Having spent the morning and lunch
time outside St. Andrews Church 'shooting the vicar' we gave our apologies
for not attending the reception and returned home. Not being too sure
how long it would take to get to the venue at Shepton Mallet we allowed
two hours. The venue was the 'Wagon and Horses' a delightful old English
pub way out in the country. The function room was on the first floor
with an outside staircase which ran the length of the pub but quite
narrow with beamed ceilings. The room also doubled as a bowling alley,
and music recital room.
The journey was much easier than expected and within 1.5 hours had
arrived almost at the location, I say almost because at a set of cross-roads
the Wagon and Horses was 1 mile to the right, but 1/2 mile to the
left was the artist David Shepherds private railway, the East Somerset
at Cranmore. Unfortunately the last train had just departed - a special
from London visiting the railway, so Brian and Laurie will be relieved
to know they haven't got to put up with another 'steam video'.
After this 45 minute detour, back to the Wagon and Horses for a meal,
thank goodness we had booked a table well before hand. The doors opened
at 7pm and the show started at 7.30. I would estimate around 60 people
in attendance, several familiar faces from the Devizes and Chippenham
clubs to chat to. There were 20 entries from all over the country
London, Scarborough and Weymouth being just three. The order of screening
was by ballot. Jane's entry The Rat Race came out as number 10 and
mine the Tuff Guys the last at number 20. All entries though had been
pre judged.
With the exception of perhaps two I thought the entries were very
good. I particularly enjoyed 'The Potter' this being a group workshop
shoot by the Chippenham Club and 'Der Projektor' a light hearted look
at the workings of an 8mm cine projector in a Germanic vein with Marshall
music.
I managed one of the 3 highly commended awards, the final 3 placings
were: 3rd Der Projektor, 2nd place 'Shoes of Steel' about horse shoeing,
and what came in 1st place!!! a video from Weymouth" Symphony
of Steam" - all kinds of steam engines set to music, It wasn't
my first choice, it was quite well edited to music, but in my opinion
too many excerpts from various classical symphonies which I thought
tended to distract from the pictures.
We both thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we also came away with
a bottle of wine from the raffle. This was the night the clocks went
forward so by the time we arrived home it was early morning.
Next year we hope to have an entry and make a day of it with a ride
on the steam railway and perhaps some video, then to the pub for a
meal and the evening show. Our thanks to the Chippenham and Devizes
video clubs who were the organisers for a very enjoyable evening.
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