The Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund

Area: North East
Deadline: 24 October 2008

The Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund was set up by Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail in memory of their friend and colleague Sammy (Ronnie) Johnson who they appeared with in Auf Wiedershen Pet.

Groups and individuals over 16 from the North East can apply, though priority will be given to applicants from Tyneside. Grants are to aid the development of performers including grants for training courses or associated living costs, additional or replacement equipment and touring expenses.

Size of grants awarded: Between £100 and £1,500

For more information go to www.communityfoundation.org.uk/ourfunds/fundse-j/sammy_johnson_memorial_fund.php?flink=178.

Follett replaces Hodge as culture minister

Barbara Follett has been appointed as the new Minister for Culture, the Creative Industries and Tourism, replacing Margaret Hodge, who leaves government.

Follett, who has served as Labour MP for Stevenage since 1997 and is married to novelist Ken Follett, comes from the post of work and pensions minister. She has also previously served as parliamentary private secretary to Ruth Kelly, as Minister for Women, from 2006 to 2007.

Hodge was appointed to the post of minister for culture in June 2007.

Links between arts participation and health highlighted

Speaking at a recent Arts and Healthcare Event the Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health spoke about the links between arts participation and health.

Some key statements in the speech include:

- Music, poetry, dance, drama and the visual arts have always been important to our mental and physical wellbeing.

- Research shows that active involvement in the arts - whether by volunteering, taking a painting class or joining a music group - can have a profoundly positive effect on patients' wellbeing.

- Participation in the arts leads to significant improvements in health, can boost self esteem, and reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion.

You can read the speech in full at www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Speeches/DH_088160.

Advice surgeries for music groups

Making Music is offering free advice 'surgeries' for amateur and voluntary music groups in the North East. From choirs to orchestras, steel pan bands to promoting societies, this is a chance for groups to come and discuss their problems and concerns on a one-to-one basis.

For more information click here.

Making Music joins with BBC Radio 3 to celebrate amateur orchestras

A recent survey conducted by Making Music has revealed that for every professional orchestra in the UK there are at least five amateur orchestras. To celebrate this wealth of amateur music making, BBC Radio 3 has teamed up with Making Music to highlight the achievements of some of the hundreds of amateur orchestras by broadcasting their concerts as part of a new project called Play To The Nation.

Play To The Nation will show off the vibrant and diverse activity of amateur orchestras and musicians around the UK. Throughout October, Performance On 3 will feature performances from Making Music's amateur groups.

North East Voluntary and Community Sector Awards 2008

Nominate a star!

30th October 2008 will see the first ever Voluntary and Community Sector Awards for the North East region. The awards are designed to recognise the work of individuals and voluntary and community sector organisations from across the region, in helping to develop our communities.

They will cover a wide variety of areas and activities, and will include:

• Most exciting project of the year
• Volunteer of the year
• Outstanding organisation of the year
• Support organisation of the year
• Young leader of the year

These awards can be made to any voluntary and community sector groups or individuals working in the North East region.

Anyone can make a nomination for an award. People or organisations can make as many nominations as they like, and can nominate their own staff and volunteers for individual awards, but cannot nominate themselves for an organisational or project award.

Go to www.vonne.org.uk/awards for a nomination guide and form and return it to VONNE's offices by 5pm on Tuesday 30 September.