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Connor PR working with Middlechild Productions on a TV exclusive – Hercules The Human Bear, Channel Five
HERCULES THE HUMAN BEAR
“Human beings differ to animals only in degree and not in kind”
Charles Darwin, Descent of Man
TX: Channel 5, Thursday April 3rd, 9pm, 2014
Produced by Middlechild Productions
Hercules the Human Bear tells the amazing story of Andy and Maggie Robin and their relationship with a grizzly bear that became the most famous animal in the world. A bear that was bought as a cub from a Scottish zoo for £50 in 1976 and lived in Andy and Maggie’s home for 25 years. Hercules grew to be a superstar on the celebrity circuit and through the love and devotion of Andy and Maggie, in their eyes, became human.
In 1976 Andy and Maggie bought a grizzly bear cub from a local zoo, initially to fulfil Andy’s need for a unique wrestling partner. Little did they know at the time that Hercules, the tiny bear cub, would become the worlds’ most famous bear and make them a fortune in the process.
Hercules the Human Bear focuses on the unique relationship that Andy, Maggie and Hercules forged during their 25 years together. With interviews from Andy and Maggie as well as all the key contributors to their story, the documentary reveals the unique story of how Andy and Maggie managed to live under the same roof as the world’s most dangerous land mammal.
Extraordinary archive film footage reveals Hercules adapting to his new surroundings at the Sheriffmuir Inn and learning to wrestle with Andy, without killing him in the process, to the heart stopping moment he went missing in the Outer Hebrides where the hunt for Hercules turned into National and International news. We see how Hercules begins his road to stardom in adverts for products such as Kleenex and Hofmeister Beer, to how his fame got greater and greater to star in films such as James Bond’s Octopussy, making the front cover of Time magazine and even how he caddied for Bob Hope at a golf tournament. Concluding with a trip to the Outer Hebrides where a life-sized statue of Hercules is unveiled and hearing how Hercules touched the lives of many.
World Champion wrestler, Andy Robin, had performed a wrestling bout in Canada with a feared local wrestler – an 8ft black bear called Terrible Ted. The sheer power and strength of the animal shocked and amazed Andy and he began to admire Ted’s natural wrestling ability. The fight lasted only 20 minutes but Andy was hooked. He wanted a bear of his own no matter what the cost.
Combining the testimony of all the key participants, newly-discovered archival film and dramatic imagery, this is the picaresque story of one grizzly bear’s extraordinary journey through human life and the enduring impact he made on the characters he met along the way.
The anthropomorphism (attribution of human characteristics to anything other than a human being) of animals is centuries old and bears in particular have taken on a unique status in our hearts – from Winnie the Poo, Rupert, Yogi and Paddington Bear in children’s fiction to the use of real bears in television series such as Gentle Ben.
Hercules’ story was the ultimate nature versus nurture tale. With no formal animal training, Andy and Maggie Robin allowed a 9-foot 70-stone grizzly bear to share every inch of their lives, from the house they owned to the food they ate. If the experiment were successful they would go on the most amazing fairy tale of a journey, but if it went wrong, like so many times before and since, they would most probably end up dead, mauled to death by the most deadly land carnivore in the world.
The story of wild nature bending to human kindness and understanding, is a genre whose popularity reflects a yearning for an idealised relationship with nature – one that, even having outgrown the fantasies of childhood, we find it hard to shake off.
Hercules The Human Bear is the embodiment of this call of nature. It’s a unique success story where many have failed; it could well be the ultimate example of nurture overcoming nature.
David Sumnall, Director said: “This is a once in a lifetime story. Sharing your life with a Grizzly Bear like Andy and Maggie did will never be done again. They managed to form a completely unique bond with a very special bear. This was largely thanks to Hercules and Maggies’ incredible nature and the fact that Andy was as much a bear as Hercules was human! For anyone who loves their pets, and thinks they might have some ‘human’ in them – this is a must watch.”
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Media Enquiries
For all media enquiries, please contact Siobhan at Connor PR. siobhan@connorpr.com Tel 07966 177025
Andy and Maggie Robin are available for interview.
Preview discs are available on request.
Notes to editors:
Middlechild Productions is a genuinely independent production company based in London. We specialise in ambitious, factual programmes produced with passion and to the highest standard.
