Join me on October 24th, at dusk, for a magical walk as the clocks go back, taking us into the long nights of winter. For this Not Quite Light photowalk in Manchester we’ll be looking at the contrasts between the old and new city, the urban and green spaces, as we wander gently through Hulme Park, following the line of the Mancunian Way to the Redbricks in Hulme. The view from the park is one of the most astonishing in […]
Join me on November 21st, at dusk, for a magical walk around an area of the city due to undergo huge change… This Not Quite Light photowalk will be in Manchester, where the city borders Salford, around an area due to be regenerated in the near future, transforming it from an old, industrial district into a neighbourhood for living. It’s a truly fascinating place, ripe with ghosts of the past and slightly chequered recent history. Each step will bring something […]
Join me on December 19th, at dusk, for a magical walk around Redbank in Manchester. For this Not Quite Light photowalk in Manchester we’ll be visiting the area of Redbank, to the north of the city centre. Change has already come to this district as it evolves from an area of warehouses and factories to a new neighbourhood of housing, hospitality and green space. I sometimes refer to as the Religious Quarter, as there are numerous churches now in the […]
This short documentary features the late Joan Hibberd, who lived to be 102 years old, a life long Socialst activist, who was born and bred in Trafford, south of Manchester.This film was made as she approached her 100th birthday. Directed by Simon Buckley Additional camera & editing Pete Tomkies With great thanks to the Joan, and all her family. Also, to Kate Green and Stretford Urmston CLP or supporting the film
Showing the Town’s Colours: The Engine room, Southport and it’s Communities was a joint commission as part of a broader investigation into needs and opportunities for supporting local cultural infrastructure, led by Prof Abi Gilmore, and to provide creative documentation for the ‘Engine Room’ initiative, led by Dr Eric Lybeck. The Engine Room is a co-working and co-learning space designed to counter the trend of creatives leaving Southport for employment and opportunities. It forms part of a strategic effort to […]
GATHERING POINTS We’re better when we work together…. A film about the people of Swinton, and the places they gather to tell their stories. This is a film that explores community through the voices of people that live, work and volunteer in the town of Swinton, Salford. We visit five venues; The Valley Gardens, The Swinton Nail salon, The Hive Cafe, The Parade Chippy and the Grand Palais. Stories emerge, that reveal the human connections we can all make, and […]
This short film was inspired by joining a late summer group walk up Sharpitor on Dartmoor, hosted by writer Kirsteen McNish. We were a small group, and we took time to listen and observe as we made our way up to the summit of the Torr. Kirsteen read for us once we reached our destination. John Howell, from the Dartmoor Preservation Association, was with us to advise on the history and topography of the land around us. I returned on […]
Since the start of the year I’ve been collaborationg with writer Adam Farrer on a project we’ve called ‘The Loss of England’. Adam has just released his first book ‘Cold Fish Soup’ and the film will feature his writing. In celebration of the release of his acclaimed book, I’ve created a trailer using film and sound from ‘The Loss of England’, with Adam reading an extract from a chapter entitled ‘Death Takes a Holiday’. It’s a beautiful book, full of […]
EDWARD STREET INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, 2.31AM During the summer, when first light occurs during the early hours of a new day, I’m often alone. And this solitude allows my mind to wander, to imagine the city as it might have been before humans began to change and shape it, when there was nothing but grass, woodland and rock. I like to look down to the tarmac, and consider what lies beneath, before boundaries and territories were enforced on land that once […]
MEDLOCK MILL, 2.41AM Once June has begun, first light is early enough to still be part of the previous day. And, by that, I mean that people are still on nights out that began on a different date. Time becomes muddled, and yesterday and today have no real value, they are simply markers to help us understand when we set out, and when we return. As I set up my tripod in the dark moments before dawn, men and women […]