Burrs has passed off

Burrs has intensely consumed the last seven days so today I am playing catch up with the rest of my life... reading emails... returning equipment/tables etc. I will post here later and a few photos too!

Mario, Terry and Pavel inspired, advised and worked solidly for two days... the outcome of the weekend for me was "bonsai is nothing without good horticulture technique and application, styling is only one small part of the journey, not the journey in itself"

I believe their may be a photo of me somewhere working too!

And it is true Bob Brunts Bacon Breakfast Bar was a sensationThanks Bob, Steve, Matt, Peter and all the helpers too. Carolyn and I could not have done it without you.

Pledge to The Met today

Do this for me Pledge to The Met TODAY and we can double your donation. This cannot wait!

I am delighted to let you know that The Met has been selected to participate in The Big Give Challenge 2010 with our new recording studio offering a professional resource in Bury town centre accessible to young people throughout the borough.

The first step of the Challenge is to run our own Matching Fund – where your pledge, and pledges from other patrons, trustees and friends, will double online donations from the public.

This means your pledge will be worth twice its original value. Your pledge will inspire new donors and increase giving from our current supporters.

Your pledge will also give us a fantastic opportunity to unlock bonus funding from an external sponsor, who will double additional public donations.

To make a pledge you simply need to fill out a form by 5th November 2010 at:

www.theBigGive.org.uk/pledge/themet

Please note that if you pledge now, you will not be eligible to donate again to our charity online in December.

The Met has a unique status as both a useful community resource and a professional, well regarded music venue. Through this dual role we can inspire local communities and provide a international platform for creative work.

Our Edwin Street recording studio project will help to develop Bury as a leading area for the production of new music alongside nurturing young musicians towards professional careers, achieved through a partnership with Youth Services to deliver a free resource to young aspiring musicians in Bury. We will be completing the £200k recording studio in March 2011 and the Big Give Funding will complete the facility and ensure a first rate service is available for young people in Bury.

We would like your company to help us achieve our goal. Our minimum pledge is £100. Headline sponsorships are available from £1,500.

Full details of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2010 can be found at www.theBigGive.org.uk or get in touch on 0161 7617107.

Peter Kay Live @themet Bury

Last week a tweet from @themet resulted in me securing 4 ticket to see Peter Kay perform to an audience of 220 at The Met in Bury. The night started well securing third row tickets and mingling with the excited audience waiting for the man to take to the stage at 8.30. And Peter delivered in bucket loads.

No props, just a chair and a table with two bottles of water he took to the stage to rapturous applause and quite a few whoops (that he imitated). I shouted “welcome to the BIG time” his response was this was better than playing the O2 coz but was more frightening and he was “shitting Bangers”

15 minutes into the show a late arrival sat down and Peter bemoaned the fact that the lady had missed the first bit of the show... so he would start again. He went off stage and came back on to rapturous applause and quite a few whoops (that he imitated). I shouted “welcome to the BIG time” his response was this was better than playing the O2 coz but was more frightening and he was “shitting Bangers” and rushed through an abridged version of the first 15 minutes, making late comers get up and come back in, the audience prompting ensuring that everything was delivered in the correct sequence... and then the show continued.

Acute observations on life, reality TV, Sky+, family and stacks of new material (I saw him earlier this year)... It was easy to see that Peter was really happy playing @themet, this small venue close to where he lives affords him contact with the audience that he could never have at the O2 or Manchester Arena, Stand up comedy requires that contact, and he revels in it... the most enjoyable part of the show for me being Peter stopping the show sitting down and saying “OK now is your chance to ask me anything you like... go on... ask”... I shouted “who do you rate as the best comedians of all time... dead or alive”... “good question” (thanks Peter) Eric Morecambe came out top. The end of the show had Peter playing songs whose lyrics are not quite what you think... “after you do he’ll never bone you” being one.

It all happens again tonight for a lucky 220 @themet go see him play the big venue you won’t be disappointed, if he can make it there he’ll make it anywhere.