Free Books

UNISON’s

World Book Day

Free Book Giveaway

The giveaway will take place at lunch time on March 7^th from

 12:00-14:00 in the County Hall Foyer. Books are available to all Norfolk County Council employees.

Once you’ve claimed your title, send your book reviews to Melissabrown.unison@btconnect.com by March 28th for a chance to win £10 of book vouchers. Reviews may be published on our Lifelong Learning blog The Learning Corner (www.learningcornernfkunison.blogspot.co.uk).

Sponsored by Unison Lifelong Learning & Healthy Planet.

Free Museum Tours in March

Come along to a free lunch time tour of the Time and Tide Museum for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council employees sponsored by Unison Lifelong Learning.

During the tour, discover Great Yarmouth's fascinating history, its rich maritime and fishing heritage and some of the colourful characters who made their living from the sea.

The tour will take place during lunch on Friday March 15^th from 13:00-14:00. 

Come along to a free tour of the Norwich Castle Keep for all Norfolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and South Norfolk District Council employees sponsored by Unison Lifelong Learning.

During the tour, explore the oldest part of the Norman Castle. Hear an informal introduction to its rich and varied history, and learn what life was like 900 years ago.

The tour will take place from 13:00-14:00 on Saturday March 16^th.

Places are limited, to book a place please e-mail Melissa Brown Unison Lifelong Learning Project Worker on melissabrown.unison@btconnect.com or call 07717517564.



The Facts on Apprenticeships

Whether your employer is looking to hire apprentices or you yourself are looking to become an apprentice, it's information to know facts about how apprenticeships should work. Check out Local Government Employers' useful website on apprenticeships to get an overview on what apprenticeships are, how they can benefit employers and their legal rights.

February Events at the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library -Writing Britain: The Broads Effect

Last year the British Library ran the Writing Britain exhibition about the influence that the British Landscape has had on our literature. After the success of the London events regions around the country have been invited to take part and Norwich is one of these places.

From Saturday 9^th February the library will have two original John Betjeman poems and the Harold Pinter script to The Go Between on display in the library as well as a full exhibition in the Forum. The Go Between has two more Norfolk links as the book is set in the county and the author, L P Hartley spent a lot of his childhood here. The exhibition in the Forum will include new work created by some young people who’ve also been inspired by the Broads and a photographic display showcasing entries into a competition we ran before Christmas.

Sunday 10^th Feb – 3pm
Cinema City a screening the Go Between film as part of their schedule, and it will be introduced by Kathryn Andersen from UEA. (Normal cinema fees apply for this and tickets are available from Cinema City)

Monday 11^th Feb – 2-3pm
Curator Talk Tanya Kirk from the British Library will be giving a free talk at the Millennium Library about her work as a curator there and about staging exhibitions at the British Library

Wednesday 13^th Feb – 12.30-1.30
Heritage Hour – Broads Sources Archive specialist Eve Read will be giving a talk on the resources held at the Norfolk Heritage Centre and Norfolk Record Office about the history of the Norfolk Broads.

 Wednesday 13^th Feb – 6.30-7.30
The Go Between Book Group Night Join us as we look at the book and film version of The Go Between in more detail and see why both endure as a modern, well loved, classic.

Thursday 14^th Feb – 10am-1pm
Wish You Were Here!
A free reminiscence workshop exploring postcard correspondence from the Broads through the ages. There will be a chance to share your own memories and to get creative.This is a free event (with refreshments) but spaces are limited so please call Sarah Salmon on 01603 774707 to book a place.

Friday 15^th Feb – 6-8pm
Poetry Unbound A free evening of poetry and socialising with readings from established poets and an open mic session.

Magical Exhibition to Enchant Norwich Castle

On January 26th, Norwich Castle is to become a magical wonderland as the ‘Magic Worlds’ exhibition opens - on tour from the V&A Museum of Childhood in London.

The Magic Worlds exhibition which opens on Saturday 26 January until Sunday 14 April in the Norwich Union and Bernard Matthews Galleries will delve into the captivating world of magic.

