Edenfield Communications was originally founded when we lived in London. An old friend from whom we had hired equipment for a number of years was retiring and offered us a system at one of those prices! Rather than have the equipment sit in our garage for months only to be used once or twice a year, we thought it would be a good idea to offer it for hire to Charities and Schools etc for fetes, field days etc. Within a couple of years we had recovered our outlay, whilst charging very reasonable rates.
However, that is not quite the full picture.
Our principal Director, Michael, had first started his sound "career" humping a Grampian Amplifer and a Ferrograph Recorder round School, for School Speech Days, Plays and recording the Choral Society. The Ferrograph was even used to record programs transmitted on the local Hospital Radio, RUH, Bath - one of the first in the UK. In those days it was considered "portable" and our transport was the Bus!
Whilst at College a new set of equipment was encountered and more sound effects for drama productions ensued. But also a more significant meeting. Both the Directors, through membership of Hinde Street Methsoc, meet and became friends with Michael Lehr which lead to us becoming founding members of "Reflection".
"Reflection" was the pioneering group in the late 1960's - 1980's performing and recording much of the orginal "modern" Church Music. Over the years this took us to a large number of Churches / Cathedrals and other venues in England. We even crossed the Border to take part in the Edingburgh Fringe! Over the years we took on many and varied roles depending on the production, our principal Director certainly was, Director, Writer, Preacher, Lights, Sound, Carpenter, Singer, Stage Manager, Front of House Manger and a few other jobs he has forgotten. The other Director, Celia, may not have quite so many other titles in the programmes but certainly in the process became a well trained "roadie"!
During seven of those years Michael also ran the "Gala Day" for the P&O Group of Companies, with considerable assistance from Celia.
Also from 1971-1988 Michael, undertook various production roles for the National London Weekend of MAYC, in venues ranging from Alexandra Palace, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Central Hall to Westminster Theatre.
During "spare time", both directors maintained "day jobs" as respectively a senior Accountant and Teacher, plus various aspects of Youth Work and Preaching. Which probably explains why it takes so many years for our own home to be rewired and decorated!
Moving to the West Country, brought some changes to our life! But, some of the activities we had been involved in were of themselves also coming to an end. So change whould have been inevitable.
The Sound Equipment was thus loaded into the Moving Van and why not re-start in the new Area?
Gradually the range and quantity of our "Hire Fleet" has expanded, equipment being purchased to meet expanding need.
Also we have developed into installation work and thus by necessity equipment sales.
Through this our experiance as performers and production staff in venues with audiances counted in thousands to local Churches can now be used for the benefit of our clients (a nicer relationship than customer).
Michael's experiance and technical knowledge has been reconised by acceptance as a member by the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers. His ability as an Event Manager is underlined by his professional qualification as a Member of the Association of Project Managers. All backed up by both Accounting and IT qualifications.
When planning installations or events for Churches and Charities we also bring our experiance as both members, youth workers and Michael as a Preacher.