Here at NSR we are adapting to the new normal and we are able to safely provide audio/visual equipment to stage virtual conference and seminar events while we ease out of lockdown.

We are also working hard to put measures in place to be able to safely provide communications equipment for when lockdown is further eased, and event organisers are able to stage face to face socially distanced conferences and seminars.

All our equipment is deep cleaned and sanitised between every project with a reduced team, wearing appropriate PPE, to set-up and breakdown.

For further information on how we can work together in this new normal email sales@nsrcommunications.co.uk.  We look forward to working with you very soon.

This was the case for The Vitality Big Half, which was staged recently in London, where NSR were charged with installing the PA systems for the event. The whole set-up for the event had to be completed overnight before the competitors arrived to take part the next day.

Take a peek at some of the highlights from this year’s Vitality Big Half.

A split 5-man team spends 10 days on site, before, during and after, supplying the Show’s complex communication systems.  This includes a production unit for the Top Spec Arena to house the commentary team and the arena’s stewards as well as multiple screens showing International Arena footage and scoreboard information.   In addition, the team set-up PA systems for the Top Spec Arena, stabling area, horse walk, both collecting rings and some components for the International Arena.  If that wasn’t enough there’s also the HOYS Live Zone Area where NSR also install screens and audio systems.

The Show dates back to 1949 when just 400 entries were taken, today HOYS welcomes 1,600 horses and ponies, 1,500 competitors and 65,000 spectators over the 5 days of competition and equestrian displays.

For any equestrian enthusiast this is the event to attend and NSR is proud to have been an integral supplier to the Show for many years and the team looks forward to being invited back again next year.

Today the event is held in the majestic setting of Hampton Court and brings together a selection of 60 of the rarest cars from around the world; many of which will never have been seen before in the UK.

The NSR team was privileged to be in attendance; here’s a 60 overview of our time there.  Thanks for having us.

Here are just a few images from our travels this month courtesy of our Devon and Windsor event teams.

Devon

Windsor

In addition, NSR, who manufacture and supply EG Timing equipment, will be supplying these state-of-the-art timing systems for each of the showjumping rings for the event this summer. EG Timing will also be one of the event sponsors at this year’s event.

The event will play host to world-class riders who will be competing for the International Stairway League title, as well as opportunities to qualify to compete at the Horse of the Year Show later in the year. The British National Showjumping Championships is a great family day out with some exciting competition plus outdoor performances and a shopping village for anyone looking for some retail therapy.

NSR is looking forward to being part of the action and can’t wait to get stuck in!

However, the parade itself is just part of the story! As the biggest parade of its kind in the UK there is a huge amount to be done before the big day itself including Press Preview Day in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 30 December. This event gives the press and public a sneak preview of what to expect as the New Year dawns on 1 January.

So, as well as laying hundreds of metres of cable for multiple PA systems and siting Commentary and Production units along the Parade route on 1 January, the NSR team were also found installing systems on three of the Floats in the parade. These were complete PA systems with generator power. In addition, wireless microphones were also supplied for the presenters and other acts performing all along the parade route. There were nine fixed sites along the route to address the public viewing the spectacle. Three along Piccadilly, one in Lower Regent Street, one on Waterloo Place, another in Trafalgar Square and a further three along Whitehall. The final Whitehall site (The Finale Area) is the largest site along the route where all the VVIPs gather in three Grandstands.

Due to NSR’s customary professionalism the day went off without a hitch and was the perfect introduction for the main event on New Year’s Day. On that note, the NSR team would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New year.

Inspired by traditional German Christmas markets Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is renowned as one of the best in Europe.  It has a wonderful Christmas atmosphere and with over 100 chalets to explore you will find all sorts of lovely gifts and decorations for your loved ones as well as an abundance of delicious food stalls and an enchanting Nativity scene.

The NSR team were also in situ on the eve of the opening of the market on Friday, 16 November when the Mayor, Cllr Frank Pearson, will be opening the ice-rink alongside a choir and drummers from the Crestwood College Steel band who will be performing the opening ceremony on the ice.  In addition to the PA systems covering the market and the ice-rink NSR will be providing additional microphones for the choristers and wireless microphones for the speeches, which will all run through the ice-rink’s PA system.

The Christmas Market will open on Saturday 17 November and run right through until Thursday 20 December with the ice-rink staying open until early in the New Year.  Open from 10.30am until 6.30pm Sunday through Wednesday, the market will have late night shopping until 8pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Although the Christmas market will close just before Christmas winter lovers will still be able enjoy skating on the ice-rink until early in the new year.

You may even find one or two of the NSR team taking to the ice themselves; just to make sure you the PA system is working correctly of course!

To help mark the occasion, NSR had two teams out last week to make sure the services at both Westminster Abbey and the Harrow Civic Centre were conducted seamlessly and with respect to those that died.

At Westminster Abbey’s ‘Field of Remembrance’ NSR supplied a full PA system that covered the grassed area of the Abbey, for the remembrance address and once again on Remembrance Sunday in Harrow, the NSR team supplied the equipment for a complete PA system that covered the grandstands, civic centre and public viewing area for an outside service where local heads of many faiths came together to remember those they have lost.

It is always a privilege to be a part of these Remembrance Day Services and remember those that fought and gave their lives, so we can have our freedom today.  Lest we forget.

The five-day Royal Windsor Horse Show in mid-May is a highlight in the equine calendar attracting some of the best horsemen and women competitors from around the world in showjumping, showing, dressage, driving and endurance as well as 1,000’s of spectators wanting to catch a glimpse of their sporting heros.  This year was no exception and in addition to the communication set-up they supply for the Frogmore, Copper Horse and Adelaide arenas this year the

NSR team also had to set-up a full PA system and commentary trailer for the Dressage arena.
The NSR team was also responsible for another area of the show this year; bringing in eight EG timing sets to provide split second timing on each of the obstacles in the Driving Marathon competition; the much loved sport of Prince Philip.

Following hot on the heels of the Royal Windsor Horse Show is the Devon County Show; an event that draws massive crowds to the Westpoint Arena and Showground in the south-west of England for a packed three-day schedule of equine events and every other livestock competition you can think of as well as an exciting main arena programme that thrills spectators.

The Devon County Show requires thousands of metres of cabling to supply the countless PA systems the NSR team set up for the main arena, the cattle lines, the second and third horse showing rings, the countryside arena, the horse park and stable area; the list goes on.  In addition to cabling NSR also supply a double decker trailer and EG timing sets for the main arena plus a countdown clock for the Blacksmith and Farrier demonstration area.

This is just a small percentage of the equipment that NSR supply for these two major shows, which is set-up with military precision in the days preceding each event to ensure the organisers and visitors enjoy a stress free time throughout the duration of the show.  It doesn’t end there though as the show season is now in full swing and after breaking down from Devon County the NSR team are hot footing it in two different directions for two further major shows; The Bath & West Show and The Surrey County Show both requiring the same military precision in set-up as Royal Windsor and Devon County.

NSR runs a slick, precise operation, which pays dividends for event organisers up and down the country.