New Year: New Challenges

I've just completed the 10-week SCQF level 5 accredited Crèche Training course run by Midlothian Council.

In the New Year I am looking forward to studying an Introduction to Child Development, which is an 8-week course, also run by the Council.

These courses are valuable assets in my portfolio of achievements.

Rubber mice and all things nice!

The children are (strangely) getting used to all sorts of funny things turning up in the house! Yes the Christmas tree and festive paraphernalia was dug out and put up over a fortnight ago for another ceremonial airing. But I don't mean that.

The latest arrivals are lots of animal sculptures and shapes made from Latex neon coloured balloons. Rather than hiding my developments I thought I'd leave them out this time. The quirky sculptures don't seem so out of place somehow, hiding between the children's handmade decorations, baby toys and a multitude of has-been Christmas decorations that I'm wondering what to with...!

A load of croc!

My first Safari themed party went with a monkey swing and a tarzan yell!

Around 25 children entered into the spirit of it by coming dressed up as various animals. They enjoyed plenty of variety; there were lots of themed animal games and I had penned an action song especially which we sang and danced to at the 'Crocodile Rock'!

I was encouraged to hear feedback from a guardian of a P4 boy. He hadn't dressed up but he wasn't too cool to remark: "that was a great party"! Excellent!

You can see a few photo's on my website photo gallery at: http://www.wordsandaction.co.uk./
For your next birthday, select a Words and Action themed party from the various options on my website. To get the best weekend dates, book in advance!

Updates and photo's on website

There are lots of updates and photo's on the website. Please have a look around and come back soon to see more.

The Ringmaster

Guiding Circus skills badge work

The Guiding unit in West Linton (Borders region) has invited me to stage a Circus Skills workshop for around 20 of their young girls tonight, with a follow up workshop in December. What a great opportunity!

I am really excited about this prospect. I'm looking forward to working with and encouraging this community group and imparting a sense of fun, whilst encouraging confidence and enabling them to learn new skills.

Update:
I had a great time with the 23 young girls. They really took to the plate spinning and the juggling. Well done girls!

I'm looking forward to coming back again in December for another session and helping you attain your Circus skills badge.

Keep practising and remember your rainbows and hot potatos!

Business developing

Hi Everybody,

Training
I am working on an accredited (Level 5) Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework 10-week Crèche Worker Training course run by Midlothian Council. The course will update my skills in areas such as: First Aid, Child Development, Child Behaviour, Child Protection, Health & Safety, Play etc.

I will be attending the Scottish Storytelling Centre in November for a 3-hour Parachute and Christmas based workshop. I am looking forward to trying out ideas with my parachute and then coming away and being inspired to create a host of festive fun activities.

Youth Community Groups
I am very busy networking with youth community groups and I'm looking to engage them with circus skills. More to follow...

Themed Parties - Ready for bookings!
I am currently very busy developing my themed parties, with my first party booked in the Penicuik Town Hall this month! This area requires a lot of creativity and planning and will be an ongoing part of the business. Expect lots of fun games, fantastic action songs and a fabulous story to tie-in with the theme. There are two themes to choose from so far, with more options to follow.

So take Action & pass the Word! http://www.wordsandaction.co.uk/

Phew! That's all for now!

Ramona

Money!

So YOU think it's all over? Well WE did!

Apart from a weekly rehearsal to polish our performance for a Hi-Def recording on Sun 2nd October, we thought that was it.

My husband and I and 4 other members of the cast recently performed "It's a Matter of Interest" on the final evening of the 2011 Penicuik & District Arts Festival, during their Closing Bash.

It appears More people want to hear about the message in the play.

So back by popular demand, we're having a second performance of the play. "It's a Matter of Interest" will re-run on Sunday October 2nd 2011. Time tbc.

Read my post 'Money, Money, Money!' for further information regarding the play.

Spread the word and hope to see you there.

Ramona

New Business Website goes Live!

Hi there,

My New Business Website is...www.wordsandaction.co.uk

You'll find further information about myself, clients I have worked with as well exciting new pages yet to be revealed. These are currently under development.

Best wishes

The Ringmaster

Curtain's up!

After weeks of rehearsals, organising a multitude of babysitters and practising pre-breakfast and to be honest whenever-it-could-be-squeezed-in line memorising, 'Play Day' finally arrived!

Bolstered on by a great dress rehearsal, the alotted time came and it went without a (noticeable) hitch!

We are taking a week off, then rehearsals will be once-a-week in preparation for the recording of the play in Hi-Def in October.

Money, Money, Money!

It's sarky, it's funny - it's all about money!

As part of the 2011 Penicuik and District Arts Festival (http://pdaf2011.weebly.com/) my husband and I will perform in the monetary comedy play by Linda Scotson, "It's a Matter of Interest".

"How can that kind of topic bring about a laugh?" I hear you cry.

A difficult topic to write about at the best of times, Linda Scotson, the playright, gets to the heart of the matter by illuminating the larger-than-life characters like the Bankers and the current financial situation. The audience follow the lives of an ordinary couple. Their world has fallen apart. But lies, deceit and confusion are finally exposed in this explosively funny and sarcastic play.

It's TOTALLY relevant to the monetary situation this country currently faces.

If you've had an issue with Recession, or enough of National Debt, struggle with loans and costly interest and the shopping you can't afford to get...PLEASE COME; have a laugh, but also find out what the Banks actually would rather you didn't know! It's sure to get your hackles up!

We CAN CHANGE the PRESENT FINANCIAL SITUATION! "Shock horror" (says the 'Bankster' in the play).

