ROALD DAHL DAY: SEPTEMBER 2012 - “DREAM BIG” WITH THE BFG!"

                          

September 2012 marks the seventh annual celebration of Roald Dahl’s work, life and diverse legacy. This year’s celebrations promise to be the BIGGEST to date. It’s a chance to salute the World’s No. 1 Storyteller, Roald Dahl, who is read and loved by millions of children - and adults - all over the world. The festivities last throughout the whole of Roald’s birthday month of September.

This year, it’s a double celebration - indeed you might even say a GIANT celebration - because we’re not only marking Roald Dahl’s birthday but also wishing a splendiferously “Happy 30^th Birthday” to The BFG, one of Roald’s most popular books and characters.

Here are NINEwhizzpopping ways in which everyone can get involved:

1. DREAM BIG – WITH TOP COMPETIONS AND UNIQUE PRIZES:

The BFG collects dreams – good and bad – and shares the good ones with children on his nightly travels. So the theme of Roald Dahl Day 2012 is “DREAM BIG”. We’ll be making young people’s dreams come true in a number of ways, with some truly amazing competitions and unique prizes, working with phizzwhizzing partners including Waterstone’s and British Airways. To keep track of the latest competitions and promotions, visit www.roalddahl.com.

2. READ BIG – WITH AN AMAZING LINE-UP OF NEW PUBLISHING:

THE FANTASTIC MR DAHL by Michael Rosen – a biography of Roald Dahl specially written for young readers by poet and former Children’s Laureate Rosen. (Puffin, £6.99, September).

Contact for further info and interviews with Michael Rosen:

AnwenHoosen, Riot Communications, (020) 3174 0118.

anwen@riotcommunications.com

THE BFG - Jubilee paperback edition – saluting 30 years of the BFG plus the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and highlighting the moment in the tale when the BFG and Sophie breakfast with HRH the Queen at Buckingham Palace. (Puffin, £6.99, OUT NOW.)

The BFG – Limited edition boxed hardback. A stunning collector’s edition of the classic tale, illustrated of course by Quentin Blake. (Puffin, £25, September.)

ROALD DAHL’S MARVELLOUS JOKE BOOK – The Marvellous Crocodile is sure to get your tonsils tickling in this new joke book which will help raise funds for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. (Puffin, £4.99, September.)

Contact for further info: Adele Minchin, Puffin Books, (020) 7010 3304.

Adele.Minchin@uk.penguingroup.com

3. SEE BIG STARS – WITH QUENTIN BLAKE & MICHAEL ROSEN:

Don’t miss the chance to see two superstars, both former Children’s Laureates – Quentin Blake and Michael Rosen – talking, drawing and answering YOUR questions online on September 24^th at 2:00 pm via PUFFIN VIRTUALLY LIVE. Quentin and Michael will be coming to you live from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, where they will take you behind the scenes AND read out a selection of YOUR wildest dreams. Last year’s PUFFIN VIRTUALLY LIVE reached hundreds of thousands of people all over the globe – let’s make the 2012 event bigger still! Register now at www.puffinvirtuallylive.co.uk

There are two more great chances to see Michael Rosen talking live about his new book THE FANTASTIC MR DAHL: at London’s National Theatre on Saturday September 8^th (book your tix at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk) and at the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature on Sunday September 29^th (book tix at www.bathkidslitfest.org.uk ).

 
4. VISIT BIG – AT THE ROALD DAHL MUSEUM AND STORY CENTRE:

What better place to celebrate Roald Dahl than at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, the award-winning venue, in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire? There are two fun and fact-packed biographical galleries – one now housing the interior of Roald Dahl’s writing hut – plus the interactive story centre. Look out for the museum’s Roald Dahl Day celebrations on Sunday September 9^th, in conjunction with a special opening of Roald Dahl’s nearby garden. Find out more at www.roalddahlmuseum.org or call 01494 892192.

Contact for further info: Isabelle Reynolds, Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, 01494 892192.

Isabelle@roalddahlmuseum.org

5. DRESS UP BIG – FOR THE SECOND DAHLICIOUS DRESS UP DAY:

Get set for the second annual Dahlicious Dress Up Day on Friday September 28^th. Schoolkids all over the UK will be dressing up as their favourite Roald Dahl characters to raise funds for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, which helps seriously ill and disabled children. Claudia Winkleman, ambassador of the charity, says, “The Dahlicious Dress Up Day offers a fantastic opportunity for schools to work together for a common goal and stimulate children’s imaginations whilst inspiring compassion for other children living with a serious illness.” There’s still time to register for your fundraising pack at www.roalddahlcharity.org or e-mail schools@roalddahlcharity.org. Registered charity number: 1137409.

