and everyone and everything it encompasses. (But I can’t miss you too much cos you visit me in my dreams. Such funny little things they are).

Some may ask, what is The Chase? Oh how many times have I explained this… well The Chase is a performance devised in 2012 that brings sport and art together in our case the sport, free running and the art, grafitti/woodwork (the blocks the free runners work around). It is part of the bigger project which is the Urban Culture Jam that has been around for 3 years which is a team of lots of other different elements based around creativity and art.

So after choosing the choreogrpaher, fim makers, theme, narrative, music and costume, The Chase was in full speed.

The free runners, formally known as Infinite Flow, had weekly or more than weekly rehearsals in order to get their performance polished and worthy of a high class performance… and let me tell you. they did just that. But…. with every sport there is always injuries, one of our original members of the team Dean, was badly injured… plan B was put into action and a local, former free runner, Tom was roped in and had to learn a 15 minute performance in one week, along with Will an extra free runner that was used to enhance the performance!

The Chase was first showcased in Accrington Tesco car park, a strange location you may add but trust me. the grungy, dark gritty atmosphere really did add to the urban vibes we aimed for. There was a huge injection of colour from the Blaze themed blocks made by Zedz, an international grafitti artist to make the location pop and catch people’s eyes. There was many comments about how much they were like tetris blocks which linked into their desired theme of ‘computer games’.

To accompany the blocks we had two gazebos one with Blaze information and goodies the next was workshops held by Sissy a fashion designer, making cute little spray painted bags - perfect for the little ones. We then had live art from three young people from Hyndburn onto a huge rectangular block, to accompany that there was a mini museum of other artists work in large scale for people to admire and be inspired by.

We had intervals of music performed by bands, djs and singers who have been working with Powerplay to create professional music and performances - it showcased talent from all angles: singers, drummers, djing and guitar playing - all things that are not very easy and you have to work for.

There was also a skateboarding competition for avid skaters, they simply showed off their best trick on their boards and hopefully landed it. The winner… surprise surprise was our skater who features in The Chase, Danny, what a great addition he is and no surprise he won, he is pretty spectacular for a 14 year old.

Then came the first public performance of The Chase, with two different members and the pressure of people watching and expecting amazing things everyone had their fingers crossed. but crossed they needn’t be. the lads were TOP NOTCH, all on time, wary of eachother and full of energy… they did exceedingly well. The performance had different sections, the first, one free runner the second two free runners and then a slow and stop motion intertwined section finishing off with a interjection of a guitar playing skateboarder - the foreign object. Which was soon caught by the agile free runners!!! The audience were in awe and were shocked by the talent around them. The Chase was a true success and the whole team were rearing to perform again at Miller Park, Preston as part of the Blaze festival urban culture jam day!!!

So it’s 2012, and the buzz of the Olympics is lingering everywhere I go. I get to thinking. If I’ve not qualified for the Olympics or bought a ticket surely I can’t ever say I have contributed to our country’s most memorable year, a legacy.

How wrong I am.

After spending years at Clayton-Le-Moors youth club being heavily involved with the Young People’s Service, I found Blaze. From then on I have been been posted by Blaze as an Igniter, Festival Producer and on a Trailblazer. I have realised that I wasn’t destined to compete at the Olympic Games because I was destined to take part in something within my reach, something that (like the Olympics) notices passionate people who want to succeed.

Blaze truly is like a dream, an arts project that most definitely puts young people first; both on a practical and personal level. Not only am I, along with 25 other young people, producing Blaze’s first festival, working in a recognised arts company and helping to create a local event. I get the opportunity to grow in confidence and knowledge within an environment beyond my expectations.

As a student with a yearning to earn experience within the arts, a subject I hold close to my heart, Ignite is a perfect somewhat alternative Saturday job. Working with an arts company, in my case, crafting and shaping a Trailblazer. This entails meetings, filming videos and working closely with some talented free runners to produce an event that will bring Hyndburn together. I feel worthy, useful and like an equal, qualities I never imagined my 17 year old self would feel in my first job. Ignite is something I will carry with me - the skills, information and networks are all I need, and more, if I am to (hopefully) get new jobs. Ignite really is the ignition to help me succeed in my dream career within the arts.

Meetings for the festival seemed hazy, sometimes made no sense. But now with only weeks until the festival those meetings are precious, distant but more helpful than I ever thought. I met so many people - young, old, experienced and inexperienced. Each one of them have left behind stories, advice and most importantly inspiration. The perfect recipe to a successful Festival.

I have always been doubtful. I never thought there would be so many people out there who wanted the same as myself, something better. But, with arts companies (such as Blaze), you realise how many other people hold the same interests and passions as yourself - people who are art-driven and additionally willing to spread the legacy of Blaze.

Blaze has been powerful enough to change and better young people, Blaze is a contribution to our country’s legacy, Blaze is a stepping stone onto a brighter future.

The least I can do is thank you Blaze, I sincerely hope you remain in my legacy, I hope people recognise Emily Barron for her time with Blaze, what a huge honour that would be.

Blaze Festival, 8-9th September 2012, Miller Park, Preston - an explosive mix of urban art, music and performance. http://blazeonline.org.uk/

So with my Ignite placement with Blaze being teamed up with Spearfish a creative company based in Manchester it means I get to spend time at their offices and work hands on in a creative space. So me and fellow urbaner Matt Wilde met last week for our first meeting, discussing the running order and what will take place in the Urban Culture Jam tent at the Blaze festival this is a small preview (unfinished) of what ideas we came up with based on the urban Blaze vibe we were given: The Festival Tent programming will consist of live demos from some of the north west’s best urban athletes including: free running, skate boarding/BMX street art and dance. There will be an opportunity for the audience to participate in an extensive program of free workshops throughout the day. There will be an interval of performances from local bands and singers. In addition to this there will be a section of visual media where the audience will randomly select a video in a fun and interactive way. More meetings are being held at Spearfish in order to plan, budget and organise in the next few weeks and I’m excited to see the tent and the polished programming!!!!

So we have finally shown GB what Blaze is about and why it should be invested in and should carry on for hopefully many years to come. It was not what I expected, I presumed it would be all arty farty and with my slap-dash attitude I’d feel out place, but it wasn’t and I didn’t. I remember distinctively being asked ‘what do you do?’ I found it quite hard to answer because of my role as a Trailblazer producer and the Blaze festival producer description could be quite confusing but I hopefully made sense. The best part of the night was when we gave small presentations, they were so ‘Blazey’ by that I mean everyone had their own characters and put their own slant on it. I also hope everyone was impressed or at least learnt something from the video I made for the Urban Culture Jam in what seemed like 1 hour! The live art and free running was also a great touch along with the Boom Bike Band, it was by far the best decision, to display our gems on such an important night for the future of Blaze. After the press launch and seeing the amount of praise Blaze has been given through Twitter and Facebook I think the future of Blaze is successful and I hope Blaze blooms into a more beautiful and bigger flower than it already is!!!! So lucky and happy to be part of something so magical!!