Tag: Christmas

Mimi And The Mountain Dragon to be ‘BBC One festive treat’

Airing this winter on BBC One, a special 2D animated adaptation of Sir Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is to have its television premiere this festive period as part of a wider literature focus on the BBC in 2019-20.

The (1×25’) story on BBC One will have an introduction from the award winning writer himself, Sir Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), and will be narrated through classical music in an original score written by Oscar award-winning composer, Rachel Portman (The Little Prince). It will be performed by the BBC Philharmonic featuring singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs and will be recorded at Media City UK, Salford.

Based on original illustrations by Emily Gravett and adapted for the screen by novelist, poet, and playwright, Owen Sheers, Mimi and the Mountain Dragon is a story about a village that quakes in fear of the mighty Mountain Dragon. One winter, a shy little girl called Mimi finds a tiny baby dragon asleep in her family woodshed. Mimi takes the perilous journey through blizzard and darkness to return the baby dragon to her mother who all the villagers fear.

The newly animated film from Leopard Pictures and Factory started life when Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning for BBC Music TV, approached Sir Michel Morpurgo and asked him if he would write a children’s story that could be set to classical music for BBC television. Inspired by a trip to a village in Switzerland some years before, Michael Morpurgo wrote Mimi And The Mountain Dragon which was also released as a children’s book.

The programme is commissioned by Head of BBC Music TV Commissioning, Jan Younghusband, for Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. The project is also supported by Alice Webb, Director, BBC Children’s & Education, and is executive produced by Leopard Chief Creative Officer, Kristian Smith and Phil Chalk for Bafta-winning studio Factory.

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing this enchanting mix of music and storytelling to BBC One this Christmas.

“Sir Michael Morpurgo’s wonderful book will be perfectly complemented by the music of Rachel Portman, The BBC Philharmonic and singers from the Hallé’s family of choirs – a real festive treat for all the family.”

Sir Michael Morpurgo says: “Many years ago, in the Engadine Valley in Switzerland, I saw village children in red hats, cracking whips, ringing cowbells, banging drums, creating a great cacophony of noise, as they paraded up through the village. I asked why this was happening. They are driving away wicked spirits, I was told. So began my story of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

“And now, extraordinarily, wonderfully, this little story is being made into an animated film, by Leopard Pictures and Factory Create. And what a team BBC Music have put together. There is music by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman, a script by Owen Sheers, the great Welsh poet (so he knows a thing or two about dragons!) and with magical drawings from the supremely talented Emily Gravett. I can’t wait to see it!”

Jan Younghusband, Head of BBC Music Commissioning for Television, says: “At the BBC we have a proud heritage of finding new ways to introduce children to classical music, stretching right back to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra, The BBC’s Ten Pieces project and now Mimi And The Mountain Dragon.

“It is an honour to work with Sir Michael Morpurgo, Rachel Portman, Owen Sheers, Emily Gravett, Leopard, Factory, The BBC Philharmonic and Hallé’s family of choirs to bring classical music to audiences everywhere with this film.”

Kristian Smith Chief Creative Officer Leopard Pictures, says: “Mimi And The Mountain Dragon is truly born of love. With countless awards and prizes each, author Sir Michael Morpurgo, composer Rachel Portman, writer Owen Sheers and illustrator Emily Gravett have united their exceptional and exquisite talents to create a timeless, magical story. How lucky am I to get to hang on their coat tails?

“We had the great privilege of partnering with a company I deeply admire in Factory, who are bringing the animation to life. This is a beautiful film, all set to Rachel’s phenomenal original music.”

Phil Chalk, Managing Director of Factory, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Leopard Pictures and the BBC in making this magical 2D animated special of Mimi And The Mountain Dragon. It’s such a wonderful story by Sir Michael Morpurgo, which we can’t wait to bring to life!”

Edinburgh building contractor’s Christmas elves make special deliveries for families and young carers

Children and families in need across Scotland will receive donations of money, food and gifts courtesy of building contractor McDermott Group this Christmas. Continue reading Edinburgh building contractor’s Christmas elves make special deliveries for families and young carers

UK dog owners to spend £213 million on their pets this Christmas

How much are we spending and giving to our pooches around Christmas?

  • Dog owners across the UK are collectively looking to spend, on average, £213,743,179 on gifts for their dogs this Christmas

  • Nearly a third (30%) of dog owners have said they are likely to spend more on their pooch than their partner this Christmas, with men more likely to do so than women

  • Dog owners aged 25-34 are most likely to spend more on their pooch than on their partner this Christmas with more than 2 in 5 (43%) stating this

  • Almost two thirds (62%) dog owners will give their dogs some cooked Christmas dinner, with a fifth (20%) cooking their pooch their own Christmas meal

November 2018: Christmas is a festive, fun and giving time of year not just for us humans but four our furry little friends too. Brits are getting their pooches involved in the holiday season from gift giving to sharing that all important Christmas roast dinner.

