Nurturing talent

Six Hull schools have gained an award recognising their work in stimulating pupils' interest in the arts.
Thanet, Mountbatten, Collingwood, and Gillshill primary schools, and Sydney Smith School and Pickering Academy, all received an Artsmark Gold award from the Arts Council England, which is a Government-funded body that promotes excellence in the teaching of art.
To achieve the award, which is valid for three years, schools must devote at least 15 per cent of teaching time to the arts and there must be professional artistic development for teachers and involvement with local artists and arts groups.
"I am delighted six Hull schools have achieved the award," said Andy Carver, executive director of Arts Council England for the Yorkshire region.
"Creativity in schools lays the foundation for lifelong engagement with the arts."

New lease of life

Trams on Prospect Street in 1904, as seen in the book

A book crammed with historic and modern images of Hull has been published to raise funds for one of the city's oldest libraries.
Hull Then and Now, by local author Paul Gibson, illustrates how the city has changed in the last century by contrasting nostalgic images with current photographs of the same views.
Every book sold will raise funds for the former Carnegie Free Library, at the entrance of West Park, which is now a local history research centre.
Volunteers from the Carnegie Heritage Action Team reopened the building with the help of Hull City Council and other sponsors.
The book also has a foreword written by Council Leader Cllr Carl Minns who supported the project throughout. Priced £pound;14.99, the book is on sale at Browns bookshop in George Street.
For more information visit www.carnegiehull.co.uk

Television success

Hull City Council scooped first place at the Good Communications Awards 2008 for its internet television service, STREAM.
The awards promote the public sector's efforts towards effective communication with local people and employees.
STREAM won the award for information technology project innovation, based on its very successful Independent Living Campaign, which provides vulnerable older people with access to local programmes and information through their existing televisions.
"I am delighted that STREAM has won this award," said Steve Fleming, the council's group manager for knowledge economy.
"The response we've had back from residents and businesses has been extremely positive and we look forward to developing the project further."

Trans awareness

The city's public, private and voluntary groups can now attend seminars that raise awareness of transgender issues.
The sessions, which promote equal opportunities, run throughout the year at the Community Enterprise Centre on Cottingham Road.
The seminars aim to prevent harassment and discrimination against transgender people and are delivered by social enterprise company GenderShift.
"We help people understand what it's like to feel trapped in the wrong body and tell of the cruelty and bullying trans people often experience," said GenderShift representative Rikki Arundel.
For more information, ring 441002 and ask for extension 207.

Packing a punch

This month's front cover star is Lyndon Corney (16), from west Hull, who is pictured training at the Hull Saints Amateur Boxing Club in West Dock Street, west Hull.
As part of his training, he uses a maize-filled punch bag on which he practises landing shots with accuracy and power.
Lyndon, who is preparing for the forthcoming boxing season which starts next month, is an emerging talent and has three wins in three amateur fights to his name.
For more information on youth boxing in Hull turn to page 27.

New centre opens

These are just some of the staff who will be providing a range of services at the new Ings Children's Centre, which opens this month within the Ings Customer Service Centre and Library, in Savoy Road, east Hull.
The centre will provide a range of services including nursery places, learning activities, playgroups, first aid and computer training, support for teenage parents, healthy eating advice, midwifery clinics and much more - all under one roof.
There are now 13 children's centres across the city and another six are currently in development.
For more information please visit www.hullcc.gov.uk or call 300300.

Tigers fixtures changes

Last month Hull in print published a pull-out poster listing Hull City's fixtures for the 08/09 season.
And if you've put it up on your wall you should be aware that certain fixtures have since changed due to television and cup commitments.
So please change the following:

• Sept 20 - Everton at home is now on Sept 21:
• Oct 4 - Tottenham away is now on Oct 5:
• Oct 18 - West Ham at home is now on Oct 19:
• Oct 28 - Chelsea at home is now on Oct 29, kick off 7.45pm:
• Nov 16 - Man City at home is a Sunday not a Saturday.

Certain kick-off times should be as follows:

• Dec 28, Aston Villa (home) - 2pm:
• Jan 27, West Ham (away) - 7.45pm:
• Mar 4, Fulham (away) - 8pm:
• May 24, Man Utd (home) - 4pm.

Community courses

A range of courses from yoga and digital photography to computers and business skills are now being offered at local community centres.
Hull Adult Education has teamed up with the Hull Federation of Community Organisations (HFCO) to run courses in local buildings near to where people live.
It's hoped learning in familiar surroundings will encourage more adults to enrol on courses which will lead to new skills and increased confidence.
HFCO is a network of more than 30 community centres and community organisations across the city, which work together to improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods by opening up educational and leisure opportunities.
For details of courses running at a community centre near you call the HFCO on 563045.