At this time of year, all thoughts turn to those less fortunate than ourselves and what we can do to make lives better. For me, and for many of you of course who read these pages, it’s not just people that matter but the wildlife we share this fragile planet with too. As such, it was great during the last few weeks to have been able to focus some time on fund-raising for one of our favourite charities – the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. I won’t go on about all the great work they do on this page, but why not click through to their website and see what they’re up to.
The highlight of the last month was undoubtedly “A Wild Life”...which was an extra special evening show I put together and held at Fairfield Church Hall in Northwood Hills. A massive massive thank you to all of those that gave their time and produce for free on the night, and also all the work undertaken in the build-up to the event. Instrumental in the idea were Pinner Camera Club – and it just goes to show what can be done when everyone gets on board. The idea for the evening started earlier in the year, when the club had reached out to me to come and give a regular “talk” on one of their weekly get-togethers. Having spoken there a couple of times in the past, and been fortunate to be asked to compere and judge the inaugural Les Spitz Wildlife Trophy that they founded and compete with against many other regional clubs, I was only too happy to get them onto the diary.
But then, I had a thought (which, those that know me, is a rare thing!). I asked if the club would instead be prepared to move the evening into a bigger venue (one with a stage, lighting and sound), and host, instead, a special, much more theatre-style event full of bells, whistles, anecdotes and (hopefully!) comedy with a view to getting in a bigger crowd and maxing out the chances for raising funds.
To their eternal credit, they were straight on board. Not only that, but they then worked tirelessly to promote the evening in the months running up to it and on the night itself running all the administration. There are too many to mention here, but my thanks go to everyone who got involved.
The results were for all to see; nearly 200 people on the night to the situation where there was just standing room only at the back in the end, all paying for the experience knowing that 100% of their ticket price would go to charity. A prize draw on the night was also a key earner, to which I donated a copy of “Audience with the King”, with so many others donating prizes too.
We raised nearly £3000 on the night (which included some extra donations sent to me afterwards), every penny of which went to charity.
Of course big evenings such as these demand extra bits too, and my wife, Carrie and her catering team, (www.carriethechef.com) did a fantastic job of providing a whole range of canapés for the entire audience, whilst Robin Watts held his own running the bar for which we have the super-generous donation of Sandridge Barton vineyard – the home of Sharpham Wines – to thank for supplying the sparkling wine that doubtless oiled the wheels for the evening!
A big thanks to Jane and Andrew Moon in that regard. Finally, I have to mention the one and only Alex Murphy – a great friend and stage manager that not only ran the lighting and sound on the night, but was also there in the green room with me beforehand with his calming words and demeanour.
When the lights went down and the videos started, you can feel the buzz in the room…and it’s a night I think that we will all remember. For me? I had an absolute ball up there 🙂
Pinner are a shining example of what makes camera clubs great (and I’ve visited many of them to speak over the years!). Their’s is a real community and I hope can set an example of what can be done to break out of the norm. “A Wild Life” is a 1 hour 45 minute multi-media stage show requiring the right sort of venue, but is one that can bring together communities under one roof for an evening’s entertainment and also put across the conservation message. If you’re all out there taking photos, remember you need a subject…and without supporting the frontline, then we are no better than trophy hunters. If you would like to enquire as to how to hold this event in your area, please enquire. Why not try something a bit different to the normal talk? Drop me a line.
Scroll down for some images of the evening!