Creative Director – David Sumnall
David set up Middlechild in 2008 with the help of a development deal from Channel 4’s factual and documentary departments. Prior to setting up Middlechild, David developed, directed and produced a variety of programmes for all the major broadcasters including Jonny’s Hotshot’s for BBC1; Engineering Giants for BBC2; Animal Addicts for Channel Four; Victoria Cross Heroes for Five and Football Years for Sky One.
David also recently co-produced the feature film Cleanskin starring Sean Bean for Warner Brothers.
Director of Production – Paul Goodliffe
Paul Goodliffe has over 20 years in Television Production management . He has been Director of Production for Sky Entertainment overseeing SKY’s production teams and outside contractors to manage their multi-million pound production outlay across a variety of formats. In addition, he has also held senior managerial positions at Virgin Media and Channel Five.
Connor PR and Hercules the Human Bear, Connor PR working with Middlechild Productions, Connor PR expert in TV publicity, Media and entertainment specialist Connor PR
Connor PR working with Middlechild and GroupM Entertainment production on a new programme for Channel 5 ‘ The Dog Rescuers’
The Dog Rescuers
The Dog Rescuers
Coming soon to Channel 5, “The Dog Rescuers” a Middlechild and GroupM Entertainment production that follows the canine rescue work of the RSPCA across England and Wales.
With over 1.3 million reports of cruelty and mistreatment of animals made to the RSPCA every year, the charity is under increasing pressure to safeguard our nation’s pets from the constant threat of abusive owners and unscrupulous breeders. This series follows those inspectors and officers that deal with ensuring man’s best friend is being properly treated. Using the latest forensic technologies and good old fashioned leg work, the series follows the RSPCA inspectors as they track down and rescue some of the 150,000 animals which are abused and mistreated in the UK every year, and witnesses the struggle to rehabilitate the victimised animals and to prosecute the offenders.
Channel 5 gained access to a selected group of the RSPCA’s 350 inspectors across the country for four months, and our cameras followed inspectors investigating crimes of abuse against dogs and puppies in rural areas and inner cities, as poor living conditions, malnutrition, illegal mass-breeding, organised fights are eradicated all in the aid of saving dogs’ lives.
Despite the sometimes horrific findings, the 10 x 30’ series has positivity at its heart as it will also follow some of the RSPCA’s success stories as they seek to rehabilitate and eventually rehouse some of the 12,000 dogs which the charity rehomes every year.
David Sumnall, Series Producer commented: “We are a nation of dog lovers but over 50% of RSPCA’s prosecutions last year were for cases involving abuse to dogs, so I think this is a really important series. We’ve been able to highlight the plight of these animals and show the incredible work that is being done to rescue and rehome them. It has been tough to witness the neglect at times but to be there as the dogs and puppies are saved and to see them with their new families has made it all worth it.”
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, Daytime & Soaps said: “This series will have a tremendous impact on all those that watch. Some of the circumstances and conditions in which the RSPCA inspectors find dogs is unbelievably horrible. We’re trying to get as many dogs rehoused in loving homes as possible across the series run, putting the heart back into having a family pet and thereby giving four legged friends in need a second chance”
Alan Laxton, RSPCA Broadcast Executive:
The RSPCA rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes thousands of dogs a year across England and Wales. It’s great that The Dog Rescuers gives audiences the chance to see the dedication, hard work and passion all RSPCA staff have for making the lives of these dogs better. Some of the stories can be shocking, but The Dog Rescuers also shows the heart warming, happy endings that the RSPCA strives to give to every dog that comes into our care.
Connor PR’s event features in Shropshire Magazine
More than 70 people attended the ‘Look Fab, Feel Fantastic’ event porganised by Connor PR, specialist in lifestyle and beauty PR which was held at the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury in aid of the Severn Hospice.
Guests were treated to Pimms, summer punch and a selection of delicious canapés as they perused the Adam Ballroom where expert advice was on offer from a number of healthcare professionals.
Mr Stewart Good, Consultant at Cedar House Clinic and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) talked to guests about surgical and non surgical cosmetic treatments such as, anti-wrinkle injectables, dermal fillers, fat removal with skin tightening, cellulite removal, and facial laser rejuvenation.
