Wednesday 30 November 2016

Welcome Back Gail Porter


Gail Porter must be a glutton for punishment as she has very kindly agreed to be part of the new book. My plan as a rule for the new book is not to revisit the wonderful people, such as Gail, who featured in the Lives & Times book and concentrate on getting a whole new set of people on board. However Gail has been a terrific supporter of my fundraising and didn't need a second invitation to be part of the new book as well. I know that since our last meeting two years ago plenty has happened in both our lives to give us plenty of new stuff to talk about. I am not going to say too much about what is planned for the photo yet, partly as I have still to decide the precise details, but I believe I am going to be in mortal peril! What I do know is that Gail is great fun and once again it will be a memorable experience meeting her. Seeing as she was a presenter on Top of the Pops it will be interesting to find out about the first record she bought.

All proceeds raised from sales of the new book are being to donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK with 16,000 lives taken each year. However if it is caught early it is one of the most treatable with a 90% survival rate. My Mum passed away in August after a four year battle with bowel cancer.

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Bowel Cancer Patient Deborah James On Board


Deborah James is a bowel cancer patient. Having already beaten it once she is now fighting this awful illness for a second time. I came across Deborah a year or so ago on social media around the same time I'd published the Lives & Times book. I followed her blog which is well worth looking at, and she very kindly bought a copy of the book. When it came to doing this new fundraising book for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity I was very keen to have Deborah on board, so I was really happy when she agreed to do it. She is a wonderfully positive and inspiring individual, and has recently set up her own business. I am very much looking forward to meeting her in person.

Monday 21 November 2016

Ed Bazalgette Will Be A Chapter Of Two Halves


Ed Bazalgette is going to make another great addition to the new fundraising book. It will certainly make for a chapter of two halves. Ed is a successful television director having directed episodes of Doctor Who, Poldark and Eastenders to name but a few. Until recently he could also have been described as a former musician as part of 1980s band The Vapors. Well we can remove the word "former" now as the band has reformed, and I got to see them play a cracking gig at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on Saturday night. So not only do I got to meet someone involved in some of my favourite TV programmes, but also someone who plays in one of my all time favourite bands. In fact he has directed this year's 2016 Doctor Who Christmas Special! Hopefully I will get the chance to talk to him about both his career in music and behind the camera. I reckon this chapter will be fascinating. 

All proceeds raised form sales of the book will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity, and the book is being done in memory of my Mum who passed away in August following a 4 year battle with bowel cancer. The book once finished will join other items currently for sale on my www.bowelcancerfundraising.co.uk website including the last book, Lives & Times, which coincidentally featured a chapter on Dave Fenton from The Vapors.



Thursday 10 November 2016

The Book Photography Begins With John Coghlan From Status Quo


It's a little over a year since I finished the photography for my previous fundraising book, Lives & Times. I have to admit that over the last 12 months I haven't been very active with the camera. This is partly due to having a break after producing the book and possibly in part to Mum's terminal decline with bowel cancer. I knew before she passed away in August that I would be doing another book. Over the last couple of months I have been busy approaching people to take part in it with great success so far. But of course there actually comes a point where you have to start meeting and photographing them! 

So today the camera was primed and I managed to combine a very busy work day with meeting up with John Coghlan, the original drummer from Status Quo. We met near his home in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, and he was an absolute gent. His first record is fascinating... I am hoping that today was part 1 of two photographs as I am also hoping to photograph when he performs with his band in Reading next year. 

It was a great start to the new book and I think it's going to be an incredible journey. All proceeds raised from the new book will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

John Coghlan from Status Quo Will Feature in the Forthcoming Bowel Cancer Charity Book


I am really pleased to to announce that John Coghlan, the original drummer of Status Quo, has agreed to take part in the new book. I had a chat with him on the phone last night and the photo is scheduled for next week, so nothing better than striking while the iron is hot! He lives pretty near to my sister, which will hopefully mean popping in to see her too. 

I was fortunate enough to be given a photo pass to photograph Status Quo at Hammersmith Apollo for the previous book, Lives & Times. That was an amazing experience, but I never to got to meet the band, so this time it will be fascinating to get to meet and talk to John away from his music.

This looks like being the first meeting and photo I will be doing for the new book. I am looking forward to getting the camera out again and begin what I'm sure will be an amazing journey over the next year or two. I am not setting myself a time frame as I want the book to be as good as it can be. All proceeds raised from sales of the book will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. My mother recently passed away after a long and courageous battle with bowel cancer. Please check out my www.bowelcancerfundraising.co.uk website.