Interview with Art Attack legend Neil Buchanan (opens exhibit in Bournemouth)

Neil Buchanan: The man who singlehandedly turned a whole generation of kids onto art spoke exclusively to Joshua Saunders about being a ‘failed rockstar’, spiteful rumours about his ‘death’, Art Attack and his new exhibition Hope Street.   

The moderately decorated Westover Gallery boasts Neil at the centre of the floor, his smartly dark suit and trimmed appearance hardly reflects that the childhood hero for many, myself included, has recently turned the big five zero. 

But it wasn’t just that Neil took centre stage, since burst onto our screens on No 73 in 1983, he has always been a charismatic character. Most famous for children’s television show Art Attack he encouraged a generation of indoor-dwelling youngsters to nurture their creative side by creating models and gifts with papier-mâché and PVA glue. The show ran from 1990 for 17 years where it was sold on to Disney Junior.  

“The loyalty towards Art Attack has been phenomenal and it has been great to meet the people who have made me who I am today,” he said. 

Back from ‘the dead’ with his new display of art work the Liverpudlian presenter spoke exclusively to the Bournemouth Echo about his life since taking a short hiatus in the shade.  

“Hope Street is not a place, it’s a state of mind,” he explains. The 12 limited edition prints are a collection of two faceless children living the joys of a ‘simpler time’. 

“I want the viewer to see people in their own head, not the ones I’ve painted. The most important bit is the stories my work evokes.” 

The BAFTA winner, from Aintree in Merseyside, remembered earlier exhibitions where he saw several people in ‘floods of tears as the happy memories’ of their past were brought back to life.  

“I’ve taken a trip through my nostalgic childhood to a time when there was more hope and I felt kids lived on Hope Street it was a state of mind. 

 

“Sadly I think a lot of kids now live on that street. Kids now feel a lot of stress from the real grown-up world.” 

The launch back into the limelight comes four years after a vicious Facebook rumour that Neil had died spread throughout cyberspace.  

“I can look back and laugh now,” he admits, but the lies were taken seriously back in March 2008. 

“I got back from the end of my holiday and there were 69,000 messages of condolence on my various mails.”  

Each year Neil and his family would travel to a remote cottage in the Welsh mountains, ‘away from television, mobiles and out of communication.’  At the time that the rumour flourished they were on holiday and his mother who, at the time, was in her mid-seventies, believed her son had died and had no way of verifying what was the truth. 

“There a lot of crackpots on Facebook who do that sort of thing.” 

“There were 69,000 messages, but I want to know where the rest of them were – Art Attack had over 6 million viewers every week, where were they?” he jests.   

One of the former TV star’s greatest achievements was resurrecting his band Marseille after being ‘cheated out of the business’ 20 years previously. 

The band originally formed in Liverpool under the name AC/DC, before they exploded onto the rock scene in 1976 rising to fame as the winners of the first ever UK ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, that was judged by Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen.  

Marseille toured alongside the likes of Judas Priest, Nazareth and Whitesnake travelling across Europe and the United States of America before their unexpected demise. 

Since returning the band has performed at the Cambridge Rock Festival amongst a few earlier sets this year: “I thought we’d get bottled off and people would go ‘what a bunch of idiots’ but it’s been absolutely positive.” 

The guitarist admits age is catching up with them: “It used to be ‘what shall we drink tonight lads’, but it’s all about drugs nowadays, we are all on drugs… albeit Anadins, sleeping pills and various medicines to be expected of middle aged men though.”  

The band that Neil initially launched during his young adulthood admits: “We are growing old disgracefully and we are happy doing it.” 

“I’ve got some great stories to tell my grandchildren one day, they either won’t believe me or will tell my kids and they’ll say ‘oh don’t believe granddad he’s senile’ ”.  

‘I’m not going to tell you a tale of debauched rock n roll,’ he reflects, ‘but I will tell you about reality.’   

