going back one hour tonight. So don't forget to change yours before nodding off on Saturday night (or like many of us, the early hours of Sunday morning!). This change will mean that mornings will be lighter, but it will grow much darker earlier in the evenings... It's making me cold and miserable just thinking about it, time for a cuppa!


Friday 29 October 2010

Fishing For Bishops - Gig on Saturday

Come and see Fishing for Bishops at the New Delight Pub in Blackshaw Head tomorrow night, as they relaunch themselves with a new bassist, new songs and a new mentality.

Starts roughly at 7, though we can't be sure...

Fishing For Bishops
Saturday Night, 7pm
New Delight, Blackshaw Head

Thursday 28 October 2010

Manshackle: Issue 4

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Film Review With Sam Larner


The Town (15)

The Town is a new film directed by Ben Affleck. It follows a group of bank robbers as they bank rob Boston.

The film starts with the group attempting to rob a bank. They’re successful but kidnap Rebecca Hall’s character who they then release. They realise that she lives just a few blocks away from them in Boston and realise that they need to deal with her. Fearing that the rest of the group may be considering killing her Ben Affleck decides to follow her, with predictable results.

The critics have rated this very highly, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Mark Kermode said it was a good story but a bit too clichéd. I must admit I wasn’t that impressed with it. I thought it was perfectly watchable, there’s some great scenes, some very good chases in it, but I must admit my views aren’t entirely the same.

I think that the main problem is the film “The Departed”. Any film post “The Departed” about Boston blue collar gangs will invariably get compared to it, however especially a film this similar in plot and style. I don’t believe that “The Departed” is the masterpiece that its Oscars would suggest, however it is a more memorable film than this. It is very clichéd aswell, especially many of the bank robbing scenes.  Equally the scenes with Rebecca Hall and Ben Affleck are more charming and fun than the rest of the scenes and I did feel a bit annoyed that they didn’t focus more on a romantic style script.

The ending, for me, was a little too “Shawshank Redemption” and it did elicit a little chuckle from me as I watched the movie. It’s not a terrible movie any stretch of the imagination but it is fairly unmemorable. Rebecca Hall gives a very good performance as the slightly naive and vulnerable girl next door and Affleck is actually pretty good as the gang member who maybe wants out although maybe he's happy with the career he has at the moment. The best performance of the film, though, is undoubtedly Pete Posselthwaite as the scary Godftather type character who rules with an iron fist from a low budget florists in uptown Boston. I would encourage you to go see it, but I very much doubt that it will make much of an impact beyond the kind of fun popcorn Hollywood movies.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Sam's Survey For YOU!


Hullo boys et girls,

I'm doing an investigation into Taboo Language for my English Language course. I was wondering if you could copy and paste the below survey and then copy and paste it back into a Word Document and send it me on samlarner@painterschronicle.co.uk. I would also be grateful if you could you also ask your parents to fill this survey out (as well as long as they're over 40).

I know it sounds like a lot but you could all be famous in the linguistics world.

Mucho Appreciation.
Sam Larner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taboo Words in Daily Life and the Media

Investigating whether age and gender affect how people view taboo words. 

1. Age: 16-25 (   ) 40+ (   )

2. Gender: Male (   ) Female (   )

3. What are your attitudes to swearing? 


Strongly dislike (   ) Dislike (   ) Find it inoffensive (   ) No problem hearing it or using it (   )

4. Do your views on swearing change with the context of the swearing? 
(For instance would you find swearing more acceptable in a comedy club and less so around children?)

Strongly agree (   ) Agree (   ) Disagree (   ) Strongly disagree (   )

5. How often do you use taboo language?

Never (   ) Infrequently (   ) Occasionally (   ) Frequently (   ) Very Often (   )

6. For the 40+, do you swear more often now than you did in your childhood?

No (   ) Yes (   ) Don’t know (   )

7. For everyone, would you adjust your swearing around a person of the opposite age group?

No (   ) Yes (   ) Don’t Know (   )

8. Would you adjust your swearing around a member of the opposite sex?

No (   ) Yes (   )  Don’t Know (   )

9. Do you find swearing more offensive when coming from one of the groups in this survey?

16-25 male (   ) 16-25 female (   ) 40+ male (   ) 40+ female (   ) No (   )

10. In your opinion is swearing cool?

Yes (   ) No (   ) Don’t Know (   )

Thank you for completing the survey!

Monday 25 October 2010

An Intriguing YouTube Video

I have just been shared the link of the above YouTube video by Painter's Chronicle reader Ben Topham, a video that I am extremely grateful he showed me. It's a fantastic watch, and I guarantee that it will get you thinking, it certainly had me thinking and I will be making a response later on this week. Enjoy!

*PS - I'd reccomend making it full screen to get the most from it.

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Patrick Munsie


It is with great sadness that to hear about the passing of Patrick Munsie on Thursday night. Patrick was taking a gap year from education and travelling through America and, at the time was visiting Colorado; all of this before attending university in Kingston, London next year to study Law.

Patrick was dearly loved by all who knew him, both as a friend and acquaintance. He was a really genuine, comical and down to earth character known by many throughout the Calder Valley and whom had great skills and talents in many areas, most notably debating and writing. I am proud and privileged to have known Patrick and worked with him during the Mock Trial competitions and through The Painter’s Chronicle.

His presence and personality will be very sorely missed by all and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.

Billy Painter

Friday 15 October 2010

Stand up for Students




URGENT: Browne Review recommends massive increase in tuition fees. Act now!
As you may have seen in yesterday’s news, the Browne Review has recommended massive increases in student tuition fees to fund higher education. Labour Students have always fought to stop rises to fees and the creation of a market in higher education – and now we need your help as a member of Young Labour.
Every Lib Dem MP signed a pledge before the general election promising that they would vote against any increase in tuition fees. Now it seems that the Lib Dems have betrayed students with a massive u-turn by agreeing to abstain while the Tories vote through this monumental tuition fee hike. We are now calling on all members of Young Labour to join our campaign to expose this hypocrisy and stop these recommendations from becoming a reality.
Do five things right now to help:
1  Sign our online letter to Vince Cable here at www.standupforstudents.org.uk
2 Forward this email to 10 friends and get them to sign the e-petition
Pledge to attend the national demonstration on the 10th November – more details atwww.demo2010.org
Write to your local MP to ask them to vote against any proposed increase in tuition fees
Ask your local newspaper to challenge your local MP about this policy
Please do everything you can to highlight this campaign around and sign your friends up – together we need to show the Lib Dems that they cannot lie to young people and get away with it.

Monday 27 September 2010

Vote Patrick McCallion!

After your support in the first round, Patrick McCallion has made it through to the semi-final of the Yobi Sing Competition.


So, check out his below message, his entry, and VOTE!


Hey All,

The Yobi Sing Semifinals are now ON! You can view my entry at http://yobi.tv/yobising/semifinalists/view/417 and if you like the entry (at the bottom of the page) you can vote for me!

(If you didnt know Yobi Sing is an online Singer/Songwriters competition with a top prize of $25,000 and VIP Grammy tickets!)

So Please give us a vote!

Patrick xxx