Outspoken Cycles Park Tool School courses are aimed at home mechanics who wish to have an in-depth knowledge of their bikes as well as those individuals required to maintain bikes for friends, schools, clubs, businesses and other organisations. The 4 Day Advanced course teaches you advanced mechanical skills following the Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair syllabus in order to help you gain the confidence to take on bicycle repairs involving various manufacturers and systems. Completion of assessment leads to the award of a certificate. You are encouraged to work on your own bike. Please be aware for some elements of the course certain bikes may not be suitable, however, there are also a number of classroom bikes to work on where necessary. We can provide a classroom bike if you’re unable to bring your own. Course Detail Over four days you will cover: Workshop Practices (Health and Safety, Safe use of tools, PPE, etc.) Tyres & Tubes (Inspection, sizing, systems, puncture repair) Cassettes & Freewheels (types, compatibility, wear, removal and installation) Hub Service (full strip down and rebuild, different systems) Gears and Cabling (identify issues, re-cable, set up and adjustment) Headsets (a-Head and Quill types, strip down and reassemble) Wheel Truing (spoke replacement, introduction to truing, demo wheel construction and lacing) Frame Assessment & Preparation (damage, tools, frame preparation etc.) Bike Setup (choosing the right size bike, saddle height, basic bike fit) Cranksets & Bottom Brackets (different types discussed, removal and replacement) Rim & Disc Brakes (mechanical disc and rim brake set up and adjustment, demo of hydraulic brake bleed) Price The course costs £500 inc VAT. This includes Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair and the use of all tools and equipment while on course. If you’re a Cambridge Cycling Campaign member, we offer a 15% discount to support the good work that they do. Please email us for access to your coupon code. Refunds for courses are only given under exceptional circumstances and never within 7 days of the advertised course. In the unlikely event we have to make the difficult decision to cancel a course, participants will be offered a refund or the option to reschedule. Please read our terms and conditions for full details. Pre-requisites Course participants must be 18 years old or above. We may be able to accommodate younger participants 16+, we accept these on a case by case basis based on prior experience. Please contact us to discuss. Participants should have a good knowledge of the key content outlined in the Basic: Ride With Confidence and Intermediate courses before booking the Advanced course as this level of knowledge is assumed by the instructor on the day. There will be a brief refresher, but if you are unsure do get in touch to discuss. Course Timings, Assessment, Location & Travel Courses run 9am-4pm over four days, or 9:30am – 4:30pm for weekend courses. Courses take place in our dedicated training workshop at our offices in Cambridge. We have an abundance of bike racks, and we are close to Cambridge North Station. There is limited parking on site on a first-come-first-served basis and we are close to parking at Cambridge North Station. There is some limited on-road parking (at owners risk). You may also park for free at the Milton Park & Ride, which is only a short 15 minute cycle to our workshop. Further details If you have any further questions, please do please get in touch to discuss. For more information, please read our Terms & Conditions. I would like to say a big thank you to all the teachers for the knowledge they have given me, I’ve loved learning it – Simon Spry, PTS Advanced Participant July 2022
Navigate your grief with expert bereavement counselling in London. Our caring therapists offer support and guidance to help you cope with the loss of a loved one, providing a safe space to process your emotions and begin healing. With a focus on empathetic care and personalized strategies, we aim to support you through every stage of your bereavement journey. Key areas: grief counselling, loss therapy, mourning support, bereavement therapy, emotional support, grief support, loss counselling. 3 x 1 hour sessions
Employee Assistance Programme Training
Every Wednesday at 17:30 – 18:30 (The Stable) or Every Saturday at 11:55 – 12:55 (Exning Community Church Hall) Step into our Grade 1 ballet class at M & L School of Performing Arts, where budding ballet enthusiasts aged 7 and older are invited to deepen their dance journey. This class is a vibrant exploration of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet curriculum, meticulously designed to enhance technical skill, musicality, and the pure joy of performance across a spectrum of dance styles. Here, students are welcomed into a world where each plié and pirouette is more than a movement—it’s a step towards mastering the art of ballet. Our expert instructors are committed to cultivating each student’s physical fitness, timing, rhythm, and ability to interpret music through dance. With a focus on technique and performance, we prepare our dancers for the exciting opportunity of optional examinations and class awards, fostering a sense of achievement and growth. Joining our Grade 1 ballet class means your child will not only find a fulfilling physical outlet in ballet but will also engage in artistic expression, building bonds with a community of young dance lovers. Enroll