“We lived the high life jetting around on private jets, riding around in stretched limousines and performing to crowds of between 20 and 30,000 people.”  

But their initial break on the music circuit was cut short not long after the record company went bankrupt and Marseille engaged in a two-year court battle with them. 

“One week I was sunning myself on a beach in Los Angeles, two weeks later I was back in Liverpool on the dole. And I remained there for years it was a real lesson,” the three years of them being rock-stars was over. 

The band now comprises of Neil (guitarist), Andy Charters (guitar), Nige Roberts (vocals) and Ace Finchum (drums) - their newly released ‘Unfinished Business’ album. 

Not until Neil had finished his paintings, did he realise that Hope Street DID EXIST. And in fact it was the street his primary school was situated on.

“Music runs through my veins, but I enjoy art it takes me away from seriousness. 

“I used to draw with my dad a lot, when I was about eight or nine, and the piece of paper would take me to places I couldn’t normally visit. It still does.” 

“From my memories of childhood there was a lot of harmony, a lot of peace, a lot of simple things going on and that’s what I’ve painted.” 

Hope Street will be open to the public throughout December at the Westover Gallery, for more information visit www.westovergallery.co.uk or call 01202 297 682. 

(C) Copyright Neil Buchanan 2011

Father Christmas: the secrets of Santas - Radio Feature

Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la lah la la la lah

As Christmas draws nearer the festive man in red, busily prepares for his main evening of the year.

Meanwhile the UK’s countless Father Christmas impersonators get to work.

Joshua Saunders spoke to a few of them to find the truth behind the HO HO HOs…

Check out this unfairly short radio package.

A special thanks to the many Father Christmases who contributed to this piece.

CLICK ON THE GOLDEN LINK BELOW:

The Secrets of Santa pkg (click here)

I hope you enjoy listening

Swearing: Why it's best to be secretive, whilst using an expletive!*@?!%!

It was a crisp Monday morning in the centre of Bournemouth’s Christmas market. Pine-cones and holly weave the roofs of the mahogany cabins lit by fairy lights, while ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ echoes through the gatherings of rosy-cheeked smiles. If you listen closely enough you can hear the sound of elves hammering at toys for good girls and boys from the grotto of the bearded-man trying to ready himself for December 25^th thousands of miles away.


In the midst of the market, standing next to a festively decorated merry-go-round a father in a blue striped tracksuit and another in a Del boy-style coat stand impatiently waiting. “Where the f*** is she” utters the father in his early-thirties, his baby daughter sitting - silently listening and learning. “What the hell is she doing?” the Scrooge of Bournemouth shouts.


With a lack of regard for the once heart-warming surroundings, the man continues to swear for another few minutes. Passersby frown as they disapprove of the foul language their ears suffer to hear.


Swearing even today is a controversial issue, despite the rise in ‘offenders’ the battle of traditional English versus modern expletives wages on...


It’s undeniable that from time to time we all accidentally swear, but some people are famed for incorporating at least one offensive word into their every sentence.  


Most notably celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay who once swore 243 times in one of his television shows ‘Gordon’s Great British Nightmare’ equating to one expletive for every 20-seconds onscreen. Have celebrities like Gordon Ramsay loosened our once stiff upper lip when it comes to the using the ‘f-word’ amongst others?


More recently, X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza was in trouble for letting out a four-letter expletive on live TV.


Retired Bournemouth couple Terry and Geraldine Harper believe people pick up the bad habit at school and from there it becomes natural behaviour: “It’s relaxed - it’s an everyday language for some people. There’s a time and place for swearing, but that’s not on the streets or around children.”


Product design student Kieran Jackon, aged 26, admitted to dropping the ‘c-word’ earlier that day in public, but remembered he was quite different as a child: “Swearing around the dinner table was always a ‘big thing’ for my parents, now they are a little more relaxed. But you’d still receive a slap around the ear for it.”


