A Year at the Cathedral

A bit self indulgent, this post, but Rebecca, Pip and I have had a great year being part of the Cathedral in Rochester.

We have developed more friendships, more thoughts about the bigger picture and had more fun together being part of a fantastic church that there are just too many special people who share in our lives with God. You know who you are, and so does He !

We have been involved with some great things, Rebecca helping with Annie and the Interpretation, Darren and Pip helping Sugina and Phil with The Sunday Club, the Nativity DVD, the Interpretation Launch, Peter Lock's leaving do and all those Forum meetings with the rest of the congregation and the Dean and being part of such a strong fellowship.

One of the things I never expected was to become friends with the three Priests who have appeared on GMTV, and whose concert we went to see in Hammersmith I suprised them by giving them DVDs I had edited of Beautiful shots of the Cathedral put to their music.

I have to say I really enjoy on so many levels the Taize prayer on the first Sunday of the month, And did I mention hanging out with Rob....?

here from the last year is a picture of the interpretation play which I filmed, I'm at the bottom right....

Darren :-)

What's behind the doors ?

Inspired by Rob's Picture of his fine Christmas Tree

( http://www.theshinyheadedprophet.blogspot.com/ )

I thought you might like to see my Advent Calendar :-)

A Great Week in Breakfast Telly

Had a good week this week.

The show was extremely busy and we had all 7 cameras out and about the studio or behind the scenes for most of it.

We were advised to stay in town on thursday because of the prospect of deep snow at home ( and they were right, as I sit here posting this there's a good foot of snow outside the door !)

But that meant I was free to attend a retirement party for Peter McHugh our top man at GMTV, and I was surrounded by former and present colleagues from 17 years...It was the best do I have been to for a long time, simply just to catch up with all those super people was great.....

Then on Friday after 3 hours sleep we had a mad morning with Westlife and a prerecord for Fluffy Club before embarking on the Camera Dept Christmas Curry and Drinks.

Once again a good time was had by all and we managed to get together and enjoy good food and company.

However all the trains were delayed out of town and I got two very slow ones back, and then upon arrival at Gillingham decided to walk back home 4 1/2 miles in the snow...Up and down Hills I did it in 50 mins ( I think the booze kept me going !)

Now off for a week to prepare or Christmas !

Time to Give...of Yourself?

I was waiting in Reception at work the other evening before going into the Rain to record a story for the telly. There is a lovely old lady who has been there years and who used to sell the London Evening Paper just inside our reception,but now that it is free I asked her what she would do, and she replied she probably wouldnt be around after Christmas.
I then asked what her plans were for Christmas Itself and she said she had a neighbour she might visit, but that she didnt want to impose on anyone....
Well, I bought a few extra bits when shopping with Rebecca and we made her up a little food hamper of goodies, I hope that goes a little way to showing her there are those who think of her and who want her to feel included in some way at this special time of the year.
There are going to be those who are with large family gatherings at Christmas, but let us not forget those who will be alone or sad and perhaps we can all find 10 minutes to give ...of ourselves.
As I left her at work today I was walking on air feeling so positive in the spirit of the season.
And she knew that there are others thinking of her........

Suprise !

Do you like Suprises ?

I think Most of us do...

Flowers by post , Choccie and Wine...Thats run of the mill, and yes I enjoy doing that but,

I specialise in Unusual Suprises, the sort that people arent expecting at all......

Like When my Wife Rebecca was working away, in the past I have managed to redecorate the bedroom and because she is so tired when she flies back, on that occaision she got into bed without noticing, and woke up in what she knew was our bedroom, but it looked strangely different....

The earliest suprise was when she came home from hospital with Philippa who was just days old, and I had gone a bit mad with the balloons, banners and signs outside the house for when she came back.

I think my favourite has to be this year on our Wedding anniversary when she came home from two days abroad and with Harry's help I had managed to rip up all the old broken concrete on our drive , take it to the dump and lay 5 tonnes of Gravel for a lovely Gravel drive, something she had always wanted but not neccesarily for an anniversary pressie.....

Shes due back tomorrow from 4 days in Tenerife, and this time I've wallpapered the Bathroom...Now I'm off to get a new mirrored cabinet...

Its good fun being unpredictable :-)

Fin !

6 weeks on and we have done it !
There were those who said it couldnt be done.....

There were those who said we were mad to try it...

But More importantly there was a small band of us who had faith, and who

believed we could do it by pulling together and remaining focussed........

