HOME TIME - putting children in the frame 

 
Leading children’s charity Barnardo’s and a host of well known faces 

have joined forces with acclaimed photographer Cambridge Jones in a 

pioneering bid to find permanent homes for the thousands of children 

awaiting adoption across the UK.

Home Time – photography finding a home is an innovative and exciting 

exhibition which highlights just some of the thousands of children in 

the care system who have nowhere to call home.
 
Their stories are the focus of a new exhibition which opens at the Getty 

Images Gallery in London on April 24. High profile names such as Cherie 

Blair, Mario Testino, Gail Porter, Sam Taylor-Wood, Laura Bailey, Andrew 

Lincoln, Claudia Winkleman and Sean Bean have so far offered to become 

guest photographers for the day to get a snapshot of their lives.


 
Barnardo’s Honorary Vice-President Cherie Blair said: “ A loving home is 

the most important factor in giving children the best possible start in 

life. This is a very imaginative way of bringing individual children to 

the attention of those who might be able to offer these kids the future 

they want. But it will also importantly help  raise the whole question 

of adoption and lead, we hope, to thousands more people thinking whether 

it is an option for them”. 

The children are seen as 'hard to place' because some are brothers and 

sisters and need to stay together; others are older children, from black 

and minority ethnic communities, over the age of eight or have 

disabilities.
 
The concept is based on the successful celebrity Heart Galleries 

discovered by Cambridge while working in the US. Such is the success of 

the initiative, that since its inception in one US state in 2001, images 

of children awaiting adoption are now displayed in public spaces across 

40 states every year.


 
Cambridge Jones, who was himself adopted at the age of two, said: “There 

are thousands of children awaiting adoption in the UK and this is just a 

small sample of the children who desperately need to find permanent 

families. I wanted to capture this issue in a different way from the 

norm and to appeal to people who may not have considered adoption to 

seriously do so.”


 
Martin Narey, Barnardo’s Chief Executive said: “This is a fabulous 

concept with some beautiful shots which show the children in an 

innovative way. We do hope that this project will get people talking 

about adoption, visiting the gallery and making enquiries about 

adoption.”

The exhibition runs at the Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street, 

London from April 24 until May 3.

 
notes to editors

The guest photographers who have agreed to participate are: Mario 

Testino, Laura Bailey, Lulu Guinness, Sophie Raworth, Sam Taylor Wood, 
Dom Joly, Sean Bean, Andrew Lincoln, Brian Belo, Bruce Oldfield, Cherie 

Blair, Claudia Winkleman, Colin Salmon, Fraser James, Gail Porter,  Jack 
Davenport, Josie D'Arby, Stephen Mangan and Rageh Omar.
The exhibition will be shown at the Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street, 
London W1W  Telephone 020 8291 5380.


The children featured in the exhibition are from the London Boroughs of 

Newham and Camden.


 
Barnardo’s has 60 years experience as an adoption agency and works with 

local authorities to place prospective parents with children awaiting 

adoption.  


 
As of March 2007 there were 60,000 looked after children in the UK. More 

than 42,000 were in foster placements; 3,300 were adopted and more than 

1,000 were still seeking homes. In most cases the local authority became 

involved because of neglect or abuse. 


 
For more information about adoption visit www.barnardos.org.uk


 
Barnardo’s works with approximately 115,000 children, young people and 

their families in over 394 specialised projects in local communities 

across the UK. This includes work with work with children affected by 

today’s most urgent issues: poverty, homelessness, disability, 

bereavement and abuse.


 
We believe in the potential in every child and young person, no matter 

who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. We 

will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and 

every child. 



 
Sign up if you believe in children. 
 
www.barnardos.org.uk/believe
 
 

As most of you will know Sean is the patron of the National Osteoporosis Society. A group of dedicated fans, lead by my good friend Adele, has worked very hard on this project for almost a year.

The cookbook is all about Sharpe. Bernard Cornwell has written the foreword for the book and contributed two recipes, the two producers of the Sharpe series and the director have contributed too. All the photos have been donated by either Jason Salkey, Picture Palace or Rex Features (who hold all the old Sharpe Photos) for use in the book. All the Chosen Men have given recipes and to top it all Sean himself has endorsed the book and given them their own signed photograph.

They were lucky enough to have found themselves a Sheffield publisher. The man who has designed the book is a real Sharpe fan and this really shows in his design work. It is a real labour of love all round.

It is all in aid of the National Osteoporosis Society, they are to receive all the proceeds from the book normally due to the authors. The book will be released November 1, 2007, more orderimg information will follow soon ! The book will be available directly from the publishers very soon ! They will ship anywhere. I will announce the pre-order date as soon as possible.  I will surely be one of the first to order ! Click on the thumb to see the full version of the advert !  

Click on the thumb to see the full version of the advert !

Click here for the Sharpe Chefs Webpage : Sharpe Chefs

Launch date : 1st November 2007 !

