Social impacts are increasingly used as one of the main justifications for staging and funding events, and yet there is very little empirical evidence on the extent to which these impacts are realised by different kinds of events or in different settings. This timely volume fills this gap by being the first to explore the different social aspects of events, looking in particular at the role of events in developing social capital, social cohesion and participation in local communities. Based on cutting edge empirical research, it evaluatesthe contribution of both cultural and sports events to social capital, social cohesion, community spirit and local pride in range of different types of events and settings, with case studies drawn from Europe, Australia and South Africa. It therefore furthers knowledge about the social benefits and impacts of events and significantly contributes to the development of Events as a discipline. Written by leading academics in this area, this volume is essential reading for all those interested in Events Management and Studies.

Social impacts are increasingly used as one of the main justifications for staging and funding events, and yet there is very little empirical evidence on the extent to which these impacts are realised by different kinds of events or in different settings.

This timely volume fills this gap by being the first to explore the different social aspects of events, looking in particular at the role of events in developing social capital, social cohesion and participation in local communities. Based on cutting edge empirical research, it evaluatesthe contribution of both cultural and sports events to social capital, social cohesion, community spirit and local pride in range of different types of events and settings, with case studies drawn from Europe, Australia and South Africa. It therefore furthers knowledge about the social benefits and impacts of events and significantly contributes to the development of Events as a discipline.

Written by leading academics in this area, this volume is essential reading for all those interested in Events Management and Studies.

As Milton Keynes celebrates its 50th birthday, Maker-Artists of Milton Keynes delves into the lives and work of twenty-five makers of hand-crafted artistic objects who are based in the city today. The featured maker-artists are chosen for the ways in which their use of the traditional materials of ceramics, wood, metal, glass and textiles, in the words of William Morris, 'beautifies the familiar matters of the everyday'. As well as exploring their skills and displaying the delightful objects they make, this book uncovers the maker-artists' networks of local links to people and places. Illustrated with beautiful colour photographs, this book explores how the landscape of Milton Keynes, from the recently built ultra-modern to the enduring pockets of historic buildings, stimulates and enhances the artistic lives of the makers.