Contact for further info: Louise Robinson, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, 01494 890465.

Louise@roalddahlcharity.org

6. SING BIG – WITH THE AWARD-WINNING MATILDA STAGE SHOW:

Go see the award-winning RSC musical version of Roald Dahl’s MATILDA, playing to sell-out audiences at London’s Cambridge Theatre. With book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, it’s a complete delight!

Contact for further info: Ryan Petersen, The Cornershop, 07785 904283.

ryan@thecornershoppr.com

7. LAUGH BIG – WITH 5 YEARS OF THE ROALD DAHL FUNNY PRIZE:

2012 marks year 5 of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize – dedicated to finding the best new comic writing for young people in the UK. The shortlist will be announced in September and the two category winners in November.

Contact for further info: Alice Ingall, Booktrust, (020) 8875 4827.

Alice.ingall@booktrust.org.uk

8. PARTY BIG – WITH OUR WHIZZPOPPING PARTY PACK:

Why not organise your own BFG birthday party? We’ve got everything you need to make it go with a bang. Download the WHIZZPOPPING PARTY PACK now from www.roalddahlday.info.

9. LISTEN BIG – WITH BRAND NEW CELEBRITY READ AUDIOBOOKS FOR ADULT FANS OF ROALD DAHL:

Roald Dahl's collections of short stories sees him at his macabre best. And in 2012, for the first time, 43 of Roald Dahl's most celebrated short stories will be available as both CD and Digital Audiobook compendiums AND as digital audiobook singles, read by a celebrity cast including:

Someone Like You - the first collection of Dahl's classic, famous, dark and sinister short stories, read by Juliet Stevenson, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Richard Griffiths, Adrian Scarborough, Gillian Andersen, Will Self, Richard E Grant and others

Switch Bitch - four tales of seduction and suspense, read by Richard E Grant, Derek Jacobi, Gillian Andersen and other

Over To You - ten tales of war and flying, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt, Cillian Murphy, Juliet Stevenson and Sophie Okonedo

Kiss Kiss - eleven devious and shocking stories, read by Juliet Stevenson, Adrian Scarborough, Derek Jacobi and others.

 

Sussex Fashion Awards 2012 - Winners!

Sussex’s finest from the fields of fashion, design and textiles were honoured in the 2nd Sussex Fashion Awards. The 30 finalists boasted models, designers, photographers, even journalists whilst Hove based businesses swept the board with no less than 6 companies winning the 12 Awards up for grabs.

Alex Parnell of Union Jewellery, Brighton, walked away with the award for Sussex Designer of the Year and Online E’tailer of the Year Award.
Featured:  https://vimeo.com/44249922

Meanwhile, Olivia Hearnshaw, recently graduated from Brighton University, won Emerging Talent of the Year Award, while Bone Idol Clothing won Sportswear Award 2012, in this very special and important year of London 2012.

Nathalie Marsolier becomes the face of Sussex 2012 winning Model of the Year, and for the second year running, Katherine and her team at Walk in Wardrobe, Hove, wins Best Place to Shop in Sussex 2012 and Igor Szric-Cartledge wins Outstanding Achievement Award 2012.

Important green credentials, the Eco Designer Award 2012 was won by Hove based leather accessories company Wolfram Lohr and new Childrenswear Award 2012 was won by Bonny Baby of Hove.

Sussex Ambassador based in Cuckfield, the winner Jo Dennis of Jo Jo Boutique, and Photographer of the Year, Lucie Gooddayle with Fashion Independent Retailer of the Year winner, Brighton based, Tramp Vintage Clothing.

The Sussex Fashion Awards 2012 – Full List of Winners  

• Sussex Fashion Emerging Talent Award 2012 – Winner  Olivia Hearnshaw
• Sussex Fashion Sportswear Award 2012  - Winner Bone Idol Clothing
• Sussex Fashion Designer of the Year Award 2012 – Winner Union Jewellery
• Sussex Fashion Online E’tailer of the Year Award  2012 – Winner  Union Jewellery
• Sussex Fashion Model Award 2012  - Winner Nathalie Marsollier
• Sussex Fashion Best Place to Shop Award 2012 – Winner Walk in Wardrobe
• Sussex Fashion Outstanding Achievement Award 2012 –  Winner Igor Szric-Cartledge
• Sussex Fashion Eco Designer Award 2012 – Winner  Wolfram Lohr
• Sussex Fashion Childrenswear Award 2012 – Winner  Bonnie Baby
• Sussex Fashion Ambassador Award 2012  - Winner Jo Dennis of Jo Jo Boutique
• Sussex Fashion Photographer of the Year Award 2012 – Winner Lucie Gooddayle
• Sussex Fashion Independent Retailer of the Year Award 2012 – Winner Tramp Vintage Clothing

The Sussex Fashion Awards are held yearly, honouring the fashion industry including services and product suppliers, raising the profile of the regional industry and encouraging British made products and services wherever possible.

