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Talking to Artist, Anthony Fothersgill about his artwork, workshops, being Neurodiverse and how being creative has helped him and others. Anthony lives in Harle Syke, Burnley. He has 17 year old twins. He was diagnosed a week before his 50th birthday on the Autistic Spectrum. Approximately 18 months ago he was diagnosed with ADHD. He has struggled with his mental health and depression a lot, and this is why he puts a lot of effort into his arts and crafts. " I exhibit at the North Approach Gallery and will be running an art workshop there. Arts and Crafts have been a passion for me my whole life. However, I have realised that, up until recently, I have been trying to fit in a world that doesn't fit me. I've tried desperately to meet other people's expectations and fit into their idea of what normal looks like, not anymore though! So now I'm living my life, by my rules. The only expectations I have are those I put on myself, and I'm in a much happier place for it. I've been called weird by a lot of people, including family and those who class themselves as friends. I let that eaffectIme for a long time and it made me very angry. Now I embrace it, I like to be the one that is different, the quirky one in the group, and that's where my artist name came from. Thequirkycraftguy is how I identify and it's how my artwork is signed. It is me, it's not only how other people see me, it's how I see myself. I don't want to be a sheep, fit in a box, and if I want to colour outside the lines, I will do.My art. My inspiration for my artwork comes from anything that makes me happy. I like to be outdoors, being active, enjoying nature, animals, birds, and meeting people along the way. I love cartoons, comics, animals, kawaii, and I take reference from these when I'm creating my art. My neuro divergent brain doesn't like to concentrate on one thing for too long, and I can't sit still. My brain flecks around from one thing to another very quickly. Before I finish a piece of work I already have another dozen pieces in my head. So I don't just paint, I make paper pulp sculptures, textile animals, I can crochet, and I'm always looking for new skills to learn. My workshop is called What!? No Brush!? It's about thinking creatively how to paint rather than what to paint.I will be setting up a Community Interest Company this year, I am volunteering at Team Rise, a charity that supports adults with disabilities, autism, vulnerable adults, and those who are socially isolated. I'm doing arts and crafts with them every Wednesday afternoon. I'm looking for more opportunities like this, it's the reason for the CIC, and I want to show how my disabilities are not holding me back. In fact, I believe it's why I'm a creative thinker. I'm not just creative in terms of my art, I think creatively about most things, it makes me a good problem solver. Also, the level that I'm at with my arts and crafts has involved 40+ years of practice. Creativity is a skill, and like any skill, to be good you need to practice. People tell me they are not creative, they can't draw or paint. I ask them, how much practice have they had? They cannot compare what I do with what they can do because I've practiced this my whole life.I'm sure you have probably got enough here to get an idea of who I am and what I'm about. I'm really looking forward to speaking with you, it's a shame we are not doing it in person, but maybe we could get together some other time. "

Fiona Love talks to Director, Louise Wadley - Part Two of Hebden Bridge Film Festival interview.

Fiona Love Interviews, Director Louise Wadley, ahead of the Hebden Bridge Film Festival 2026, happening in March 20 - 22. Louise is the Festival Director, and set up Hebden Bridge Film Festival in 2019. Louise was a long time board member of the MardiGras Film Festival, and has served as a jurist for a number of film festivals, including Women in Film and Television (Australia). Louise graduated from the National Film and Television School in the UK and was a semi-finalist in The Academy Nicholl’s Scriptwriting competition and shortlisted for the Sundance Script Lab. Her debut feature All About E was released in 2016. Frustrated by the lack of roles for women she formed Girls’ Own Pictures with her partner Jay Rutovitz to develop and produce original stories with distinctive and exciting female lead characters.  What is it about stories? The need for them is powerful, even primal. We seek them out, again and again. They touch us, disturb us, move us, sometimes soothe us, but whatever - they make us feel. With HBFF we aim to do just that. We have over 500 years of non-conformist history in the valley so it seems fitting that we champion the stories of those who exist in the margins, sit outside the mainstream or just plain don’t fit in. With the advent of the all too timely #metoo movement, it will not surprise many of you to know that statistics for women in film remain shockingly low. According to the BFI, in Britain in 2024 only only 12% of all films produced were directed by a woman. The figures for LGBTQ, working-class and BME filmmakers and filmmakers with disabilities also remain very low. HBFF is proud to be an F-Rated film festival. The F Rating is given to any film written by a woman, directed by a woman or featuring women in significant on-screen roles. Any film that meets all three criteria is awarded a Triple F Rating.We are committed to BFI diversity standards and to delivering a programme of excellence, featuring international and homegrown films and unique events with industry professionals, as well as supporting and fostering local talent. And while we can't be the biggest, most glitzy festival out there, we can bring filmmakers and film lovers together in the wonderful community spirit that Hebden Bridge is famous for.

Fiona Love talks to Carol Hodge & Julia Othmer about The Selenite Songs Tour in the U.K. Across the Atlantic Ocean, from the unlikely locations of Huddersfield, Yorkshire and Kansas City, USA, artists Carol Hodge and Julia Othmer have been holding a unique correspondence. The two piano-playing, singing songcrafters have struck up a pen pal relationship of songs, bringing light to what divides and unites us, geographically, politically and personally. Julia and Carol met on tour in 2018, opening up in the UK for Welsh legends The Alarm, and quickly bonded over their shared love of all things heart-centred and magickal. They toured together again in 2019, and vowed to make it a regular occurrence, until the pandemic hit. The Selenite Songs Project sees these two powerful women joining forces once again, to reflect light and create connection. Get your tickets to one of their shows - https://www.carolhodge.co.uk

Find out about the benefits of a sauna and cold water plunge with Catherine Lennox from Roots and Rocks. Fiona Love joins Catherine for the experience and how it all began during lockdown, and how a simply idea turned into her dream business. Go to https://www.rootsandrocks.co.uk/sauna to find out more.. #sauna #wellbeing #hebdenbridge #mytholmroyd

Author Michael Stewart has recently launched his poetry book The Dogs with illustrator, Louis Benoit and it is such a fascinating book, full of imagination, history and facts. If you love dogs, you will love this book.

Today we talk about female power, and celebrate our Queen of Queens. Join Fiona Love and resident guest, Nicci Roscoe as we discuss leadership, the Queen and celebrate her 70 years of reign.

Mental Health Awareness is everyday. It is important to look after yourself and provide the nurturing and love, your body needs. Fiona Love and Nicci Roscoe chat about tips and ways to help yourself, in this episode. Sending lots of love out into the universe. 💗💗💗

Positive Vibes with Fiona Love and Nicci Roscoe, talking about feeling overwhelmed and making time for yourself.

Fiona Love and Nicci Roscoe explore being curious and where it leads you… References from Alice in Wonderland to Charlie Mackesy’s book, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse (a must read) as we adventure forwards and break from our routines. Be curious and see where it leads you… 💗💗💗

Fiona Love and resident guest, Nicci Roscoe talk about their Bucket List.

Creative Mentor Fiona Love and Mind Medication expert, Nicci Roscoe talk about finding your courage and your journey in moving forwards in life, this year. As the restrictions are getting less, what are we doing to help ourselves in this time.

This episode, Fiona Love and Resident Guest, Nicci Roscoe talk about finding the light in the dark. Discovering new beginnings, creating new ventures and learning different ways of being that are aligned with our joy. The Time is Now! 😀💗💗

Fiona Love talked to Nicci Roscoe about Children and Crystals.

Fiona Love talks to Nicci Roscoe on nostalgia, childhood memories and relaxation. Learning to pace ourselves in the easing of lockdown.