Left to right : Paul Trussell (Tongue) Jason Salkey (Harris) Lyndon Davies (Perkins) and Michael Mears (Cooper)

Saturday, January 19th was the big day ! A lot of Sharpe fans gathered at Waterstone's Bookshop at Piccadilly Circus to get their copy of the Sharpe Chefs Cookbook signed by some of the Chosen Men and meet some of the Sharpe Chefs ! Here's a report written by Sylvia, one of the Mighty Bean moderators who was there. Adele (one of the Sharpe Chefs) promised me a full report later this week, so there'll be more soon.

Sylvia's report. (Sylvia flew to London with her sister Macbeth)

We had a wonderful day. We met all those wonderful ladies from Sharpe's Chefs and TMB. So there were: April, Silverbuttons, Norskmom and Norskdad with their two lovely Norskkid, Leggy of course! It was so lovely to meet you all! 

The event was great! Macbeth and I we were there early and we got our books beforehand. Later we saw they had two people in the green rifles uniform outside of the entrance of Waterstone's. 

When we were strolling through the bookshop we suddenly saw Lyndon and Jason (Perkins and Harris) rushing upstairs where the booksigning was held. So we rushed up behind them too! 

Upstairs they had a lovely decorated background and Sharpe music was playing. They had two more people in costumes and also a table with rifles and everything the soldiers had in wartimes. Very interesting!
I call them by their role name, its easier for everybody, so Cooper, Tongue, Harris and Perkins were there already, starting to signing books, joking and laughing with each other and also with the fans and the Sharpe Chefs.

Macbeth and I we were a bit shy at the beginning but got closer and realized the Chosen Men had so much fun, they didnt bite and we talked a bit while they wrote some lines for each of us, asking our name...I was VERY surprised when Harris asked me where I am from and for my surname. I told him and he said: "Yes, I remember you!" I said to him I still need to get the diary No. 7 and he said I should have emailed him, he could have brought it with him and I could have saved postage! What a wonderful man, so thought- and helpful!!!! I am in love....with them all!!!!

Click to enlarge :

Seriously, they were so easy to chat with and you were able to see they enjoyed themselves very much!!!! They also enjoyed the contact with everybody who wanted to have their book signed! I had the feeling they belong to TMB and I have known them for ages! They were joking all the time and we stayed for a while so that I could get some good pics done. They took their time for each of us who wanted a picture! Wonderful men, so patient!
As you all can see further down, Macbeth did take lovely pics!!!!
As we all know Harris, he always has his camera with him and taking pics or even filming....I hope Macbeth and I we wont end in some of the next Diaries...we were standing awfully close...

Anyway, Macbeth and I we defenitely enjoyed the event and loved to meet you great ladies over there! It was defenitely worth to fly over for just one day!

As promised, here's Adele James' report on the event.

Sharpe Chefs Book Signing

Well the day outside was not the best ever. Typical England grey, but at least it wasn’t cold. I arrived at the store at 10.45 as the trains were perfect!! (Naturally, when I had allowed for them to be terrible!)

The signing table was empty except for a HUGE pile of Sharpe Chef books, (which shrank considerably).

There was one table for the Chosen Men to sign from and another for the Riflemen (who were coming to guard the day), to display their effects.

I met up with the events manager, Jason, who just had a few things to finish for the event, like putting the Sharpe music on in the background! Jason was so enthusiastic about it and was really looking forward to everything.

Some riflemen from the 95^th re-enactment group (http://www.95thrifles.com/95th/home/ ) arrived and posted two riflemen downstairs and two by the signing. They were absolutely wonderful and really helped to make the day special.

While waiting for things to be completed, I met up with southernbelle and another fan called Anna.

I was just mooching around when I looked up and saw two VERY familiar faces. Jason Salkey and Lyndon Davies (Harris and Perkins) were coming towards me. I was all prepared to shake hands like the true lady I am (cough, cough) but instead was greeted by two huge bear hugs as if I had known them all my life. (Probably with the amount of e-mails and calls, they felt I had!).

The next Chosen Man to arrive was Mike Mears (Cooper) who settled in straight away, after being greeted by the others like their lives depended on his arrival! When Paul and his wife arrived, you would have thought the prodigal son had returned. (Paul’s wife was so very gracious, standing right back to let everything happen. Of course some of us went to speak to her and she is really lovely).These guys have a really strong bond that has lasted through the years, but they sometimes go years without seeing each other. Their evident pleasure at being together again was a real joy to see and added much to the general feeling of the whole day.

We met with Macpy and Macbeth and we hugged (there was a lot of that) and then Silverbuttons. Then gradually some of the Sharpe Chefs arrived too.

Chris and Marilyn from the Sharpe Appreciation Society came to support us and bring some posters for us to hang up behind the table. And very nice they were too!

Another lovely thing was that the publisher and the designer of the book had travelled all the way from Sheffield (I know, not as far as the US or Canada from where some had come!) just for the event.

The signing was due to start at 12 but people were too eager and at about 11.50 they started signing. Much laughing was heard, (it was a very loud event), banter between the Chosen Men, and very many cameras were kept very busy.

