With Heatherly’s School of Art a few steps from our door, we headed out to investigate their end of year exhibition. A plethora of work on display, each room was filled with an eclectic mix of sculpture – ranging from the more traditional to the exceedingly abstract – and painting. A very inspiring mixture, with some truly exceptional pieces. One thing that stood out was Heatherly’s unabashed approach to display all work – whether experimental works in progress or refined, finished pieces. A viewing is definitely recommended.
With the sun shining and the hamper packed, WHAMmers set out for a relaxed evening of county cricket at The Oval. The Middlesex vs. Surrey match was sadly lacking in enthusiasm and energy, for which the crowd compensated; a ‘Beer Snake’ competition was soon established – who could stack up the most empties… Security guards were on high alert and darting around to halt proceedings, whilst the crowd boisterously cheered as the snakes were passed along to avoid capture. Entertaining for a time, perhaps not so much for those on who’s heads the precarious snakes eventually toppled, along with the dregs from ‘empties’ added by the more careless stackers in the crowd… Oh, and Middlesex won.
With the Painting and sculpture degree shows now open at the Royal College of Art, WHAM popped across for a look.
Featuring an impressive range of work from the postgraduate students, interesting pieces included two fur coats discarded on the floor, along with several large and very tactile sculptures created from insulation materials and other ephemera. However the winner by far was an ‘Untitled’ steel sculpture by Marcus Foster; beautifully smooth and sea green, its vast spherical form was both calming and compelling. A visit definitely recommended!
Come on England! The first cry of passion emanates from the congregation. And it’s started already, the sloppy passing. Nerves continuing to build as we probe the Slovenians. Typically Milner gets a [the first] cross in and with a wallop/fumble/bobble it’s 1-0 to England! A few more fumbled attempts and one frustratingly disallowed goal brings us to half time, 45mins from glory.
As with many tense matches, the second half tends to blur into one long painful experience, especially when England play. We’re actually looking a lot better, dominating the play and creating chances. Now, that is the funniest dive I’ve seen for years, Terry ‘launches’ towards the ball, heroic [if sausages can be] and highly amusing to watch especially in slow-mo HD. Even Capello is now losing it. However, with relief, England maintain the score and make it through. Perhaps not the most adventurous or convincing passage to face Germany and possibly Argentina, but we can only get better…
With the June sun still high over Battersea Park, the WHAM team took to the field in the first ever Hutch 5′s Tournament with hopes high and fitness levels low.
The first match v. INQ began at a frenetic pace as the opposition sought out an early opening. Through a combination of robust defending and a never-say-die spirit, team WHAM held out for a 0-0 draw. Game two was against a motley crew of so-called ‘All Stars’. Applying the maxim ‘it’s not the winning, it’s the taking apart that counts’, WHAM pushed forward and despite the terrier-like efforts of Fordham up front, the match again ended goalless.
Worse followed as the WHAM defence was finally breached twice by HWEL in their ultimate game, a 2-0 defeat to the eventual tournament winners providing a sad finale to what had been a noble effort. The only way is up…
With World Cup fever gripping the nation, WHAM has teamed up with HWEL and INQ to create its very own inter firm footie tournament in Battersea Park tonight. Wandsworth council authorities however were quick to reiterate to tournament officials that on the spot penalties will be imposed for needless fouling on the pitch and berger and chips as well as de beers were only permitted providing we sweep up after ourselves.
Let the games begin!
The WHAM Agency works closely with telecommunications giant, Three, around the world in areas as diverse as brand, environments and digital. Part of our remit is to bring the operating businesses together to share information and learnings, and where possible, to work together on joint projects. In London last week we ran the Three Digital Forum, which brought together UX experts from across the business. We worked on country updates, digital workshops, and, of course, we hosted a sedate dinner near Hutchison Whampoa’s European HQ in Battersea. As everyone knows, this is where the real business of discussing how we work together occurs.
We rounded up a posse and rode into town to meet the guys and gals at The Bank, for a Christmas Carry On themed shindig at Koko. And my what a night, with free drinks a plenty we danced til the wee hours, surrounded by naughty nurses, wayward doctors, Egyptian beauties and suchlike before riding off into the sunset. Boots, chaps and cowboy hats…. nothing else matters.
Call this a little gratuitous advertising, but we wanted to mention our two Twitter feeds, which we hope you will enjoy.
The first is WHAM Agency, a Tweet by folk at WHAM that is about all manner of things we like, what we do, where we travel, and what we think may be of interest to our clients and colleagues.
Second is Inside WHAM, an internal feed which you are welcome to join that focusses on, er, those of us who work inside WHAM. Thanks to inhouse social guru Ros, it contains lots of what’s happening in and around London and in and around our office.
Visit WHAM Agency and Inside WHAM.
Some Whammers went to taste chocolate from around the world along with various drinks. Rums from Trinidad, special liqueur from Ecuador amongst the favourites. Everyone agreed Venezuelan chocolate beans are best – which is just as well as our guide and WHAM copywriter Steve is the connoisseur and confirmed our palettes were right!
