AV News Magazine | Page 17

AV News 196 - May 2014 The Mayor made a surprise late appearance to help present the awards. He had not been scheduled to attend but did so when he finished at another event across town. Another example of the genuine support we get from the Borough Council for the event. A sequence by Sinclair Adair FRPS was shown at the awards presentation to mark Sinclair's 90th Birthday. He has always supported the Festival and his eccentric sequences, now almost a feature of the festival are always surprising to say the least. Once again James Hamill ARPS was in a class of his own winning the NIPA Championship PAGB Gold Medal with a beautifully crafted sequence 'Mountains of the Mind' which recalled memories of times spent in the Pyrenees. The sequence also won the Inter Federation medal and the judges decisions were ratified with the award of the Audience vote as well. Silver went to Mark Allen's sequence 'Scotland' a set of superb images set to music without commentary. This award will be an encouragement to those who we encourage to start into AV with this type of sequence. Bronze was awarded to Gordon Gray FRPS for 'March XV11' a sequence depicting his climbing of St.Patrick's mountain Slemish during the annual Saints' Day assent. In the Novice competition Mark Lomas a first time entrant won the Novice Tray with a sequence 'Peru 2013' about his visit to Peru and Machu Picchu. The All Ireland Competition Gold went to Ross Mulholland (NIPA) for his sequence 'The River'. Ross had not only written the script but composed and played the music for the soundtrack. Silver was awarded to Alan Lyons AIPF (IPF) for his sequence 'A Quiet Garden' describing the Aberfan Memorial in Wales. The Bronze was awarded to Edwin Bailey (IPF) for 'A Taste of Autumn.' We were again delighted by the support both with entries and attendance at the Festival by our friends from the South. It was a pleasure for us to have Malcolm and Maggie as our judges and they very much contributed to what has been an exceptional year for the Festival. I am still being approached with compliments for the judges. Personally as the Organiser of the RPS AV Group (Ireland) it was encouraging that so many of our members were successful in gaining awards at this year's Festival. Page 15