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Contact SSCOM Group: SSCOM
Group Phone/Text:
+44 (0) 7817 057078
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Latest Edinburgh trip challenges Publicist to pull off historic inter-cultural film documentary trip, from Leics.
A Leicester Voluntary PR Agency, the SSCOM GROUP’s latest PR filming trip to Edinburgh (one of 7 this year), incorporated with it’s hometown of Leicester, has met with it’s biggest challenge to date ever; to create a new inter-cultural meaning between two unrelated UK cities.
As it anticipated finishing shooting on Carnival Day 2007 in Leicester-(of which it has incorporated to show a multi-cultural event, attracting inter-cultural spectators), it now aims to finish in Edinburgh, a month later by currently being in the process of planning an historic trip from Leicester for a 3 night stay between 31st August and 3 September.
Ayaz Sheikh, 36, Founder/MD of the Group said, “This venture has now come across a dramatic development which will help us to achieve the logic of why this film is being made. It needs to concentrate more on inter-culturalism and look at what we all have in common, despite being from different religious backgrounds/ethnic groups and so on. The link to Edinburgh stems from my unlikely pen-pal friendship with a Scottish White Male, over the last 7 years, who has completely different interests to me, apart from Cricket. I believe that finishing the film in Edinburgh will be spectacular, and historic, in terms of inter-culturalism in it’s finest. This is a brave challenge as I aim to offer visitors who join me and the Group, the exclusive chance to be special guests of Scotland’s biggest inter-cultural festival, the Edinburgh Mela on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September-something we’re all missing here in Leicester, (of which I attended on the first day last year, and filmed some footage). I also aim to create history for the Caribbean Carnival by inviting representatives from there as well as a possible carnival troop, to perhaps, contribute to this year’s Edinburgh Mela. We also hope to invite those relevant from Edinburgh to the Caribbean Carnival, come Saturday 4th August."
SSCOM GROUP said that the trippers should also get the chance to see the popular grand finale of the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert, performed against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, which will close the Edinburgh Festival on Sunday 2nd September. On it’s latest trip, Ayaz visited guest houses who have agreed to discount the price per night. It’s causing a bit of a fever as they now are on the edge to see if this trip can be actioned. An average package price of around £150 is sought. The welcome help and advice of representatives from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce (including Ethnic Business Advisor and personal friend of Ayaz, Amjid Akram) is playing a huge part in this. “Amjid is someone who has remarkably managed to introduce hospitality to me, a stranger, in such a short space of time, on behalf of the commerce. He deserves full credit, alongside his other colleagues, Roger Horam and Graham Bell, the latter who I met on my recent visit, and am very grateful for their advice so far. This includes their ethnic business clients who have been very welcoming and whom I’ve made friends with. They should also play a part in helping to host the visitors from Leics at the time. Having said that, the group is looking for more hospitality representatives. I’m disappointed that VisitScotland haven’t taken an interest in helping us out, but we have no alternative but to create a new meaning, tourism wise, as well as multi-inter-culturalism wise,” added Ayaz.
Shaheen Unis of Mrs.Unis Spicy Foods Ltd, Edinburgh’ finest Indian Caterers, and former director of the Edinburgh Mela (but still intricately involved with it, esp organizing the ladies only “Sakhian Night” on the Friday evening before the first Mela day) is also very instrumental in the venture at this stage. She backs Ayaz and the group to pull off an historic trip, (as does MBE/owner of Edinburgh Award winning restaurant, Britannia Spice, Dr.Wali-Uddin and also Founder of the Edinburgh Mela). Ayaz’s latest meeting with her has provided an interesting angle. She said, “It would be great for as many people as possible from Leicester to come on this planned historic trip. It will create a new meaning in terms of new friendship links, and should be inspirational. If SSCOM GROUP can attract Leics dignitaries, such as the Lord Mayor, local MPs etc, we will be sure to provide them with a civic reception on the trip. Also, as SSCOM GROUP is working in association with the Leicester Caribbean Carnival organisers, they would also be most welcome, especially to take part in the Mela itself. The other local visitors who join them would also receive hospitality and would have a memorable time."
The film entitled, "Simon Shiekh: An Insider's Guide to PR-Like You've Never Seen Before" will also show what Public Relations is all about, and how everyone is affected in one way or another by it. Ideally, it hopes to make history by creating new links between two unrelated cities, linked primarily by two unlikely correspondents from different races.
The latest Leicester MP to take part in the film is Sir Peter Soulsby, who looks set to back this new development. However, Ayaz met and filmed a Member of the Scottish Parliament-(MSP), Mike Pringle, and has achieved his backing, particularly as he covers the pen-pal’s constituency area. “We also aim to put MPs in a positive light by this venture as they will play an instrumental part in this historic venture", added Ayaz.
The group is now looking for anyone from the two cites who can assist Ayaz in working on organising this trip asap, as well as general PR/filming help in Leicester. It is also particularly interested to hear from volunteers who can help Ayaz out on filming during the weekends he is visiting there. It hopes to have some progress by the time Ayaz next visits Edinburgh between 24th March to 27th March, in terms of possible interest/booking for the trip. One guest house has been filmed to show anyone from Leics as to where they could be staying. This trip is open to all, especially the local media and so on from Leics, and the group will be writing to them asap. Friends, relatives are welcome, bring them all, says SSCOM GROUP.
Marcus Solanki, a personal friend of Ayaz, is stunned by latest developments. He continues to provide backing and spreading the word about this, and aims to accompany Ayaz on one of the trips to come before the final one.
Today, Ayaz meets and films the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Coun.Paul Westley and tomorrow (Friday), the Leader of Leicester City Council, Roger Blackmore. He will be informing and discussing this development with them. He is also in the progress of gaining the backing of Edinburgh City Council.
Anyone interested in joining as a volunteer to help film/organise the trip from Leics/take part in the film in Leics and Edinburgh or receive further information about the project/anticipated Edinburgh final filming trip, should either call: 07817 057078, e-mail: info@sscom-group.com or write to: SSCOM GROUP, PO BOX 5091, LEICESTER, LE4 7XX.
Other scheduled trips are as follows:
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