Fanni Loves Fufu presents…over 30 stalls – featuring retro, vintage, homewares, clothes, art, craft, face painting and many more!

Open 10 – 4pm, our onsite licenced cafe will also be open for drinks, snacks, and refreshments.

Mark’s work is bright and beautiful, showcasing a fresh use of colour, and featuring bold graphic prints, shapes and energetic abstract patterns.

The Exhibition runs until 1st June 2012, and is open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm.

Kez spoke about her inspiration for the exhibition:

“My name is Kerry Marshall, everyone who knows me calls me Kez. I went to a Main Stream school in the Telford area, then I went to college in Hereford. I now live in Harrogate and I have worked at the Arts and Crafts Centre for nearly 7 years.

I have a love of hands, which I find fascinating and comforting. I can recognise some people by the shape and size of their hands. I also have a love of music. I like to imagine celebrity’s hands – how big they would be? If they were tall, would they have big hands? Is it true? Most men have bigger hands than women.

Recently, I joined a mixed choir in Harrogate and I also like going to the pub, especially Karaoke Night.”

Richard is a keen fundraiser and loves testing himself with new adventures. He has volunteered for many international charities such as International Aid and Development and Human Rights and now he wants to raise funds and awareness a bit closer to home.

“A while ago I remember ‘accidently’ doing a fundraising bungee jump and this time I like to think I have come up with another interesting, engaging and exciting challenge!”

This autumn, Richard aim’s to travel using surface transportation only; i.e. no flying, from our Arts and Crafts office in Knaresborough to the summit of Volvan Chimborazo in Ecuador. At 6,310 metres the peak of Chimborazo is high enough, but because of the bulge of the equator it is also the highest point on the planet from the centre of the earth, meaning it is also the point in which tobe closest to space, the stars and beyond – it is literally on top of the World!

“As well as my work overseas I have always enjoyed high level mountaineering and travel in general, I celebrated my 40th birthday recently by hitching around the world on freighters and cargo ships so I am doubly excited about this challenge. A basic outline of the journey as it stands now is to sail from Europe to West Africa, on to Brazil, down the coast to come ashore proper at Buenos Aires before travelling up through the continent, acclimatizing to altitude and having adventures as I go before finally climbing Chimborazo.”

Richard hopes to complete his challenge in approximately 3 months fundraising along the way via http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Fountain. En route he will also be publishing a blog of his progress, featuring pictures, video clips and maps of where he is up to.

All monies raised in the run up to and during Richard’s challenge will go directly to Henshaws, even some of the small administration fees justgiving charge he will reimburse himself. His target at the moment is set at £6,310, £1 per metre above sea level to the summit of Chimborazo.

Richard’s blog will be up and running soon and we will let you know when it does, in the meantime please support Richard in this amazing challenge and donate to Henshaws here http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Fountain.

What an amazing challenge! Good Luck Richard!

Hosted in our on-site Gallery at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre.

The exhibition runs 5th March – 13th April 2012. We are open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

For more information, call 01423 541888 or email arts&crafts@henshaws.org.uk

The establishment of the charity was from the generosity of Oldham businessman and philanthropist Thomas Henshaw (1731 -1810) who left a legacy of £20,000 which is equivalent to £1.1 million today.

Henshaw wanted “to maintain and afford such instruction to the indigent blind of both sexes capable of employment as will enable them to provide, either wholly or in part, for their own subsistence and to afford asylum to the impotent and aged blind”. As Manchester’s oldest charity and as a society as a whole, we are proud to have been helping blind and visually impaired people lead independent lives for over 175 years.

It took over 26 years to set the charity up because of circumstances surrounding Thomas Henshaw’s death – he was found drowned in a reservoir near his factory. The Will was contested by his Wife on the grounds that at the time of his death  “the Cause of his having so drowned himself was his insanity.”

In September 1834, after the final verdict was given by the Court of Chancery, a plot of land was bought next to the botanical gardens in Old Trafford and the ‘Asylum for the Indigent Blind’ opened its doors for the the first time in 1837.

Over the years, the name of the charity has changed three times from the ‘Asylum for the Indigent Blind, to Henshaw’s Institution for the Blind in 1921, Henshaw’s Society for the Blind in 1971 and Henshaws Society for Blind People in 2000.

