Jerome

In this podcast episode Miranda van Rossum, creative co-ordinator and leader of We Made This Hull crafting group, tells HULL IS THIS editor Jerome Whittingham all about their latest large-scale community crafting project - Christmas Trees 4 Ever.
On Saturday 5 December 2020, over 140 trees in 85 locations across Hull will be decorated with handmade creations by hundreds of local people.
“The theme for this year’s trail is reduce-reuse-recycle. It’s been great to see so many creative interpretations of it in the makes, and the ‘tree identifiers’ on each tree will tell you a little more about how its makers have approached the theme,” said Miranda.
Many groups, this year, have decided to take some time off from their regular activities because of the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Not so for Miranda’s movement of dedicated crafters, they’ve stepped up to the challenge and even taken more ground! This year’s Christmas Trees 4 Ever trail even includes ‘makes’ created by an increased number of care home residents. Fab work!
More details about this project - and the Christmas Trees 4 Ever map - can be found on the group’s website here:
https://wemadethishull.wordpress.com

Use and follow the hashtag #ChristmasTrees4Ever on social media.

More on HULL IS THIS here: https://hullisthis.news/christmas-trees-4-ever

In this HULL IS THIS podcast, editor Jerome Whittingham is joined by Laura Jarvis, Senior Development Manager at The Alcohol and Drug Service, and Paul Longley, Mental Health Trainer at Hopen and facilitator of Andy's Man Club in Hull.

We talk about the mental health impacts of consuming too much alcohol, how much is too much, what strategies and coping mechanisms we can adopt to take control of our drinking, and what professional help is available to those who are worried about excessive alcohol consumption.

Read full article, with links to help and support, on HULL IS THIS: https://hullisthis.news/exploring-alcohol-and-mental-health-for-alcohol-awareness-week-2020

“We’re playing everything by ear, appropriately enough,” said Russell Plows, Artistic Director of Hull Urban Opera.
In this podcast we continue our ad hoc series of lockdown conversations with artists.
We find out how Hull Urban Opera has responded to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its restrictions.
Podcast: 24 minutes.
Russell tells us about how the collective has made best use of lockdown time, some twiddling of thumbs, but also a lot of planning and even creating new works.
Violence seems to be the way forward, it seems. Russell delights in revealing something of what the opera has in store ‘on the dark web’, maybe next year. “It’s an exploration of violence as a means of entertainment.”
Intriguing. The Hull Urban Opera collective don’t do opera in a stuffy way, and they don’t shy away from contemporary culture and difficult issues.
We discuss the collective’s use of technology, and Russell shares some thoughts about online arts encounters he’s enjoyed this year.
Russell Plows was talking to HULL IS THIS editor Jerome Whittingham.
Produced for HULL IS THIS

Throughout October - Dyslexia Awareness Month - we've been digging a little deeper to explore what dyslexia is, and how it impacts upon life.

In this podcast episode, HULL IS THIS editor Jerome Whittingham assembles a Creative Briefs panel to recap on conversations we've had this month, looking at how dyslexia changes education, entrepreneurship, emotions, and employment.

The panel joining Jerome are: Josh, featured in our video 'Dyslexia Day to Day'; Yasmin, Creative Briefs project manager; and Jason and Rebecca, Creative Briefs directors.

The coronavirus pandemic, and its lockdowns and impacts, has challenged those that like to gather together to sing.

In this podcast HULL IS THIS editor Jerome Whittingham chats with leader of Hull Freedom Chorus Clare Drury.

Clare is an Arts Development Officer at Hull City Council.

We explore how technology and determination have created solutions, allowing choir members to produce music together.

More on HULL IS THIS here: https://hullisthis.news/hull-freedom-chorus-responds-to-pandemic-isolation

In a series of features marking Dyslexia Awareness Month 2020, HULL IS THIS has partnered with Creative Briefs to explore how dyslexic people think differently and often excel at creative activities.

Throughout October we’ll be looking at how dyslexia impacts upon emotions, education, employability, and entrepreneurship.

In this podcast, Creative Briefs introduces HULL IS THIS Editor Jerome Whittingham to designer and entrepreneur Jim Rokos.

Jim Rokos curated the Dyslexic Design exhibition which was presented at Designjunction, London, in 2016. The exhibition won a silver award in the 2016 London Design Awards for Pop-Ups, Display, Exhibit & Set Design.

Photo: THE LADDER THAT LIKES THE WALL (detail) - Ab Rogers, American hardwood - 2014.

See more at HULL IS THIS here: https://hullisthis.news/dyslexic-design-with-jim-rokos

The editor, Jerome Whittingham, loves the sound of the rain.
HULL IS THIS was invited to learn more about a project that’s exploring how rainwater can be managed in urban areas.
It’s a project called MAGIC Bilton, there’s a sister project too, called MAGIC Derringham.
The MAGIC projects are working with residents in these areas of Hull, UK,  to look at ways that rainwater can be  better managed, and creative thinking is being encouraged.
The research project is led by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with the Hull and East Riding ‘Living with Water’ Partnership, and Timebank Hull & East Riding.
They’ve commissioned a couple of community artists to help stimulate the conversation, and gather residents thoughts and ideas.
The artists are Rachel Elm and Jemma Brown. We're also joined by Steven Dale, Clerk for Bilton Parish Council.

Read more at HULL IS THIS, here: https://hullisthis.news/magic-projects-gather-residents-views-on-rainwater-management-and-action

Community and creativity come together as Tranby Lodge Gate woodland and wildlife haven hosts the ‘release’ of over 60 unique stoneware clay animal sculptures, made by Hessle residents during coronavirus lockdown.

Project lead Pam Locker tells HULL IS THIS editor all about the project.

Full article and photos on HULL IS THIS here: https://hullisthis.news/lockdown-clay-creatures-released-into-tranby-lodge-gate-woodland

In this HULL IS THIS podcast episode, editor Jerome Whittingham visits Humber Street Gallery, Hull, to preview artist Jamie Crewe's exhibition entitled 'Solidarity & Love'.

Jerome is guided through the exhibition and its themes by gallery Exhibition and Education Coordinator David Cleary.

"The exhibition takes inspiration from Radclyffe Hall’s novel The Well of Loneliness (1928), and addresses the provocations of the book, which has had a lasting impact on generations of queer, lesbian, and transgender people."

Full show notes and photographs on HULL IS THIS website here: https://hullisthis.news/podcast-jamie-crewes-solidarity-love-at-humber-street-gallery

HULL IS THIS editor Jerome Whittingham talks to flash fiction writer Rich Sutherland.

Rich shares his latest 300 word flash fiction story, 'Heavenly Body', and we chat in depth about his writing style and inspirations.

More at HULL IS THIS here: https://hullisthis.news/podcast-hull-flash-fiction-writer-shares-his-heavenly-body