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Moving the Rubis Soapbox Challenge across town to St Julian's Avenue was a great success.

The 'track' was steep and was lined with spectators who enjoyed the free fun and entertainment. All the smiles made that clear.

There were even a couple of crashes to make things more memorable :-)

However the only damage done was to a couple of the Soapboxes as the 'red haze' of racing descended and the drivers pushed their machinery to the limit in the quest of lowering their best time by small fractions of a second.

I fancy that this day of fun could be established in its new setting. It seemed perfect for racers and spectators alike. Hopefully we will all meet again next year on the steep slope of our newest race track. See you there.

My pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 RUBIS SOAPBOX CHALLENGE

During its short life Guernsey's School of Popular Music has established a strong base of support. It has also established its own traditions. Not a bad effort after just a couple of years work!

I've been lucky to document some of these 'traditions' as they became established. It has been fantastic to get to know the tutors and students and to see how the hard work and practice is rewarded.

It is clear that the SoPM's modern approach to teaching music enables the students to blossom in confidence leading them to enjoy sharing their talents with friends, family and a wider audience.

The students have just completed two showcase events allowing them to demonstrate the progress they have made and I was at both gigs capturing some of the performances.

Many now familiar faces took to the stages fulfilling their ambitions to share their love of live music.

The first of the summer season's events was the Summer Concert at The Church on the Rock. Followed by the Summer Gig at The Doghouse.

You can view my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM GALLERIES

Stage 6 of the 2017 OSA All Terrain Challenge took place yesterday in torrential rain with competitors facing a waterfall running down the steep steps on the cliffs at Jerbourg.

Remarkably there were quite a lot of smiles from the runners as they completed the stage... what a strange lot!

I stood out in the downpour for over an hour and I think I ended up wetter than I've ever been on a photo assignment. I also completed the the course after working my way down to the bottom during the race.

Unfortunately it seems that the old rule that says 'what goes up must come down' works in the other direction too.

It goes without saying that by the time I had made it back to the top of the cliff I was both saturated and hot and steamy! All just for a few pics!

Photographers must be as made as the competitors it seems!

I've added a Gallery of pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 OSA ALL TERRAIN CHALLENGE

I recently photographed the Phoenix Artistic Roller Skating Club's 2017 Competition at Beau Sejour.

This was my first time photographing Roller Skating and I left the event with a feeling of admiration for the talent of so many youngsters who had clearly devoted a lot of time into perfecting their performances.

This sport is quite challenging to photograph. It is fast moving with quick changes of direction. The venue (Beau Sejour sports hall) offers no help in adding interest to the background and the hall lighting is poor and has a habit of changing colour between shots!

You might think that all those difficulties would mean I would hate the job. But no, it was quite the opposite.

I'm always looking for a new challenge and I hope I captured some of the highlights of each performance and I hope I have the opportunity to photograph this competition again sometime.

I've added a Gallery featuring some of the competition. The Gallery is password protected. Please contact me here SEND AN E-MAIL TO ASK FOR THE PASSWORD and I will give you the Password.

The Gallery can be viewed here:
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PHOENIX ROLLER SKATING GALLERY

The 2017 Guernsey Motor Festival Seafront Sunday was bigger than ever. St Peter Port seafront was closed to traffic allowing a huge display of all types of vehicle.

The entertainment spread along to the North Beach car park where a day of motorsport action took place.

The weather played its part by encouraging thousands of people into town and the day provided a fantastic end to the MSA National Hillclimb weekend.

This gallery features some of the displays and entertainment...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 MOTOR FESTIVAL SEAFRONT SUNDAY

Rounds 19 and 20 of the Avon Tyres - TTC Group 43rd Guernsey National Hillclimb Championship were held at Le Val des Terres on 15th July 2017.

This was a bit of a vintage year as we saw five local drivers qualify for places in a National Round.

Darren Warwick and Nick Saunders qualified for both Rounds and duplicated their podium places each time by finishing in second and third place. This was Nick's first time on the local National podium and it was a deserved reward for a driver who has chased this goal for so many years.

Both competitors drive cars that lack all the modern technologies and have to make local knowledge count together with awesome skill and nerve! When you drive a car that is slower up the straight bits there is only one way to be competitive against the 'power junkies'... you have to be faster around the twisty bits. That's where the nerve comes in!