A big issue seller who wished to remain anonymous, aged 35, said he typically hears people swearing mainly in the ‘evening after a few drinks’ and often hears people shout at him: “Get a f***ing job.”


Even councillors let out the occasional expletive, including Bournemouth councillor Penny Jackman who let a foul word slip out during a heated planning meeting to decide whether to relocate the Lymington Cricket Club (see page 12 for the full story).


At the Court of Appeal this week, Mr Justice Bean argued that foul language should no longer be considered offensive due to it being heard ‘all too frequently’. The statement comes in the wake of a man trying to revoke his conviction for verbally abusing police officers in Hackney last year. The Judge has believes that it’s unlikely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress” to the officers who find it ‘rather common place’.


The Home Office are also debating whether swearing at others is a legal offence. Discussions are being held over whether to remove the word ‘insulting’ from the description of the public order offence which currently reads as: “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.” Meaning that if given the go ahead police may be unable to act whilst being hit by offensive slurs.


However, Martin Baum, writer of ‘To Be or Not To Be, Innit, a Yoof-Speak Guide to Shakespeare’ believes that legalising swearing at public figures would ‘would eat away at the power of authority.’ And that swearing at officials is a blatant ‘lack of respect’.  


There’s an old British saying: ‘There is a time and place for everything,’ but perhaps in the case of swearing it should be confined to a hushed whisper in an empty house, or risk suffering the judgemental glances of strangers.

Online edition available on the Bournemouth Echo website: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/9377073.Are_we_too_relaxed_about_swearing_/?ref=rss

NIBS Echo day one

NIBS from my first day back at the Echo.

Frankie Boyle piece (click here)

Businesses call for a tax freeze

Hospitality and leisure executives’ plea for ministers to halt next year’s hike in business rates that would damage thousands of companies.

In a letter sent to cabinet ministers Eric Pickles and Vince Cable they hope to return to a position reminiscent of the late 1990s where ‘one in three jobs were created in the leisure and hospitality industry.’

The pub, hotel, restaurant and leisure industry trade bodies argue the rates rise of 5.6% would add hugely to the pressures to a wide ranges of businesses.   

Brigid Simmonds, Chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “Council Tax has been frozen by the Government – and rightly so. Given the benefits it could bring we need the same approach for business rates.

“Our leisure and hospitality sector is dominated by small businesses, like pubs, hotels and restaurants, and they are absolutely key to creating new jobs.”

Chief executive of British Hospitality Association, Ufi Ibrahim believes the rates should be frozen.

He said: “The VAT rise in January hit out businesses hard, with extra taxes on pub and restaurant food, while supermarket food remains zero rated.

“This is widening the gap between eating out and easting at home.”

 Every hour more than 100 people go into hospital through alcohol related conditions.

 

Father Christmas returns to Bournemouth

Santa Clause is coming to town a little earlier this year.

A Christmas fair is being held on Saturday 26^th November, at the St Christopher’s Church on Burleigh Road, in Southbourne.

From 12.00 noon until 3:30pm light lunches will be served along with, many stalls and children’s activities.

Including a visit from a special festive guest... get your wish lists ready.  

Thanks to supporters

Charity workers in West Moors would like to thank their residents’ friends and family for raising over £400.00 to support the cause.

Money amounting to £440.00 in total was raised through coffee mornings for McMillan Cancer Research charity.

Alcohol Awareness

"Every hour more than 100 people go into hospital through alcohol related conditions.Every day more than 40 people die as a result of alcohol.

Every week more than 100 children call Childline upset about their parent’s drinking – some as young as five."

These are the haunting facts plaguing England and Wales this Alcohol Awareness week.

In response, to these statistics Alcohol Concern is offering a local lifeline to people who are concerned about their drinking and need support.

The Solent NHS Trust’s Drug and Alcohol recovery service runs a drop in centre in Ringwood for New Forest residents.

And the Hampshire Operational Model for Effective Recovery (HOMER) facility located at Oaktree House, off Christchurch road, and is open Monday to Saturday.