Jo Bregazzi-Udakis, a Permanent Cosmetic and Medical Tattooing Specialist Nurse of Creative Enhancement was on hand to discuss the long lasting and striking effects that her up-to-date Semi-Permanent Makeup techniques can achieve, using high quality pigments giving you sparkling eyes that can take 5-10 years off your looks. Jo also advised guests on how her Semi-Permanent Makeup can increase your self-confidence through camouflaging surgical scars, hair loss, vitiligo and reconstruction of nipples and areolas after mastectomy surgery.
Specialist hypnotherapist and Registered Nurse, Maria Fielding whose expertise is in Hypnosis for Behavioural Change offered advice on dealing with Anxiety, Motivation, Confidence, Presentation/Exam Nerves, Phobias & other Irrational Fears, Weight loss & Hypnotic Gastric Band and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and many other issues.
Acupuncturist, Bronwen Lloyd-Hughes talked to guests on the wide range of treatments that she is able to offer using traditional acupuncture techniques She regularly treats clearly defined complains such as neck, back and knee pain through to more general feelings of ill health such as nausea, low energy and stress related problems.
Guests were also able to experience the fast acting benefits of ‘Remedial Massage’, easing away those aches and pains you may have developed after the long cold winter of driving your car instead of walking or sitting for long periods of time in your office or at home. Steve Udakis, a Sport and Remedial Massage Therapist, demonstrated and advised on posture correction, exercise techniques, trigger points (knots in the muscles) and how they can cause increasing chronic pain and minimise movement in the joints if untreated.
Jo Bregazzi-Udakis, from Creative Enhancement said: “We are delighted to have hosted the evening and would like to thank everyone who joined us and helped to raise £300 for the Severn Hospice. It means a great deal to me to help local charities whilst at the same time showing people how we can help to increase their self confidence with our high quality treatments”.
Creative Enhancement plan to host more of these events in 2013 so keep your eyes peeled for more information.
Media enquiries
Please contact Siobhan at Connor PR Siobhan@connorpr.com Tel 07966177025
Connor PR in Professional Builder
Connor PR makes the news again in Professional Builder, the B2B Building Industry Magazine.
Andrew Baker, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY & Building Products and Siobhan Connor, Head of PR at Tembe DIY, present cheque to Sheila Jennings from Cancer Research UK.
Hippo, the leading brand in the UK trade market brought out a pink version of its popular heavy duty tape. The tape has been designed especially to raise money to fight cancer.
Hippo heavy duty tape is a strong, multipurpose, waterproof cloth repair tape with hundreds of uses. Hippo Tape adheres firmly to most surfaces and provides a safe, clean and versatile solution to many problems.
Cancer Research UK is the largest volunteer-supported cancer research organisation in the world. The charity focuses on ways of curing cancer faster, researching new ways of preventing cancer and developing better treatments and finding effective cures.
Andrew Baker, Marketing Director of Tembé DIY & Building Products said
“Cancer is that dreaded word spoken, almost everyone has been touched by it in some way, be it a family member or a friend, it can strike at any age, young or old. Tembé and our customers are proud to continue doing our part to help raise money for a cure”.
Sheila Jennnings from Cancer Research UK the local Doncaster Ambassador accepted the cheque of £1012 at Tembe’s headoffice in Doncaster, along with Andrew Baker from Harrogate, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY and Siobhan Connor, Head of PR at Tembe DIY.
Sheila Jennings from Gainsborough said: “If we had the world I wanted we would have a cure for cancer, Tembe DIY and your customers are now part of finding that cure, because of your fundraising”.
CRUK are the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Their groundbreaking work into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has see survival rates double in the last 40 years.
Cancer Research UK have made incredible advances in improving survival and preventing millions of new cases of cancer, both in the UK and across the world. They are proud of the impact they are having against such a devastating disease.
Connor PR works with Cancer Research UK, Connor PR UK PR Agency, Connor PR working with Tembe DIY & Building Products, Connor PR B2B PR agency, Connor PR Charity PR agency
TEMBE DIY IN BUILDERS’ MERCHANTS NEWS
Andrew Baker, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY & Building Products and Siobhan Connor, Head of PR at Tembe DIY, present cheque to Sheila Jennings from Cancer Research UK.