As a nation of dog lovers, are we favouring spoiling our dogs over our partners this holiday season? And just how far are people willing to pamper their dogs this holiday?

Protectivity have done some research with dog owners across the UK and the results can be found here.

With the dog population being at a staggering 8.9 billion and 24% of UK adults owning a dog, according to the PDSA, there is no surprise that being a part of the family has owners barking mad on treating and pampering their beloved pets, and with Christmas just around the corner it makes the perfect excuse to spoil your pooch.

In a recent poll of more than 1,000 dog owners, Protectivity have analysed how much people across the UK are willing to spend on their dog and subsequently the most pampered dogs this festive season. So if you want to know the most high maintenance pooch during Christmas and whether Northern or Southern regions spend the most, take a look at the results here.

Buying presents for relatives and friends around Christmas can sometimes be a tiresome task, with busy shopping centres or out of stock items online, getting the perfect gift can be a labour of love. When it comes to our dogs, how many of us our factoring them into our Christmas shopping? Who is pacing the pet store for the perfect Christmas toy or treat for their little (or big) pooch?

Our research has shown that dog owners across the UK are collectively looking to spend a staggering £213,743,179 on gifts for their dog this Christmas, with 30% stating they are likely to spend more on their pooch than their partner this Christmas, with men more likely to do so than women. Londoners and dog owners aged 25-34 could be in the dog-house this Christmas, as 36% and 43% of 25-34 year olds stated they would be spending more on their dog than their partner this Christmas.

The saying ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ is a familiar one among many, but just how many people have done exactly that and bought a dog as a gift for Christmas? Protectivity’s research shows that 56% of dog owners have previously bought a dog as a gift for someone else for Christmas, or would consider doing so. Sheffield came out on top with 47% of dog owners from Sheffield having bought a dog as a Christmas present for someone else.

The study also reveals a huge amount of money across the UK is being spent on pooches this Christmas, but when it comes to cities Brighton takes the crown with dog owners looking to spend, on average £24 on gifts for their pooch this Christmas. That’s more than most may spend on a sibling!

The top ten cities spending the most on gifts for their pooch this Christmas can be found below:

Position

City

Average Spend £

1

Brighton

£24.30

2

Sheffield

£20.09

3

London

£17.80

4 =

Manchester & Nottingham

£17.09

5

Edinburgh

£16.70

6

Liverpool

£16.64

7

Leeds

£16.38

8

Cardiff

£16.30

9

Belfast

£16.29

10

Glasgow

£16.24

We all like to spoil our pets with treats now and again, but some dog owners are taking it that extra step further and even getting their pooch involved in their traditional Christmas dinner. 62% of dog owners claimed they will be giving a portion of their own Christmas dinner to their dog this year with a further 20% stating they will be making their pooch their own special dinner this Christmas. Dog owners from Brighton are the most keen to share their Christmas dinner with their pooch this year as 63% stated they would be giving their dog a portion of their festive dinner.

Clare Hamilton Vet and Managing Director at Hamilton Specialist Referrals comments: “However hard it may be to resist those big brown eyes staring up at you from under the Christmas table, it is really important to understand that our dogs really shouldn’t be sharing our festive foods.

“Anything that may contain raisins, grapes, chocolate, macadamias, onions, alcohol or bones could lead to a very upset tummy or even worse pancreatitis. Remember to keep your dog away from any foods their stomach is not used to digesting and save yourself a trip to the vet this Christmas”

Sean Walsh, spokesperson at Protectivity Insurance comments: “Whilst we all know that over time a dog becomes an integral part of the family, with many seeing their dog as more than just a pet, the amount of money we are spending as a nation on our dogs, particularly around Christmas, is astounding.

“With many claiming they would spend more on their dog than their partner (a risky move!), and admitting they will be letting their dog indulge on their own Christmas dinner, it’s safe to say we will certainly have some very happy pooches across the country this Christmas!”

How much will you be pampering your beloved pooch this Christmas?

For more information take a look here:

https://www.protectivity.com/spoilt-dogs-christmas/

Kids in hospital don’t need more chocolate

Gift something other than chocolate this year

A LEADING children’s hospital charity is trying to get the message out there that kids in hospital don’t need more chocolate at Christmas time – and is offering an alternative this December. Continue reading Kids in hospital don’t need more chocolate