Yes Its True the Frogensian Christmas Tale DVD is finished for a premiere showing to the whole team on the 19th Dec.

We have Written it, Brainstormed it, Planned it, Shot it, Edited it, Re-Edited it and even Cleared the Music Copyright.......

Its looking pretty good and there aren't that many outtakes ;-)

Well Done All, I hope you have had as much fun doing it as I have....

Darren

GMTV is now ITV

I've worked for reuters tv ( for gmtv news/obs ) for 4 years

I've worked for GMTV proper for 13 years

I guess I now work for ITV Daytime and Factual........

Heavens Above !

The Sky at Night

The Centre for Life in Newcastle is taking an unusual look at people who stare deep into space to try to understand the mysteries of the Universe.
It is hosting an exhibition, first launched at the Royal Albert Hall, by professional photographer and amateur stargazer Max Alexander - who conceptualises the astronomers' work in a series of striking images.

Click the link below to see a BBC Audio Slideshow of some very interesting pictures !

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8319044.stm

75% there on the Nativity Dvd Front.

Only One more saturday shooting for the Frogs modern take on the Christmas Nativity Story.

Not only has it some unusual twists on the Characters of the Story we all know of old, but it, like many of the best productions, has been beset by wind, rain, tempest, bell ringing and choir practice !
The edit is well underway and all we have to do now is the very start, and of course the happy ending ( which will be even happier as it is all to be shot indoors ! )

Find out about Frogs Here

You Are SO Annoying !

Read a report today on a survey of 3000 households regarding arguments within families.
We thought we would do something to address this and so Rebecca and I went up to Pip's room and apologised profusely for annoying her over the past week, and then we stood in seperate corners of her room until she let us off.....
:-)

Famous Faces....

Its been a busy week at work with a large number of Famous Faces through the Studio Doors.

Sir Michael Caine, Ronan Keating, Leona Lewis, David Walliams, Peter Andre to name but a few, but I think the one person who I wasnt expecting to see, but who really made me happy was when I popped round my dad's and saw his sister, my Auntie Judith.

I havent seen her in a while, and she hasnt see Pip for a couple of years, but It was lovely to see she is still well and doing remarkably for 77 years old !

Even though a number of the TV Guests have been in the News recently for sad news ( Ronan for Stephen Gately's passing, David Walliams for Mat Lucas's Partner's passing and Peter Andre for his divorce ) and they have had to deal with life changing events none of us want to go through.

But why is my Aunty Judith on this list ? Well, it ties in with Philippa's Humanities Homework this week where she is covering Human rights, because Aunty Judith was originally from Czechoslovakia where she was part of the evacuation of Jewish Children at the start of WWII.

She was one of the few fortunate children who thanks to the Kinder Transport Movement was sent to England to be placed with English Families. Her family back home were not heard from again......

Thats why she is my Famous Face of the Week.

Darren x

Fireworks......Hot Hot Hot

Actually It might be fireworks night but three of us are going to try a spiiiicy curry at masalazone in Covent Garden after the fluffy club tomorrow, just to vet it of course, for the rest of the Camera Dept's Annual Christmas Luncheon...Looking Forward To it !

I think It will prove a popular choice :-)

Love Is.....

L

A Poem ..... Leaves

Leaves !

You spend a day clearing 'em up

Tidying, Raking And shovelling the muck

But Overnight Winds have other ideas

(You're Lying in bed allaying your fears)

So open the curtains and what a sore sight

Twice as many are there...what a sad plight :-(

A smile is worth......

a thousand words.......

Today we went to the 10:30 service at the Cathedral and who should be in charge but Rob Ryan the Pioneer Curate. We were lucky to have him sit next to us last week when he was off duty , but he didnt let on he was in charge this week ! The best bit when Rob is up there has to be the way a smile can travel across half the congregation and back again......well done matey !

Question for the day.....Why is it ?

You always loose one thing in a set ?

Does this mean you:

a) try and replace it.

b) continue on with the rest of the set making do.

c) spend the rest of your life looking for it

d) just buy a new set.

Which would you do ?

The picture was from the brewery so I hope they found it, perhaps it's at the bottom of that Mash Tun of 32000 pints of Spitfire !

I Stand Corrected !

Ok , So on Sunday I posted a blog , which included a picture of Shepherd Neame's Bishop's Finger. I thought it was my Favourite S.N. Ale.....

I was wrong! On the tour today i discovered 1698. Its a Bottle COnditioned ale at over 6.5% and it is gorgeous!

