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As I add the final galleries of photos capturing some of the scene around the venues that supported the 2026 Vale Earth Fair's 50th I'm even more in awe that the event was saved from disaster.

The VEF Collective had to make a late decision to move the festival into St Peter Port after high winds stopped the setup in Vale Castle!

The fact that, with only hours to make it happen, the Vale Earth Fair 'Goes to Town' took place spread across five venues in St Peter Port is incredible and amazing!

This festival day was also an odd one for me. I've made no secret in the past that I was a regular visitor to Errol's Real Ale Bar. This was an enjoyable distraction from taking pics!

However, for the first and hopefully only time, I had a 'dry' festival as I'd decided that the only way I could do justice to as many bands and venues as possible was to drive around to them.... remember I am an ancient pensioner, ha, ha!

So the ale free day was the ultimate sacrifice for me to make! I hope you agree and think the pics made it worth it!

Here's a link to some more photos.....
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2026 VEF GOES TO TOWN PHOTOS

Did you know that some photographers have a Super Power?

Yes, we have the ability to be in two places at the same time... well almost!

I exercised my Super Power on Sunday afternoon when two of my assignments were scheduled around the same time... but I was up to the job, and I have photos to prove it!

Luckily for me both photoshoots were within a hundred metres of each other so I didn't even need to run!

One event was the Charity Car Pull in aid of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service Flying Christine III. The car in question was a highly modified vehicle which now floats! It is the intention to 'sail' it to Herm then onward to Sark. Good luck lads!

The second event also involved water as it was the annual BWCI Open Castle Swim which attracted a massive entry!

I've added a few photos from each event to the website. The links below will take you there if you are interested.

Click to view the Car Pull photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE CHARITY CAR PULL PHOTOS
Click to view the BWCI Castle Swim photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE BWCI OPEN CASTLE SWIM PHOTOS

Guernsey folk have always known how to entertain themselves and have a good time.

So it was great to see that the Guernsey Round Table have revived one of the highlights of a Guernsey summer... the Harbour Carnival held in and around St Peter Port harbour.

The day of the week changed from a Friday to Saturday but the entertainments still included live music, food stalls and activities for the kids.

And of course it wouldn't have been a harbour carnival without the traditional man powered flights, tug of war and the dinghy races! It was a certainty that if you took part, you went home well and truly wet through!

Let's hope the carnival is firmly back in the calendar so us Islanders can let our hair down, party and get wet again next year.

I've added a gallery of photos featuring some of the highlights. Click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE 2026 HARBOUR CARNIVAL

I spent an enjoyable hour chatting to a group of ladies who attended Blanchelande College between 1946 and 1958.

They met for tea and biscuits at Les Cotils and there was a collection of old photos to jog their memories. I wonder if todays photos.... in digital format.... will hold the same feeling of nostalgia in a few decades time?

I'd be interested what you think.

I captured a few of my own pics to help illustrate a future report in the Guernsey Press.

Here's a link to a gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE BLANCHELANDE COLLEGE REUNION

Round 6 of the Guernsey Velo Club's 2026 Cross Country Series had an additional importance as it also incorporated the XC MTB Inter Insular races.

Several classes competed along a picturesque course laid out on L'ancresse Common.

Photographing some of the action was my first job on Sunday morning before heading off to St Peter Port for the Havelet Regatta.

I've added new Galleries featuring all the MTB XC racing. Click this link to view the photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE MTB XC INTER INSULARS

Last weekend I had the privilege of photographing the ceremony at Government House where the Governor Lt-General Sir Richard Cripwell named the islanders mentioned in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.

The bright and warm day meant that over one hundred people who were invited to the garden party were able to enjoy the well kept and extensive grounds.

The harsh light wasn't the easiest for photographers but it certainly made the ladies colourful outfits come to life on this special day.

I've added a new gallery of my photos of this event. If you are interested just click this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2026 KING'S BIRTHDAY AWARDS

The longer summer days are such a draw to be outside (I love my gardening). But the knock-on effect is shorter evenings!

This means less time to complete my editing and as the number of assignments also ramps up in the summer I always seem to have a back log.