Nikki Keeley of the New Forest Drug and Alcohol Reference Group said: “In the New Forest, we are geared up for providing the support and encouragement some people need to face up to their alcohol misuse and put an end to harmful drinking practices, which not only affect them, but often their families and friends too.”

Alcohol Awareness week starts today and ends on Sunday 20^th November.

It’s time to make a change. To contact HOMER call 01425 483352 or find out more on www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.  

Bankers work harder

Bournemouth bankers and those from the surrounding area will be working harder for their money from next Monday as opening hours are increased.

A statement released from NatWest states that some banks will have extended opening times and others that didn’t previously will open on Saturdays.

Targeted areas include: Bournemouth and Poole High Street - weekdays 9am-6pm, Saturdays 9am-4pm; Bournemouth Southbourne Grove, Boscombe, Broadstone, Upper Parkstone, Westbourne, Wimbourne, Winton, New Milton and Lymington – weekdays 9am-5pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm; and, Poole 9am-5pm (bar Wednesday).

The decision comes as part of a movement to remain ‘Britain’s most helpful banks’ with them opening for an additional 6,000 hours across the UK

Controversial Frankie Boyle announces a new 'final' tour

“This is my last tour. I don't give a f*** what people think,” a younger Frankie Boyle once said. But it appears our Frankie is going to have to eat his words.

Yes, the rumours are true - the anti-hero of comedy is back and has announced another tour, ‘The Last Days of Sodom.’

Frankie shot to fame on BBC 2’s comedy panel show ‘Mock the Week’ infamously known for his ‘pitch-black comedy’ that both intrigued and disgusted audiences.

But recently, the comedian took time-out, after his personally-crafted stand-up sketch show Tramadol Nights failed to hold viewing figures and unsurprisingly received tirades of complaints from angry viewers. Most notably after offensive quips about Katy Price’s son Harvey and Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington.

The tour’s title that is believed to refer to the unfinished book ‘The 120 Days of Sodom’ written in 1785 by Marquis de Sade, tells the story four wealthy libertines who lock themselves and 46 young victims away inside an inaccessible castle for four months, to act out sexual-pleasures described by four elderly brothel keepers. Sade had not been able to finish the book, leaving three quarters in draft form, but for the time it was famed for its dark humour, similar to that of Boyle’s.  

Boyle has announced 32 dates through next Summer and Autumn in total, closing with his final performance at the Bournemouth International Centre, Friday 23^rd November 2012.

Richard Lee a marketing and promotions officer at the BIC believes fans will “not personally be surprised, he’s very popular and people will see it as a good thing” that the controversial comedian has launched more tour dates.

He said: “It’s a similar thing to a rock band getting back together for a farewell tour.”

Richard believes that there is no significance to Bournemouth being the final date of ‘The Last Days of Sodom’ tour. However is certain that tickets could sell-out quickly: “It may be days, it may even be hours...”

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9.00am for £25.00 from the BIC ticket office or their website www.bic.co.uk.

For online published edition visit the Bournemouth Echo:  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/whats_on/9369897.Frankie__I_don_t_give_a_damn___Boyle_to_star_at_BIC/

Bournemouth Journalism (BJ) Youth Show

A youth show provided by Joshua Saunders, Gemma Mullin, Izzy Williams, Jodie McEwan and Hannah Smithson.

Unplugged - Documentary

 
Sick of her addiction to her mobile phone, the internet and laptop Jodie McEwan decided to go unplugged from all social media for 24 hours.

See how she got on.

Filmed and edited by Joshua Saunders, Jodie McEwan, Izzy Williams, Gemma Mullin, and Hannah Smithson.

Special thanks to Rhapsody Coffee and the general public of Winton (Bournemouth).

Documentary for BA Multi-Media Journalism (BAMMJ).

BHBeat Article: Fish Pedicures - truth from beneath the murky waters

Fish pedicures – novelty health treatment or life endangering risk?