In a tribute to our founder, Henshaws is still growing today and in 1971 we opened Henshaws College and in 1998 Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. We like to think Mr Henshaw would be very happy with what we do today; we employ over 400 members of staff across the North of England, who each year help to support thousands of visually impaired and disabled people and their families, and all thanks to the generosity of one man back in 1810.

We will be celebrating the anniversary throughout the year with special events, including a heritage exhibition, “Henshaws: One Man’s Vision…” opening at Gallery Oldham, where you can find out more interesting facts and about Thomas Henshaw and the charity and an exclusive Anniversary Ball in Manchester, the city where it all began.

To keep up to date with the latest on what we have planned for our 175th celebrations then please keep checking our events pages and news feeds!

Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre are hosting a Pampered Chef evening to raise money for Henshaws.

From 7pm there will be the chance to try high-quality kitchen tools that fit any budget, and learn tips to make cooking and entertaining easier.

There will also be the opportunity to see how to prepare a simple yet impressive recipe in no time at all. Why not double the fun and bring a friend? Our licensed bar will be open, and we’re providing nibbles too.

For more information visit the Pampered Chef website or RSVP to Maria Dawbarn, (01423) 799605.

Held in Newcastle on Sunday 16th September, we have been lucky enough to secure 25 places for the 13.1 miles run. Entry fee is £48 and minimum sponsorship is £300.

The ballot will be called this Friday 30th March, so don’t miss out, register your place by downloading this form and sending to Hannah Saxon Great North Run Entry Form 2012 or contact her on (01423) 814501 /  hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk

Exhibition runs 5th March – 13th April 2012.

We are open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

After the discovery of a tea chest with artefacts and objects pertaining to the legacy of the charity, the team at Henshaws knew that we had to share share the history and interesting stories found in an all-sensory exhibition. The display will trace the story surrounding Thomas Henshaw’s legacy and the rich history of Henshaws. It will explore the charity’s history and the history of visual impairment as well as commissioning new contemporary artworks. It will feature the fascinating stories from people who have been part of Henshaws throughout the years.

The exhibition is planned to open at Gallery Oldham later this year and will then tour regionally. By touring the exhibition we will be engaging with a much wider audience in the legacy, sharing our history and fostering a greater understanding amongst sighted people of the challenges faced by those with visual impairment.

You can read more on some of the interesting stories and history about Thomas Henshaw and Henshaws here. We will be keeping you all up to date with our progress, but do keep an eye out in the press and media!

Date: Thursday 16 February

Time: 7.30

Price: £14.50

There are over 50 nesting boxes to chose from which are all handmade by Art Makers as part of our Social Enterprise Handmade at Henshaws.

Themes and styles Include homes for Blue & Great Tits, Fly Catchers, Sparrow Terraces and Towers; houses for hedgehogs and lots of our famous Bug Boxes made from recycled/reclaimed timber and bamboo from our own gardens!

To find the perfect box for your garden visit the exhibition from 16th january to 24th February in the Main Gallery and Cafe.

The CD has been named in honour of John Metcalf, arguably Knaresborough’s most famous character. As well as being a renowned civil engineer and horseman, Blind Jack Metcalf was also a fiddle player. He  became completely blind at the age of 6 following small pox. The CD features a range of singers and musicians from across Yorkshire with all the tracks having relevance to Harrogate, Knaresborough and the surrounding area.

The CD was the brainchild of band member Mark Ellison who was so impressed by the services offered to visually impaired people by Henshaws that he decided to raise funds for the charity. Said Mark, “John Metcalfe  never let his disability shape his life- his achievements were truly remarkable by anyone’s standards and his triumph over adversity is an example to us all. Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre is very close to Jack’s birthplace in Knaresborough, and Henshaws College is in the Harrogate area where he played his fiddle at dances. The Blind Jack Band CD features the sort of music that would have been familiar to Jack and is in aid of a charity that I’m sure he would have approved of. Henshaws is well known for their good work with visually impaired people, helping them gain self-confidence and independence.”
 
The last remaining CDs are available from Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough at the bargain price of £2. All profits will go to Henshaws Arts & Craft Centre.

Henshaws was recently announced as one of the charity partners for the brand new Greater Manchester Marathon in Trafford, Manchester’s first marathon for more than a decade, alongside local charity The Christie.

The race will take place in Trafford on 29th April  2012 and will start and finish in Longford Park in Stretford. The five thousand runners expected to take part will pass iconic landmarks such as the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds and Dunham Massey Park over the 26mile course.