So with my excuses made, I've only just completed the photo galleries for the first The longer summer days are such a draw to be outside (I love my gardening). But the knock-on effect is shorter evenings!

This means less time to complete my editing and as the number of assignments also ramps up in the summer I always seem to have a back log.

So with my excuses made, I've only just completed the photo galleries for the first Chateau De Val Festival which was held within the historic walls of the Vale Castle a few weeks ago!

If you haven't heard of this new festival just take a look at a few of my pics and you'll get an idea what you missed: which was held within the historic walls of the Vale Castle a few weeks ago!

If you haven't heard of this new festival just take a look at a few of my pics and you'll get an idea what you missed:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2026 CHATEAUX DE VAL FESTIVAL

The last couple of weeks seem to have been all work and no updates! Each time I've finished one edit another assignment is lined up for the edit.

Photos have been added to my website so I'm trying to complete the job with a few links to the latest Galleries.

So first up, how about this one? I was asked to photograph the very photogenic La Beltane Festival in Sark and it was amazing... I highly recommend it to you next year.

It was a very long day for me (partly self inflicted!) trying not to miss any of the busy line-up of attractions and bands, all in the beautiful grounds of La Seigneurie... but I think I just about made it!

In this case I really think my photos are better than words to give you an idea of what goes on during Mayday in Sark.

Make sure you take a look here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE AMAZING LA BELTANE FESTIVAL PHOTOS

I think that the 2026 Liberation Day celebrations in St Peter Port ticked most of the boxes with a new layout of the attractions... but still featuring many of the islanders favourites.

The day was still packed with interest and maybe the most successful part was the way the Crown Pier was devoted to the children's attractions. Also the extended seating area devoted to food stalls (and not forgetting the bars!) on the Albert Pier.

The live music stage and the Vintage Fair were also very, very popular.

I managed to capture quite a lot of what went on during the day and night and there are Galleries online now if you are interested. Just click the link to view my photos:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE 2026 LIBERATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Guernsey Eisteddfod has been a showcase for thousands of people's talents for decades. It has given Islanders an opportunity to develop their creativity and artistic abilities.

Underlying all the many Classes available is a friendly and supportive system of comment and judging on participants entries.

I had the opportunity to photograph some of the 2026 Roller Skating performances at Beau Sejour and I found the skaters to be incredibly supportive to each other, even those chasing the same trophy!

I've uploaded a few photos of the Roller Skaters. Click this link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2026 EIDSTEDDFOF ROLLER SKATING

Keeping to this years theme of me being assigned to cover any event with Christmas in the title I found myself on Sunday morning on the sands of Grande Rocques beach.

This time the 'Christmas' link was all to do with dogs and knitted jumpers!

I was at the annual Sausage Walks Guernsey Facebook group Christmas outing... specifically for the local Dachshunds.

This was so much fun to photograph as there was so much action, colour and character.

So this was not the easiest of jobs but I think I managed to capture a few of the stars!

Click the link if you want to view the photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE CHRISTMAS DACHSHUNDS

One of the final events in the Guernsey School of Popular Music's calendar is also one of my favourites of the year.

The event is titled 'Music for Everyone' and that pretty well sums it up.

The format of the show, which is held in the theatre at Beau Sejour, is to give individual students the chance to perform as part of a professional band made up of SoPM tutors.

Once the students have 'done their thing' they recount what their own musical journey has been like on the road to taking the spotlight on stage.

After the event I'm always so impressed how well the 'Music for Everyone' title perfectly tells the story.

My photos of the 2025 show are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 GUERNSEY SoPM MUSIC FOR EVERYONE SHOW

Yes, it's that time of year again and the Panto season is upon us.

I usually find myself photographing one of the shows and this year I was at a rehearsal of the St Stephens Church 'Cinderella - The Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes'.
CLICK TO VIEW THE PANTO PHOTOS

I think there is some sort of conspiracy afoot this year. There seems to be a plan to wear me down to the point where I actually get seriously into a Christmas good mood!

My Christmas spirit was something that wore thin during my thirty-five years working in retail!