We have been rehearsing twice a week, with the dress rehearsal set for this coming Saturday. The play is billed for Sunday 11th September 2011. It's not ticketed - but donations are welcomed.

The play will take place at the Shottstown Miners Club in Penicuik, Midlothian, on Sunday 11th Sept.and is scheduled to run during the Grand Closing Bash - which is the last night of the festival, sometime after 5.p.m. There will be a pot luck supper - so bring something to share and circle dancing, other drama sketches and media presentations of the festival too.

Break a leg!

Penicuik & District Arts Festival

I have been invited to host 2 Circus Storytelling, Craft & Capers sessions throughout the 8-day Penicuik & District Arts Festival, which runs from 3rd - 11th Sept. 2011.

The first session is on Sunday 4th Sept. from 2- 3p.m. and the second session is on Saturday 10th Sept. from 12.30 - 1.30 p.m. Each child costs £3.50 for the session.

Look out for some interesting apparatus!

Be sure and book your place for my 2 sessions in the exquisite Festival Yurt in the grounds of the Craigiebield Hotel.

RamonaKirkness@xalt.co.uk
07766 916 420

Longniddry capers to follow...

The Ringmaster is having a wee holiday.

Please check back shortly to see how much fun the children had at Longniddry library in East Lothian.

Circus stars at Peni Library!

 

A girl shares great ideas, whilst everyone listens!

Thank you to everyone who came on a blistering hot day to be part of my circus on parade story...you certainly helped Peter and Sally save the circus from being cancelled in the town of Laugh-a-Not! Well done!

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Wow, we had fantastic body balance time. How good were you at balancing with a partner?

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Circus friends



You really enjoyed the feather balance and you showed great promise in using the baton and hoops. 

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You suggested plenty of interesting ideas to try too.

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You had me laughing when we did the miming - my favourites were bees in our hair and walking backwards in wiggly lines!

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Again you were very enthusiastic when it came to dressing up - especially Coco the Clown!

Getting ready for the parade

It always delights me to see children - no matter what age, whether boy or girl - really enjoy the opportunity to dress up, particularly when they know it is such a fundamental part of the show.

Oh, I found some books in the suitcase - looks like Coco loved reading and juggling with funny items...so keep reading and finish your summer reading challenge.

Remember to laugh and have fun! :)

The Ringmaster

Penicuik on parade!

Raring to go: A quick practice



Circus
friends

Thirteen children came to my workshop on July 16th at Penicuik Library.

Storytime was well received. ("When are we getting to hear the rest of the story?")

Circus storytime - creating space; capturing children's imagination

Looking appropriately silly



Dressing up is satisfying



The children especially seemed to enjoy getting dressed up in circus attire; it's always a delight to see!   





Getting skillful...a selection of photo's showing the children developing their skills and getting creative.



Baton twirling



Baton Rolling

Look what I can do!








Super example of 'horses hooves'

- juggling skills



Getting in the groove with a shy little helper

My 1-hour circus themed workshop compliments the summer 'Circus Stars' reading scheme, currently running within the library. There's plenty to engage their imaginations, focus their minds and learn new skills too.

 



...well done! Just like the poster says.



Lemon fanfare

I like to encourage the children to experiment with everyday objects to juggle or balance with...always with permission! Here I am juggling hard lemons -which is how I began juggling. Let the kids get creative and see what they can come up with.







 





Penicuik on Parade!

Hi folks!

Watch this space for fun photo's of the recent Words and Action circus themed workshop held in Penicuik, which I'll be posting shortly. Not to be missed.

Please tell your friends and parents how much you enjoyed the Words and Action event. Even better - share this page and send them the link of you!

Thanks for coming! You made it a great parade.

East Linton - Circus workshop

  

Circus Parade

    

Body Balance (and trust!)

 

July 2nd

As part of East Lothian Council's summer programme of events, I presented my 'Interactive Circus-themed Storytelling and Capers' workshop to a group of primary-aged children within East Linton Library.   
 

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 "When are we getting to hear the rest of the story?" appealed an eager wee boy in a raised voice. It's good to know my specially written stories and songs for Words and Action events have a strong connection with the children!

Body Balance; Group Work

The children learnt to work together cooperatively together. Trusting one another was a huge learning curve. It was remarkable how this 3-year-old threw herself into trying the moves. Each child became more aware of their bodies, as they progressed through each Body Balance move.  

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Feather skills

 

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Play it again Sam!

There is such satisfaction in achieving new skills. Whether intricate or easy, their fine motor skills and concentration were getting a workout. Here one boy is learning basic feather skills whilst his brother really shone at a multitude of baton manoeuvres.



Ministry of Silly Walks

We used the Day Centre in the building which houses the library, in order that the children could have room to express themselves! And express themselves they did! From this to a child suggesting miming a chicken walking, we all had fun.

Clowning around

This game really connected with their sense of humour.



Slapstick humour

As you can see, they really got involved and showed great enthusiasm, 

Deep in Circus Story-land thoughts

expression and attentiveness during the course of the workshop.

Computer virus attack

My computer became corrupted and compromised recently, due to somebody having little else to do with their time. Do not click the 'close' button on XP 2012 Anti-virus. It crosses over to many other platforms and goes by many other names too. So be vigilant.

I am delighted to say I am back on-line and look forward to hearing from you all! Please watch for photos and updates shortly.

Ramona

Welcome to Words & Action

Welcome web wanderers; it's great to find you here! You are visiting 'Words & Action' my new business. You will find my established writing services here, together with new or developing areas of interest.

You can still get in touch regarding all sorts of unique writing and proofreading projects and collaborations, whether one-off, short- or long-term.

Look-out for updates soon.

Ramona Kirkness