Ireland and HG1 triumph at World Sheepdog Trials
Towards the end of 2010 we were approached about supplying sound and communications for the World Sheepdog Trials on the Lowther Estate in Cumbria.
Three trials fields and one countryside display ring were requiring sound and commentary units, along with a P.A. system for a cooking demonstration, and a large number two way radios.
On Monday the 12th of September the crew set off at 6 AM with two vans of equipment and four commentary boxes straight into the tail end of Hurricane Katia, and arrived to find a show site that had suffered badly with the weather. However, equipment was rigged and commentary boxes positioned in time for four days trailing beginning on the Thursday. With yet more rain from Friday onwards, the site soon turned extremely muddy, but spectators from all over the world turned out and showed true support for competitors from four corners of the globe and event two years in the making.
The field one main grandstand sound was effortlessly achieved by our ultra high quality sounding Electrovoice speakers, and the rest of the spectator area covered by ever reliable Toa horns. Our double deck commentary unit provided an excellent base for officials, with judges upstairs, and timekeepers and commentators downstairs. An isolated audio feed was provided to the TV crew so Channel 4 who televised the whole event never missed a word.
In fields two and three, our single deck units and Atlas sound CJ46 speakers provided quality accommodation and sound coverage for the initial stages of the competition.
Elsewhere on site, a fourth unit along with music quality horn speakers and shure radio mics was supplied for the display ring, and a trusty Bose 802 system was employed for the cookery demos.
The BBC’s Countryfile team were filming Matt Baker and Gus Dermody braving the relentless Cumbrian rain rounding up sheep in the display ring, with additional demonstrations from lurcher racing teams, duck hearding, fell ponies and even sheep racing keeping the crowds entertained.
The competition was eventually won by James McGee of Ireland with a total of 613 points and 64 merit points, with Ireland also taking the team trophy.
The commentary team thanked the HG1 staff for all our efforts and professionalism, with Gus Dermody commenting on how it good it was to use quality equipment.
Back in Yorkshire, a second crew were busy with another two events, a Steam Rally and an Open Day; both requiring commentary units, P.A. and radios.
A busy week to round off the summer season, with every job handled with the same level of dedication and committment. We have never let anyone down yet, and have no intentions of ever doing so.
Pickering Traction Engine Rally 2011
This years Pickering steam event was as big and bold as ever with a variety of exhibits from all around the country converging on the small Yorkshire town.
Traditionally, there have been two main arenas to display the engines and vehicles to their full potential, and smaller rings for tractors and tractor pulling. This year we were asked to supply a commentary system for one main ring and two smaller rings along with the usual eighty two way radios and repeater.
The main arena was a massive 100 by 180 meters which was easily covered by twenty Toa horns and a Shure radio mic system. The smaller rings were also covered with Toa horns and our ever trusty CTH amplifiers.
The weather went from moist to downright dismal, however this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors who, as usual, turned out in droves.
Best Ever Ryedale Show
Ryedale Show is one of the highlights of the show season. Not just for those associated with agriculture, but as the ticket sales proved this year, for the general public too. Record numbers flocked to Welburn Park and enjoyed the perfect Agricultural Show. Show secretary Peter Woodall described this years show as ‘the best ever’ as the crowds enjoyed the balmy July weather.
HG1 Communications has been involved with Ryedale since 2005, and it has become a job all our staff look forward to. The remit has grown slightly over the last six years, with us now having installed permanent cables on parts of the show field, and erecting more equipment than ever before.
The Main Ring is covered by very high quality music speakers that produce a wonderfully crisp sound that is a pleasure to listen to. You know you are getting it right when the organisers stop what they are doing and come out of the Secretary’s tent to comment on how clear the sound is!
Elsewhere, there are systems for the dog show, two commentary units with P.A. for show jumping rings, and a large horse call up system comprising of traditional long-throw P.A. horns. Thirty two way radios were supplied for key personnel to keep in touch. We are already looking forward to next years show being bigger and better than ever.
Agricultural Shows are just one of the event types we cover throughout the summer months, and we always welcome enquiries from new or existing events anywhere in the country.
Equipment For Sale !
We occasionally have ex hire or ex install equipment for sale. The details of the current items are listed below. Email for more details and prices.
