The Royal Wedding - William & Catherine

It seems so long since I last posted a Blog, why? I am not sure but the happenings of the weekend seemed the right time to out down some thoughts!

Currently not only the UK are going through difficult times with the financial crisis and cuts this is bringing about, also the many wars and conflicts with sad loss of innocent life and especially those who sacrifice their lives to bring about peace.

But this May Bank Holiday here in the UK not only the weather has brought sunshine into many peoples lives but Friday one of the biggest television audiences for a long time and billions also worldwide were able to share in the Wedding of Prince William to then Catherine Middleton, identified as a commoner. It was a gift to be able to share in the Wedding Service which reflected the wishes of the young couple, the fine music and words expressed all were totally right for the occasion.

A few people outside of the UK have said why was this wedding given so much coverage, here in the UK it is because the majority still respect The Royal Family and especially currently Her Majesty The Queen who has given her life to public service.

William and Catherine now become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, many feel that the Prince has had a sheltered life but like his brother Prince Harry they have followed the fine example of the late mother Princess Diana, the way they have given so much service to charity work and both boys serve their country well. Prince Harry went off to Afghanistan and served, The Duke of Cambridge William had qualified as a helicopter pilot and currently serves on the Isle of Anglesey off Wales in the rescue service, not a sheltered life. Instead of going off on honeymoon both The Duke and Duchess will return to Anglesey tomorrow (Tuesday 3 May) and William back to serving in the RAF, it is also being reported that it is expected that William will also serve in The Falklands for around two months to complete his training away from his Wife like any serving officer.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge identify with the young people of today and this is returned with respect, there are many young people from successful families worldwide that do not work and give no service, this is not the way life will be for William & Catherine, one day he will become King with Catherine as his Queen Consort.

I like many wish The Duke and Duchess William and Catherine every happiness together, Friday they stood like any young couple do before God and made their vows may this carry them through the life of service they will carry out willingly.

LADY GREY IN LONDON - DIOR - RUSSELL TOVEY

I have a real love for short film and how dynamic it can be in such a short period of time, but never did I feel an advertiser/product could be the same and have real impact.

During 2010 DIOR have used a campaign which has taken in places such as Singapore but today Wednesday 8 December was the worldwide premier for the latest and last in the series "Lady Grey in London" never was a short so anticipated and I have seen such a strong promotional pre campaign and then a taster.

"Lady in Grey" by John Cameron Mitchell contains the talents of SIR IAN MCKELLAN, MARION COTTILARD & RUSSELL TOVEY, I have so much respect for Russell and also Sir Ian to see them in this short and for it to be so amazing is so tremendous. Check out the full crew in the credits and you just wonder how much such a production will have cost? so well done DIOR!

The short film industry is so Vibrant at present here in the UK, another much anticipated film comes from PLATO FILMS titled "Six Minutes of Freedom" featuring a superb upcoming young actor NICO MIRALLEGRO it is written and directed by KEITH MACKIN & JOHN RECK produced by JACK SUCKLING. I just wonder what producers like this could do with the money that DIOR will have spent?

Birthday Boy - Russell Tovey

One actor I really admire and have followed his career for many years is Russell Tovey, be it classic BBC Drama and "Little Dorrit" or his latest series on BBC3 "Him & Her" or the award winning "History Boy's" both on stage in London, Honk Kong, Australia and New York along with the hit movie of the same title with Russell you get a really sincere portrayal of the character he is playing.

Today is Russell's 29th Birthday and a personal photo taken opening his birthday presents for me sums him up and his amazing warm personality, the gift is a badger calender which was featured in the comedy series "Him & Her"

Whitby Winter Break November 2010

It was only late August that I visited Whitby in North Yorkshire for the first time and sadly it was just for three days and in that time I just fell in love with the area and the North Sea coast line.

So last week I just had to take another break and visit Whitby once more and even though during the week there were some strong winds it never took away the enjoyment it gave me. I just love the sea and rough waves as the photo above shows on Whitby Pier are such beauty as long as you are well wrapped up to keep warm.

