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This week

Submitted by John Mee on 20 February 2012 - 9:15am

This week Granny is in two lovely Leeds schools -  Wykebeck Primary and Middleton St Philip's. She be dreaming up new recipes, planning schemes, dealing with her grandchildren and facing the future. Watch this space!!!
 
Meanwhile our next show, The Museum Of Untold Stories, is on the way - growing in our heads, down our fingers, and into our lives!
 
JM

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Granny at Meadowfield

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 14 February 2012 - 7:34am

Year Four at Meadowfield - what storytellers! what potion makers! what escape artists! what crackers! We had a fantastic second day - and finally - having escaped the terrifying maze and persuaded Teazle to release us from the cage - we made a fantastic potion full of Ferrish toenails and escaped to Upstairs again. Couldn't have done it without all the hard work and quick thinking from the  Meadowfield crew. Hope they are having a restful half term break. See you all soon! 

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MOUS is on its way...

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 14 February 2012 - 7:11am

Great news came on Friday from the Arts Council England - who have agreed to fund our next project, The Museum of Untold Stories. We are very excited about this project and will go into production right away so that we will open in a school hall near you in early May. Martin is already on the hunt for a fantastic designer who can bring initial ideas to life in a travelling, unravelling set - a kind of wunderkabinett from the dimension of stories. Watch this space...

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From the Alive And Kicking Office Desk

Submitted by John Mee on 6 February 2012 - 1:07pm

And here we are, fingers poised, telephone silent at the moment, hooray, and in front of me the schedule for Granny's Underground Garden which only has two slots left before Easter.
 
So I'm mixing up some of Granny's potion, thinking of a spell Grimknickers might help with if she ever gets into a good mood, and looking for the courage Gwyneth had when she faced the unicorn.
 
Then I'll ring Ash Tree Primary School - no courage really needed - they are delightful!!!!
 
JM

Comments

Submitted by megan and sophi... on 11 February 2012 - 4:42pm
please please please can you come back to hob moor primary school we all love you you are great if you can come back can it be this year because we leave next year please XD xxxxxxxxxxxxxx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 14 February 2012 - 7:23am
Hi Sophie and Megan Hope you are having a great half term. The good news is - We WILL return to Hobmoor before you leave. We will be bringing our new project, the Museum of Untold Stories to the whole school in the Summer term - so will definitely work with you guys then. We can't wait - you are such crackers!! Meanwhile, keep writing stories. and dreaming dreams. Carry

Submitted by Artemiy on 12 February 2012 - 4:32pm
How is Reece spellt,Rhys or Reece!

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 14 February 2012 - 7:25am
Rhys ( the Welsh way I think...) Where does the name 'Artemiy' come from and what does it mean?

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Granny goes to Seven Hills Primary School

Submitted by Luke Dickson on 2 February 2012 - 5:44pm

Carry and Luke want to say a big thank you to Year 4 at Seven Hills.  We've seen and done it all today, from dancing Granny's telling their gandchildren if they, "don't like it they can go to bed!"  to some brilliant ballet in Madam Esmerallda's dance class.  The dance of the dying swan was exquisite.  All of this AND the class managed to produce an entire book of Granny's recipes in the ten minutes before lunch!  Granny was very proud.   Can't wait to see you all again this coming Tuesday.  We imagine we will be met by some fairly fearsome pictures of the Worzlum.

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the Meadowfield Oaks

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 2 February 2012 - 7:13am

So, the Year Fours at Meadowfield reckoned that the old case contained a skull, dressing up clothes and a magical book that could fly into the air...amazing guesses..and the day grew from there. It was FAB! Recipes for Granny included a Cabbage Rolypoly and Icecream with a secret carrot cone. Baron Overblow stomped around the village - stomp, stomp, stomp - and meant it...the villagers really were in fear and trembling. At the meeting to decide whether to rescue Granny, nearly every Ferrish had their say - Teazle had a couple of loyal supporters - but the outcome is..We're off to Wyrm Island. 
The Oaks began to prepare amazing pictures of the Worzlum and to think of some really good words to persuade Teazle that life up top is not so bad. Some fantastic thinking already happening about how all of us are different and we must try to accept it. Teazle would be impressed..Good Luck!
Looking forward to hearing whether your Headteacher liked your new recipes...and seeing you all next week.
Way Haul Away!
Luke and Carry

Comments

Submitted by Oak Class Se7en... on 2 February 2012 - 3:09pm
We loved it today, we hope we have as much fun next Tuesday, We're sure we will!!!! Lots of love, The Ferrish of Oak Class.