today and watch your child’s passion for ballet blossom in a nurturing, inspiring setting. Why Ballet Lessons Are a Leap Forward for Kids Aged 7+ Years: Refined Motor Skills and Coordination: Ballet’s detailed movements refine motor skills, improving balance and coordination. Discipline and Focus: Learning choreography requires discipline, enhancing focus and attention to detail. Physical Fitness: Ballet is a holistic exercise, promoting flexibility, strength, and a healthy lifestyle. Self-Expression and Confidence: Ballet serves as a creative outlet for emotions, with performance opportunities boosting self-esteem. Artistic Appreciation: Children grow a profound appreciation for the arts, enriching their emotional and cultural understanding. Social Interaction: Classes provide a space for friendship and teamwork, vital for social development. Cultural Awareness: Ballet introduces children to diverse cultures and histories, broadening their worldview. Enhanced Posture and Grace: Essential ballet principles teach poise and elegance in movement. Mental Agility: Memorizing routines and understanding dance terms sharpen cognitive abilities. Goal Setting and Achievement: Working towards exams and performances teaches the value of setting and achieving goals. Life Skills: Ballet encourages perseverance, time management, and a strong work ethic, skills valuable beyond the dance studio. Long-Lasting Passion: Ballet often ignites a lifelong love for the arts, with potential pathways to future careers in dance. Why M&L School of Performing Arts Stands Out: M & L School of Performing Arts isn’t just about learning ballet; it’s about embracing a dream sparked by the pure joy and innate dance passion of a child. Founded by Martin and Lwena, our school’s journey from musical performances to ballet teaching reflects a profound commitment to sharing the magic of ballet with young minds. Lwena, inspired by their daughter and certified by the Royal Academy of Dance, alongside Martin, aims to create a legacy of artistic expression and joy in dance. At our school, your child will dive into a world where ballet lessons are a gateway to self-confidence, discipline, and artistic fulfillment. It’s a place where passion meets dedication, and every dancer’s journey is celebrated. Join us and be part of a story where music and dance continue to inspire generation after generation. Book first lesson here: https://mandlschoolofperformingarts.com/book-first-lesson/
Every Wednesday at 18:30 – 19:45 Embark on a journey with the RAD Grade 4 program at M&L School of Performing Arts, where students deepen their ballet and character dance exploration within a curriculum that champions artistic expression and technical refinement. Aligned with a higher educational standard, this level mirrors the progression and complexity expected of students ready to embrace more challenging aspects of ballet. Set to an eclectic mix of music that enriches the ballet experience, our Grade 4 classes are designed to advance students’ technical skills, musicality, and performance artistry. As part of this curriculum, students engage in a sophisticated exploration of ballet that encourages them to express themselves with greater confidence and complexity. Through a blend of traditional and character dance, learners are motivated to refine their understanding of ballet, finding a profound sense of achievement and joy in their evolving capabilities. At this pivotal grade, character work becomes more intricate, introducing students to new cultural dances that enhance their technical repertoire and broaden their appreciation for the diversity of dance traditions. This expansion of knowledge and skill not only equips students with a richer set of technical abilities but also fosters a deep appreciation for the art of dance, guiding them toward a path of lifelong engagement and accomplishment in ballet. Why RAD Grade 4 Ballet Lessons Are Key for Your Child’s Development: Physical Fitness: Focused on improving flexibility, strength, and coordination, ballet at this level offers a rigorous approach to physical health and technical agility. Elevated Self-Expression and Confidence: As students master more complex dance sequences, they experience enhanced self-expression and a significant boost in self-confidence. Increased Discipline and Focus: The complexity of Grade 4 routines demands a higher level of discipline, concentration, and attention to detail, preparing students for success in all areas of life. Deepened Musical Appreciation: With a diverse musical selection, students deepen their understanding of rhythm and musicality, enriching their overall dance experience. Fulfillment in Movement Mastery: Emphasizing the precision and elegance of ballet, our curriculum ensures that students find fulfillment in the mastery of each movement. Enhanced Social and Leadership Skills: Group ballet classes encourage not only social interaction but also leadership and teamwork skills, as students often work together to perfect routines. Cultural Exploration and Appreciation: Incorporating a wider array of character dances, Grade 4 enriches students’ cultural knowledge and appreciation for the global dance community. Superior Coordination and Posture: This grade focuses on refining coordination and posture, essential for the development of a poised and graceful dancer. Life Skills for Future Success: Ballet at this level teaches resilience, time management, and goal-setting, equipping students