05/07 Millom School wins Artsmark Silver award

Millom School wins Artsmark Silver award






Millom School today announces its attainment of the prestigious Arts Council England Artsmark award, which rewards schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to developing a dynamic arts programme.

In this seventh annual Artsmark round, nearly 1500 schools have been awarded the Artsmark distinction – a national arts award that acknowledges all art forms, from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture. 285 schools across the country achieved Artsmark, 452 Artsmark Silver and 695 achieved Artsmark Gold status.

The Artsmark scheme also encourages schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations. The arts can transform lives and raise aspirations. Improving opportunities for young people and encouraging their local communities to engage with the arts is a key priority for the Arts Council.

Ian Smith, Headteacher of Millom School, said: “I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised Millom School’s progressive, arts education programme which encourages students to work within the arts. I would like to offer my congratulations and thanks to the staff for all their hard work in achieving this award, and to Lord Melvyn Bragg, Patron of the Arts College at Millom, for his support.” Lord Bragg has sent his congratulations to the School.

There is a huge amount of arts activity going on at Millom. For example, the recent Summer Arts Festival allowed students from both Millom School and primary feeder schools to showcase their talents in dance, music, and drama, and were also involved in making short films. Within school students have recently performed in a production of RATS, as well as taking part in the National Shakespeare Schools Festival production of Richard III, which was supported by the National Youth Theatre, which was performed to audiences both in school and at Forum 28 in Barrow in Furness.

Sir Christopher Frayling, Arts Council England Chair, said: “The Arts Council warmly congratulates all those who have attained the coveted Artsmark award this year. This distinction demonstrates the school’s strong commitment to the arts and also acknowledges the strengthened relationship – through art – between the school and its community. This is a real achievement.”

06/11 Resurfacing on M6 northbound at Shap will give motorists a smooth ride

Resurfacing on M6 northbound at Shap will give motorists a smooth ride

The Highways Agency will resurface a five-mile stretch of the
northbound section of the M6 between Tebay Services and Junction 39 at Shap Fell
in Cumbria.

Starting on Monday 6 November the £60,000 scheme will take three nights
to complete. The work will be carried out between 7pm and 7am to keep
disruption to a minimum.

During the resurfacing a 50mph speed restriction will be in place to
ensure the safety of drivers and the workforce. Two lanes will be kept
open at all times apart from at Junction 39, where a clearly-signed
diversion will take drivers up the exit slip road, over the B6261 and back
down the entry slip road.

Highways Agency project manager Martyn Cox said:

"The scheme is part of the regular maintenance we carry out to keep the
motorways in top condition for road users. We're working at night to
minimise disruption but if there are any delays we would ask drivers to
be patient."

30/08 Help those who have suffered hate crime

A report published this month by Victim Support looks at what can be done to help those who have suffered hate crime. Called Crime and Prejudice, it raises many of the issues that Cumbria Constabulary is already addressing.

Police in Cumbria have encouraged third party reporting of hate crime, in particular through charities and local groups that are linked to communities at risk of it. This sort of reporting has shown an increase recently. In Cumbria victims can also report offences on line on the constabulary web site http://www.cumbria.police.uk/ .

The force has appointed hate crime officers in each area who can liaise with affected communities. It also makes use of Victim Support staff to help victims fill in the relevant questionnaires.

Satisfaction levels from victims of hate crime in Cumbria are among the highest in the country with a 93.7% victim satisfaction rate for 2005/06. In addition, the detection of hate crime exceeds the average for other crimes at 61.9%.

Sergeant Janet McGilloway is Cumbria Polices Head of Diversity. She said: We are continuing to build links with our communities so that they feel confident in reporting hate crime to us. No one should have to suffer these offences and where they are reported to us we will take action. We have had success in putting offenders before the courts and will continue to do so.

The Victim Support report reinforces the need for everyone to take a stand against hate crime and prejudice and where necessary to give support to those who are vulnerable. No-one should have their life made a misery because of the prejudice of others towards their race, creed, sexual orientation or other personal characteristic.