After reports surfaced questioning the safety of fish pedicures BHBeat decided to conduct its own investigation into the truth behind this year’s most popular pampering pleasure.

If tanks are not safely maintained and filtered, and foot inspections aren’t thorough a person could risk contracting fungal infections such as athletes foot and on a more serious note HIV and Hepatitis C.

The fish pedicure treatments involve a person placing their feet, hands or face into a tank of Garra rufa fish, affectionately known as ‘doctor fish,’ and having dead and dry skin sucked off.

The doctor fish are in fact toothless and exfoliate skin to leave the exposed area smooth, it is also believed to help improve blood circulation.

Health experts warn that infection could be passed from human-to-human via the remnants of skin from an infected foot, that a fish still could be holding in its mouth or through the particles of skin remaining in the water.

If a person has an open cut or graze they also could risk contaminating the water if the appropriate pre-treatment checks aren’t made. 

Podiatric surgeon Mike O’Neill, from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, spoke to BHBeat about his concerns about the potential for infection to spread in the water.

“What needs to be looked at is how easy it is to kill the spores [caused by fungal infections], do you have to use a stronger anti-sceptic? If they cure the spores, it would kill the fish.”

“If the anti-sceptic is not strong enough to kill the fish then chances are it’s not going to be strong enough the kill the fungal infection.”

Mike warned that if feet are not inspected closely enough fungal infection as well as the potential for other more dangerous viruses to spread.

“Hepatitis is a strong virus [out of the body], so if someone did have Hepatitis could it actually be passed through the water? I have not seen enough evidence based researched.”  

“Maybe it’s the fish we should be more sympathetic too,” he joked.

Silki Soles Foot and Nail Salon, in Poole, has surprisingly benefitted from the negative publicity about fish pedicures and received an increase in bookings after the stories came out about the potential health risks.

Manager Sophie Dack-Stainer believes her business has thrived due to them ‘following the correct regulations’ to ensure people are not in any danger.

“We don’t allow anyone in our tanks with verrucas or fungal infections and all our girls are trained in hygiene. We have to turn people away if they could pose a threat to our fish or potential clients.

“Our tanks are filtered ten to twelve times per hour - our water is probably cleaner than what we drink, which is quite scary.”

Other precautionary measured are taken to ensure cleanliness, including a biweekly visit from an aquatic specialist to examine the health of the fish, and the temperature and regulation of the water in their tanks. 

Sophie is not worried by the recent news stories but hopes it will make less reputable companies who provide fish pedicure treatments to adhere to the correct regulations.

“It shows up people doing it wrong so it’s good. I think the regulation is a good thing, as now everyone will follow the rules.” 

After a recent tirade of worried messages about the safety of fish pedicures the government Health Protection Agency (HPA) looked into the claims about catching HIV or Hepatitis C.

In a statement the HPA confirmed that:

“Fish tank water has been shown to contain a number of microorganisms. Therefore, in a fish spa setting there is the potential for transmission of a range of infections.

“The overall risk of infection is likely to be very low, if appropriate standards of hygiene are adhered to”

Dr Hilary Kirkbride, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, added: “Provided that good standards of hygiene are followed by salons, members of the public are unlikely to get an infection from a fish spa pedicure, however the risk will be higher for certain people.

Such as people suffering from diabetes, psoriasis or a weak immune system who are advised that they should avoid the beauty treatment all together.

If you are concerned about a salon’s level of cleanliness, you can report them to the Environmental Health department at Bournemouth Council on 01202 451451 or via their website www.bournemouth.gov.uk.

Written by Joshua Saunders

Once again a special thanks to Mike O'Neill, Sophie Dack-Stainer and Jo Timmins for their willing contribution to reveal the answers people need to know.

 

EDITED VERSION:

At long last my piece explaining the truth behind fish pedicures has finally been published.

Read the story below at:

http://bhbeat.com/18711/fish-pedicures-–-health-treatment-or-health-risk