Competition!

Win an Introduction to Blacksmithing Course worth £170 with Kingdom Forge

Forgingskills Makeabottle opener Traditional craft

We are delighted to have teamed up with Kingdom Forge to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an Introduction to Blacksmithing Course. This is a fantastic day which allows you to experience the life of a modern blacksmith at their unique forge in the heart of Suffolk. You will learn the craft of blacksmithing, starting with a look at the common tools used by smiths and the techniques of the trade. You'll be taught how this traditional craft uses the heat of the forge to bend metal and create unique shapes, and you will learn how flames can be your friend.

By the end of the day, you will have produced a variety of ironwork - keyrings, Viking style knives, fire pokers and bottle openers - all made by your own hands and ready to take home!

www.kingdomforge.co.uk

For your chance of winning this fabulous prize, please answer the following question correctly:

Q: Name one of things you can expect to make on the day.

Send your answer to prize@aboutfram. com quoting Kingdom Forge in the subject header.

The competition closes at 23.59 hours on 30th April 2023.

Calling Midsummer musicians

About Town

First Light has just announced the dates of its summer solstice festival, which will once again be held on Lowestoft beach, from Saturday 17th to Sunday 18th June. Building on the success of last year’s New Dawn stage, which featured 22 emerging musical talents aged 14-25 from Suffolk and Norfolk, the festival is once again inviting young musicians to apply to play over the solstice weekend.

Plus, new for 2023, the festival will also feature a second open call-out, Playbreak, that offers musicians working, living and gigging in Lowestoft the chance to play a set in front of a home crowd under the midsummer sun.

Both callouts will be judged by panels of leading industry experts, including representatives of BBC Introducing, Wild Paths, and Access Community College, with headline slots on the main Sunlight stage also up for grabs.

Applications to New Dawn and Playbreak are now open – the deadline to apply is Monday 20th February. Visit www. firstlightlowestoft.com/get-involved for more details.

Pounds for hounds

Suffolk Libraries has launched its largest ever fundraising campaign - PAWS-itivity!

PAWS-itivity will involve 45 dog sculptures featuring designs individually created by local artists in each of Suffolk’s libraries this summer. Following a tour of Suffolk at a number of events including the Suffolk Show, the dog sculptures will then set up home and be on display at the participating libraries, before being auctioned off at Trinity Park in September.

The PAWS-itivity art sculpture event is raising money to support Suffolk Libraries’ work at the heart of the community which includes nurturing literacy and improving health and wellbeing.

Both local artists and businesses interested in sponsoring are encouraged to get in touch. www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/whatson/annual-events/paws-itivity