Hippo, the leading brand in the UK trade market brought out a pink version of its popular heavy duty tape. The tape has been designed especially to raise money to fight cancer.
Hippo heavy duty tape is a strong, multipurpose, waterproof cloth repair tape with hundreds of uses. Hippo Tape adheres firmly to most surfaces and provides a safe, clean and versatile solution to many problems.
Cancer Research UK is the largest volunteer-supported cancer research organisation in the world. The charity focuses on ways of curing cancer faster, researching new ways of preventing cancer and developing better treatments and finding effective cures.
Andrew Baker, Marketing Director of Tembé DIY & Building Products said
“Cancer is that dreaded word spoken, almost everyone has been touched by it in some way, be it a family member or a friend, it can strike at any age, young or old. Tembé and our customers are proud to continue doing our part to help raise money for a cure”.
Sheila Jennnings from Cancer Research UK the local Doncaster Ambassador accepted the cheque of £1012 at Tembe’s head office in Doncaster, along with Andrew Baker, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY and Siobhan Connor, Head of PR at Tembe DIY.
Sheila Jennings said: “If we had the world I wanted we would have a cure for cancer, Tembe DIY and your customers are now part of finding that cure, because of your fundraising”.
CRUK are the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Their groundbreaking work into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has see survival rates double in the last 40 years.
Cancer Research UK have made incredible advances in improving survival and preventing millions of new cases of cancer, both in the UK and across the world. They are proud of the impact they are having against such a devastating disease.
Please go to www.tembediy.com for information on products.
TEMBE DIY & BUILDING PRODUCTS RAISES £1012 FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK
August 6th 2013
Doncaster based Tembe DIY & Building Products Raises £1012 for Cancer Research UK
Roll it Pink with Hippo’s Heavy Duty Tape
Andrew Baker, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY & Building Products and Siobhan Connor, from Connor PR, present cheque to Sheila Jennings from Cancer Research UK.
Hippo, the leading brand in the UK trade market brought out a pink version of its popular heavy duty tape. The tape has been designed especially to raise money to fight cancer.
Hippo heavy duty tape is a strong, multipurpose, waterproof cloth repair tape with hundreds of uses. Hippo Tape adheres firmly to most surfaces and provides a safe, clean and versatile solution to many problems.
Cancer Research UK is the largest volunteer-supported cancer research organisation in the world. The charity focuses on ways of curing cancer faster, researching new ways of preventing cancer and developing better treatments and finding effective cures.
Andrew Baker, Marketing Director of Tembé DIY & Building Products said
“Cancer is that dreaded word spoken, almost everyone has been touched by it in some way, be it a family member or a friend, it can strike at any age, young or old. Tembé and our customers are proud to continue doing our part to help raise money for a cure“.
Sheila Jennnings from Cancer Research UK the local Doncaster Ambassador accepted the cheque of £1012 at Tembe’s head office in Doncaster, along with Andrew Baker, Director of Marketing at Tembe DIY and Siobhan Connor from Connor PR.
Sheila Jennings said: “If we had the world I wanted we would have a cure for cancer, Tembe DIY and your customers are now part of finding that cure, because of your fundraising”.
CRUK are the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Their groundbreaking work into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has see survival rates double in the last 40 years.
Cancer Research UK have made incredible advances in improving survival and preventing millions of new cases of cancer, both in the UK and across the world. They are proud of the impact they are having against such a devastating disease.
Please go to www.tembediy.com for information on products.
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Profile of Katie Wellington from Katie’s Kids Kitchen on Mojomums
Profile of Katie Wellington on Mojomums. Mojomums is a social enterprise, put together by a mum of 5 who realised there was all this untapped potential at the school gate and so she set up on social media and then through a website to give mums their mojo back and encourage them to achieve their goals, be it going back to work, starting up a business or just giving them a place to find useful information for the women who happens to be a mum.
Enjoying the documentary on my dear friend Alan Whicker on ITV, arguably the greatest TV reporter ever
Enjoying the documentary on my dear friend Alan Whicker on ITV, arguably the greatest TV reporter ever. Here’s a picture of myself and Alan on a press day.
