P.A. HIRE: CONCERTS, FESTIVALS, MULTI- STAGE EVENTS. TOURING (VILLAGE HALL - ROYAL ALBERT HALL)

EVENT MANAGEMENT: INC. FESTIVAL ORGANISERS (STROUD FRINGE/JERSEY WORLD)

SOUND CONSULTANTS: DESIGN AND CONSULTATION. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

PRODUCTION / SITE MANAGEMENT: (SALISBURY / SIDMOUTH / SHETLAND / PRIDDY)

2002 CLIENTS INCLUDED: BRASSMONKEY / MADDYSGIRLS / WHILE AND MATTHEWS. SIDMOUTH/SALISBURYINT.ARTS / STROUD FRINGE/SHETLAND / JERSEY /WIMBOURNE / BBCRADIO 2/3/ LICHFIELD / PRIDDY / CHELTENHAM / CROMER / TOWERSEY

"SPADGER" = ?

The term Spadger has often raised the furrowed brow as to it's meaning and history, so here goes: Back in the mists of being a musician - bass player to be exact, my first foothold in service provision was the adapting of a barn in Rudford, outside Gloucester for the space for rehearsal for the band I was in (X-Pupils if you need to know). Barns being what they are attract any number of rodent, insect and bird life, and our cosy, wall to ceiling carpeted, egg boxed space was as much home from home for them as us.

Our drummer, a cheeky but intelligent chap, would arrive of a evening, open the door and be confronted by a blizzard of escaping wildebeasts making for higher ground, the patter of feet across drums and rustle of fur against cloth, and with an eye for a soundbite would exhort to anyone in the area "SPADGERS ARE IN TONITE". Thus the name came about, were off to ‘Spadgers’, and for want of any other title it stuck. Spadger is in fact a Shropshire name for 'Sparrow' as in bird, however I am let to believe there are other uses for this term specifically in Australia! - your research now!

Started in 1981, Spadger has grown from being a studio based enterprise through Public Address hire into a common contact for all event production needs, specialising in music and community events and festivals:

Over a short time owner JOHN EELES became involved in doing live sound for many of the artistes met whilst recording and a Public Address System was built up to service their needs. With the advent of home recording and cheaper methods of putting down tracks a decision was made to concentrate on the 'live' sound provision and from that the company has grown to it's present state.

Based just outside Gloucester, England, the company now specialises in producing the highest quality sound within the 'acoustic and roots' market in Britain. Festivals are it's speciality, and many are undertaken over the course of the year. Allied to the sound work is management, technical and commercial work with organisers and festivals, a complementary business service to the P.A. Hire side of business, encompassing EVENT and PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT,HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDITS, FESTIVAL ORGANISATION, MUSIC PRODUCTION, and a host of further interests allied to music and events.

John is currently Co-Director of the Stroud fFestival , Production Manager for Salisbury International Arts Festival, site manager for Priddy Folk Fayre, technical manager for many festivals, sound engineer, and member of the A.F.O. (Association of Festival Organisers)