Ex Nightclub Sound System
- 4no Toa 12+horn trapezoid tops
- 4no Toa 2x15 bass cabs
- 4no Toa system controllers
- 3no Crest CA9 Amplifiers (a fourth will be required to complete the system)
- 4no Toa P300D Amplifiers
This is a quality, accurate, very powerful system for sale as a whole.
- 42 Inch Horns
- 4no 42 inch P.A. horns of unknown make.
Came to us as part of a job lot of equipment.
Four Counties of Events
The weekend of the 9th & 10th of July was incredibly busy this year, with shows in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Lincolnshire. Steam Rallies, Game Fairs, Sports Events, and Agricultural Shows all filling the diary to bursting. Also were dry hires for sound systems and timing equipment. There was even a spot of commentating shoe-horned in for good measure! All these events had to be rigged, run, and dismantled within a certain time frame, and equipment gathered in and turned around for the next incredibly busy weekend.
Quality equipment and unparalleld technical support made sure these events ran without a hitch, including a large number of radios and base repeater to cover a 20KM cycle route. The event organisers were delighted with the results after technical disasters of previous years, and we look forward to helping out again in the future.
If you are a organising a large event with multiple audio and communications systems, please consider us when choosing your PA and comms supplier. We really can bring it all together.
Knockout Weekend for Help the Hero’s
An It’s a knockout fun day was held in order to raise funds for the Help for Hero’s charity at Ripon Racecourse recently and we were in the thick of it supplying sound, generators, power distribution and two way radios.
With teams from the Army and local businesses going head to head to raise money for this most worthy of causes, it was a busy day for competitors and suppliers.
We supplied a powerful Road show sound system for the local radio station stage, along with other systems for dancing demonstrations, and background music. Two way radios were busy keeping the organisers in touch with each other, and as usual, we were roped in to help fix the electrics on an exhibition unit elsewhere on site. There is talk of another event of this nature next year, and who knows, perhaps there could be a team from HG1 Communications. It could happen!
All Go at Yorkshire County Show
June the 18th & 19th was a busy weekend at HG1 Communications, with a plethora of equipment on hire at a variety of fixtures ranging from equine events, athletics meetings, swimming events, and even house parties! One of the larger shows we covered was the North Yorkshire County Show just south of Northallerton.
The NYCS was started over thirty years ago as a one-day alternative to the Great Yorkshire Show, and has resided at various sites around the Thirsk/Northallerton area until settling on its current location at South Otterington.
HG1 supplied a high quality speech and music system for the main arena, with the remit being to split the sound two ways as the arena was used in the morning as two separate halves, with cattle commentary in one half, and entertainment commentary in the other; then with the divide removed for the afternoon, go to one full commentary system. This was all done at the flick of a switch, with no re-wiring required. Entertainment this year featured amongst others the Elaine Hill Sheepdog Show and the Mid Wales Axmen. Our Double Deck commentary unit provided a base for commentators and equipment, with the whole package running comfortably from high capacity batteries.
Mike Keeble provided an excellent and well informed commentary throughout the day.
Elsewhere on site were systems for the light horse arena, cattle section, and car park; all covered effortlessly by Toa and long-throw horn speakers. Motorola two-way radios kept key personnel in touch.
As often happens, we were asked to assist with technical issues on equipment we have not supplied. This has included everything from other suppliers PA systems to faulty generators, and electrics on catering units. This year we helped the BSJA show jumping section get their own P.A. and timing equipment working in time for the start of a very busy schedule.
The weather was a little showery, but this did not put off the crowds as the good people of North Yorkshire turned out in force!
Summer is here!
Well the summer events season is well underway, and it has been non stop since the end of April. We have covered everything from Game Fairs and Equine events to Steam Rallies, Sporting Fixtures, and Agricultural Shows; with no sign of slowing down for a good few months yet.
As per usual, some dates are extremely popular, and this sees us deploying equipment far and wide, with additional jobs being squeezed in all the time.
This year we are travelling further afield to cover events that have been let down by their usual supplier, and also new shows that have come our way through recommendation. Very often it is a case of ‘We heard your equipment at such and such an event. Can we book you for our show?’
We also this year have customers returning after trying supposed alternatives that promised the earth, but then let them down with inferior equipment and service.
