Night Lights

Don't worry, Nottingham's Council House hasn't been taken over by witches or aliens, it's a shot from the fireworks tonight, as the Christmas lights were switched on, and the festive season has officially begun in the city.

Paralympic swimmers Charlotte Henshaw and Ollie Hynd who won medals in Rio pressed the red button, overseen of course by Robin Hood, Santa Claus and the Lord Mayor. Then a five minute firework display began, which was enjoyed by the thousands who had packed into the Old Market Square for the event.

The city council has purchased a lot of new decorations, which is great, as the previous ones had been on show for at least three years running.

I shall have a look at them another night when there isn't so many people about.

I Heart Beeston

This is Stephanie, one of the organisers of the Beeston Bay attraction, that and the other events that have taken place over the last few years.

She works for an organisation called Beeston BID, who's main aim is to promote Beeston as a tourist and shopping destination.

I personally enjoy living in Beeston and getting involved in things that take place; usually with my camera in my hand.

In Parrot Fashion

I popped along to the annual Hemlock Happening this afternoon, which took place at Bramcote Park.

There were a lot of stalls and things to do, which were mainly aimed at children. But there was a few bands on, and I bumped into loads of people that I know.  But the important thing was that it stayed sunny and warm.

One of the stalls was being run by Parrotaid, a charity to raise money for to help unwanted and abandoned parrots. The people that look after the birds had bought some along to show the visitors.

These two seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and attention that they were receiving from the visitors to the show.

Standing Room Only

I bumped into Lee, a photographer friend of mine at lunchtime. He was in the Old Market Square, publicising not photography, but his newest business venture; 'meet the cast' events.

He's done a number of them now; including This is England and Red Dwarf. And they appear to be very popular, as they have been sell outs.

Lee's latest one, which takes place in September is for the TV series Game of Thrones. It's a series that I have never seen, probably because it's on a satellite channel, and we don't watch enough TV to make it worthwhile subscribing.

Lee was handing out flyers for it, whilst his brother here posed as one of the characters.

Apparently the show is very popular, so if you fancy popping along to meet some of the cast members, here's a WEBLINK to Lees Facebook page, where you can get the full details. But be quick, as it's very likely to be a sell out very soon.

Coronation Chicken

On Saturday I went to the Hemlock Happening; a community event at a local park. Besides the classic cars etc, was a recreation of the coronation as people would have seen it on television in 1952. It was quite inventive of how they made interference, the vertical hold and other problems people used to have with TV, before digital appeared.

The actors had daubed their faces so they looked like they were in black and white, which of course TV was until the late 1960s. I knew a few of the people involved, as I had worked with them before on previous shows.

Here's a shot of the Archbishop of Canterbury who is just about to place the crown on the head of the young Elizabeth, with one of the TV directors looking on, who is actually a local councillor in real life.