However it seems that this year my name has been top of the list for any seasonal photo assignments... installing the town church square Christmas lights... Hanging from a crane photographing the installation of the star on the top of St Peter Port's towering Tree of Joy... and yesterday I was sent to take photos of the amazing Winter Wonderland lights!

What's left I wonder? Carol singing? Father Christmas squeezing down a chimney? Children sledging in the snow? Well maybe not that one!

For now you can see my photos of the 2025 Winter Wonderland which are now online. They feature the magical evening event held within the gardens owned by the Bachmann family in the aid of Charities.

A huge number of islanders took the opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit whilst exploring the fairy-tale scene featuring thousands of lights... it was truly magical.

So the question has to be 'Did it work its magic and get me feeling festive?'

Well I did dig through the wardrobe looking for the Xmas jumper and I'm starting to look at the mince pies in M&S, so there's hope for me yet!

HO,HO,HO

View my photos of the stunning displays by clicking the link:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE 2025 WINTER WONDERLAND

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this particular assignment.

This time I was sent to photograph the Diwali 'Festival of Light' at the Manor Hotel. I'd been advised that I was likely to be welcomed and that was so true.

The party was just starting when I arrived and in no time there was a wonderful display of food, the music encouraged amazing dance performances by the children and vibrant colours filled the room.

The hospitality was incredible and I had to almost 'fight' my way out as I was encouraged to enjoy the food and the evening's entertainment.

I left with some beautiful photos and they can now be viewed by clicking the link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

This year my diary has been full of 'Christmas' assignments.

Clearly there is some sneaky plan to get me into a festive mood this year.

Time will tell.... but it's going to be a challenge!

I was flying high on this particular assignment as I was photographing the installation of the Town Square Christmas lights. A perfect excuse for a ride in a cherry picker!

Click the link to view my photos:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INSTALATION OF THE TOWN CHURCH SQUARE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

I really don't know what interesting assignments will turn up each week.

That part of my job is really enjoyable and I've said before that it is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to experience so many different aspects of life in Guernsey.

A recent job was another first for me. I was asked to photograph the 'full immersion' baptisms at Eldad Elim Church. I was welcomed by the multi-cultural congregation and the service was joyous, informal and friendly.

My photos of the Reverend Howard Davenport baptising six members of the congregation at Eldad Elim Church are now online. Click the link to view them.
CLICK TO VIEW THE BAPTISM SERVICE AT RLDAD ELIM CHURCH

Well that was different!

It's hard to believe that I REALLY don't like heights. Even standing on a cliff edge or climbing a ladder makes my knees go weak!

So how can my brain not be bothered by some of the silly places my work takes me sometimes??

Over the years I have been up in many Cherry-pickers.

I've been at full height and cantilevered over on the Fire Service ladder.

.....and I've hung out of a door-less helicopter chasing powerboats as they raced!

On Sunday my 'office' was airborne once again. This time it felt like I was flying.... shame about the wind and the rain though!

But I needn't explain any more. As the saying goes, 'a picture is worth a thousand words!'
CLICK TO SEE MORE OF MY OFFICE WITH A VIEW

Last Saturday I was at St Pierre Park Hotel with the Guernsey Press team to cover their 2025 Pride of Guernsey Awards.

Once again the evening celebrated the most amazing people and the acts of kindness and achievements they performed during the last twelve months.

The photographers team consisted of just two of us so it really was non-stop action as we made sure we captured all the emotions and smiles.

I've now uploaded a new Gallery featuring my photos of the awards night.
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 PRIDE OF GUERNSEY AWARDS

The axe's (of the guitar variety) where out for a fight in Jersey when the Jersey School of Popular Music held the annual 'Battle of the Jersey School Bands' at Haute Vallée School theatre.

This years event was the best ever and was great fun to photograph.

Now this is just an idea.... but maybe we could have a 'Battle of the Bands' inter-insular someday?

Now there's an idea SoPM!

You can view the Jersey BotB's Galleries by clicking this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE JERSEY BATTLE OF THE JERSEY SCHOOL BANDS