Congratulations have to go to Richard Spedding who won both of the local Rounds... this was actually the first time that Richard had stood on the top step of the podium. Guernsey is guaranteed a special place in his motorsport memories!

Twins Paul and Ian Le Messurier were also notable qualifiers in what was basically a home built car. Very impressive. They have made a habit of joining the 'top guns' in the Run Offs. Well done guys.

The other truly impressive performance came from Jackie Le Cheminant who became only the second lady to qualify for a Guernsey Top Twelve Run Off. Jackie has only just taken over driving the Rubis OMS car that used to be shared by her father and brother. Jackie certainly showed that she is more than a match to the guys in the family.

Another memorable performance came from John Dunne who seemed to raise his own high standards in response to the appearance of a couple of top tin-top drivers from the UK. Just as in Jersey, John was pushed hard by the visitors but was triumphant and ended the two events with a new record on both hills.

This gallery shows all the action from 2017.

If you are a competitor please consider buying a couple of pics as this is my livelihood and my wife gives me a very small beer allowance. I'm meant to earn the rest ;-)

Follow this link to view all of the Guernsey National action:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE GUERNSEY NATIONAL ACTION

This is just a brief Blog to tell you that the Galleries have been updated with pics of Rounds 17 and 18 of the Avon Tyres - TTC Group 44th Jersey National Hillclimb Championship.

These latest Rounds were held at Bouley Bay hill, Jersey on 12th July 2017.

In contrast to the previous years event when it was a scorching day leading to incredible racing and the outright record for the hill dropping three times, 2017 started with a light drizzle and never really fully recovered.

However the event was notable for a local man. Jason Mourant took his Gould GR55 to a memorable win in Round 17 beating all-comers and becoming the first local resident to win a Jersey round of the MSA Hillclimb Championship since 1962.... it only took 55 YEARS! Well done Jason.

These galleries display all the action. Please remember that pics are very low resolution and don't display the detail in a print or higher resolution digital files.

Now the racers move on to Guernsey and Le Val des Terres. Once again I'll be track-side capturing all the action,. See you there.

Follow this link to view pics of the 2017 Jersey National:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE JERSEY ROUNDS OF THE 2017 NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

The weekend has been very busy but what great fun.

It was about as diverse as you could make it... just how I like it!

Over the two days I have photographed a Sky Bet Championship football team, Bristol City, playing a friendly against Guernsey Football Club at Footes Lane.

As a contrast to that I captured some of the 'action' during the Guernsey Bowls Tri-Test match at the Corbet Field. This featured teams from Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

Another summer sport that was on the list was a Praxis CI League Cricket match at the College Playing Field, 2mi Wanderers Irregulars vs Canaccord Genuity Griffins.

Then to mix things up a bit more there was Motorsport action at Vazon Bay for the GK&MC Sprint meeting.

Now that list would have been interesting enough as it is but the weekend continued with a photoshoot at the Pheonix Artistic Roller Skating Club's competition at Beau Sejour. This was the first time I had been asked to cover this event and I was very impressed by the standard of performances.

.... and that wasn't the end of the 'togging. A quick visit was booked for me to photograph Noi Monachan and her garden which was opened to the public in aid of the Guernsey Headway Charity.

Oh, and there was a bit of gig photography added to the list to complete the mix!

All that photography has left me with some editing to do... but that is well on the way. You can view the first galleries featuring the Guernsey Bowls Tri-Test match, the Praxis CI League Cricket match and the GFC vs Bristol City football.

Follow these links to view the first pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GFC vs BRISTOL CITY FOOTBALL
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE BOWLS TRI-TEST
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE PRAXIS CI CRICKET

That's another job done, hurrah!

The final galleries of pics from Chaos Voodoo 13 have now been added to the website.

New additions feature Demise of Sanity, Granite Wolf, Sugar Slam, Honest Crooks, Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove, That Band and a few more pics of the Peace Tent.