To be one of the first lucky 6 to gain free entrance to the Manchester Marathon (normally £48!), minimum sponsorship is £500, contact Hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk or call 01423 814501.

Good luck!

The dinner held at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate was very well attended with over a 100 property professionals dining and chief executive, Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire as the guest speaker.

Mr Alcock said: “The event was a huge success and we are delighted that so many familiar faces could gather together to raise so much money for such a worthwhile cause.”

The doe wool cloth, which is used to make the regiment’s scarlet tunics, was donated by the Yorkshire Mill Hainsworths. Art makers at the centre will use the cloth to make regal-themed products and art maker Jenna Foster, who specialises in royal-themed art & crafts, will use the fabric to make Prince William cards and collages.

The donation was organised by Leeds Fashion Works and Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber as part of National Wool Week, a week long-celebration of wool in the UK. The centre was also visited by the sheep that provide Hainsworth’s with the wool used to make the cloth!

Adam Hainsworth, commercial director of Hainsworth Mill said: “The doe wool cloth is one of the country’s most iconic and instantly recognisable fabrics and visitors to the centre will now be able to buy their own piece of royal history. It will be fantastic to see what Jenna and the other art makers make with the fabric”.

The company has asked York-born Simon Haw to create a series of bespoke artworks to adorn the walls of one of its newest properties in Leeds. The prestigious development in the city centre will also exhibit Simon’s current collection of works.

Born in 1965, Simon was a tennis ace in his youth but aged 18 and not long after he began studying art, he suffered a severe head injury and damaged his sight in a road accident.

It left him with an eye condition called Myopia, which makes it easier for him to see objects that are near to him than objects in the distance and means he is registered as sight impaired.

Jason Stowe, managing director of Wilton Developments, said: “I was blown away by the quality of Simon’s artwork and inspired by how he has remained unperturbed from persevering with his life’s passion despite the difficulties he has faced.”

Simon’s paintings are awash with wonderful colour and graphic textures radiating from the central theme or focus. His distinctive meandering patterns often go beyond the picture plane and run over the edge of the canvas.

He makes direct links to his hometown of York, drawing from the castellation of the Bar Walls, and the image of a tennis player or of tennis balls appear in many of his works, harking back to his former hobby. Many works contain his name, not as signature, but as a bold statement proclaiming that, “This is me and I am here!”

10th September 2011 – 28th October 2011.

A wonderful group exhibition of new watercolour work by Art Makers. Using colour directly applied with the brush, these works explore a joyous range of themes and textures.

All works are for sale.

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Our gallery hosts a spectacular and colourful group exhibition by Art Makers on the theme of Alice in Wonderland.

Children can explore the Centre's grounds with the Alice in Wonderland-themed treasure trail. Find all the images and win a prize!

She is an art maker at the Arts & Crafts Centre, has had several exhibitions, and her work is for sale in our on-site shop.

Debra shares her story:

“I developed Benign Intracranial Hypertension when I was 20 years old, which means that my optic nerve became permanently scarred. I was in and out of hospital frequently for lumbar punctures, but sadly that didn’t solve the problem and I was left permanently and completely blind.

Losing your sight at the age of 21 is a terrifying and devastating experience. Crowds and busy streets scared me so I stayed at home. My confidence and motivation hit rock bottom. Thanks to Henshaws though, who taught me how to reclaim my independence, I have managed to rebuild my life.

I began my journey with Henshaws by enrolling as a student at Henshaws College, almost 20 years ago now! Today I live in Henshaws Community Housing and am a regular at the Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. My experience as a student enabled me to develop the skills I needed to live an independent life without sight. Something which at first was incredibly difficult for me to accept I could do, but I quickly started to gain confidence with each new achievement.

My journey as a blind person continues today and I am very happy in my Henshaws home, which is specially designed for blind and visually impaired adults and comes with 24 hour support from Henshaws staff. We’re just like normal housemates, we laugh and joke, go out and socialise – the staff are there to help but we treat the house like it’s our own and it’s our home. I do all my own shopping and cooking and enjoy an active life.

I love attending the Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough. I regularly get involved in the papermaking and jewellery production units and have exhibitions of my work in the Gallery. My jewellery is even for sale in the centre’s shop, which I’m really proud of.

If it wasn’t for Henshaws I can’t even imagine how my life would have turned out, I don’t think I’d be doing a lot. With the support of Henshaws staff I have made a busy and fun life for myself and I love every minute of it.”