with skills vital for future academic and personal success. Preparation for Ballet Studies: Setting a strong foundation for higher levels of dance education, Grade 4 prepares students for continued growth and achievement in ballet and beyond. Why M&L School of Performing Arts Is Your Choice for Grade 4 Ballet: Choosing M&L School of Performing Arts for Grade 4 ballet means joining a community that is deeply committed to fostering artistic excellence and personal growth. Inspired by our foundational love for dance and music, we provide a supportive environment where students are encouraged to push their boundaries, explore their artistic potential, and celebrate their progress. Here, learners find not just technical training but a nurturing space that honors their journey towards becoming accomplished dancers. Enroll your child in our RAD Grade 4 ballet program, and witness their transformation into confident, expressive, and technically skilled artists. Become part of our story at M&L School of Performing Arts, where every dancer’s dream is nurtured with passion, dedication, and a deep commitment to the art of ballet. Book first lesson here: https://mandlschoolofperformingarts.com/book-first-lesson/
Every Wednesday at 16:15 – 17:30 Step into the captivating realm of the RAD Grade 2 ballet program at M&L School of Performing Arts, where the essential elements of ballet and character dance unfold within a curriculum that treasures the harmony of emotion and technique. This singular grade is a meticulously designed chapter in the ballet journey, offering young dancers the opportunity to revel in the dynamic blend of grace and strength that ballet commands. Nestled within a musical panorama that crosses centuries of dance heritage, our Grade 2 classes beckon students to dive deeper into the artistry of ballet and character dance. This grade serves as a pivotal moment, building upon the joy of movement discovered in earlier levels and encouraging a richer, more nuanced expression of ballet’s technical facets. Here, students are guided to explore their dance potential more fully, expressing themselves with renewed confidence and precision. Grade 2 in the RAD curriculum marks a delightful expansion in the breadth of character dance, presenting students with the chance to explore beyond the foundational steps and into a world rich with cultural diversity and expressive storytelling. The focus on character dance at this level enriches students’ understanding and appreciation of dance’s global tapestry, fostering a versatile approach to ballet that values both tradition and innovation. Why Choose RAD Grade 2 Ballet Lessons for Your Child? Holistic Physical Development: Focused on enhancing flexibility, strength, and coordination, Grade 2 ballet fine-tunes the physical attributes essential for dance. Boost in Self-Expression and Confidence: This grade empowers children to express complex emotions and stories through dance, nurturing a profound sense of self-confidence. Sharpened Discipline and Focus: The precise learning structure of Grade 2 ballet hones discipline, cultivates meticulous attention to detail, and strengthens concentration. Enriched Musical Appreciation: Grade 2 introduces students to an expanded array of musical styles, deepening their rhythmical understanding and appreciation for dance music’s diverse expressions. Joy and Fulfillment in Movement: Emphasizing the pleasure found in each step, leap, and turn, our curriculum encourages students to experience the genuine joy of dance. Social and Teamwork Skills: Ballet classes at this level offer a nurturing environment for developing friendships, learning about teamwork, and enhancing social skills through cooperative performances. Cultural Engagement and Awareness: Exploring character dances introduces students to a broader spectrum of the world’s dance heritage, enriching their cultural perspective and appreciation. Enhanced Coordination and Posture: Ballet at Grade 2 continues to improve overall body coordination and promotes the maintenance of good posture, contributing to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Development of Important Life Skills: The discipline and perseverance learned through ballet are invaluable, teaching children time management and resilience in the face of challenges. Foundation for Future Learning: Laying a solid foundation for further ballet studies, Grade 2 enriches cognitive abilities and prepares students for the next steps in their dance education. Why M&L School of Performing Arts Is Uniquely Suited for Grade 2 Ballet: Choosing M&L School of Performing Arts for Grade 2 ballet means entering a world where passion for dance and music transforms into a tangible journey of growth and discovery. Inspired by our own experiences and fueled by a deep commitment to dance education, we offer a space where young dancers flourish under the guidance of RAD-certified instructors. Here, your child will not only advance in ballet but will also develop a deep-seated love for the arts, nurtured within a community that values creativity, discipline, and artistic integrity. Enroll your child in the RAD Grade 2 ballet program at M&L School of Performing Arts, and witness their transformation into a more confident, expressive, and technically proficient dancer. Join our family, where every class is a step toward cultivating passionate, skilled artists ready to embrace the vast world of dance. Book first lesson here: https://mandlschoolofperformingarts.com/book-first-lesson/
