It was great to meet the kids and chat with the parents of The Mini Band last night at The Boileroom in Guildford. The Mini Band were only on for a few numbers and the light wasn’t great but I managed to get a few shots.
You can see a bigger set on my facebook page.
I’m photographing the Mini Band again tonight at The Boileroom in Guildford. They only have a short set supporting another band but if you haven’t seen them, pop over to be impressed.
Watch out for a new set of pictures soon.
Somewhat later than I hoped, here are this year’s Reading Toy Run Pictures. Unfortunately, I had a shoot shortly after the event and didn’t have time to stick around or post the pictures yesterday.
It was a fantastic event with more participants than I’ve seen before and more effort going into decorating bikes and costumes. This was all the more remarkable given the rain right up until kick off at 14:00 when, as if taking pity on everyone, the clouds parted and we had sun for the whole run.
The most impressive display that I saw was a Gold Wing decorated in a vast amount of tinsel and 10,000 lights. The picture doesn’t do it justice.
There was also a boat. Possibly ridden by someone who was expecting the weather to get worse.
These are mostly pictures of the gathering before we set off but I grabbed a few at the other end as others were arriving and handing their toys in.
There are more pictures on my Facebook page and on Google+ here.
I had a tremendous day yesterday roaming the Wokingham Winter Carnival taking pictures. It was packed; the unusually bright day must have swelled the crowd.
The highlights for me were the large number of live music acts performing. I stood watching one act for too long and nearly missed another act elsewhere that I was supposed to be photographing.
Here is a small selection of pictures.
There is a larger set viewable on Google+ here (nicer picture viewer) or Facebook here.
The Wokingham Winter Carnival 2011 kicks off tomorrow morning with events around Wokingham town centre. I’ll be there trying to get pictures of everything starting with Santa arriving at his Grotto at the Library at 11:00, the procession, hundreds of stalls and then late into the afternoon with all the entertainment.
You can find free programmes at the Town Hall, shops and outlets around Wokingham and you can download a PDF timetable here.
I hope to see you there.
Fragile is a Yes tribute band I’ve starting following recently. They play the music of Yes with remarkable authenticity and accuracy. I’ve not been a big fan of tribute bands, always expecting them to be a bit sub-standard, but the guys in Fragile are all supreme musicians and deliver a fantastic experience.
Last Saturday night, November 19, they played their last concert for 2011 at the Arlington Arts Centre in Newbury. I didn’t think I could get there due to a work clash but the job fell through so I was delighted to attend.
Here are a few pictures from the show. You can see lots more on my Facebook page.
I was involved with a charity event two weeks ago in aid of Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice at the Rivermead Sports Centre in Reading. I was offering free children’s portraits in exchange for a donation to the charity. The parents get the portraits a few days later by email.
Every time I do one of these, I get to meet some great people and some gorgeous looking kids.
At this event, kids could have their faces painted or could dress up before having their pictures taken.
You can find a selection of pictures from the day on my Facebook page.
I’ve created a special gallery page for the St. Wilfrid’s Hospice Coastal Yacht Challenge 2011 Awards ceremony pictures.
If you’re interested in this event, you can find the pictures here.
This year, the curiously named Reading Toy Run (given that it takes place mostly in Wokingham) will be on December 4th and kicks off at 13:00 from Foster Wheeler.
This annual event provides gazillions of toys for the children of Barnardo’s and thousands (OK, hundreds) of motorbikes are involved, travelling the route to High Close School in Wiltshire Road. The bikes are frequently decorated with tinsel and Christmas themes and all the riders bring a new toy to donate.
I’ve done it a few times, including last year, and I’ll be there again this year on my Triumph Rocket III, trying to get some interesting pictures.
Here are a few pictures I took last year with a pocket camera at Foster Wheeler as we were preparing to set off.
A Christmas tree on the back of a motorbike
Hundreds of bikes gather for the start
A Christmas tree on the back of a motorbike
A bike decked out in tinsel
Hundreds of bikes gather for the start of the Toy Run
I’ve been sent the procession route for the Wokingham Winter Carnival 2011. As far as I can tell, it’s the same as last year’s route, which means there is the chance to see the procession twice. If you watch it leave Shute End and then nip down Broad Street, you can catch it again as it passes the Town hall.
Wokingham Winter Carnival Route
You’re then in the right place for the carol singing a little later.
I hope to see you there.
(Click the map for a larger version)