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

An exhibition around the café featuring small-scale abstract paintings. These provide an in-depth look at art maker Matthew Briggs’ exploration of pattern, colour and mark making.

Michael Woods: As Far as I can Reach

18th July – 2nd September 2011

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

As part of the FEVA Festival, the Taste Gallery hosts an exhibition of large playful abstract works by art maker Michael ‘Woody’ Woods.

Our on-site café is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm and if you haven’t tried our new menu or sampled the Henshaws sausage yet, you’re in for a treat. We are fully licensed and open for breakfast, lunch and snacks. You can choose from tasty sandwiches, homemade soup, hot meals, homemade cake and of course, the famous Henshaws sausage.

Exhibition: The Auschwitz Project

18th July – 2nd September

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

New work by art maker Di Lofthouse, MBE, inspired by a visit to Auschwitz.

This exhibition is part of the FEVA Festival.

Di talks about her visit to Poland and inspiration for the exhibition:

“Hi my name is Di Lofthouse M.B.E I am an artist and a disabled rights activist. I have always spoken out since my teens for my disabled friends who have not been treated fairly.

I’ve always been interested in history and have wanted to go to Poland to see Auschwitz since I was nineteen. Last year I went to Poland, supported by Julianne Lunn (someone who supports me). It was physically difficult for me to visit Auschwitz because it was not wheelchair friendly. I couldn’t see everything, as there were a lot of stairs. But from what I did see, I felt very moved.

There was no birdsong, just a deadly silence. Just the sound of visitor’s voices in many languages. I was really moved by the gas chambers and the rooms with the objects. Body aids for the disabled, glasses, lampshades and wallets made of human skin. The number of people who had to sleep in a room and thousands of toilets all lined up. I felt that people had been treated like second-class citizens.

My belief is that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. Whatever skin they live in.”

Handmade at Henshaws now at Fodder

Gift items produced by art makers from Henshaws Arts & Craft Centre in Knaresborough have been added to Fodder’s shelves.

Fodder, based at the Great Yorkshire Showground, is Harrogate’s premier local food specialist and showcases the very best food and crafts from Yorkshire. It is now offering a selection of handmade gift bags, cards, coasters and key rings crafted as part of Henshaws’ innovative social enterprise – Handmade at Henshaws.

The scheme provides 120 visually-impaired and disabled art makers with vocational and practical work experience producing a range of products including artwork, cards and paper to be sold in Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre as well as through local businesses.

Heather Parry, managing director of Fodder said: “Handmade at Henshaws is a truly innovative scheme and we were thoroughly impressed by their products.  As well as providing art makers with vocational skills, the scheme gives art makers a sense of achievement as their creations are sold to the public. These fantastic items will make a fabulous addition to our range of stock, and I’m sure they will fly off the shelves!”

Louise Ashton, marketing and communications manager at Henshaws added: “This is a very exciting development for Handmade at Henshaws. Fodder is a champion of local produce and reinvests all its profits into the rural community – it’s fantastic that they have added our gift items to their shelves.

“Henshaws’ social enterprise programme allows local businesses to put something back into the community and brings our delightful range of arts and crafts gifts to a wider audience. We’d like to thank Fodder for their ongoing support and hope this is the start of a mutually beneficial enterprise.”

Products made or grown at Henshaws’ Arts and Crafts Centre are sold at the onsite shop and café, which are staffed by art makers from the centre and students from Henshaws College.  All profits generated are reinvested back into the centre.

For more information visit www.fodderweb.co.uk and www.henshaws.org.uk/arts-and-crafts-centre

The 'Stay up Late' campaign was started by Heavy Load, a punk-rock band formed by people with and without a learning disability. They started the campaign because people with a learning disability were having to leave their gigs and go home early because their support workers had come to the end of their shifts.

Now you can shake your stuff at our fabulous 'Stay up Late' Disco for adults with learning difficulties/disabilities.

Resident DJ Lee will be spinning the decks along with podium dancers and a comedian! Chill-out area with bar, hand massage, face painting, films and music.

£5 which includes a free drink on entry. Admission by ticket only. 18+

Bar and food. Late curry supper: £1.50

Monday 6th June – Friday 8th July 2011

Our cafe-gallery hosts our latest exhibition, showcasing work from four of our artmakers, featuring textured, tactile pieces made using a variety of materials.

