I went to the annual BECTU London Freelances’ Fair 2011 on Friday 17 June 2011 at Savoy Place.

In the morning I went to The Freelance Toolkit Workshop – an extremely informative and useful session run by David Thomas.

After a peruse around the fair exhibition area (pictured), I participated in two seminars in the afternoon: the first on using DSLR cameras to make film and television programmes (not convinced, to say the least!) and the second on pitching programme ideas (a sort of role playing exercise – very interesting).

This year saw a significant increase in attendence compared to last year – many thanks to BECTU’s Writers Producers and Directors Branch for organising the event and to the sponsors for their support.

I attended the launch of the Lost Arts campaign in Westminster on Wednesday 15 June 2011.

The campaign includes a website that will record all the arts-related events, projects and organisations that will be closed due to cuts in public funding; including a running total of money lost to the arts and the resultant negative impact on the economy.

I attended this year’s BECTU Annual Conference in Eastbourne on the weekend of 4-5 June 2011.

Good work by the Kaiser Chiefs guys.

Gil Scott-Heron RIP.

Uxbridge Road W12 at 1633 on Thursday 26 May 2011.

I was one of the volunteer helpers at Open Tech 2011 on Saturday 21 May 2011.

Pictured are attendees at the post-event social in the ULU bar.

Mant thanks to Sam for organising another fantastic Open Tech.

WordCamp Portsmouth UK 2011 tickets are now available.

Early Bird tickets are £35 until midday 3 June 2011 – thereafter they’ll be £45.

Microsponsorship, at £75, can also be purchased using the same ticketing system.