Get Your Votes In For The English Heritage Angel Awards

Oldland Windmill - on the short list

Voting is now under way for the 2014 English Heritage Angel Awards. The awards were founded in 2011 by Andrew Lloyd Webber to celebrate the efforts of individuals and local groups all over the country who put hours of hard work, passion and perseverance into saving vulnerable, damaged and derelict historic landmarks from being lost forever.

Voting opened on the 15th August and goes through to the 12th October.  The 16 community groups and individuals behind the nominated  projects will then be  looking forward to attending a star-studded, red carpet awards ceremony at the Palace Theatre in London on the evening of Monday 3rd November, hosted by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The four categories are the Best Craftsmanship By A Trainee Or Apprentice Employed On A Heritage Rescue, The Best Rescue Of A Historic Industrial Building Or Site, Best Rescue Of Any Other Type Of Historic Building Or Site and Best Rescue Or Repair Of A Historic Place Of Worship.

The lucky winners last year were Hadlow Tower at Tonbridge in Kent, Low Slit Mine Bishop Auckland, Durham, The Ivy House at Southwark in London, and finally the church of St. James the Greater,  Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire.

For full details of this year’s Angel Awards, follow the link below.

Everything you need to know about the Angel Awards

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo On The Road

Having been sold out for the past sixteen years whilst performing on its home ground, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has taken to the road. The "taste of the Tattoo" display at the Thistles Shopping Centre follows on from a performance in Glasgow last week, with another free event planned in Dundee.

About 600 performers are taking part in the touring shows, with thousands of spectators expected to turn out. The tour is all part of the much anticipated Year of Homecoming celebrations that are forming an integral part of Scotland’s glorious 2014.

A chance for the Tattoo to reach a wider audience

Brigadier David Allfrey, chief executive and producer of the Tattoo, said the events were a way to "share the riches" of the "stunning" show.

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said the Tattoo was "one of the must-see events of the summer". He said: "These taster performances are terrific news for people around the country who may not have experienced the sights and sounds of this spectacular event."

More than 1,000 performers, including 35 Zulu warriors, 40 fiddlers and 45 steel drummers are taking part in this year's Edinburgh displays. All three Royal Marine bands are on show, along with more than 100 highland dancers.

A total of 215,800 tickets for the show's 24 performances have been sold, generating about £9.6m in box office receipts. The next touring performance will be in Dundee on Tuesday 19 August, in the City Square from 12:30.

All the gen on the Tattoo

Hull’s “City of Culture” Budget Is In A Healthy State

Newly appointed as the chief executive of the company being set to up deliver Hull 2017, Martin Green says that the budget earmarked for 2017 is "on the right scale". Hull’s reign as the UK City of Culture 2017 may be some three years away, but the city is not resting on its laurels.

Martin Green - funding avenues will be investigated

Mr. Green said that the current estimated cost of delivering the 365-day programme is about £18m. He has an impressive track record, having been the head of ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympics. Whilst in that post, he led a management team that tripled the original budget for the opening and closing ceremonies by working with public bodies and corporate sponsors.

He not only hand-picked many of the artists, production and back-of-house teams, and is quoted as saying that similar opportunities were likely in the build-up to Hull's year in the spotlight as UK City of Culture.

"I think the current budget is on the right scale and is in a pretty healthy state," said Mr Green. "I also think it's something we can work on by making sure everyone knows what a great cultural destination Hull will be in 2017.

"One of my jobs will be to go out and sell Hull and what is going to be happening here. Attracting corporate sponsorship is one thing I will be looking at but support comes in all shapes and sizes, including people and organisations giving in-kind support, which doesn't cost anything but can also be invaluable."

Between them, Hull City Council and the Arts Council have pledged almost £8m towards 2017. Also, twenty local firms have also agreed to give £17,000 each as part of the Business Angels initiative to help fund initial start-up costs.

Mr Green said: "The good thing is that we have got time and space on our side. It's just over two years before the first event in 2017 and just over three years before the last one. That gives us a lot of room to work hard on the budget and exploring every avenue to attract more funding."