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 6 February 2012 - 3:06pm
Hey Oak Class - see you all tomorrow. We really look forward to having a look at your Worzlums and discovering if you have the words we need to persuade Teazle - fingers crossed... Luke and Carry

Submitted by Meadowfield on 7 February 2012 - 12:22pm
Hi Luke & Carry! We can't wait to see you tomorrow to continue our adventure! We have designed some amazing Worzlums - very scary indeed! We hope you enjoy reading our letters Teazle too! See you soon 4JW

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All aboard at Shire Oak

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 25 January 2012 - 7:49am

Monday morning brought Granny bursting into Shire Oak Primary, Headingley where some fantastic Ferrish were on board. The hall buzzed with excitement, Madame Esmerelda was delighted to meet some boys who could really dance ballet and the Granny had her windows polished and weeding done to a very high standard - not to mention watering the Purple Pansy...
All the Ferrish finally agreed at the meeting to risk their lives and sail acrosss the stormy seas to rescue Granny from the Worzlum...find out what happens next week. 
Meanhile, see the children's pages for some fantastic recipes already posted including Brussel Sprout lollipops - Granny will be making them for tea tonight! And Carry is busy investigating where the name 'Ferrish' came from and will report back soon....
 

Comments

Submitted by Year 3 at Shire... on 26 January 2012 - 3:13pm
Thank you for coming in on Monday. We're really looking forward to next week- we even enjoyed the medicine! We really liked Granny's scary story and this week we've started to write our own. We might have some more recipes ready for Granny by next Monday, too.

Submitted by hannah on 26 January 2012 - 5:27pm
it was really fun i hope next week is as fun as this week

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 27 January 2012 - 2:28pm
Thanks for the question Ethan. Ferris is an old Manx word (from the Isle of Man) for a being like a celtic faery but with even more attitude...

Submitted by Echo Year 3 Shi... on 28 January 2012 - 8:52am
Thank you for coming on Monday. I can't wait for Monday. I've got some new recipes. Cabbage lollipops and lemon drizzle cake with sprouts.

Submitted by Artemiy on 28 January 2012 - 7:10pm
Was it hard to think of the story and act it out?I rearly want it to be the same this time!Did you think of the sea song or did you already know it?

Submitted by Martin Riley on 29 January 2012 - 7:37pm
The sea song or shanty or chantey [you can spell it both ways] that you are asking about, Artemiy, is a mixture of an old song called "Haul Away, Joe" that sailors used to sing while they were pulling on the ropes in wooden ships plus some new words I made up. Here's the song. See if you can work out what is original and what I have added. Martin Riley "For seven days and seven nights we've labored to exhaustion. Way haul away. We’ll, haul away, o. But now the breeze is from the East. We'll race across the ocean. Way haul away. Well, haul away, o. Way haul away. We're bound for better weather. ' Way haul away. We’ll, haul away, o. The Worzlum came down here and drove Us all to destitution, Way haul, away. We’ll haul away, o. But one quick squirt with Granny’s spray Will spoil his constitut-i-on. Way haul, away. We’ll haul away, o. Way haul away. We're bound for better weather. Way haul away. We’ll, haul away, o."

Submitted by Artemiy on 1 February 2012 - 7:46pm
I think it is the chorus am I right?

Submitted by Ethan on 30 January 2012 - 5:40pm
I wish you could come back to shire oak. Way haul , away. We'll haul away ,o.

Submitted by jonas on 31 January 2012 - 8:24am
How do you make grannys potion because I have some Ferrish?

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 31 January 2012 - 12:35pm
Hi Jonas Thanks for your questions. Now then, I reckon you all know how to write a spell now...but here are some tips.. The second line is the most important - that where you say what you want to happen. The first line can seem like nonsense (but of course a spell never is!) but has to rhyme with the first line. The third line describes the second line - giving more detail on what you want to happen. And the last line is a command... For example: 1. Winky Pinky Oinky Ink....... 2. Turn my teachers face bright pink..... 3. Pink as the sky at the end of the day...... 4. Make me a potion right away!!...... As for the ingredients of the potion - well that depends on what you want it to do. But they are normally the kind of things that Granny would approve of. You know the type!! Good luck - let us know if you come up with some good potion recipes or spells.....

