THE MEDIA HUB PARTIES WITH ULTIMATE ELTON AND SECRET SANTA
The final and festive Media Hub of the year took place on Monday 8th December. The lively networking event for media professionals, set up by Parfitt Media and MumsaboutCookham.com, was held at The King’s Arms in Cookham and those who attended were treated to complimentary canapés by the pub.
Cookham-based journalist Sarah Parfitt andmyself, who run the hub, organised for Ultimate Elton to perform, a secret Santa competition and a raffle.
Paul Beacon is Ultimate Elton, who presents an uncannily accurate reproduction of one of pop music’s most successful and best-loved artists, and he had the members up dancing and singing along to his songs. A lifelong Elton John fan, Paul’s career highlights include duetting with Kiki Dee, singing to a packed Wembley Stadium before the Saracens v Harlequins rugby match, and meeting Sir Elton in person. [Ultimate Elton and The Rocket Band is also performing at South Hill Park, Bracknell, on Thursday 18th December. Visit http://www.southhillpark.org.uk/events-courses/ultimate-elton-rocket-band/.]
Paul says: ‘I had enormous fun performing at the Media Hub in Cookham. It was a pleasure to meet everyone, and to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and hospitality provided by the Kings Arms.’
Member and freelance writer Lara Cory was the first to guess who was disguised by the hat and beard and revealed the surprise Father Christmas to be Producer/Director at B7 Media Andrew Mark Sewell.
Andrew says: ‘The Media Hub is a superb initiative, helping to connect a diverse mix of professionals from all areas of the media industry. New and lasting friendships have been forged, and future collaborations hatched.’
Sarah Parfitt, a freelance radio producer, media trainer and consultant, says: ‘We would like to thank Andrew for being a brilliant sport and a perfect Santa. We would also like to thank the Crowne Plaza in Marlow for offering a meal for two voucher for our raffle winner.’
The proceeds for the raffle have been used to buy a new radio/CD player for those who attend Elizabeth House in Cookham and a group of children from Cookham Nursery School will be delivering the gift when they go to Elizabeth House to sing some Christmas songs on Thursday.
We would like to thank The King’s Arms for having us, and we are really pleased that Ultimate Elton was there to get us all in the party mood. A brilliant night was had by all.
The ‘hub’ has attracted more than 80 members since the two Sarahs launched the monthly gatherings in 2013. Sarah Parfitt says: ‘It has been an incredibly successful year for the Media Hub, which has gone from strength to strength. We are delighted to have been able to welcome Home Secretary Theresa May and award-winning film-makers Angela Robson and Mike Goldwater as guest speakers to our meetings this year. Due to popular demand, we are lining up some more great speakers next year, who we hope will be informative and entertaining. There will then be a social catch-up.’
So watch this space for lots more surprises in 2015. We are delighted our members are finding the hub useful, by connecting and sharing skills, and we hope to help them further in the new year
The next event will be a social media breakfast in January, run by Gay Flashman, Founder of Formative Digital. Any media professional is welcome to attend these networking events. Register via the Facebook Media Hub page at www.facebook.com/groups/MediaHub/, or for more information email sarah_parfitt@mail.com.
PHOTO BY: Mohammad Sabahi
