Clare Sawyer is aiming high

My name is Clare Sawyer and I am a 16 year old singer/songwriter from Bournemouth. I have been singing and playing guitar for around about 2 years now and I am learning more every day.

The first time I started singing was at school concert with some friends. I enjoyed it so much, that the next day I bought my first guitar of eBay and my brother taught me a few chords.

From then, I entered my first contest last year called Live and Unsigned and came runner-up in the area finals. I started to write some of my own songs and came top 5 in Heart Radio's contest "The Next Big Thing". In September I reached the final of Talent Call and had the chance to perform at the Pavilion. I am now currently recording originals in the studio and gigging to increase my confidence. I am not sure where my music will take me next, but I am aiming high.

Venus Awards Southampton announces Semi-Finalists

Following over 600 nominations and applications, the inaugural Southampton business women awards (Venus Awards) announces the semi-finalists for its 10 Sponsor judged categories. The top three of each will be invited to the Grand award ceremony at the Grand Café on 22nd May 2012.

The Venus Awards launched for Southampton and the SO postcode region in early January at the same time as the Dorset Langtry Manor Business Women Awards - now in its third year, also under the Venus Awards umbrella.

Hansel and Gretel is a Sweet Success

Age is not an issue when it comes to the musical talent at Talbot Heath School. This was clearly displayed during the two sell-out performances of the Junior School's colourful production of Hansel and Gretel - A Musical Fantasy this week

Over one hundred children from the Junior Department were involved in bringing to life the well-known fairy-tale of unscrupulous parents and resourceful children. Rewritten by Junior Headteacher Karen Leahy and Deputy Jakki Rook, and with the original music written and directed by Gaynor Walrond, it offered an array of opportunity for the girls to showcase their singing and vitality.

Talbot Heath gets the Royal Treatment

Talbot Heath School in Bournemouth is celebrating the fact that it is to appear in the official Diamond Jubilee Album of the Queen's reign. Talbot Heath is honoured to have been included in this unique publication, and the school has been working closely with journalists from St James' Palace over the past year.

The feature focuses on the school's special 125th birthday party of last April and also celebrates the array of achievements within the school, ranging from an excellent sports record, strong music and performing arts departments, national and international charity work, to the school's long-standing superb academic record of GCSE and A-Level results.

New Ultimate online dating site coming in April...

It's Absolutely Free at the Learn To Play Day

Poole-based music shop absolutemusic is proud to announce its involvement in the nationwide Learn To Play Day on Saturday 31st March 2012, with the event being officially opened at 10am by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth.

The event has been organised in aid of the music charity Music for All in partnership with the Arts Council of England and the Musicians' Union, and absolutemusic is one of 70 shops around the country taking part.

Bournemouth Concert Brass win place at the Royal Albert Hall

Seventy-nine bands from across the West of England converged on Torquay on Sunday 11th March 2012 to compete in the sectional competitions that every year influence promotion and demotion between the five brass band "leagues".

For the first time since 2005, Bournemouth Concert Brass (BCB) were competing in the top flight Championship section of the West of England Annual Regional contest. The test piece chosen was "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" (Derek Borgeois), a sixteen minute piece especially written to challenge a bands technique, ensemble work and stamina!

Six weeks of intense rehearsals preceded BCB's arrival at the Riviera Centre. Eleven bands competed with a clear favourite and strong competition from at least six other bands. The band was confident in its performance under the continuing leadership of Major David Barringer.

Cracking Media rescues Band and rebuilds web site

In the lead up to Christmas 2011 and just prior to the successful "Sounds of Christmas" concert at the Royal Bath, the web site of Bournemouth Concert Brass (BCB) crashed!

Having had in mind a new web site for 2012, BCB approached Peter Lunn at Cracking Media to see if they would consider being the band "Associate Marketing" partner for a new journey in the New Year.

Peter agreed, and Cracking Media instantly restored the web site and are now hosting and managing the site. Over the past month Peter has been working with Martin Collett, BCB's Marketing Manager, to create a new web site for the band to reflect their 100 year history and recent restoration to the Championship section within the brass band world.

Hotel Manager jailed for Local Charities

Simon Scarborough, General Manager of the Norfolk Royale Hotel, raised a whopping £1386.25 for Bournemouth Women's Refuge (BCHA) and LV Streetwise – both very deserving local Bournemouth charities.

Simon said of his ordeal, "I am pleased my visit to jail was short lived and was a PR stunt to raise funds for two deserving local charities, as the food, drink and service were not up to the usual high standards I expect at the Norfolk. However, I was pleased my friends, family and business associates got me out quickly, so I was out from behind bars in double quick time.

Christchurch Apprenticeship Event - 1/3/12

Are you a young person out of work and want to find out about how you can earn money at the same time as learning a new skill? Are you an employer looking to grow your business by taking on an Apprentice or learning about the government's latest incentive, AGE (Apprenticeship Grant for Employers)?

Come along to our FREE information day at The Kings Hotel, Christchurch at any time between 9am and 4pm on Thursday 1st March, visitors will also have a chance to win FREE driving lessons (t's & c's apply). For more info call Bournemouth and Poole College on 01202 205205. www.thecollege.co.uk