Our May 2012 guest speaker will be Keith Hopwood.

Keith, was a founder member of the 60's band Herman's Hermits, and spent several years writing, recording and touring with the band. In the early 1980's he moved into writing music for television and film. He wrote and produced the score for The Wind in the Willows, which went on to win both BAFTA and EMMY awards.

He has also written music and songs for the animated feature of Roal Dahl's The B.F.G.,
Terry Pratchetts' "Disc World" along with innumerable television themes and commercials.

He scored the music for the ITV series Foxbusters!, from the books by "Babe" author Dick King-Smith, and featuring the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg (winner Best Series Animation 2000).

Other series include, Preston Pig for Varga UK and Albie for ITV as well as Andy Pandy for the BBC, and he has written music for the feature film, "Summer of Flying Saucers" and TV series, "Pingu", "Muffin the Mule" and "Lily the Witch".

Keith currently writes all the music for "Bob the Builder" as well as producing all associated albums and specials. To find out more go to www.plutomusic.com for a full information.

10th July 2012

Our July 2012 guest speakers are Alan Jones and David Grieve who will be talking to us about Marketing and Branding.

Alan runs a small design and marketing agency in Wrexham called Mako Creative Solutions with his business partner Dave Savage. They are a small (but perfectly formed!) design agency with just Alan, Dave and another designer Ellen. They design branding, design for print, exhibitions, websites, signage, van livery and everything in between!
He has have worked in the design industry all his life, working as a designer at LEGO UK for over 12 years. He set up Mako Creative over 15 years ago. He is also an artist and produces coloured pencil and graphite drawings of wildlife and as well as pet commissions.
Derwent pencils have commissioned Alan on three separate occasions to produce drawings to be printed onto their sketchbooks and tins of pencils which are on sale throughout the world.
Alan has also won awards for his work including designing and drawing the avatar for Derwent to be used on their Facebook and Twitter pages, and their app for the iPad. He has also had great success in exhibiting in various exhibitions, including NEWA the biggest wildlife exhibition in the UK outside of London.

25th September 2012

Don't miss our exciting "Business Clinic" meeting

At the September 2012 meeting we have invited a selection of industry experts who will be available for all members to talk to. We have invited an Accountant, Heath and Safety, Human Resources and Solicitor who will be available throughout the whole evening. You will have time to sit and have a one to one session with each of these experts to discuss any topics you may currently be having trouble with or ideas and questions that your wish to explore.

We also have invited an Apprenticeship expert from West Cheshire College who can discuss popular apprenticeship schemes helping to generate the skilled employees your business may need for future growth. You will learn how to increase productivity and performance with Government funded training. You would be provided with a dedicated co-ordinator to support the scheme.

Don't miss this great opportunity in having all these business resources under one roof available to offer free advice.

27th November 2012

Our November 2012 guest speaker will be Ross Johnson.

Ross is an expert in internet advertising and website promotion. He will be discussing with us how to get the best out of the WWW – World Wide Web for our businesses.
Don't miss this great opportunity to glean ideas of how to promote your business online!

Headlining this year's Malpas Arts and Literary Festival is Strictly Come Dancing star, Craig Revel-Horwood.

In Conversation with Craig Revel Horwood will see the dancer and choreographer talk about his life and career which includes his west end stint in Cats and the original production of Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as his directing the opening ceremony of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Fresh from the success of her debut novel, 'Disappearing Home', Liverpool born author Deborah Morgan will also be talking about her life and her book.
A former primary school teacher she was encouraged to write by film director Terence Davies, and the first chapter of her book was awarded runner up in Pulp Idol, Liverpool 's Writing on the Wall Festival. Since then Disappearing Home has become an Amazon Bestseller, and Morgan has appeared on Radio 4's Woman's Hour and her book has received much critical acclaim for its fresh and honest style.

Malfest is shaping up to be as big a success as last year, with performances by the Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir at St. Oswald's Church, the Crosby Symphony Orchestra and Festival Chorus.

The Art Exhibition adopts more of a craftsmanship theme offering work from a varied and talented selection of artists – calligraphy, 3D laser imaging, bronze sculpture to mention but a few. For those who missed the wonderful photography documentaries from Tony Orde last year, we're delighted that he has agreed to show them again.

Cabaret comes this time from the BBC Comedy series 'Allo Allo',featuring 'Helga' and 'Herr Flick' whilst popular local ranconteur John Bromley Davenport presents his new show 'Tales From the Bar'.

To acknowledge the 200th Anniversary of one of Britain's favourite writers, Charles Dickens, a performance of Farewell Readings will be presented in the delicious voice of David Shaw.

There has been a change of some venues this year with the Festival Marquee moving to Malpas Sports Ground instead of Hampton and the Art Exhibition moves into the High Street Church.

Tickets are on sale at the Dry Cleaning Company, 5 High Street and the website www.malfest.com.

Further information from the Festival Office on 01948 820549.