Sometimes, the simplest photos are the hardest ones to take. How do you make an impeccable portrait of a loved-one or of a friend on the spot, and with only the help of natural lighting? Basically, how do you manage without a studio and all its controllability, and end up satisfied with an expressive and successful portrait?It is essential to take the environment into consideration when composing a portrait. Managing the background's colours and graphics, choosing the point of view, directing the model - these are all points that will be covered during the course.Light control is an equally important aspect; in particular, analysing a given moment's light and using it wisely are elements that will be explained to help you make a successful portrait.This workshop will teach you:- How to observe the environment so as to guide your aesthetic choices: point of view, directing a model- How to "read" light and place your subject accordingly- How to correctly define parameters in your camera according to your desired result- How to frame and compose an image to highlight the subjectThe workshop includes a theoretical explanation, a main "practical" part, as well as a class debriefing at the end. Pre-requisites for this workshop:
A relaxed and informal Blackwork Embroidery course in the lovely setting of a converted 18th Century cotton mill in Warwick Bridge, Carlisle. This course has been designed to guide the complete beginner or act as a refresher for those who may have dabbled in Blackwork embroidery in the past. We will cover the history, styles of Blackwork embroidery, threads and techniques.
Learn how to use horse behaviour science to enhance your horse's wellbeing. By making simple additions to the horse's environment (enrichment), you can mimic the horse's natural habitat and expand the range of behaviours they can engage in.
Our Team Building Programmes are 'simply excellent' (quote from Unilever). They always deliver much greater energy' motivation and efficiently accelerates to a galvanised, integrated team for their Manager/Team Leader. They're great fun and very commercially orientated - the best of both key elements to a successful and long-lasting high performance team. A successful company is always made up of successful teams. Teams that can work autonomously with a clearly defined set of goals, roles, vision, responsibility and culture will always reach for and achieve far greater success than a team that works just as a group of individuals. Our team building solutions are individually built and geared towards teams at any level within an organisation, providing an independent and objective perspective to promote a common purpose such as the creation of a 'high performance team'. Out With The Old Traditionally, team building events have been restricted to certain levels of management where they head off site for a bit of archery, quad biking and paintballing or something along those lines. Then over some coffee and cocktails, business plans and more efficient ways to work are casually discussed. Whilst being out having fun instead of being at work may improve an individual person's mood, the effect will only be short-term, and will not go far in creating permanent and cohesive teams who are able to overcome challenges together and drive the business forward when back in the workplace. In With The New Today's business thinking is more strategic and certainly has to look for returns on the investment. That is why Dickson Training Ltd's team building programmes are bespoke and built to your requirements through research, understanding your business and, most importantly, what results and achievements you are looking to get out of the programme. Once "what success looks like" has been established, we create tasks and activities that will test your leadership, problem solving, communication and team work skills. When the tasks have been completed, the learning - both practical and theory - is debriefed to the group as well as how it will translate back in your business. Not only are our events great fun, but they provide participants with learning points they can act upon to improve or enhance the working practices/environment. Team Building That Gets Results We have a highly innovative team who design team builds to suit all budgets and time or space restrictions. Large or small, we will develop the perfect event to meet your commercial objectives, keeping in line with your values and company culture. More recently we have combined team galvanising events with ways to engage the participants with and support their local communities. This solution has proved extremely popular with our clients and we are continuing to develop more and more programmes doing exactly this. " Phil did everything in a very professional and focused manner, without losing sight of the overall aims or having 'fun'. When I moved to Airbus UK and subsequently European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), I had no hesitation in recommending Phil and the team to deliver the required training and team events. Without doubt Phil and his team are excellent providers of training, to suit even bespoke requirements, and I would not hesitate in recommending the team to any business in the future. " Glenn Brown, Systems & Expertise Manager, Airbus Personnel Service Augmented Skills – an Essay by Phil Dickson All of you, who are reading this, and all the people you meet and work with will have – ‘Augmented