Visitors will be able to leave reality behind and explore the realms of celebrated stories and fairy tales. This exhibition will look at three different aspects of magic: Fantasy, Illusion and Enchantment. It will explore the origins and history of magic and will show how magical themes have influenced artists and writers in creating fantasy realms over the centuries.

Stephen Nicholls, Exhibitions Manager at V&A Museum of Childhood, commented: "We are delighted to bring Magic Worlds to Norwich. This evocative subject matter has already captured the imaginations of adults and children in London and Sheffield, attracting over 300,000 visitors. We are sure that it will do well at Norwich Castle. Whatever inspires you - from witches to wizards, fairies to pixies, magicians to dragons - Magic Worlds has them all."

Characters from fiction from Frodo Baggins to Snow White will feature as well as films, photography, beautiful story books and ceramics, toys and games, film props and merchandise. A wealth of childhood favourites will to steer a fascinating journey through magical worlds past and present for all to enjoy.

Rachel Kirk, Norwich Museums Manager, said: “We are are really excited to have the Magical Worlds exhibition in Norwich. The show is set to create a really dreamlike atmosphere which we hope everyone will enjoy.

“Many of us can get easily bogged down with the tasks of everyday life and this will hopefully provide a real sense of escapism for visitors. There will be lots of amazing things to see packed into an eleven week period which includes the February Half Term and Easter Holidays. We hope this will encourage people to come along and make the most of all of the wonderful events which will be on offer.”

The extensive programme of events at Norwich Castle includes family special weekends, February Half Term and Easter holiday events, creative writing workshops, magic lantern shows, roving magicians and much more. On display visitors will see fairy costumes, magic tricks, paintings, ceramics, beautifully illustrated books and posters, games, optical toys and dramatic puppets.

Highlights of the events programme at Norwich Castle include:

• Magic Circle Magician David Weeks, Thursday 4 and Friday 5 April, 11.30am (age 6 and under), 1.30pm and 3pm (age 7+).
• The Tinder Box, Sunday 3 March, 2.30pm to 3.20pm.
• Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Saturday 9 February.
• Family Saturdays, 26 January and 2 February, 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
• Competition Trail - your chance to win a family ticket for a fabulous day out at Bewilderwood, Norfolk, begins on Friday 1 February with a draw on Thursday 28 February and Sunday 14 April.

Higher Education with Unison

Access to Sucess with the Open University

Union learners can now take advantage of the Open University's new Access to Success route of study. The route is designed for learners on low incomes who are new to higher education. Access to Sucess is heavily discounted, for just £75 you’ll get the full OU learning experience. An introductory Openings module for just £25 (normal fee £625) followed by a more in-depth, longer Level 1 module for just £50 (normal fee £2,500). To qualify, students must live in England, have a household income of less than £25,000 and be new to education at a higher level. For more information visit the Open University's website.

Unison Members get a 10% Discount on Higher Education

If you are a trade union member and studying for your first degree you will also be entitled to 10% discount on tuition fees at either Anglia Ruskin University or Birkbeck University in London. This support complements the Government student loan scheme, which from the start of the 2012 academic year, is available to part-time students for the first time.

Useful links about student finance:

• Gov.uk's section on student finance and loans.
• Money Saving Expert's student loan guide.

Local Activities at the Bridewell Museum

Bridewell Bite-size

Fancy a brief insight into the collections? With the help of the Bridewell Museum's Learning Assistant explore some of the museum highlights - all events take place Thursdays at 2.30pm.

31 January - History of the Bridewell
28 February - Norwich Blitz
25 April - Parson Woodforde
23 May - Marvellous Machines
27 June - Coffee House Culture Free with admission - no need to book.

Under Wraps

Visit the Bridewell to uncover some of the most fascinating costume and textile collections from the Norwich Museums. All are Thursdays at 2pm.

14 February - Oh, Sweetheart - Love tokens and messages from the heart
14 March - Satellites of Fashion - Accessories from head to toe
18 April - A Cut Above - Tailoring, dressmaking and the art of construction

Advance booking essential, tel. 01603 493636 Tickets £6, Concs £5.50, Museums Pass/C&TA/FNM £5

Visit the Bridewell Museum's webpage for more information: http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/Visit_Us/Bridewell_Museum/index.htm