Two of EAG’s most dedicated servants, long-standing show director Jimmy Thomas and industry photographer Norman Leftly will be honoured at a special reception taking place in the bacta Lounge at 1pm on Thursday 12th January. All EAG visitors and exhibitors are invited to raise a glass to the stalwarts who both sadly passed in 2022.
EAG chairman Martin Burlin believes both personalities would have appreciated being honoured by the industry during the show. He stated: “I had the huge honour and privilege of working with and knowing both Jimmy and Norman personally. What they shared in common was a deep-felt love of this industry, both were heavily involved in ATEI and more recently in the launch and development of EAG.
“They quite literally trod the same path walking the aisles at the various ATEI/EAG venues comprising Olympia, Earls Court 1 and 2, Alexandra Palace, ExCeL and the NEC Birmingham – the home which was taken-up by ATEI when Ally Pally was forced to temporarily close following the huge fire in 1980.”
He added: “We are deeply grateful to Norman’s widow Ruth and family who have bequeathed his collection of industry photographs to bacta. Steph Norbury who worked closely with Norman has kindly agreed to curate a collection of Norman’s photographs which will be screened during the reception and which document the outstanding products and the larger-than-life personalities which have powered both the industry and this show.”
Images
Jimmy Thomas and below him Norman Leftly