Broadcasting Legend Alan Whicker CBE Has Died
Broadcasting legend Alan Whicker has died at home in Jersey after a short illness. He had been suffering from bronchial pneumonia and leaves behind his partner of 40 years, Valerie Kleeman.
After the Second World War, Alan Whicker became a journalist with the news agency Exchange Telegraph, acting as a correspondent during the Korean War. In 1957 he joined the BBC as part of the Tonight team, television’s first magazine programme. Alan went on to present the television programme for which he is best known, the long-running television series Whicker’s World. These programmes continued for more than 30 years. He was also instrumental in launching Yorkshire Television, producing television programmes for them from 1969 until 1992.
In the New Year’s Honours list published 31 December 2004, Alan Whicker was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to broadcasting.
In 2009, Alan Whicker returned to some of the locations and people who were originally featured in Whicker’s World for the BBC series Alan Whicker’s Journey Of A Lifetime. In this, he met with various people whom he had interviewed decades earlier, seeing how their lives had progressed.
For all media enquiries please contact Siobhan at Connor PR
07966 177025
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Connor PR working with Sam Pooley Wallpaper Project
We love our boobs so much we turned them into wallpaper
– 300 ladies get it off their chest by baring their breasts for wallpaper
– 25% of proceeds of the wallpaper to go to coppafeel website, a breast cancer awareness charity
– Artist Sam Pooley took part in her own topless photo-shoot describing it as “an invigorating experience”. She has posted one of the photographs on her website boobwallpaper website
As the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words. Likewise, for one Shropshire artist, a wall became an expression of her personality. More than 300 women have been photographed topless as part of a project to create limited-edition wallpaper of women’s breasts.
With a renewed campaign to ban Page 3 models; topless women demanding equal rights on the streets of New York; controversy raging over paparazzi pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing semi-nude; and Angelina Jolie revealing she’s had a mastectomy, breasts are very much in the news. This inspired artist Sam Pooley, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire to think about how she feels about her own breasts. Sam did a topless photo shoot in The Quarry, a local park in Shrewsbury town centre – it was both terrifying and liberating.
Sam embarked on a tour of the UK visiting York, London, Bath, Bristol, Northampton, Totnes, Chester & Watford, looking to recruit women to bare breasts of all different shapes, ages and sizes. Sam discovered that the majority of women she photographed didn’t like their breasts. She was inspired to create an artwork that celebrated breasts and in the process, enabled women to feel liberated by the experience and have their self-confidence boosted.
The breast has been an image used in art for many thousands of years, from Stone Age fertility goddesses and classical sculpture to breast-feeding Italian Renaissance Madonna’s and fleshy modern nudes. It has been revered as life-giving, wholesome and liberating. In modern times, photographic images of breasts have become something smutty or rude, while women in many African and South Pacific cultures wander around bare-chested and no-one bats an eyelid.
Sam Pooley says she has been overwhelmed by the response and the inspiring personal stories of many of the volunteers.
“The women in the wallpaper are from all walks of life, from the age of 19 right up to an 82-year-old grandmother.” she said.
“The wallpaper tells so many stories of women who have had mastectomies, breast reductions and enlargements, lifts and tucks, even a professional wet nurse who has breast-fed over 50 children.
“I’ve received some truly inspirational emails from women who’ve had breast cancer and wanted to be part of this campaign. I’m amazed at the stories coming out.”
The final artwork will be unveiled at Miss Pooley’s fine art degree show at Birmingham City University School of Art alongside a soundtrack of some women talking about their breasts. It will be reproduced and sold as limited-edition wallpaper with 25% of proceeds from the sale going towards breast cancer research.
***Sam Pooley is available for interview***
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Notes to editors:
Sam Pooley is available for interview, for any media enquiries please contact Siobhan at ConnorPR Tel 07966 177025 / Siobhan@connorpr.com
Case studies of are available on request.
Sam Pooley Biography
Is an artist and a mother. She lives in Shrewsbury Shropshire. She is studying Fine Art at Birmingham City University School of Art.
Sam has many fingers in many pies. She shares a shop Compost & Gooseberry in The Market Hall Shrewsbury where she sells her art and other Artisans creations. She runs Compost Kids art classes for children of all ages. She is the features editor for Severn Magazine where she has a regular column showcasing local creative talent, she works as a creative consultant and has even been known to design and coordinate events.