This is where you will find all the Greenman Chaos Voodoo 13 pics...
CLICK TO VIEW THE COMPLETED CHAOS VOODOO 13 PICS

Once again the Chaos Voodoo 13 Music & Motorcycle Festival was held on its unique clifftop site. All the expected ingredients were present, music & bikes... well that goes without question. Beer and fun. Of course, by the bucket full!

Perhaps it was just me that was missing from the usual line-up as I ended up with a couple of conflicting photo assignments :-(

But that didn't stop me from covering most of the Festival... and I still managed the usual 'van-camping' on the three nights!

My overall beer count might have been slightly down on the norm but perhaps that was a good thing for a photog who approaches retirement age at an alarming speed ;-)

You can now view the first of my pics that show some of the fun and music that made Chaos Voodoo 13 another vintage year..... More will follow.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF CHAOS VOODOO 13

The Condor Ferries International SandAce ACU British Championships took place at Vazon Bay, Guernsey on 24 June 2017.

For 2017 the event had been awarded a new International status which is a fitting reward to the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club and all the officials who put in so much work during the year to make it happen.

There is a particular pressure on the team of officials when their race track will disappear under the ocean as the tide comes in! The whole operation is now very slick with all the essential elements in place. The only thing that the team couldn't control was the weather which lacked the sun that would have really completed a perfect event.

Luckily the rain didn't appear until the finals and by that time the large crowd were captivated by the high standard of racing and most of them stayed on to see the climax of the 2017 championships.

Once again the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club organized a fantastic event that ran smoothly and efficiently.

Well done to all those who made it happen... see you again next year!

Click on this link to view galleries featuring pics of the atmosphere and racing at the 2017 SandAce Championships on Vazon Bay, Guernsey.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 SANDACE CHAMPIONSHIP

One thing was certain when the Abba tribute band 'Bjorn Again' played for two nights to a packed crowd within the walls of Guernsey's historic Vale Castle.

... There was no shortage of hit songs for the band to play ...

Vale Castle is the traditional venue of the Vale Earth Fair so it is no stranger to live music. It is a fantastic setting for live performances and there was a large crowd for the first night of Bjorn Again.

Many people in the crowd had obviously been up in the attic to find some of their old gear. This added more atmosphere to the night.

I felt the only disappointing aspect of the night was that it seemed to end a bit too abruptly. Another fifteen minutes would have made the punters feel they had good value from the night.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF BJORN AGAIN

After seeing the weekends news reports about the horrific terrorist activity in London I reflected on how lucky we are to live on our small safe island.

Guernseymen and women know that our Channel Islands offer us a special place to live, away from the extremes of the modern world. It is very rare that any major incident comes close to our sandy shores.

We enjoy a calm, peaceful lifestyle and we are spoilt by the choice of activities and sports easily available to keep our leisure lives busy. Also, we can easily (and no, I'm not trying to start a debate about Aurigny and Condor travel difficulties) gain access to the wider world as and when we choose and we are assured that Guernsey will remain a 'safe haven' whenever we return.

The observation that 'triggered' (pun intended) my reflection was the realization that firearms have featured both in the national and local news and also in my own weekend’s photographic work.

Firstly there was the use of firearms in London to end the violent act of terrorism. It is sad to say that this use of weapons in modern society has become a necessary reality and we have to be grateful that those charged with the task of keeping us safe are brave, highly trained and capable.

There was also a display of weapons on the streets of Guernsey. A few armed police officers were patrolling St Peter Port to reassure us that our own safety is a priority.

However on Sunday there was a second display of weaponry in St Peter Port... but this time they were historic and part of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Commemoration Parade. It is one hundred years since over one thousand Guernseymen were sent to fight in France. More than 300 didn't return. This was a timely reminder of the horrible use of weaponry in warfare and it was an honour to remember those who paid such a high price protecting us all.

But it isn't always the case that firearms are used in anger. This was proven to me as two of my weekend’s assignments involved the use of firearms... but this time they were used for sport.

On Saturday I photographed the XMA Junior Schools Individual Athletics Championships at Footes Lane where a starting pistol played an important role in the track events.

I then covered the Guernsey Rifle Club's weekend competition at the Fort Le Marchant range against a visiting team from the National Rifle Association. I have photographed rifle shooting before and it never fails to strike me how powerful and loud a high velocity rifle is when you are standing just feet away from the competitors. However I also appreciate that I'm completely safe in the controlled environment.