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From the Children at Holy Family

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 21 January 2012 - 10:15am

At the end of Day One of Granny, the chidren of Holy Family Armley wrote the company letters telling them their favourite bits of the day.
Here are some of the excerpts...
"That was brilliant! The best story I have ever heard. The best bits were when we argued about the broken statue and when Miss Noble was being Charlie!" Jonathon.
"My best bit was when we had to do the house work because we had to go on our knees and then stand up - it was fun!" Rory
"I loved it when we all pretended to be the Ferrish people and pets and plants. Thank you so much for a great day!" Eve
"Thank you so much for th wonderful day that you have done. My favourite part was when I got told off by Miss Noble. My second favourite part was when I went down the slide" from Mollie from the Ferrish Land.
"My favourite highlight of the day was when we brought our Grannys to life. I was a granny playing rugby! P.S. hope to see you next week." Bradley
"My best moment was when I got the talking stick and said the speech at the Ferrish meeting because it makde me feel proud and happy. Thank you for coming." Abigail of Ferrish Land.
"Thursday 19th of January 2012 was brilliant. My favourite parts were the time Ouzle knocked on the door and when we went down the slide" Callum of the Ferrish people.
Thank you for all your letters. We all loved the enthusiasm with which you took on all the roles and became part of the story. You were great! Can't wait for next week.
Luke, Carry and Martin.

Comments

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 27 January 2012 - 9:41am
We loved your acting carry luke and martin you were great hope we see you agen. Mybest bit was whan you came in the secand week and luke came in with the case and betendid to be a dog and the first week my best bit was when luke and carry came in betending the case was heavy whan it was not they were realy brilant you were only coming for tow weeks i realt want to see you agen luke carry and martin. you wasnt brill you was fantastic!

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 27 January 2012 - 2:22pm
Luke you were good playing Oozel and Carry you was good at playing Teezel. I hope you both come to hole famile primry school you was fantastic luke your acting was brill and carry your acting was brill too you was all brill but the wormsel was godd too but were did you get the wormzel from it felt horrible :) granny, you were horrible disgusting you made us drink the porshion errrr! you made me feel sick it was horrble and i mean it err :(

Submitted by callum at holy ... on 27 January 2012 - 5:24pm
lucy is right - the potion was disgusting. I swapped cups with my friend jonathan who was finished to convince miss noble i was finished!

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 27 January 2012 - 2:23pm
You call that horrible?? You should try my potion for making your teacher's face turn pink...

Submitted by lucy on 15 February 2012 - 10:51am
you are horrble! you make us drink that potion! you dont think your disgusting but you are! you are mean turn my teachers face pink ...why would i do that?

Submitted by callum at zholy... on 27 January 2012 - 5:21pm
dear luke, carry and martin. I loved both of the times when you came in. I came to ask if you could send a short story like grannys underground garden.

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 29 January 2012 - 6:18pm
Hi Callum - we're so glad you enjoyed our visit. How would you like to send us a short story....it could be an adventure story set in an underground world or a scary story just like one of Grannys....we would love to hear the stories that you could tell....

Submitted by Martin Riley on 29 January 2012 - 7:54pm
Hi Callum. I have sent you a story I wrote about a scary granny to your school. Perhaps you could ask your teacher to read it to the class. Martin

Submitted by callum at holy ... on 11 February 2012 - 8:06pm
the book you sent me is brilliant i loved it and so did the rest of the class and also the class are making books called diary of charlie and reece mcool

Submitted by lucy on 15 February 2012 - 10:56am
martin your story is good. We are half way through it. cant wait to go back to school and read half again.

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Participation and funding

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 21 January 2012 - 7:52am

 
An interesting David Edgar led debate on the public funding of the arts in the Guardian last week ...
 
"Almost all the documented social benefits of the arts have been achieved not by people attending plays and concerts but by those who participate in them. And while many publicly funded arts organisations have participatory programmes, most public money still goes to subsidise people sitting or standing silently looking at other people do things (or, in the case of books and pictures, things they've done). Unless the current balance of arts funding between – say – the London Symphony Orchestra and Burnley Youth Theatre is to be reversed, most public funding will continue to go to activities whose value is hardest to measure."
 
Well participation is us!

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Granny comes to Holy Family, Armley

Submitted by Carry Franklin on 20 January 2012 - 1:18pm

Granny was bowled over by all the new recipes suggested at Holy Family including brilliant beetroot roly poly, crazy cabbage Christmas pudding and yet more brocolli ice cream...it's fast becoming one of Granny's favourites. Although Charlotte and Rhys weren't too pleased...talking of which, C and R clashed like Titans and then, despite some of the finest excuses ever heard, including claiming to have two broken legs...STILL got packed off to Granny's house. Miss Noble truly raised the bar with her performance as Head teacher - she had Charlotte and her nemesis Jemima quaking in their gym shoes...
The debate of the Ferrish went one way and then the other - the bold Ferrish held the stick and spoke wise words of persuasion.
But the fate has been decided - off to rescue Granny from the Worzlum! 
Can't wait to set sail next week.

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