Tudor Trust

The Tudor Trust are a funding group to whom we applied for funding for Beauty in the Universe. They said no. Not 'we considered you, but no thanks'. They didn't consider us. That is frustrating because I know how well this works for educating kids and building communities, but convincing a world that has ignored space travel and astronomy since the Moon landings that it will be effective is tough. They just think we are a bunch of nerds. To be fair, we are a bunch of nerds, but we are not JUST a bunch of nerds.

This Tuesday we deliver a taster session to a school in Burnley. I cannot wait to see the reaction from both teachers and pupils alike. They will get it then. Read More!

Reaching Further

Yesterday was another pitch, this time delivered to Extending Schools Coordinators from across the region of Lancashire. This gives us the potential to extend our reach massively and the exposure can only be beneficial. The pitch was well received, particularly by a couple of the coordinators and we are starting to forge something of a small reputation, which is nice. At least people think our pitches are good and the phrase 'Clutching Stardust' is becoming iconic and memorable in a small way. We simply need to capitalise on this now and deliver the great experience we know we can. Despite this all happening relatively quickly we are dying to get on with this. This coming Tuesday I will be attending my son's school to deliver a session that will give them something of an idea what to expect, and that will be great. As soon as people see how mind-blowing this is then the sky is the limit. Erica and I are united in our belief in this. Read More!

Education and a Few Updates

According to a recent study undertaken by an independent think tank, Burnley is at the bottom of the pile for economic recovery after the recession. I wish I had the words to express how much it irritated me to see my hometown, and by definition, my children written off in that way. I decided to adapt a video I was making in to some sort of response to this. I am sick to death of Burnley being the UK whipping boy, and I am fed up of the place being a symbolic representation of all that is bad about our country. We have the highest BNP vote and the lowest level of education. This cannot be a simple coincidence. This is what Beauty in the Universe is all about. We are going to make a change in this town.

Read More!

Genesis

So this is the first post, not only on this blog, but on on any of the Beauty in the Universe blogs. This comes after three months of planning, pitching and preparation, none of which was paid I might add. The good news is that all of this has gone very well and there is plenty of interest for the service we offer to schools. We have verbally agreed upon our first contract, to deliver sessions to a cluster of five primary schools in Burnley and then take a group of children away on a summer camp to Cumbria. The logistics of this will prove a challenge, and in the hands of lesser people this would be a problem (translation: I have no idea how I am going to do it). None of that matters though. We have got this far and are beginning to see the fruits of our labour. Read More!