Skills’. So – if you are an IT Engineer or a Pharmacist; perhaps you are, or know, a Departmental Leader and you work with a Logistics Project Manager; these roles will demand core skills, whether they be technical know-how or qualifications in the discipline. But to be that bit better; more reliable; more effective & productive and therefore more valuable and, frankly, marketable – capitalizing on ‘Augment Skills’ comes into play. The I T Engineer who was a Chess Champion at Uni, which would indicate that they possess some key ‘Augmented skills’ including how they plan 3 steps ahead and are always prepared for the unexpected. The Pharmacist, who is a keen sportsperson in their private life, will likely be tenacious, team-orientated and disciplined – again these are superb qualities to have in this – or any – role. Your colleagues, as well as yourself, will have ‘Augmented Skills’ that will be an asset if only they are explored and applied to their role and indeed, career. Everyone has their own 'Super-power' If they love gardening, they are probably strategic, patient and inclined to research; if they cook or bake, they are usually well organized and comfortable with multi-tasking. A big reader will tend to be considered and possess good critical thinking faculties, and an amateur mechanic or keen DIY person will often be practical, resourceful and very determined. I have observed that many new Parents discover they have ‘Augmented Skills’ they didn’t know they had... such as getting order out of chaos and displaying industrial amounts of patience and good grace when they really do not feel like it. They very often become far more compassionate and empathetic. Most people have their very own ‘Superpower’. Invite your team members to offer their ‘Augmented Skills’ to your work-place – and just watch as it elevates the motivation levels and improves results. It’ll be very rewarding for all concerned – and for meeting the Team’s objectives, to encourage the person who is a talented artist to be a sounding board on some of the marketing imagery and layouts; for the team member who is great at Maths or resolving crosswords to be asked for their input to solving a problem that is causing logistical or operational headaches. Never exploit a Team member’s unique special skills at their expense I would like to stress, however, that it must never be an area where a team member gets exploited by harvesting their unique special skills to coerce them into taking on greater responsibilities and tasks without providing them with the commensurate salary and status. To do so would be immoral and, ultimately, counter-productive as it would lead to resentment and disenfranchisement. This is about encouraging people’s capability and inviting their input to boost confidence and enhance the team’s capability. Often, we need to be more than what our Job Description says It is also important to highlight that whatever a person’s role or function is – they will definitely need to have additional capabilities to be effective. The best example of this is when we designed and delivered a range of ‘Advanced Customer Care skills’ training sessions for the Met Office a few years ago…we met so many remarkably super-bright Meteorologists, many of whom were having to make significant adjustments to answering questions from Customers that seemed to be illogical and often, obtuse. It wasn’t enough for these Meteorologists to be highly skilled at interpreting data and identifying patterns – they needed ‘Augmented skills’ to make that information accessible to members of the public (and Council workers and Air Traffic controllers and Shipping agents) and many other people, as to what that particular weather system was going to be like in their area and at what time. They have to know how to ‘de-jargonise’ the material and provide succinct, clear, and yet temperate, descriptions without ever appearing exasperated, impatient or judgmental in response to sometimes quite silly questions. For a highly trained scientist – that can be counter-intuitive. Being Philosophical... and a wee bit pretentious At the risk of being a little Philosophical (and probably a wee bit pretentious) – in my own role of Trainer – my core skills have to include – being a very good communicator, an active listener and have innovative and engaging ways to convert an idea, or a model, into practical application that my Delegates and Clients gain tangible benefits from. This is how it applies to me... I really enjoy composing short, light classical-style piano pieces. Now, to do this well, you need to be able to find a transition from one chord or melody to a different theme or key. It has to be worked out very carefully to have incremental transitions and pleasant-sounding developments as the piece unfolds. I think I have become better at this as I have honed my skills as a composer. But I have realized that these very same skills have ‘Augmented’ my ability to help a Manager, or a Team, move from a state of conflict; tension; disfunction; disenfranchisement; lack of confidence to a place that is more harmonious with far greater productivity. The very same process of careful listening, considering options, taking well-considered steps, having a creative, sometimes brave, move towards a resolution are at play in both Training and Piano Compositions! Scheduled Courses Unfortunately this course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. Please contact us for more information.