This is my former blog to the launch of Zarrion.com. Which I now actively use for personal and professional use. These are just some of the things I used to write to about…
Welcome to the old me…
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A Change.
Over the last three weeks, I’ve made a lot of changes. Not just cosmetic changes to my blog, but also life-making changes that possibly shape my entire future.
Due to a number of personal reasons I have decided to relocate back to South Wales – the holy motherland. Although no longer living in my hometown in the valleys, I have moved to Cardiff to start a fresh and continue my second year study of BA Journalism at the University of Glamorgan.
I thought it deserved a post, as any stranger to my blog would be confused by the nature of my past content that centered around events in Salford and Manchester. Although they are places that I will always revisit time again.
Other than personal reasons for a change, I feel a need for more local journalism in Wales. Areas in Cardiff might be covered very well, but those little Welsh towns and villages dotted around often lack coverage. So the move gives me the grand opportunity to explore them areas and share what’s happening.
Other than that, I strive to get out more and post more, tweet more and capture more. Watch this space…
Video: Campaign to save Salford Victoria Theatre
A FACEBOOK group has attracted almost 2,000 members to help save a Victorian Grade II listed theatre in Salford.
Salford Victoria Theatre on Great Clowes Street in Lower Broughton has been confirmed as one of 49 theatres at risk in the UK.
The venue is currently up for sale, inviting offers in the region of £275,000.
David Dewsnip, a production technician at the University of Salford, has started a campaign to save the building from being sold to developers.
Mr Dewsnip and his colleague, Mark Creamer, are leading the campaign as a community-based project, seeking people of all talents or those wishing to develop new skills by helping to save and re-open the theatre.
The theatre was first opened in 1900 by historic actor Sir Henry Irving. It was a cinema for many years until 1973 when it became a bingo hall until its closure in 2008.
Salford historian and writer Tony Flynn said: “It’s one of Salford’s hidden gems, many people will pass it not realising it’s there. It’s wonderful and it has got to be saved.”
The venue has fallen into disrepair with restoration costs estimated at over £1million.
Added Mr Flynn: “Vandals have been in, they’ve stripped the metal work out, slates are missing from the roof, many of the chairs have been taken, I’m assuming for scrap metal purposes.”
Despite this, the community remain positive about the campaign, drawing hope from the success of the recently saved 1262-seat Tameside Hippodrome in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Keith Dalby-Oldham, Chair of Tameside Heritage and Arts Trust said: “David and I had a meeting last week to pool our resources and contacts, share experiences, ideas, and knowledge.
“We also discussed how our respective theatres will integrate not only with each other but within the Greater Manchester arts scene as a whole.”
The campaign’s first meeting to save Salford Victoria is on Wednesday August 1 at 7:00pm, in the Robert Powell Theatre, Allerton Building, University of Salford.
Join “Help Save Salford Victoria Theatre” Facebook group and follow the campaign on twitter.
2012 Olympic Torch Relay at MediaCityUK
I pulled myself out of bed this morning at 5am to watch the Olympic torch relay at MediaCityUK, Salford, on its journey to Leeds.
The crowd on the piazza…
I was surprised by the numbers that turned out. The crowds came prepared for the wet weather in raincoats, behind a 110 meter collage that covered the barriers, to watch the torch arrive on the MediaCityUK piazza at 5:59am.
Shanaze Reade carrying the Olympic torch past the MediaCityUK tram stop…
The torch was lit and handed to three-time BMX world champion winner, Shanaze Reade, the first torchbearer of the day.
Cheered by crowds, she rode past the waterfront and the Lowry plaza to the Lowry footbridge where she handed the torch to Kirsty Howard, a 16-year-old from Manchester, renowned for her charity work.
Kirsty Howard carrying the Olympic torch past the Imperial War Museum…
Kirsty suffers from a rare heart condition. When she was four, her parents were told that she only had six weeks to live, but she has defied the odds.
Kirsty carried the torch past the Imperial War Museum, towards Old Trafford where the journey continues…
Campaign Video for Free Parking in Monton
A campaign video for free parking to be returned to Monton Village, after parking charges were imposed last year by Salford City Council. Contributions made by traders and residents along Monton Road, Eccles…
Chocolate brownie cake
Chocolate brownie cake
Made chocolate brownie cake this afternoon, after browsing recipes on BBC Good Food’s website.
I’ve never made a chocolate cake before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was quite pleased that it turned out crispy on top and gooey inside. It’s quite rich in taste, but perfect for the chocolate lover…
Apple tart ‘Maman Blanc’
Prepared
Baked
A repeat of episode three: Apples from the first series of Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets was on BBC1 HD this morning.
I made an attempt at the apple tart ‘Maman Blanc’ recipe. A little less sugar and a cheat on the custard which made it rather golden (as seen from the horrific picture above), but it was still sweet and tasty.
Ingredients
For the pastry:
250g/9oz plain flour
pinch sea salt
125g/4oz unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature
1 tsp cold water
1 medium free-range egg
For the filling:
15g/½oz unsalted butter
½ tbsp lemon juice
65g/2½oz caster sugar
½ tbsp Calvados
3-4 Cox’s Orange Pippin, Worcester, Russet or Braeburn apples, peeled, cores removed, each cut into 10 segments
100ml/3½fl oz double cream
1 medium free-range egg
1-2 tbsp icing sugar, for dusting
See recipe on BBC Food or BBC Good Food…