At one point, when the ‘boys’ posed for us, Jason said something about a bank of photographers. He was not kidding. It was like a small press conference. So much so that they had to pan the area to face everyone for the group photo.

Not only were books sold at the event, but the store asked for another 30 to be signed so that they could advertise them as signed to sell afterwards.

Many people had photos taken with the boys and with each other. It was a lovely friendly day. The warm feeling was very obvious.

After the signing came to an end, The Sharpe Chefs, the Chosen Men (except for Paul and his lovely wife as they had a previous engagement which the others were disgusted that he didn’t put off so he could have a drink with them J), the Riflemen and the publishers retired to the bar for lunch and drinks.

It was really a lovely time, with the ‘boys’ just hanging out and laughing together and with us.

Eventually it had to come to an end (at about 3.15!) with Lyndon having a long drive back home.

Jason and Lyndon were the last Chosen Men to leave, with promises to stay in touch, (and more hugs).

The last few of the Chefs, floated downstairs. It had really happened. We had had the signing, met some new friends, met up with some old friends and sold our book.

According to the store, we sold 48 books at the event with another 30 signed ready to sell afterwards. Apparently books also sell after an event especially if the books are signed. Without the 30, it means they have sold 64 in their store alone. I asked him if this was good and his answer was

“The numbers are good - think of it this way: just before Christmas we
had a rather well known celeb chef in to do a signing we sold 4 books on
the day! You guys therefore rock!”

Huge thanks now to;

Jason Redgrave the events manager at the store. He was just fantastic.

To the Chosen Men for making it a day never to forget.

To everyone who came to support us, especially from The Mighty Bean.

To the publishers for coming to support us too.

To Chris and co from the Sharpe Appreciation Society for all their support from word go.

To the Riflemen who came to look over us and hold back the masses!

To everyone who has supported us in any way.

To Waterstones for hosting our event.

Remember everyone, the store has 30 signed books and I think they will send out, so anyone who couldn’t get there………. Call the store on   020 7851 2400.

Make sure you ask for a signed copy!!!!

Adele

P.S. Adele has just emailed me to tell me the latest news : Please add this to the report as I just had the e-mail from the events manager.

Just a quick note to say that "Sharpe Chefs" is currently number 14 in the waterstones.com bestseller list !

Pictures thanks to Macbeth, Leggy, Sylvia, and Silverbuttons. Click to enlarge.

Sean Bean supports city charity

A HOLLYWOOD movie star and a home-grown television starlet have become patrons of the city's homeless charity.

Sean Bean launches fundraising appeal

Monday 23rd July 2007

Sheffield’s own Hollywood star, Sean Bean, has launched the new Sheffield Leukaemia and Blood Disorders Appeal at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

The star of the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy, Goldeneye and TV’s Sharpe, planted a tree to mark the occasion in front of an excited crowd of hospital staff and patients. Taking time out from his busy shooting schedule, Sean launched the appeal which aims to raise £150,000 to fully equip a much-needed new leukaemia ward and day rooms within the hospital.

As well as providing all the vital life-saving equipment for the new specialist unit, the funds raised will help to improve the surroundings and facilities available to those patients receiving care in isolation rooms – where they can often spend months at a time. 

Emma Dickens, Head of Fundraising for Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Sean Bean has been able to take the time to give us his support today. The Sheffield Leukaemia and Blood Disorders Appeal will bring huge improvements to the care and treatment of patients, from across South Yorkshire and beyond, for years to come. “Not only will this appeal fund all of the specialised equipment required on the ward, but it will also aid in patients’ recovery by providing an environment that is more like a home from home,” she said. “We’re all thrilled that Sean has agreed to be an ambassador for our appeal, and are very grateful that he was able to come along and lend some star power to today’s launch.” 

This is the first appeal to be launched by Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust since the establishment of a new fundraising department. Anyone interested in finding out more about the charity and its work can visit the new website at www.shctonline.org.uk.

http://www.shctonline.org.uk/appeal/appeal_news.html

Sean Bean backs new fundraising appeal

Thursday 28th June 2007

Sean Bean attends the Beckham's World Cup Party

Stars Sir Elton John, Ant and Dec, the Spice Girls and the England Squad will be among the 400 guests at the Japanese-themed

bash in the garden of the Beckham's Hertfordshire home.

ITV1's payments will go to the NSPCC children's charity. The network's entertainment controller Claudia Rosencrantz said " It promises to be a fantastic event. This will be the garden party of the summer and ITV1 viewers will get the exclusive inside track of the event. There will be no better way to kick off the start of the World Cup Finals"

The programme will also chart the build-up to the do and feature interviews with the Beckhams.

No expense has been spared by the Beckhams over the World Cup Bash, to be screened at 9pm on May 19th. A Japanese garden is being created in the grounds of the mansion, and 60,000 Orchids have been ordered.

The dress code is white tie and diamonds, and guests will gorge on Sushi and Champagne.

By Jonathan Donald