Every event and situation is different. There is no ‘One size fits all’ sound system or event solution. We will provide a bespoke technical package for your show with the best quality equipment, and second to none service.
Point To Point a Runaway Success
On Sunday March 27th the Badsworth & Bramham Point to Point took place at Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon. This was the first time this event has been run at the new course, after last year’s cancellation due to the weather.
The sun shone this year however, and signalled the start of a good afternoons racing.
HG1 supplied a range of technical services for the event, the main part of which was a seventeen speaker P.A. system & double deck commentary unit. Also supplied were twenty nine two way radios, wireless video link & screen, and event power distribution.
A good day was had by all, and a race report and photographs can be found at www.pointingyorkshire.co.uk
All Steamed Up at Pickering with HG1
The annual Pickering Traction Engine Rally is one of the biggest steam events in the country, and HG1 Communications has been involved with the event for eight years now. Every year the four-day show seems to get bigger, with an ever increasing list of technical challenges.
HG1 supplied Public Address for three display rings, with two commentary units and a full compliment of Toa horns. Further systems were required for the Tractor Pulling event and Cooking Demo.
Also supplied were eighty two-way radios complete with spare batteries & chargers, and also a base repeater to ensure total radio coverage of the 110 acre site.
The weather was kind to us and a good show was had by all, and we are looking forward to the 2011 rally.
HG1 Invests in Toa
Early in 2010 an opportunity arose for us to purchase a large number of Toa horns. This was seized upon immediately as we were due to upgrade and increase our horn speaker stock.
Toa Corporation is one of the industries respected manufacturers of top quality Public Address equipment, and the additional speakers would add to our existing stock of Toa, Atlas Sound, and 42 inch horns.
Our horn speaker stock now runs into the hundreds, enabling us to supply even the biggest events with top quality public address.
Sound is Art!
We were recently approached by the renowned artist Paval Buchler about an art project he was working on.
Mr Buchler was in need of old horn speakers for his art exhibition, with the emphasis being ‘the more battered the better’.
HG1 initially supplied 35 re-entrant horns in various states of disrepair that we were already disposing of, followed later by a further 37 slightly less battered re-entrants. We also supplied some 20 + vintage driver units, and some old 42 inch horns.
The re-entrant horns were used as part of an art exhibition at a top London gallery, and was very well attended by all accounts. We wish Pavel every success with his projects, and look forward to helping out again in the future.
Big switch-on for Starbeck
It was that time of year again, it comes round so quickly; and one of our annual jobs is the switching on of the Starbeck Christmas lights.
Friday November 26th saw a very cold, but very supportive community join in the count-down and see the Gala Queen press the magic button to illuminate Starbeck High Street.
HG1 supplied P.A, festive music and commentary through Shure radio mics, Denon C.D. players, and RCF speakers. Lots of tea and coffee kept the visitors warm, along with the odd libation from the local pub.
A big thank you goes to the Starbeck Gala Committee for their hard work to organise this event, and to the residents of Starbeck for turning out on such a chilly November evening.
Help for Heroes
Recently we supplied the sound and A.V. system for a Help for Heroes fundraising event at a local hotel. There were many interesting lots to go under the hammer, and we were only too happy to help with this worthy cause.
HG1 supplied a four speaker RCF P.A. system, along with Yamaha desk, and four Shure hand-held and head-worn microphones. We also supplied a Sanyo projector and screen for a presentation, along with additional speakers in the bar area and two crew.
A substantial sum was raised for the charity, and we look forward to assisting the organisers any way we can with future events.
New Commentary unit for 2011
Twenty eleven brings new challenges here at HG1 and the phone and email have not stopped as customers new and existing book in their events.
As always, some dates are very popular and this sees us supplying numerous events at the same time, with commentary boxes high on the list of requirements.
Our commentary unit stock was streamlined towards the end of 2010, with older units sold and funds diverted towards investing in new stock.
Our latest unit has just arrived from fitting out, and offers a 360 degree view, full length work surface, high quality P.A. system, and an all round comfortable environment.
Built in batteries make this unit ‘ready to go’ and we look forward to the Maiden Voyage, and plans are already underway for an additional new unit later on in the year.