The following links will take you to my network of friends, collaborators and creative people who are doing great things in their own way.

· I rent my studio space from Simon Oxford. Apart from making beautiful things with wood, he is also a sculptor and musician. He once auditioned for the Sex pistols. For more interesting stuff visit: www.simonoxford.co.uk

· I recently went for a walk with my son Espen and ended up at Lenny Alsop’s house. We found him digging over his vegetable patch with a great big happy smile on his face. As a Yorkshire man I saying all this’d embarrass him, but I have rarely met somebody more passionate about his art. His enthusiasm for storytelling is infectious and I don’t mind saying he’s pretty damn good at it too: Find out more here: www.lennyalsop.co.uk

· I first met Caroline Hands when I worked at Hereford Summer School in 1993. Since then we have crossed paths many times. She booked me when I was with Red Box Mask Theatre in the late 90’s and more recently she has very generously allowed me to use her barn for various dress rehearsals. I saw her a few nights ago in Doodies and she was telling me about her recent adventures in China: Find out more here: www.archenfield.com

· If you are looking for great live music, delicious food and ambience other venues can only dream of, Doodies is THE place to go in Hereford.

Update: Nov 1st 2007: unfortunately Doodies has now closed. It will be greatly missed.

· If you are a parent and live in Hereford or the surrounding areas you will find This is Kids Stuff a useful guide to what's going on locally: www.thisiskidsstuff.co.uk 

· Rick and Julia Goldsmith have been friends of mine for over ten years. As well as being thoroughly lovely people and fellow parents of a ten year old, they also run Catcher Media. Find out about their work here: www.catchermedia.co.uk

· Marie-Therese King was once a member of Sky in the Pie Puppet Theatre, a company I founded with Matthew Hart in 1996. Later, when Sky in the Pie had disbanded, we performed together with Red Box Theatre and ran various workshops together. Marie-Therese now works as a batik artist, offering excellent workshops to schools. Find out more here: www.batikinschools.co.uk

· The Dynamics International Puppet Festival (19th May - 17 June 2007) is England's largest celebration of the art of puppetry and is held in 30 venues in the West Midlands. Some of the performances I am going to check out are: Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Anton Anderle and Ciroka Puppet Theatre. For the full programme of this excellent festival visit: www.dynamicsfestival.com

· For information on all puppety things in the U.K including puppet events and members directory go to: www.puppeteers.uk.com

· Last weekend (25 - 27th May 2007) I attended the excellent Shades of Meaning shadow puppet workshop run by Chris and Doug Agnew of Peak Puppets. On Friday evening Ted and Kath Beresford gave an inspirational talk about their many years as puppeteers:

Update: 1st November 2007. Kath Beresford sadly died on October 10th. My condolences go to Ted and all who knew Kath. www.beresfordspuppets.co.uk

· Malvern's Theatre of Small Convenience is a converted victorian gents toilet. It is also the smallest theatre in the world (it seats 12). I performed there with Red Box Theatre in 1999 and also saw the excellent Micropodium in the last Dynamics Festival. Created and run by puppeteer Dennis Neale it is well worth checking out: www.wctheatre.co.uk

· I've known Leo ever since he came to Hereford in the early ninetees. If you are looking for D.Js, live bands (Los Squideros and The Ken Easy Love Safari + more), cabaret acts (Mr Taboo + more) or a mobile stage check this out: www.squidstage.co.uk

· Carnival Arts run by Leo and Bec: www.carnivalartsgroup.co.uk

· Peace anywhere can only be achieved when people put down their arms and start talking to eachother (look at Northern Ireland). Get the children working and playing together and you break the generational chain of violence. Children of Peace is building bridges between Palastinian and Israeli children. For more information on their work visit: www.childrenofpeace.org.uk

· Tom Arthur is a friend of mine. He also happens to be a great D.J who runs Pakucho organic cotton t shirts. Check them out here: www.pakucho.co.uk

· Aly and Malc are friends of mine. Last year they cycled on a tandem called Bramble from Hereford to Gibralter. They covered 3183 miles and it took them 4 months - what slackers!. Read all about their adventures here: www.wordofmouse.org.uk

· I am absolutely delighted to say that Tom Straker has agreed to make the set for Sea Legs forthcoming production of The Selfish Giant. If you check out his website and see the quality and imagination of his work you will see why:  www.tomstraker.co.uk

· After talking over my ideas for the set of The Selfish Giant with Tom (see above) he suggested it may be better to make it out of metal. The person who came to mind was Jaz. I'm meeting him next week to discuss the possibilities. In the meantime you can check out his work here: www.jazasbury.co.uk

· I first met musician Rob Strawson through Arts in Action about 17 years ago. For me as a budding performer it was great to be able to take part in so many creative projects. It was actually an Arts in Action project called Eco Man and the Methane Monster which Rob and Liz Stone directed, where I first rediscovered the amazing thrill I got from performing. That was 1990 - I haven't looked back. Neither has Rob by the seems of things. He is now the director of The Music Pool. Check them out here: www.musicpool.org.uk

· I love traditional wooden toys and the next time I'm in Worcester I will be checking this shop out. Children's toy and book shop. For puppets, books and traditional toys go to: www.tellmeastorybookshop.com