We were given free tickets to go and see William Orbit at the Bridgewater Hall. It was great because 10 of us went! When we got there it was a really posh venue but the people were lovely!

We didn’t know what to expect from the show. We know that he has remixed a lot of big celebrities’ songs already. The show was made up of a huge orchestra called The Philharmonic Orchestra and it was what you might see on the TV with lots of violins and other instruments.

The Philharmonic Orchestra and William Orbit were really interesting! It made us realise that even today’s popular dance tracks are derived from classical music. It was a great night out and was educational too!

Jordan

The interviewer asked me about life at The Manchester Foyer, what I had been doing on the Virgin Workshops and the up and coming Virgin work placement interviews for the Manchester Megastore.

I had my interview with Adele which really helped my nerves.

I have really enjoyed this whole experience especially the interview and I can’t wait to see myself on T.V!!!!!!

Amy

May 2007

We showed the cameraman and interviewer around the Foyer and they did a piece about how The Manchester Foyer supports and accommodates 16-25yr olds who are in education or training.

3 residents were asked to speak on camera about life at the Foyer and the experiences we had had on the ready to work program.

I spoke to Ben the interviewer along with Amy and Adele and although we were really nervous it was really interesting and fun.

Later that night it was played on Channel M at 9pm and throughout the weekend.

Hopefully they will do another follow-up piece when we know who has been successful in the Virgin Work placement interviews.

Jordan

On 19^th May 3 residents and 2 Manchester Foyer staff were chosen out of a hat full of names to attend the biggest free music event in Europe!!!!

The Manchester Foyer staff took us up to Preston. Me, Kirsty and Tracy were the lucky ones this time and we got to spend the day with some BWD residents watching the bands at the event.

When we got there ‘Tim Westwood’ was outside but we didn’t let that scare us….we still went in.

Jamie T was really good and there were lots of other bands on like ‘The Twang, The Fratellis, The Fray, Natasha Beddingfield, Kasabian, Razorlight and the Scissor Sisters’.

My absolute favourite was Kasabian…they were awesome!!

All of it was fantastic and we all enjoyed it…’Safe to Emily and Jayne and of course the Manchester Foyer, Virgin Trains and Foyer!!!!!!’

Jordan

First of all i would like to thank the Foyer Federation for giving 10 people tickets to go and see some of the biggest pop singers in the world.

Me and my mates from Blackburn with Darwen Foyer and a couple from Manchester walked down the Moor Park in Preston to go to Radio One's Big Party.

It was an amazing day I really enjoyed myself because there was so many different types of music there which I have never heard, there were DJ's, Heavy Rock etc.

And lastly thank you to Karen Dwyer  for taking BWD Foyer and taking care of us whilst we were there.

Terry Heaton

I meet the Manchester lot for the first time and we got to the Festival at oneish and went to the wrong ticket stand so we had to walk all the way round and it took 15 minutes..........

I watched the Fray Witch, which was brilliant after that I watched some DJ's, I didn't know who they were but it was good.

Im glad I went back because I really enjoyed myself so once again thanks a lot.

Although I didn’t go to the morning activities, from what I heard it was good. In the evening they came back and we all went to a Chinese restaurant, which was nice. After that we all went back to The Foyer where we went into the residents lounge and played some games, watched DVDS and add little stuff.

On the second day we all went to Little Salkeld Water Mill (where I think I’ve been before when I was very little). There we made some buns, while they were cooking we went on a tour of the mill itself where we saw the grains being crushed and made that we were going to a farm in Carlisle but we ran out of time, not to mention got lost! After that we went back to The Foyer to have dinner and say ‘ bye’ to the Manchester Residents.

Overall it was a good time and we learnt how the two Foyers are different and the way people live down there and here. We made some friends who I would love to keep in contact with.

By Michael Partington

Eden Rural Foyer Penrith

We visited Eden Rural Foyer in Penrith and stayed overnight. When we arrived at the Foyer a buffet was prepared for us and we met the Penrith residents. This gave us a chance to find out a little more about each Foyer.

Then we went to Wetheriggs Pottery centre, where we all made our own pot on the pottery wheel from clay and also decorated one too! After that we walked around the farm to feed the animals. Then we went to the Jersey Ice Cream farm, where they make the ice cream straight from the cows they have.

In the evening we all went for a meal together and then went back to the Foyer and played games.

On the second day we went to Little Salkeld Water Mill, where we were shown how to make bread and we all had a go at making our own. Whilst they were baking we were given a tour around the watermill and were told how flour is made. Then, our bread was ready and we ate them with our lunch.

Overall I enjoyed the trip, it was quite an experience being in the countryside and experiencing that way of life. We made quite a few friends who we will keep in touch with and hopefully the Penrith Residents will come and visit us soon!

By Amy

Manchester Foyer Resident