I recommend you try some asap !

Here, By the way, is a picture of a chap checking 32000 pints of spitfire !

A week off !

And it's filling up fast, one highspot will be a Brewery Tour of Shepherd Neame.The Uk's No'1 Brewery in my books (and for a few others I know !)

Mine's a pint of Bishop's Finger Cheers !

INSULATION !
Well Its that time of year isn't it , and all the energy companies seem to be involved in some Carbon Offset Promotion or the other, well, B and Q with British Gas are doing 6 rolls of 200mm Loft insulation for £8 this weekend!
Hvving bought ten packs of 6 rolls ( Actually about 3 packs too many ) I hae had a dusty couple of hours lagging the loft in fact I reckon I’ve got over 400mm in places now.

Interested ? Then Read the Government advice below

• More than 40% of all the heat lost in an average home is through the loft space and walls

• More heat is lost through walls than any other route – approximately 33% in an uninsulated home

• 270-300 mm (10.5 inches) of loft insulation can save up to 15% of a home’s heating costs

• Cavity Wall Insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures in the home. It can save around £120 each year on a typical home fuel bill.

Up and Away....

UP
Went with The Girls to See Up at the cinema this weekend. Had been meaning to see it simply because I love all the Pixar Animations that have been produced since 1984 ( Can you believe its been 25 years ?). What Jogged us to go though, was a Review in the Guardian newspaper which was very accurate and most interesting. The FIlm has two major characters, and old man and a young boy, the old man feels he has lived his life, having spent a large part of it with the Wife he adores. SHe sadly dies before him and he feels saddened by the thought that there was still one major thing they never did ...visit Paradise Falls, well I wont tell you the whole story but it does have some really touching moments for anyone who has been lucky enough to find their ideal partner to share their trials and tribulations, highs and lows with for a large part of their lives. I have and I am ever more thankful for that blessing.

AWAY

The Revd Peter Lock, Archdeacon of the Cathedral Had his last Eucharist today before retiring from the Cathedral. It was a particularly fine service as the Full Choir , many former Deans and Bishop Michael Turnbull were present along with a visiting Orchestra, who happened to be there !
It made me think when I found out that Pete Lock started his ministry in 1968, the year I was born, I hope he finds time in his retirement to put it all down on paper as the little taster which was in this months Link newspaper was fascinating. I hope he enjoys good health, after his recent dicky ticker, and enjoys all that Faversham has to offer ( namely A fine Glass of Shepherd Neame Beer !)

GoogleCar

Saw this in the rain near Dartford today !
I was actually snapped twice in the summer by a google streetmap car on Rochester Bridge but they havent mapped down to street level yet , so I wait with baited breath.

Hybrid

I am Off to Rainham Girls Eco Saturday being an Eco Governor now, and I am taking one of our Hybrids to show them and explain a bit about how it works.

I shall actually take the Toyota Prius, but I have posted a Photo of our new Honda Civic Hybrid.

I know there are those who say its a waste of time and effort, but surely it's better to do something rather than nothing at all ? I also think that the manufacturers wouldn't have gone to allt the expense of Research and Development if there was no benefit to the consumer, the company and the planet...

Did you know that the prius battery is made up of 2000 AA cells ?

A Diarist called Michael

Having Read the first of Michael Palin's Diaries 1969 to 1989 the very weekend it was published, I have now started the second edition covering 1979 to 1989 And a bloomin good read it is too. Not Just because the Pythons are my heros, and they really carried on where the Goons Left off, but because Mr Palin has always kept such a thorough record of a really interesting life, and a loony band of friends............I really wish I had kept a diary :-)

Ancient Stones Untold Stories

Had a great time At Rochester Cathedral This weekend as the New Interpretation Project had its official Launch.

Henry the Eigth cut the Ribbon , and we were treated to a promenade style play by Acclaimed author Alis Hawkins (http://www.hawkinsbizarre.blogspot.com/) which took part in a number of areas inside and outside the Cathedral truly bringing it's history to life.

I recorded it on Camera and hopefully we might be able to put it on disk for a wider audience.

Rebecca has been helping Annie Harvey( who has been project managing the whole thing for the last year and who has done a great job, I think it's taken over her life somewhat ! )

And now visitors can be welcomed in style, and take one of three audio tours of the cathedral and also watch the Video Installations too.

http://www.rochestercathedral.org/

Sleepless !

