The VoiceOver Networks Christmas Party!

As the clock struck 7pm on Friday 28th November 2014 the bings from the lift doors opening started and everyone poured into 5th View in Piccadilly Circus for The VoiceOver Networks Christmas Party. As people entered they were ticked off the guest list ushered to the cloak room to hang up their coats and while they were there buy a raffle tickets to raise money for The Princes Trust. This is an excellent charity that helps young people who are having a tough time whether it’s homelessness, unemployment, mental health issues or abuse. It’s about empowering young people to change their lives which fit very well with The VoiceOver Network which is also about empowering people.

After dropping off their coats and bags at the cloak room they headed for the bar to collect a Mojito or Cubra Libra before being handed yummy canape’s. Lots of friendly faces as introductions were made. People that filled the venue included voiceover artists, agents, producers, directors, production companies and sound engineers. The incredible band Kandela Mi Son, who are one of the best Cuban bands in the UK right now started up and I was blown away not only by the brilliant music but by the professional dancers who were outstanding! We had our own live Strictly Come Dancing before our very eyes! Cocktails flowed, the sound of chatter and laughter filled the venue. Then we had some more substantial food Cuban style given out in bowls which went down very well. Next up was the raffle raising money for the charity The Princes Trust. The raffle was drawn by the voiceover legend Red Pepper. The winners were as follows –

1st prize which was a Showreel Package at The Showreel (Our lovely sponsors) won by Leah Marks

2nd prize which was a Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Royal Opera House
won by Geoff Cotton

3rd prize was a 2 Course Meal with Wine for Two at 5th View

won by Andrew Sewell

4th prize was an Online Course with Gravy for the Brain

won by Tim Odofin

5th prize was a Ticket to the next VOND Event

won by Philip Chryssikos

6th prize was a 12-Month Subscription to Sound on Sound plus 2 signed books of ‘The producers manual’ and ‘The studio SOS’
won by Nicola Redman

7th prize was a Cocktails and social board for Two at 5th View

won by Louisa Gummer

8th prize was A Bottle of Havana 7-Year Old Rum donated by 5th View

won by Rebecca Wood

A massive thank you to everyone who bought tickets to the raffle we managed to raise a lot of money for a fantastic cause.

After the raffle people went on drinking, dancing and enjoying themselves. When it was time to leave everyone was given a goody bag as they left. Inside was a lovely VOND mug among other things.

Here are some comments from the evening –

‘Hey Rachael, brilliant brilliant night! The cocktails The food Those dancers!!!! The Band!!! The raffle the fundraising money for charity…. you ticked every box. Thanks for a fantastic night. PKxxxx (and of course fabulous company, so many great people… we’re a good bunch vo’s!)’ Peter Kenny

‘Rachael Naylor – you are the hostess with the mostess! Thank you for a sparkling evening of laughter and limoncello x’ Janina Heron (Soh)

‘Great venue. Great company. Great success. Well done Rachael Naylor! X’ Andrew Mark Sewell (B7 Media)

‘Great party, Rachael Naylor – your biggest and best yet! Thank you!’ Philip Chryssikos

‘Thanks for a great party Rachael Naylor! You knocked it out of the park again! Time to call the VON mug into action for some much needed coffee!’ Pete Edmunds

‘Awesome party Rachael – love love love it! Great success as always!’ David Garcia Fernandez (Golocalise)

‘Thanks so much for last night’s party. It was enormous fun and very well organised. I saw some old friends and made some new ones so the event served its purpose and also introduced me to the Mojito!’ Gareth Armstrong

‘I had a lovely time at your network party thanks. So many interesting people to talk to and the Mojitos, food, music and dancers were fab. You really know how to organise a great party. Looking forward to the next one.’ Jon Hawkins (soh)

‘Thanks for a great night last Friday Rachael. Lovely to meet you and so many other superb and talented people. I had never met anyone there “in person” before and it was so relaxed and welcoming and I’ve made some lovely friends as well. I look forward to more VO Networking next year – have a great Christmas.’ Clare Reeves