So my weekend has shown how contrasting places and experiences can be. For a few unlucky people in London life will never be the same again because of the use of knives and firearms. In Guernsey we simply went about our normal lives and I’m thankful that my only contact with a weapon was entirely safe… and long may that continue.

I’ve added a couple of picture galleries that feature the NRA weekend and the Junior Athletics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE XMA JUNIOR SCHOOLS ATHLETICS
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE NRA WEEKEND

As this website smashes through 17 MILLION VIEWS I maintain the effort to keep the updates coming.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY 17 MILLION VIEWS BLOG

The variety of work that makes up an average week of photography keeps everything interesting for me... and I'm pleased to say a few of you too, judging by the amount of picture views made every day on this website :-)

As an example of some of the variety of photoshoots there have been three new galleries added today. They feature Round three of the GK&MC Summer Kart Championship.

Then there are pics of Jo Reeve's fortieth birthday gig at the Golden Lion which saw Gay Army make a rare live appearance.

There's also a gallery of cricket pics that I captured during the Loveridge Cup half-time at KGV. See the previous Blog for those pics.

All this still doesn't mean that I'm up to date with the weeks work yet... but I'm definitely three steps closer!

These links will take you to the new uploads:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE SUMMER KART SERIES
CLICK HERE TO VIEW GAY ARMY PLAYING AT THE GOLDEN LION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CRICKET AT KGV

It was a case of dodging the showers at a recent photoshoot I did for BMW, Jacksons Garage and the Guernsey Press.

The special event was an open day featuring a wide range of the latest BMW motorbikes which were on display and also available for test rides.

Brian Martel had been asked to test ride and report on the BMW R nineT Scrambler. I needed to capture pics to support his article.

Whilst I'm guessing that the damp conditions were what this bike is designed to cope with it was still a shame to get a new bike wet and splashed with spray.

After the shoot, this meant more work for both the photographer and garage technicians to get the bike looking at its best again.

My cleaning 'tool' was the Lightroom 'spot healer'. I didn't go for a complete touch-up as I quite liked the slightly 'grungy' look. I am sure, however, that my cleaning work was easier than the rags and polish required back in the garage!

You can view a small gallery of pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A FEW PICS OF THE JACKSONS BMW OPEN DAY

May the 9th is Guernsey's National Holiday... but I have to ask 'What National Holiday?'

Liberation Day is a day that most locals enjoy chilling out on. There are many events taking place if you need entertainment. Or you can take the chance to visit friends and family for a couple of beers.

However for a working photographer it is far from a leisurely day.

This year my first assignment on Liberation Day day was to photograph the 50th time that the Guernsey Velo Club had run their Liberation Day Road Race over the L'Eree course. There was a good size entry when you consider other events that were taking place.

After that 6.30 am start my working day didn't finish until 18 HOURS LATER!!!

Once I'd captured a few action pics of the Road Race it was back to my office to sort, edit, caption and submit the pics for publication.

Next on the list was the Guernsey Athletics running race from the Peninsular into St Peter Port. I captured the start then followed the runners around the coast until (after struggling to find a parking space) I was at the finish line just as the winners crossed. Then back to the office for another edit.

Now it was time to photograph the historic motor cavalcade along the St Peter Port seafront. This always promises lots of colour and flag waving. It produced the goods :-)

It was now time for a bit a music... and a deserved beer... up at the Vale Earth Fair stage placed in the front garden of the Last Post Pub in St Andrew. To be honest with you, I could easily have called it a day then and there as there was a lovely chilled-out vibe among the crowd of locals sitting in the closed main road.

But no, there was more on my list. So back into St Peter Port I headed to photograph some of the bands appearing on the Lib Rock stage on the Albert Pier... only stopping to take a few pics of the fireworks.

So like I've already said, Liberation Day is far from a 'chilled day off' when you're a working 'tog. But it was still great fun. I hope you enjoyed yours.

You can view my pics of the 2017 Liberation Day by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF LIBERATION DAY 2017

Do you want a master class in how to organize a party?

Do you want to know who the experts in fun are?

Well I'll let you into the 'not so secret' formula!