This time I also visited Saltburn which is north from Whitby travelling into the Cleveland area, I had seen this old resort on the truly amazing BBC2 series "Coast" Saltburn was developed by an industrialist at the time for a place of relaxation for his hard workers, he even built an Hotel specially for them (now developed into Apartments) and a pier with the oldest remaining water balance cliff lift. The town was developed around the railway which enters along the coast and the streets were built on a grid system as used in The States.

As you may guess I am really into coastal areas and the sea but especially those with rugged cliffs, I wonder where the next visit will be to?

DAVID OSMOND - NEW ALBUM - ROAD DELIVERED

Great news that DAVID OSMOND is set to release his second album this year titled "Road Delivered" and even better still this time around the album is Inspirational and the digi-pack even has a bonus CD with many favourite Hymns done in David's own way.

The album is released on August 10 and this time as well as being available in all Deseret Stores you will find it on all popular major music websites such as Amazon, CD Universe, CD Wow etc.

* UK Fans can order from;

www.cdwow.com/CD/david-osmond-road-less-travelled/dp/15439313#=4229

CLINT WALTERS - HOPE YOU ARE IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND!

Back in 2000, after working for a commercial radio station all my career, I was approached by a new Record Company to join them and be general manager and in charge of A&R youth development. I had only been in charge a short while when one day I received a call from a young guy called Clint Walters, to see if we could assist him some fund raising for his Charity HIFY.

Yes I had heard of Clint but in the 10 years that followed I got to known him close and we were a support and strength for each other, sadly just over a week ago following a heart attack at the young age of 31, that Light in my Life and many others of Clint was taken away from us, leaving me devastated and still upset.

Clint had been diagnosed as HIV Positive just prior to his A Level exams at the tender age of 17, to be given such tragic news say with your Mother must have been devastating to Clint, but No he was determined to fight and also ensure that young people would have better access to information and health guidance that he felt he had. He immediately started to campaign and in no time he launched his Charity "Health Initiatives for the Young" HIFY - his Dream was to have a 24 Hour Clinic in central London which would be a place young people could go to and call for confidential advice and help. Even though Clint had his own health problems to compete with it did not stop his giving all his time for this important cause, at times when we would speak he would be so tired and you could tell he was not well, but that was not going to stop him.

In 2001 Clint was used in a poster campaign for World Aids Campaign with MTV, his image was used on posters and an advertising campaign. Clint spent time in the USA supported by The Winston Churchill Charity Trust, following the work being done with HIV so as to be able to bring it back and introduce it to the UK. However his health affected him he never stopped fund raising doing such as The London Marathon, a Challenge on TV which featured many fit athletes taking on some really big challenges of fitness around the world and being sponsored. Clint also did many tours visiting both Universities and Colleges and Schools in the UK to discuss HIV.

Clint and myself also shared a love for Soul Music, but he did also move into real Dance/Trance music and left me way behind at times. One project we discussed that many times was to write a book, I felt Clint was the complete right age and image that young people would be willing to read and listen, see what he had gone through, help raise awareness and at the same time give them strength to fight and be strong. But with Clint the book was always going to be started tomorrow, as he was always too busy, but tomorrow never came, something we laughed many times about.

So Sunday 4 April 2010 Clint was taken away from us, when I heard the news in an email I felt as I said as if a Light has been Turned Off in my Life and there was a real empty feeling. Never did I meet someone so genuine and dedicated to what they believed in, Clint was a True Inspiration and his passing will not affect this for many others and myself, it just saddens me that though Clint received so many big business promises and the 24 Hour Clinic got so close, it never did happen, neither the book!

I Hope Clint is in Peace now and that Light in my Life is an Angel looking down on us all, his Mother Wendy.

EASTER 2010

Maundy Thursday and the start of Easter 2010, tomorrow Good Friday and then the celebration with Easter Sunday.

But how many will take time out to remember the true meaning of Easter, will it just be Easter Eggs, a chance to visit a garden centre or go out to the shopping mall?

John II: 25-26 gives us real thought, inspiration and strength.