There is such a lot in the pipleline that I thought I ought to keep you all informed (I wish someone would tell me how I get out of "Times New Roman" and into "Ariel", my preferred font, but never mind. No. 1 grandson aged 13 isn't around to tell me. Sigh!!!)
Anyway, this week we have the judging at the British Museum of the Photographic competition. The quality of entry is very high and somehow we have to whittle the 50 finalists down to 18 and the select the 5 winners. If you make the 50 but not the 18 you won't feel left out. We are having a rolling display of the 50 from Monday 14th September in the Clore Education Centre at The British Museum with prizes being handed out after 6.30pm on 18th September. I am more than aware that it will still be in Ramadan but we were lucky to get the BM and it was the only time available. I am so hoping it will not put too many people off and, as it will be towards the end of Ramadan, maybe body clocks will have got accustomed to the arid day and the late meal!
Next will be the 2nd Sir Michael Weir Annual Lecture on 3rd December at the Institution of Civil Engineers at One Great George Street. Professor Sir Magdy Yacoub is the most distinguished Heart Surgeon in the United Kingdom and well as being an excellent speaker and we are more than fortunate to have been given some of his valuable time. The lecture will be followed by a drinks and snack reception.
The following week we have yet another treat. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo, is visiting London for a book launch and the British Egyptian Society on behalf of his publishers, Heritage Key, are hosting a Reception for him in the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery at the British Museum on 8th December at which Dr. Hawass will speak. This will be followed by a lecture in the BM's theatre. He is Egypt's most recognisable archeologist and I am hoping to persuade him to donate one of his trademark "Indiana Jones" hats for the raffle for next year's Annual Dinner. We are hosting also a dinner at the Reform Club for over 100 VIP's on 11th December.
Next year, by the way, is our 20th Anniversary so we had better think up something special. Any ideas?
Going back to the Photographic Competition I must place on record a few thanks. Damien Demolder of "Amateur Photographer" has been a tower of strength as has been our Designer, David Turner of Mainline Design. We are grateful also to the British Museum for giving us the space to exhibit the photos (and I am sure the 50 finalists will be more than happy to say that thir work has been featured at the BM) and providing their Head of Photography to join Damien and David as judges. (the other 3 are our Vice Chairman, Professor Magdy Ishak-Hanna, our Executive Committee Member Ms. Dina Soliman - who thought up the competition - and the writer whose role is to cough if he want to influence the other judges as the photos are discusssed!). No competition can exist without sponsors and we have to thank Wagdy Soliman of Soliman Travels for donating the 1st Prize, Eon-Media for donating the 2nd Prize and Allam Marine for donating the other 3 prizes. In these time of immense pressure on corporate sponsorship we do apprecaite how lucky we have been.
In the New Year the works will be unveiled, after an opening reception, at 1st Edinburgh and the Hull universities. It is the first time that the BES will have toured the provinces and I do hope it will not be the last.
On 21st September I am fleeing to the Far East for a business trip but do hope to write another blog to talk about the winners during my travels.
By the way, if any of my readers (I do hope that I have some!) have any ideas about future events they would like to see the BES organise and offer to its members, please drop a line to noelrands@hotmail.com. We are thinking of next year but fresh ideas are always appreciated
Cheers for now!
Noel Rands
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