You need to ask Guernsey's most popular band for dancing and partying to help you out.

During the last 30 years King Rat and the Soul Cats have been the masters of the party and they celebrated that milestone with a mega gig at Beau Sejour recently.

The word had spread that it was likely to be a lively event and the band definitely didn't disappoint. During the two sets King Rat and the Soul Cats performed many of their own songs together with the expected Motown classics.

It was a reminder that, in my opinion, nothing can replace a live band.

The Motown classics (as you would expect of such great songs) are often played by DJ's at dances and functions but they just lack that special something that a live performance has.

You could feel the love and happy memories in the haze of the Beau Sejour function room as we time-travelled back through thirty years of good times.

Thanks go to the band, the music and the loyal fans for a great night :-)
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE KING RAT 30th GIG

Taking pics in the 'hear a pin drop' environment of a Snooker tournament is a challenge.

This is where I found myself last weekend after being assigned to cover the 2017 Snooker Team Inter-Insular for the Guernsey Press and the Jersey Evening Post.

The competition was held at the Gremlin Club between La Villette Hotel Gremlins v Tower Green Baize Goblins.

The problem a photographer has when taking pics of Snooker (the same can be said for Golf) is that a hush settles over the crowd of spectators as the player sets up his next play. A photographer has to be extremely careful not to fire off a sequence of exposures at the critical moment... so ruining the competitors concentration. You will soon find Security escorting you off the premises!

When I arrived at the tournament I had already sorted out in my mind how I would try to approach the job. I would take advantage of the 'Quiet' mode on my new Nikon D500. This would be combined with the new Nikon 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens. The kit performed brilliantly and I was surprised by how quiet the quiet mode actually was... I love new technology :-)

Using the zoom lens allowed me to stand well back from the tables cropping the scene using the zoom effect.

The one remaining problem was the tables... note the plural here.

The play was taking place on two adjoining tables at the same time so I had to shoot with both eyes open. One watching play on table one, the other eye watching play on the second table. It can be done!

That was the only way to avoid clicking the shutter whilst a crucial play was being made on the other table.

I'm pleased to say that it seemed to work as the security let me stay in the room. Job done with the help of my Nikon kit.

I've added a few pics to a new gallery.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SNOOKER INTER-INSULAR

The Annual 2-Day Trials meeting was organized by the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club last weekend.

I managed to get down to some of the sections but was limited for time this year. There seemed to be a good turnout of riders including visitors from Jersey, France and the UK.

It was a shame that the weather wasn't warmer with less wind as some of the conditions at exposed sections were pretty grim for the Marshalls. I hope their grit and stamina was praised by the competitors... it's never much fun sheltering from the wind and rain when you aren't taking part in the Trials action.

Even though the obvious, comfortable option was to stay at home there were good numbers of spectators spread around the sections and they were rewarded by some great riding.

An early springtime date for this meeting always runs the risk that it might be spoilt by inclement weather. But I've taken a look in previous years galleries and sometimes we've been treated to fantastic conditions. You really never know what you'll get with British weather!

I've just added a new gallery featuring pictures of the 2017 2-Day Trials meeting. Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 2-DAY TRIALS

Here we go then... I've added a new picture gallery featuring the 2017 Inter-insular Squash between Guernsey v Jersey.

Guernsey came out on top but it went right down to the wire in a very close competition.

Squash is played at very high speed. That fact alone makes photography a challenge.

When you add to the mix that most basic courts can only be seen from above - looking at the back of the head of competitors - it is almost impossible to capture a great image.

Just two of the courts at Beau Sejour have glass backs. Now that is an improvement but it still makes photography a struggle. The majority of time during a game, spectators and photographers are still just looking at players backs.

Then the other major factor is that the glass is usually far from crystal clean. No, it is usually smeared with grease and sweat... in fact is makes a perfect 'soft focus' filter!

But all of this isn't enough to put off a dedicated photog so I actually made two visits to Beau Sejour during the day. These were split by another sports photography job.

My congratulations go to the Guernsey and Jersey Squash teams as your joint efforts produced a great competition.

My pics are now online. Hopefully they aren't too far into soft focus!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 INTER-INSULAR SQUASH