Artlink Central is delighted to welcome children's author Julia Donaldson as a new patron. Born in North London, Julia now lives and works in Glasgow. Her writing career started when she was a penniless student in Paris, and went busking with her husband to make ends meet. Her songs, often made up in the language of the country she was visiting, led to a career as a songwriter for children's TV.

In 1993, one of her songs was made into a picture book, A Squash and a Squeeze. Since then she has written over 100 delightful books and plays, including the rhyming story The Gruffalo, which won three major British book awards. Illustrated by Axel Scheffer, it remains the UK's best-selling picture book and has been translated worldwide (including into Scots Gaelic).

Julia has also written a phonic reading scheme, Songbirds, as part of the Oxford Reading Tree. Her books for older children include The Giants and the Joneses and Princess Mirror-Belle. Julia regularly performs at book festivals and theatres, and for three years was the writer-in-residence at Easterhouse, Glasgow. Her latest books are Tiddler and Tyrannosaurus Drip.

An adaptation of La Cenerentola, the operatic drama by Gioacchino Rossini, first performed in Rome in 1817, will be performed by our learning disability music group at 11.00am on Thursday 13th December in the Cowane Centre Theatre.

This term, our music group have been working exceptionally hard with musicians Lesley Ann Smith, Tracy Wilson and Jane Marie Pointer to bring you this enchanting performance. For tickets to this show, please contact the Artlink Central office.

The Artlink Central Drama Group in collaboration with The Scottish Storytelling Centre will present an adaptation of 'Under Milk Wood' by Dylan Thomas at 4.00pm on Monday 10th December at The Cowane Centre Theatre. Admission is free and there will be a retiring collection in aid of the continuation of our drama group.

Group members have been working with drama artist Elaine Kordys, and with Jack Martin from The Scottish Storytelling Centre to produce this beautifully emotive adaptation which has already received wonderful praise from audiences. If you would like to see the show, please contact the Artlink Central office.

A large audience enjoyed our first ever joint project involving 17 Scots and Polish Children creating and performing 'A Friend Across the Sea' puppet show, featuring the Loch Ness Monster and the Polish dragon Wawel. In collaboration with Falkirk Council Education Department, Artlink Central artists Noona Owens, Shirley Sweeney and Jen Pearce worked with pupils from St. Mungo's High School and St. Francis Xavier's Primary School to produce this stunning piece. The performance, which took place in The Green Room, Callendar House on November 30th, was attended by the Provost.

Project Coordinator Julie Law said: 'We were very keen to help the new Polish children integrate into the area and the idea of a puppet show seemd like fun and tied in with Poland's tradition of puppetry'.

The puppets will all be exhibited during Artlink Central's Annual Schools' Exhibition at Falkirk Town Hall in March 2008.

The Artlink Central music group and drama group for individuals with learning disabilities are going from strength to strength, taking on new challenges and producing high quality performances. Individuals who join the groups can gain new skills, make new friends, gain confidence and self-esteem and, importantly, they are valued. For many, it is the highlight of their week.

However, our groups cannot continue without funding. If you have any ideas as to how the funds can be raised, or if you know of anyone who would like to be involved in fundraising for our groups, please contact the Artlink Central office.

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. The wonderful artworks donated were complemented by enchanting 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.

Artlink Central would like to thank all our artists for their wonderful hard work this year, our funders and sponsors for continuing to support our projects, and all the individuals and organisations who encourage and promote our work.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy 2008 from everyone at Artlink Central.