Sorcerers, Horse Racing and Moustaches

By Simon Atkins

So the 25^th Anniversary celebrations have come to an end and were a great success as far as I can gather, with many of the guests writing in to us to tell us what a good time they had. I’m delighted that it all went (mostly) according to plan and am grateful to everyone who helped me in organising it and running various emergency errands. Also a special thank you to The Citadel and Pilmeny Youth Centre for lending us equipment. I’ve yet to return all the timeline materials to their proper homes around the office, but am secretly hoping that if I ignore that job for long enough it will take care of itself – maybe in a fashion not unlike the Sorcerer’s Apprentice brooms in Fantasia.

Now I’m looking into organising a charity ‘Race Night’, or rather, looking into overseeing a responsible volunteer who would be able to organise it and get valuable events management experience. For readers who haven’t heard of Race Nights, they involve inviting guests to a venue where everyone watches obscure horse races from the 80s, and bets on the winning horse (say, £1 per bet). Winners then receive a cut of the earnings, with a percentage going to the charity. Many thanks to Katherine of Health in Mind for this great idea. If readers know of someone who would be keen to get involved with organising this, please get them to drop an email to simon@fastforward.org.uk.

In other news, I am proud again this year to be organising the unofficial Movember Edinburgh Closing Event, where we will be raising funds for Movember UK. As most people are aware, during the month of November (or ‘Movember’) men of all ages are encouraged to grow a moustache and help raise funds and awareness for men’s health, particularly for prostate and testicular cancer, but also for other issues such as mental health. Click here for a startling facts page on these issues. This year, a friend and I will be playing renditions of well known pop songs and rock anthems on acoustic guitars (a genre of music we prefer to call ‘Acoustic Glam’) at Cuckoo’s Nest in Edinburgh. We’ve just finished working on Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time, ACDC’s Let Me Put My Love Into You and Roots Manuva’s Witness (1 Hope), and we’re expecting a great turnout. There will also be moustache-themed cocktails and a healthy supply of fake moustaches available. The event will be held on Friday 29^th November at 8:30 in Cuckoo’s Nest in Bruntsfield – please help to spread the word, and join us on the night!