The Project was a Creative Learning collaboration between Ribble FM (106.7FM) Mark ‘Blackers’ Blackman Ribble FM and The Grand Venue. In Clitheroe we are fortunate to have our own Radio Station, Ribble FM situated just under The Grand. 

Over 5 weeks of Tuesday afternoon sessions, three Ribble Valley Primary Schools took part in this exciting opportunity, culminating in making their very own radio programme. Two students even brought their own mascots to each session to help them along the way… you know who you are! 

Subjects covered 

KINDNESS – Waddington and West Bradford CE Primary School

RIBBLE RIVERS TRUST – St James’ CE Primary School Clitheroe

FAIRTRADE – Balderstone Primary 

The sessions started with a fun music themed game, such as guess the intro, reversed tracks to name two.  Each group discussed and researched a subject close to their hearts.  They planned their programmes, interviewed their special guests and Vox Pox interviews relating to the subject.

Each group created a ‘jingle’ and promo in the Grand recording studio under the experienced eye of the lovely Elliott. The students had a tour of the Ribble FM, recording studio and experienced Podcasting on mobile equipment … the sound effects proved VERY popular. 

The recorded programmes were aired back to back on Ribble FM on Tuesday 16th May between 2-3pm, where the groups were interviewed live on air by Blackers.

Volunteering for this Creative Learning Project was a brilliant experience.  It was lovely to see the children develop valuable life skills, such as speaking, listening and working as a team.  It was also amazing to witness how they grew in confidence over the 5 weeks.  There were a lot of giggles and fun along the way.  

If you missed the broadcast you can listen again here – THE RADIO PROJECT.

Blog written by our volunteer, Helen.

Simple question, how do you measure success? Well, if you’d been out in Clitheroe over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend you may have quite simply said “the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Festival 2023!” – four days of music in over a dozen venues around Clitheroe town and village pubs nearby. Boom! 

Another question – how do you define Jazz? A difficult one but a simple reply might be “a form of musical improvisation” and that works because the festival-goers this weekend enjoyed so many different styles of jazz in the pubs, bars and the Halls of Clitheroe. Pick your genre of music, add a pinch of talented jazz musician and it moves to the next level. 

If you saw crowds on the pavement outside bars like Jungle or the Beer Shack or in the Market Square you were witnessing the popularity of live music and jazz in one of its many forms. 

Local singers and bands rubbed shoulders with nationally acclaimed groups to fill schedules and entertain the masses congregating in Clitheroe for the weekend. The hard work of the unpaid festival organisers and volunteers was well rewarded. 

We all have favourites and mine were the gentle jazz of up-and-coming Leeds collective Jasmine Myra at The Grand, one of many bands formed through Music Colleges these days; regular delta blues men Junkhouse Dog Duo hit the spot too at Jungle; Duckworth and Duprez at the Beer Shack and Corto playing Latin jazz on classical guitars, mesmerising talent; and the energy of The Grand’s sell-out finalé by Steely Dan tribute band Nearly Dan was a perfect way to conclude my weekend – even then I missed out on the genuine finalé The Swing City Big Band at St Mary’s on Monday but that’s classic festival, you just can’t do everything!

Surprise success? the Festival Director Miles Peachey singing Mrs Jones with Paul Rigby’s RV Jazz Big Band, such passion and talent and we have it in spades in the Ribble Valley! 

Favourite moments? Standing in the spring sunshine in Market Square watching hard- working local ukelele players and talented young singers and catching up with Festival friends all washed down with a local beer. What’s not to like?! 

Roll on RVJB Festival 2024! 

PeterTheVolunteer!

On the evening of Wednesday 8th March 2023, the Grand joins Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues in a celebration of International Women’s Day.  Emma Johnson and Gravy Boat, Northern Live 2023 star, Sarah Heneghan, and local women’s jazz band Elbow Room, led by Trish Ferrarin, have put together a show that’s buzzing with uplifting tunes and funky beats.

It’s the result of months of collaboration from Emma, Sarah and Trish. These three musical leaders have provided new compositions and performance workshops hosted by Clitheroe’s local band Elbow Room, which emerged from the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues project Women in Jazz. With the help of Emma, Sarah and Trish, the stage is set for an exciting musical journey with showcases from Emma and Gravy Boat, Sarah Heneghan’s Power Out and Elbow Room – a real Triple Bill.

Emma Johnson

Emma Johnson is a Leeds based saxophonist, composer and the bandleader of Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat.

Gravy Boat perform Emma’s melodic, cinematic jazz compositions and have been described as ‘one of the most refreshingly imaginative and perfectly configured acts in contemporary jazz’.

Originally hailing from Lancashire, Emma has recently written a new set of music ‘Northern Flame’ commissioned by Lancaster Jazz Festival, which will form the basis of her second album.

Sarah Heneghan

Originally from South Wales, Sarah Heneghan is a Sheffield-based drummer and composer involved in numerous collaborations across the North. Her solo project, ‘Power Out’, tells a story of entrancing electronic music contrasted with improvised live drumming, blowing apart expectations of what solo drumming can be. It has received funding from Arts Council England, and performed at Shambala Festival, London Jazz Festival & Manchester Jazz Festival, to name a few. 

About Ribble Jazz Valley International Women’s Day:

“Sometimes I stop and reflect on what I do for a living. Being asked to contribute to this event, an ethos which I deeply care about, is an absolute dream. I’m so grateful and excited to be supporting other women in music.”

Elbow Room

Elbow Room is a music project based in Clitheroe nurtured by the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club.

It provides regular rehearsal and development sessions especially designed to help women increase their musical skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.   

The sessions provide a respite from the extra energy required to take musical risks in mixed settings.  We aim to empower women with the confidence and pride to hold the stage and communicate with an audience so everyone can enjoy music making. 

Elbow Room have delighted in working with three musical giants committed to equity in creativity, Emma Johnson, Sarah Heneghan and Trish Ferrarin and the show for International Womens Day will celebrate music and the journey.

Emma, Sarah and Trish have one aim in common – to welcome as many people as possible into making music and enjoying jazz.  Each have been inspired by building confidence and performance for the women of Elbow Room, and by the end of the show, everyone involved will be together on stage to make  some big sounds to make International Women’s Day in Clitheroe a really fun time for all – we really hope you can be with us so reserve your place right now!

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/events/rvjb-presents-a-triple-bill-for-international-womens-day/

Instagram: @ribblevalleyjazz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RVJazzEventsFestivals