Ever had a real shock ? One that was at completely out of the blue ? I bet you have.
Well we had one on the way home at 9pm from the Cathedral when we were stopped by an ANPR check vehicle because the Police Database didn't have our car on it. Of course we have insurance :-)
Trouble is Proving it at the side of the road on a dark night without any paperwork ids extremely difficult ... Fortunately we didn't lose our car and we live to drive another day, and I suppose really we shouldnt get too wrapped up in ourselves, When you consider 10% of cars in the UK arent Insured....... So it was just another sleepless night ;-)

There is a good website called:
http://www.askmid.com/ownvehicle/
which allows you to check all your car details with the Motor Insurance Database....

Probably worth doing if you have a minute ....

Darren

Treasure Hunt !

So Did you hear about the Metal Detectorist in Staffordshire who has found a massive hoard of Anglo Saxon Treasure in a Farmers Field...?

He says he has been looking for for a find like this all his life, and pretty amazing it is too. He and the Landowner look set to receive a seven figure sum from the crown, and it will be available in museums eventually for us all to wonder at...Brilliant Eh ?

My favourite piece so far is this gold strip which carries the Latin inscription: "Rise up O Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed and those who hate thee be driven from thy face." It has two sources, the Book of Numbers or Psalm 67, taken from the Vulgate, the Bible used by the Saxons.

i think it just shows how valid the inscription is in this day and age too....

Fairtrade

Pip Has come home with some Homework tonight relating to Fairtrade. She has designed a questionnaire for us to fill in to gather how much information we know about Fairtrade and What It means, which ties in nicely with an interview I heard on Radio 5 last night on 'Up All Night'. A BBC Journalist called Humphrey Hawksley has written a book to challenge our ideas of the free world and democracy, and he has cited the relationships the Chocolate Companies have with their buyers and producers, and he quoted examples of Young Children of the Ivory Coast still being sold into slavery for the Cocoa growers to achieve cheap labour, Although one Producer who has been growing Cocoa for thirty years , when asked about his price per bag of beans back in 1979 was 60 cents......and his price in 2009 ?.....60 cents. In the time our prices and inflation have gone up fourfold, his market price has stayed the same...
So Perhaps a lesson for us here is to buy A bar of Fairtrade Chocolate from the Coop next time !

Time for Tiffin

Following the food theme...
Pip and I are about to wade into 4 large bars of Milk Choccy, 2 Packs of RichTea Biccys, a Bag of Sultanas and Two Tin Foil Trays. We aren't eating for England just 'cos Rebecca's gone to Turkey, but we're making Tons of Tiffin for the Sunday Club Cake Sale after the 10:30 eucharist on Sunday....I think it will all end up the pot :-)

Lovely Ladies..

A picture from the Ferry Back from Calais in the Summer.

Who'd have thought we had just had a slap up dinner on the boat....and it was a bit lumpy ( the sea , not the dinner !)

The Big Cheese

Wet to Normandy in the Summer to see how our good friends John and Ann are getting on now theyve left the rat race, and We went to Camembert....
Funny how the Cheese is FUll as you enter the village and then all gone as you leave :-)

21st Sept Off We GO !

Lets have another attempt at starting off this Blog Thingy...

What have I been up to over the last few days, I hear you say ?
Well, At work we had Michael Bolton in on the show and we have just recorded two Mica numbers which were quite fun. We're getting ready to pack some bits and pieces up for the Party Conferences over the next two weeks, and Hopefully it will all come back again unlike the last few times I've sent gear out and about.....we seem to have lost a fair few bits, either on jobs, lives or at airports, which can be a bit of a pain....In fact I am still missing a camera light that dissappeared on the Talented Family OBs a few Months ago.

Plans are afoot for the Sunday Club Christmas Film, I think we will have to plan it with military precision, and were looking forward to the Official Launch of Rochester Cathedral Interpretation Project on Saturday 26th at 10am. Its been hard work for quite a few people and althought the New Cathedral West and North Glass Doors arent in yet, it will be great to try out the Hand Held Guides which will be up and running in three different versions.
This Sunday is Cake Sale Day and we have a devious plan to withold the Biscuits during coffee so that everyone has to buy a cake instead hahahaha :-)

SO that's it for today Unbeleiveably whilst Ive been writing this blog, and popping off for a bit of dinner in the meantime we have had 3 calls and visits from people trying to sell Gas, Electricity and St Johns Ambulance ( ! ) Either someone has sold our details or Companies out there are starting to get desperate....thats all for now !