…My warmest congratulations  to all of the 2012 winners. The second Sussex Fashion  Awards has proved to be an outstanding success across all of the categories with competition and the standard of entries, higher than ever. In this year of significant UK sporting achievement it was particularly pleased to see Bone Idol Clothing win the coveted Sportswear Award… states Jake Leith, Trustee

Judges include Jake Leith, Mike Weatherley MP, Sarah Arnett, Alastair Reid, Eve Reid and Kate Hills. More information available > Judges

…A big thank you to our professional judges for their time which has introduced new and established winning names in the world of fashion, working across Sussex 2012,  and each and every award has been sponsored by Sussex firms too”…  states Trustee Michaela Walker 
 

Fiery Foods Festival – Attempting to break a World Record!

Fiery Foods Festival – Attempting to break a World Record

Fiery Foods Festival 2012 (FFUK) will be breaking records and turning heads with a challenge not for the faint hearted. FFUK will attempt to break the world record for the most jalapeno chilli peppers eaten in one minute on Friday 14^th September.

The Fiery Foods festival returns for its 5^th year from the 14^th- 16^th September 2012 at Victoria Gardens, Brighton and is expected to be even bigger and better. Together with the infamous and obligatory chilli eating contest, the festival will have more exhibitors, live music, cookery demonstrations and competitions.

Current record holder Alfredo Hernandes from the USA ate 16 Jalapenos in 1 minute back in 2006 at the La Costeña ‘Feel the Heat Challenge’ in Chicago. The record has not been beaten since.

After a discussion on the FFUK twitter (@FieryFoodsUK) about the current world record, Chris ‘The Lurch’ Saunders put himself forward to attempt the record live on stage with the help of celebrity compare Matt Whistler.

Chris is quoted in saying: “Having taken part in a couple of extreme chilli eating challenges, I'm hoping that will leave me in good stead for this attempt”.

“Although I think the heat of the chillies is not going to be the main problem, it's the speed at which I will have to eat each jalapeño and swallow before moving on to the next. Only time will tell if I can do it but I will do my best to bring the record back to the UK”.

 As well as the world record attempt, the FFUK Fiery Friday Night will play host to a range of new entertainment including live music and the Man Vs Fire event. The Man Vs Fire event will be a sumptuous buffet of cheeky chilli treats which will be on offer including the hottest pizza in the world courtesy Paul’s Pizza and the hottest burger in the world courtesy of Burger Off Hove.

Your challenge (if you choose to accept it) will be to eat as much of these hot treats in 10 minutes. You will be joined by special guests Ted ‘The fire Breathing Dragon Idiot’ from Washington, USA and Tony ‘Darth Naga’ Ainsworth - reviewer from popular website ‘The Chilli Foundry’. 

Come down to the Fiery Foods Festival this year on Friday 14^th September at Victoria Gardens, Brighton to watch history in the making.

Our trip to Build-A-Bear!

On Sunday 2^nd September I took my two little monkeys for a visit to Build-A-Bear at their Churchill Square store in Brighton.

The boys were instantly amazed at the variety of bears to choose from & really enjoyed looking through all the options. Once they had chosen their bear (or dog as my youngest decided!), they then had to decide if they wanted their new friends to have any sounds. We spent some time listening to all the sounds and it was quickly decided the dog should have a bark and the bear would have a magic sound (my eldest has just discovered Harry Potter, so it was perfect timing!).

Then it was time to get the bear and dog filled. This bit was great! The boys loved being able to help press the pedal and watch the bear and dog fill up with the white stuffing! Once they were suitably filled to perfect cuddling size, then came the really important part, they had to choose a heart for their new pals! Both boys chose a purple heart and gave them a kiss before they were put in, and the final stage of the operation was complete as the bear and dog were stitched up.

After they had their first cuddles with Jedi (the bear) and Jake (the dog) it was time to give them a little brush to make sure there was no fluff on them – again, the boys loved this bit as they could really get involved and press the pedal to get the air out and aid the brushing!

There was a massive array of accessories and clothes for the bears but my two both decided that their new pals were perfect as they were! Even though daddy kept suggesting the Jedi outfit ;-)

Whilst we were there, there quite a few parties going on and all the children were having a great time. I would never have thought of this as a party idea but after our visit I think I would seriously consider one! The prices are comparable to many of the soft play centres and the fact you get a lovely bear at the end that the children helped create is an added bonus :)

Friends Count Bears £16.50

Oh, and this is Jedi & Jake at home and they have now been pretty much everywhere with us since our visit!