Featured artmakers are: Ian Watts, Graham Cook, David Leedham and Tracey Moment.

Our on-site cafe is open weekdays for breakfast, lunch, hot and cold snacks and drinks.

It's such a big event, we're opening on a saturday to accommodate all the bargains!

Saturday 18th June 10:30am – 3pm.

Entry 20p.

All proceeds to charity: the art maker council are raising funds to buy a donkey for an Albanian Children's Orphanage.

Jeremy, a staff member at Henshaws Community Housing, sank into a bath full of baked beans to raise money for a memorial bench in honour of Mark Porrit, who lived in a Henshaws community house and tragically died at the start of this year.

Louise Ashton, marketing and communications manager at Henshaws, said: “The celebration was fantastic – Jeremy was very brave to take the plunge and art makers, staff members and visitors were more than happy to keep the bath overflowing!

“We are very grateful to Jeremy for his efforts. We’re touched that through his fundraising we will be able to remember Mark in this way – he was one of our most independent service users and a former student at Henshaws College.”

The grand total raised from the beans bath was £85.

Also on display will be work from Dolly's personal collection, which has never before been exhibited.

Come enter Dolly's world – full of sparkle and bling!

FREE Event.

Open daily Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm.

18th April – 27th May 2011.

Art makers at our Arts & Crafts Centre have been commissioned to make the 1,500 delegate bags through our social enterprise, Handmade at Henshaws.

Each bag is being hand decorated with one of a selection of unique designs created by the art makers. College students and art makers will also help to fill the bags with delegate information, and we will benefit from further involvement at the event which is to be held at Harrogate International Centre on 10th June.

Billed as the biggest business networking event in the North of England, the convention has been an annual fixture in the region’s business calendar since 1995 and has featured keynote speakers including Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as celebrities such as John Cleese, Sir Bob Geldof and Neil Armstrong.

The theme of the 2011 event is “Winners” and guests will include Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the British inventor of the World Wide Web, and Andrew Strauss, captain of the Ashes-winning England cricket team

YIBC organiser Mike Firth said: “We were delighted to nominate Henshaws as our chosen charity for a second year, and commission another set of their wonderful delegate bags which were one of the most commented-upon features of the 2010 event. The partnership is a perfect complement to this year’s theme of winners, as the dedication and positive attitude from the students and art makers makes them winners on every level.”

Louise Ashton, marketing and communications manager at Henshaws, added: “Handmade at Henshaws is a very valuable initiative, bringing great benefit both to the art makers involved and businesses and individuals who use its products and services. It’s great that YIBC has recognised the mutual advantages that a link-up like this can bring, and we look forward to working with Mike and his team once again this year.”

Art makers are learning this exciting skill. Why not pop down for a Henshaws sausage sandwich in freshly baked bread.

Pictures is art maker Yvonne, with a basket of 'handmade@henshaws' bread rolls.

Monday 18th April – Friday 27th May.

Open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm.

Celebrate the Royal Family in style! Portraits of the Royal Family created by Henshaws art maker Jenna Foster will be on show.

Jenna has oral dyspraxia which means she mainly uses sign language to express herself. She works in paper making, textiles and jewellery and loves anything brightly coloured and sparkly. She has made some beautiful things to sell in the centre’s shop. This is her first exhibition.

The life-size papier-mâché cow made by art maker Jon Cove, has moved to its new home.

The buyer, who lives in York, already has 2 Jon Cove life size figures in their home.

Below is a picture of the cow featuring in the St John's Church nativity scene in Knaresborough.

If you are interested in commissioning art for your home or business, more information is available on our Henshaws means Business web page.

Click here (link will open in new window).

Come see how fancy it's looking. We're open 10 -4 Monday – Friday. We've got a special Henshaws sausage feature dish for spring; sausage served on a bed of Spring Cabbage, Leek & Onion Mash served with a rich Onion Gravy”

Alex Sobel (General Manager, SEYH) said: “ ‘SEYH is delighted to have commissioned a local Social Enterprise, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, who have a great track record in working with people with disabilities, to design and make this years SEYH Awards trophies. The design reflects our sectors ethos of social mission and working together.”

There will be 4 ceramic pieces produced, depicting hands holding a golden ring, on top of a small plinth. These trophies will be made by Graham Cook, art maker at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. Graham is one of our most prolific crafts people and has exhibited in the Henshaws Gallery and in many other galleries.

