The Clive Ireland Award 2006

(c) Chris Waterlow (2006) Thanks Chris!
I realise that I haven't posted anything on my blog for months, what with summer holidays and the manic return to work, you see silly season for me is the months of September and October, but if I'm honest that's an excuse I just got out of the habit. So here's my first blog of the autumn.

An amazing thing happened to me on the 18th October I was sitting with Jane, my wife, and my friends at the anual Institute of Videography Awards dinner which is a feature of the IOV show. So there I was sipping my third glass of red wine comfy in the knowledge that I had not come anywhere in the awards as neither of my two entries had reached the last five, so I sat, watched, clapped and cheered for all the winners, well earned too (see www.iov.co.uk for a list of the winners) when Ron, last years winner of the Clive Ireland award and an Executive member, left to announce this years winner. I sat back to enjoy this very special moment for one of my collegues.

Ron began: "Having found myself on the receiving end of the skulduggery that my fellow exec Members got up to last year when I myself was awarded the Clive, it feels good to have been party to this years scheming and planning, and of course to get to be the person who will hopefully cause one or two of you in this room tonight to think, it might be you.

As in previous years in the run up to the awards, members are encouraged to nominate people from the industry who, in their opinion, deserves to win the Clive.

I can tell you this year that several people were nominated a mixture of those belonging to the IOV along with other industry professionals.

So here’s the first clue, tonight’s winner is in fact an IOV Member; the second clue is that the winner is also an Area Rep, so that narrows it down to around 18 people.

It would be fair to say that he enjoys staying up late with the boys having a few drinks, especially on occasions such as tonight, so that narrows it down – to around 18 people."

I smiled at this point because I too am an Area Rep for the IOV.

"Have you guessed who it is yet? I’m sure there’s a few in the room who could easily fit the bill. I suppose it’s time in fairness to those, who think it may be them, to put them out of their misery.

Tonight’s winner of the Clive Ireland Award 2006 is …. Pause, undoubtedly deserving of this accolade, but let’s keep him guessing just a little longer.

He’s been a professional photographer; he’s done hundreds of weddings, a role at which he Excel’s."

There was something in the way that Ron said this that sounded odd, he said "done hundreds of weddings" not filmed hundreds of weddings. I mused for a moment and a wild thought crossed my mind "I'm a church minister and I have done a lot of weddings and only filmed a few, I always said I wouldn't do them, but I do now.

"In one of the nominations for this person the member wrote this, Quote, ‘Since becoming Area Rep he has given 100% and more, organising excellent programmes for area meeting’s, taking part in many of the presentations and has written some excellent understandable articles for Focus. He is obviously a person who asks, ‘what can I do for the IOV’ rather than, ‘what can the IOV do for me’ unquote.

So there’s another clue he writes articles for Focus Magazine."

O help I write a monthly article on sound "Audio Files" for the Focus Magazine, a cold gulp of air entered my lungs and my heart went to my toes, a novel experience I can tell you!

"Some may say he’s poacher turned gamekeeper – or could it be the other way round for someone who finds himself comfortable on either side of the camera lens.

The final clue is that he is a huge Doctor Who fan, obsessed with the world of sci-fi.

Those that know him will have heard of, or seen the replica life size Tardis he built himself which commands pole position outside his front door along with the Dalek and six foot six tall Cyberman that guard his study. I’m sure by now even if you haven’t guessed he will have.

The Clive Ireland Award 2006 goes to Reverend Phil Janvier IOV Area 3 Rep."

I tried to stand up but Ron montioned me to sit down again.

"Just before you come to the stage Phil to collect this deserved award, I’d like to share a little more with members and guests here tonight.

From day one of becoming Area rep Phil you’ve thrown yourself wholeheartedly into everything that you’ve become involved with, often volunteering yourself to help take the pressure off others. You support the IOV with a passion, and every task you take on you’re not satisfied unless it’s honed to precision.

It’s true to say in your daytime job, that of a Church of England minister, you are a great evangelist, exactly the same can be said in your capacity as IOV Member and Rep, you never stop selling it to those you meet. Long may you continue.

Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to be able to present the ‘Clive’ to Phil Janvier."

I was "gobsmacked" it was me, surely not, it's a mistake, everyone was standing and clapping, so I had to walk to the stage and the beautiful, Debbie Greenwood (http://www.qvcuk.com/debbiegreenwood.html), presented me with "The Clive".

All I can say is wow and thank you.