FOCAL’s HMS Belfast Networking Event Goes Ahead Despite Setbacks

London, 22nd September was a significant day for many FOCAL Members. It was the day that had been set to re-schedule FOCAL’s HMS Belfast Networking Event, cancelled on the day of the London bombings in July. It also coincided with the funeral of FOCAL’s Chair, Jane Mercer.

Despite her illness, Jane was determined and eagerly looking forward to attending the annual event aboard HMS Belfast. Unfortunately, it was not to be, but as a mark of respect for what was felt she would have wanted, the evening social went ahead as planned.

Will Buchanan of RPPtv (above) had the novel idea of sponsoring the beer and even labelled it with the RPPtv logo.

(from left to right) Rossa Lyons and Razib Chatterjee, RTE Library and Dave Kent, Film Images

Footage Researchers Liz Fay and Declan Smith (above)

(below)

(From left to right) Amanda Huntley, Huntley Film Archives, Susannah Feder BBC Motion Gallery, Victoria Stable, Researcher

Karena Smith, ITN Archive acting as Deputy Chair led a short tribute to Jane and then it was business as usual networking with more than 200 guests.

The RPPtv beer must have tasted good, judging by the appetites of Paul Gardner (above left), and Anthony Rees, Researchers for Darlow Smithson.

Alex Hamilton, ITN Archive (left) and Veronique Foucault of APTN Library (right) both winning DVD Players presented by David Atkinson and David Clarke of TMR

Arun McIntosh with Rhiannon Bates, Iron Mountain

Paul Sargent, Imperial War Museum (above left) with Taylor Downing, Flashback TV (right)

Bernard Kay of Kay Publications with Liz Clarke, TMR

Thanks to generous sponsorship by * TMR * BBC Motion Gallery * Iron Mountain * RPPtv * everyone enjoyed food, drink and plenty of socialising.

The highlight was TMR’s luxury prize raffle which included a selection of electronic goods including DVD players and a laptop computer.

Nell Carrington of the National Maritime Museum (left) winning the star prize, presented by TMR’s Vanessa Arden-Wood.

Richard Wintle of Calyx TV

Researcher Richard Philpott with Veneta Bullen, Scala and Deborah Hart, PRA (above from left to right)

(below from left to right) Tom Vine, John McVie,Scottish TV and Ashley Horton, BP Video Library

From TMR (above left to right) Zoe Jenkins, Sophie Turner and Vanessa Arden-Wood

Details of all those companies highlighted in BOLD, plus the services they offer, can be found on the FOCAL web Directory and also, in the latest FOCAL International Members Directory 2005-06.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT:

Anne Johnson or Julie Lewis
Tel: +44 (0)20 8423 5853
[email protected]