The 'Under Milk Wood' project is a collaboration between Artlink Central and the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and is part of Space for Stories, a Scottish Storytelling Centre project focusing on exploring and celebrating narrative as a vehicle of personal and community development.

Space for Stories is funded by ArtFull, a joint national initiative between the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Arts Council aimed at developing and promoting the arts and the role they play in improving the mental health and well-being of people living in Scotland.

The 'Under Milk Wood' project is aimed at providing people with learning difficulties with opportunities to explore the art of storytelling and develop their own storytelling skills.

Co-facilitated by storyteller Jack Martin and Artlink Central performance artist Elaine Kordys, the project involves 12 adults from the local Stirling community with a range of learning difficulties, who otherwise have little or no access to creative arts activities.

A series of workshop sessions has led to a moving rendition of Under Milk Wood using stories from the book and others written by group members themselves, presented on 17th September.

The performance proved to be an outstanding success and a video presentation of this piece and documentation of the project will be shown at the Scottish Story Telling Centre later this year as part of a celebratory event.

If you would like more information about the video presentation of 'Under Milk Wood' , please contact the Artlink Central office.

'Count me in Tune' was successfully launched on October 2nd, at Stirling Council Chambers. An opening speech by Director of Children's Services, David Cameron, was followed by a welcoming speech by Irene Swankie, CSR and Community Affairs Manager at Clydesdale Bank, and then a performance of 'Count me in tune' songs and games by children from the two schools that worked with musicians Pam Dow and Karen McIver to create the learning packs: Whins of Milton and St Mary's RCPS, Bannockburn.

In her welcoming speech, Irene Swankie said, "Numeracy and counting is a key part of life and Clydesdale Bank is delighted to extend this award winning programme."

David Cameron praised the project, saying, "Stirling Council is delighted to be involved in this launch. This is a wonderful partnership involving children, volunteers and the private sector. All our children need to have the best opportunities to learn and this is an imaginative approach to proving such an opportunity. I hope that it will be a great success".

The 'Count me in tune' sacks containing the book of lyrics, a CD of the music and a DVD of the games will now be distributed to schools and libraries throughout the Forth Valley Region.

Image: Cutting the 'Count me in tune cake' from left to right: Timmy from Whins of Milton School; Irene Swankie, CSR and Community Affairs Manager, Clydesdale Bank; David Cameron, Director of Children's Services; Sarah Chester, Director Artlink Central.

Opening on 9th October, the first day of the Artlink Central Annual Exhibition in Falkirk proved to be a well-attended, buzzy, friendly, family-oriented occasion. The launch was attended by Provost Pat Reid, Ellen Hamilton, Curriculum Support Officer and fifty guests and provided an opportunity for friends and family of the exhibitors - Artlink Central participants - to appreciate their talents and artworks. On display at the Lesser Town Hall, Falkirk, the exhibition will run until 30th October.

The 2007 Annual Exhibition in Stirling opens on 5th November at the Conference Centre, Stirling Royal Infirmary. This year promises to have an exciting display of artworks in a wide range of media from Artlink Central participants involved in Primay and Acute care projects across the Forth Valley.

Following a generous grant of £7,000 from BBC Children in Need, Sarah Chester, Sylvia Woodford, Sarah Pearson were able to thank Pudsey in person when he decided to visit Artlink Central himself to present the cheque.

Artlink Central staff told Pudsey about plans for 'Future Fossils', an exciting mixed media project that will enable children with additional support needs and mainstream pupils to work together exploring fossils of the future through art.

Pudsey appeared to be delighted with the idea.

Image: Sarah Chester, Director; Sylvia Woodford and Sarah Pearson receving a cheque and cuddles from Pudsey.

Plans are now underway for Artlink Central's major bienniel fundraising event, Art off the Rock, which will take place on 15th November next year.

Art off the Rock 2006 proved to be our most successful fundraising event so far. Supported by more than 230 artists, volunteers, management and staff, and sponsored by Adam & Company plc, Bodegas UK and Sotheby's, the event was enjoyed by over 400 guests. Highlights of the evening included music, provided by a string quartet with Jo Galbraith, Aline Gow, Michelle McCabe and Maggie Miller, and delicious canapés supplied by our Management Committee.

If you or anyone you know would like to be added to the guest list, or if you would like to contribute an original postcard size artwork. Please contact the Artlink Central office.

In a generous effort to raise much needed funds for our learning disability music group, family and friends of one our group members have taken Artlink Central collection boxes out to the general public.

Not only do collection boxes help raise funds, they also attract people's attention to our work.

We still need to meet our minimum target for the Music Group's Carnival of the Animals project at Blairdrummond, and greatly appreciate any support.

Do you have any fundraising ideas or whacky notions for a sponsored event? If so, please contact the Artlink Central office.