Graham is 38 years old and originally from Liverpool. He graduated from Henshaws College in 1994 and lives in a Henshaws Community House. He has attended and worked at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre for 13 years. Graham is visually impaired, has a learning difficulty but is extremely independent.

Graham always has a range of items for sale in our shop.

Friday 3rd June 2011. 7.30pm.

Vin Garbutt is an international, award winning singer songwriter completing his 40th year on the road. He is one of the best known performers on the music scene today, and one of the most sought after. It is no surprise. His song-writing is witty and powerful, tackling thought-provoking issues which others prefer to avoid, and he is an accomplished guitarist and fine whistle player.

He is forever in demand and his shows continually sell out, so get your tickets early!

 www.vingarbutt.com

Tickets £12.50

Bar & Food available.

“One of Britain's most cultured singer-songwriters.” The Times.

Born and raised in Manchester, based in Nashville, Clive Gregson is an accomplished singer, musician and record producre of world-renown.

Mary Chapin Carpenter named him as one of her favourite songwriters. Melody Maker described his band Any Trouble (featured in BBC4s Stiff Records tribute recently), as the most exciting new rock 'n' roll group since The Pretenders and according to Guitar Player, he is one of the 1000 great guitarists.

Clive solo shows are something special and not to be missed.

www.clivegregson.com

Tickets £12.50

Bar & Food available.

We offer:

Room hire to accommodate up to 80 people.

Fully-equiped rooms.

Refreshments, buffets and sit-down meals.

Rooms are also available for hire at Henshaws College in Harrogate.

For further information call 01423 541888 or email simon.burgon@henshaws.org.uk

Our popular craft fairs take place on the third Sunday in each month to coincide with Knaresborough Farmers Markets. We offer a range of beautiful and original gifts.

Admission to our Craft Fairs is free so bring the family and make a day of it!

For further information or to enquire about taking part call 01423 541888 or email simon.burgon@henshaws.org.uk

Our licensed cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks.

FREE Event.

FREE onsite parking.

FREE admission to our craft centre and woodland walk.

4.15pm – Film followed by a buffet

7.15pm – Disco

Get your groove on for our fantastic monthly disco night for adults with learning difficulties / disabilities.

Film / Buffet / Disco £5.00

Disco only £2.50.

Art makers will curate their own part of the exhibition by selecting work themselves from the Harrogate Collection that will hang alongside their own work.

FREE Event. Runs Monday 7th February – Wednesday 9th April. Monday - Friday 10am – 4pm.

Friday 21st Janaury – Sunday 20th February.

Open daily.

An exhibition of large scale work by some of the most accomplished artists at the Arts & Crafts Centre, including Sam Taylor, Jon Cove and Andrew Copley.

FREE Event.

Artmakers return from their Christmas break on Friday 7th January 2011.

We re-open to the public on Monday 10th January 2011.

Throughout January & February we will be open Monday to Friday 10.00 – 16.00.

We will open on Sunday 20th February (10.00 – 16.00) for our Monthly Craft Fair.

Our Cafe is closed for refurbishment in January, re-opening February. Watch this space!

Friday 17th December 2010. 7.30pm.

Songwriter Jez Lowe returns to his North East roots in a special seasonal presentation that harks back to the old Tyneside radio shows of the 1950's.

Jez and company offer an evening of songs, tunes, recitations and comedy.

Visit www.jezlowe.com

Tickets: Advance £13 / Door £14.50

Bar & Food available.

The 'Stay up Late' campaign was started by Heavy Load, a punk-rock band formed by people with and without a learning disability. They started the campaign because people with a learning disability were having to leave their gigs and go home early because their support workers had come to the end of their shifts.

Now you can shake your stuff at our fabulous 'Stay up Late' Disco for adults with learning difficulties/disabilities.

Resident DJ Lee will be spinning the decks along with podium dancers and a comedian! Chill-out area with bar, hand massage, face painting, films and music.

£5 which includes a free drink on entry. Admission by ticket only. 18+

Bar and food. Late curry supper: £1.50

The club 'house band' round off the year with jazz-tinged, laid back instrumentals and songs.

Visit Northern Soundscapes website for more information (will open in a new window).

Tickets: Advance £8.50 / Door £10

Bar & Food available.

10am – 4pm

This year's Christmas exhibition features a variety of both art and craft work by our very own art makers.

There's something for everyone and you're sure to find a perfect Christmas present.

FREE Event.