News Archive > January, 2009

It was with deep sorrow that we learned of the death of Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' Chairman, Fred Dibden, on 26th January 2009.

Fred had been a member for almost twenty years and for ten of those years he was on the committee, being vice Chairman for one year and Chairman for the last four years, only being elected for the last time one week before his death.

Fred gave the club 100% committment, with a gentle smile and his own special way of encouraging members to become involved and enjoy the benefits of the club and promoting the work of the club in the community.

He was always first to arrive at the meetings and last to leave, doing what a chairman has to do plus many of the preparation jobs. When conducting meetings he had been known to use a giant boxing glove but the "bell" took over in recent times and the meetings had his respect. The meetings will not be the same without Fred brushing back his long, curling hair and looking through those two pairs of specs at the same time to focus on the small print.

Whenever there was an outside-club filming project, Fred would be there with his kit, leading from the front and occasionally being asked by the local police to explain his enthusiasm but he was always able to explain his way out of trouble and what he was doing.

During the summer break, Fred would take it upon himself to contact each member by phone to remind them of the monthly meeting and then he would arrive at the Owls Nest meeting an hour before the start, to reserve the favourite corner for the twenty plus members to follow. At every meeting, winter or summer, Fred would usually turn up with leaflets on the latest bargains to be had at local stores selling computers, audio equipment, cameras and any over gadget he thought members would be interested in, which would often have members standing in a shop queue the following day.

Two years ago, a new trophy was presented to the club, to be used to recognise services to the club and this was named after Fred because of his dedications to the club. He was its deserving first recipient. Fred himself gave a new trophy in 2008 which he wanted to be used to encourage members to make movies and this is to be known as "The Grand Prix Trophy", where points are accumulated by members to find the movie maker of the year.

Fred had known that he was ill for some time but took care not to let it interfere too much with his enjoyment and duty as chairman to the club, going to the extent that while being taken to hospital he asked that the mixer he had promised to loan the club for Monday's meeting should be taken to the Hon Sec as he may not be able to get to the meeting himself.

Fred was a good servant to the club and a friend to us all; he had his own unique style of filmmaking and was respected by all members. Fred will be missed but not forgotten.

Funeral Arrangements

A service will take place on Friday 6th February 2009 at 1.15pm in the Lancaster Crematorium.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' meeting, members paid tribute to Fred Dibden, the chairman, who had died at the weekend. Fred was a club member for twenty years and had been the Chairman for the last four years.

The meeting continued with a rehearsal for the Carlo Curley concert in the Ashton Hall, Lancaster, where the club will be providing the live television coverage of the performer. Cameras and equipment were set up to video Norman Cunningham, a member of the Bay Organ and Key Board Society, who played a selection of tunes while members practiced using the cameras and mixers for the concert on Saturday 7th February 2009.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their 40th Annual general meeting at St. Christopher's Church Hall, Bare. Chairman Fred Dibden reported that the club had enjoyed a successful year with visiting and club speakers, practical evenings and well-supported competitions. He completed his report by thanking every one for their support as the club entered its "Ruby Year".

A new committee and officials were appointed along with, Chairman Fred Dibden, Vice Chairman Graeme Isherwood, Secretary Ken Russell and committee members Stan Sharpe, Brian Melmore and Dave Weatherley. The Treasurer, Mike Ellis, continues in post for a further year.

Mersey Ten Reminder

The distribution of ENTRY FORMS for the Mersey Ten Competition has been delayed by the late publication of the IAC magazine Film and Video Maker following the Christmas/New Year closure at the printers. Your club copy should be received shortly along with IAC North West Monopod.

Monopod includes the entry form for the Mersey Ten and shows a closing date of 24th January 2009 - next Saturday !!!! In view of the short timescale for submitting entries the closing date has been EXTENDED by one week to 31st January 2009.

Please support the competition, details of which are in Monopod, and do your best to submit entries by the new closing date.

If your club or any member requires additional entry forms please let me know and I will email them to you.

Hope to see you all in Southport on March 7th at the public screening

Best wishes

Richard Curry
Chairman
IAC North West

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers started the second half of their season with a bumper attendance for the "Showcase Raffle". The event consisted of any member showing a five minute (or thereabouts) movie clip or a finished movie, in exchange for a raffle ticket. At the end of the night, a draw was made for a selection of prizes.

This year the 19 entries all won prizes, thanks to the donation of gifts from club members. The movies shown ranged from a 90sec clip of an animated talking ostrich head to an exotic sailing trip around five islands off the coast of Thailand. The highlight of the evening was the showing of an earlier club video, which was thought to be lost, of a spoof movie showing members at an imaginary keep fit class in the late 1980s, a reminder of the effects of time.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their Christmas Diner at the County Hotel, Carnforth on Monday 22nd Dec 2008 and 22 members and guests attended. Drinks were taken in the bar before a hearty meal was served at 7.30 with paper hats on heads to get everyone in the festive mood. At the end of the meal, the annual Fred Dibden trophy was presented to Ken Russell for services rendered to the club. The trophy donator, Chris Abram presented this prior to the drawing of the free raffle for a selection of wines, chocolates and gadgets. The Vice Chairman, Graeme Isherwood wished members a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and invited them all back to the start of the next series of club meetings on Monday 12th Jan 2009 for the Showcase raffle