The Poetry Book Society is re-launching its Children?s Poetry Bookshelf (CPB), a book club for children aged 7?11 designed to make poetry accessible to young readers. The club provides support materials for teachers and librarians, including activity sheets and posters to encourage children to read poetry. The CPB launch event will take place on 9 October as part of National Poetry Day. w: http://www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk
Members of technicians? union BECTU have voted to accept a 3.5% pay deal for regional theatres. The increase in minimum rates of pay is part of a package of measures for 2005/06 agreed with the Theatrical Management Association.
The Young Vic, The National Theatre and London Sinfonietta are among ten arts organisations which will be taking part for the first time in forum3, a major recruitment and volunteering event for the not-for-profit sector. The annual showcase, this year on 14 and 15 October, attracts 15,000 visitors and over 150 leading charities, local government, and other third sector organisations. w: http://www.forum3.co.uk
The Battle of Ideas, a weekend of debates at the Royal College of Art in London next month, will include discussions on The Battle for Culture, alongside discussions about health, education and community issues. w: http://www.battleofideas.co.uk
Applications are being invited for this year?s Meridian Theatre Awards. The bursaries, one of £20,000 and one of £10,000, come from donations from Interact, a not-for-profit company which uses theatre skills in business training and development, and gift-aids its profits to the support and promotion of the creative arts. The deadline for applications is 28 October. w: http://www.interact.eu.com; t: 020 7793 7744.