News / Blog

The Guernsey School of Popular Music continued its support and encouragement of its students with the 2024 'Music for Everyone' event at Beau Sejour.

Created to offer all ages of student a showcase to share their new talents on a big stage it is obvious how much joy and satisfaction the performers feel. You can see how confidence builds as students are supported by the versatile tutors band.

I've said it before but it's worth saying again. I think these events are some of my favourites of the year.

I hope you enjoy my photos and maybe they will illustrate some of the atmosphere in the theatre at Beau Sejour.....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 MUSIC FOR EVERYONE PHOTOS

Well, after experiencing the darkness at the first GVC Evening Enduro at Delancey Park, I was expecting the latest night-time event to be as big a challenge.

But I wasn't expecting it to be quite so hard to photograph as it turned out to be.

With no moonlight or indeed any lighting on the Trail it was PITCH BLACK!

So what photos I managed to capture were taken in manual exposure and pre-focused. Lit only by a couple of my old cycle lamps and the help of a few spectators!

The use of flash lighting in such dark conditions was a no-go as it was likely to startle and distract the riders as the sped along the narrow uneven track!

It was also a battle against the extremely bright and contrasting lighting the riders were kitted out with. Those modern lights are amazingly bright!

But we all like a challenge don't we and it is quite fulfilling when you get a few worthwhile shots.

There's a Gallery online here if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE RONEZ TRAIL EVENING ENDURO

Another vintage year......

With each year the Guernsey School of Popular Music (SoPM) has raised the bar with its Corporate Battle of the Bands event at Beau Sejour.

The night sits in the middle of a 'three-header' between the Under 18's Battle of the Bands and the 'Music for Everyone' showcase.

The team from SoPM don't hold back or take the easy route and consistently top their previous efforts. I've added Galleries featuring all the highlights of the 2024 Corporate BotB's to my website.

To view photos of all the SoPM events click the link below:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE SoPM EVENTS

Photos of Anytime Fitness Chargers v Savills playing in the Guernsey Basketball Association League at Beau Sejour are now online.

I photographed events at Beau Sejour on six out of seven days during this week... and yes, I did consider taking a sleeping bag!!

Check-out the Basketball photos here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ANYTIME FITNESS CHARGERS v SAVILLS PHOTOS

The standard of performances just gets better and better with each year's Guernsey School of Popular Music 'Battle of the Under 18's Bands'.

The SoPM Tutors have perfected the process of organizing their biggest weekend of the year.

Over the years the weekend has grown to feature three separate events.

First up it's the 'Battle of the Under 18's Bands' which features five talented bands.

The winners in 2024 were The Sexy Mosquitos. Photos of the winners and all the other bands, The Fourth, Polystyrene Pigeons, Cheezy Beanz and Aviation are featured in these Galleries....
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 BATTLE OF THE U18's BANDS
[/ur]

Where were you when Ross Allen scored his 300th goal for Guernsey FC?

Well I know where I was. I was fortunate enough to be be on the goal line just six metres away as Ross powered his shot past the visiting goalie!

This goal was made in true Ross Allen style as he forced his way past defenders to make himself room to shoot!

I guess we won't see another 300 from Ross but maybe another hundred is still in his locker?

Checkout my sequence of photos showing the build-up to the legendary goal.....
CLICK TO VIEW ROSS ALLEN'S 300th GFC GOAL

Those of you who were also born in the mid-fifties like me..... heck, that makes me feel really old when I say it like that!

But back to the point. If you are from around that era you will probably have great memories of the live music scene that centred around the Fermain Tavern.

You will also probably agree that everything has changed so much over the recent decades... including the music scene.

Whilst we can never go back... and probably wouldn't like it if we did... I was encouraged to hear that there are a few plans in place to get The Fermain Tavern back up and active.

I heard this whilst enjoying a four band line-up at the 'Tav on Saturday. Fingers crossed that they can make it work.

Whilst I was there I photographed Kiya Ashton, Pillars, Coastal Fire Department and Hollow Youth. It was just like the good ol' days, eh!

Click the link to visit my new website and use the 'Search' option to find photos of the bands:
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR THE NEW BAND PHOTOS

The Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club welcomed a Yorkshire Select team to St Pierre Park Hotel for their November fight night against a team from Guernsey last Friday.

These evenings are so valuable for Guernsey boxers who would struggle to get off island to find new competition without these nights.

Special mention has to go to Super Heavyweight Dan Maree who finished his career in the ring with an impressive knockout in the headlining bout!

I photographed all eight bouts and my photos are now online. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE NOVEMBER DINNER BOXING CLUB PHOTOS

It's the 10th of November and walking the sands and climbing the slopes and pebble banks at Vazon bay was the perfect way to spend a beautiful autumn morning.

The extra bonus was that I was also kept entertained by the Guernsey Velo Club's Cyclocross race event.

I managed to find a few useful viewpoints and I captured some of the action. Those photos are now online if you are interested, just click the link:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE 2024 CYCLOCROSS

The Guernsey Velo Club is very active and organises many events during the year. In fact there seems to be no limit to how many ways you can race on a cycle.

Their Enduro Series even offers the chance to race in the dark... along bumpy narrow paths. That's CRAZY!

This is a REAL challenge for photographers as modern cycle lights are VERY bright creating high contrast in the pitch black. Combine this with having to manual focus, due to the darkness, and a photographer is left as exhausted as the riders after an hour of working!!

Well that's the effect it has on me!

Last night I photographed the GVC Evening Enduro at Delancey Park and I was relieved to have a few keepers after trying to beat the conditions!

There's a Gallery online if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE GVC EVENING ENDURO RACING

Thank goodness for the Guernsey cliffs!

Without the clifftops some Guernsey Motorsport would find it difficult to function. The cliffs offer areas away from the main population enabling the events to take place without disturbing too many people.

Motocross is well established with its custom designed track. But there is another class of Motor Bike competition that also benefits and I was out on Sunday photographing this slower but very technical form of Motorsport.

I was at the latest Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Bike Trials meeting and my photos are now online if you are interested. Click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST GMC&CC TRIALS PHOTOS

The Autocross racing at Chouet continues to attract the crowds as entertainment is guaranteed.

Sadly the number of entries have dropped at the moment but this will happen when any Club has such a long history.

I'm sure the 'cycle' will swing back with a return to larger grids as this form of Motorsport offers more 'bang per buck' than any other format.

I was busy on the beach before having to pop off to cover the bike trials event. My photos are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PHOTOS

Guernsey FC are still searching for that illusive win in the Isthmian South Central football league.

Hopes where raised at Footes Lane on Saturday when GFC went into an early lead against Hayes & Yeading United. But it wasn't to be for the local lads as they conceded two goals to the visitors meaning we have to wait for the turn around of form.

Hopefully I'll be on the side-line when this happens. The moment will be all the sweeter after the wait!

My photos of the GFC v Hayes & Yeading United game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF GFC v HAYES & YEADING UNITED

The Guernsey U21's Basketball youngsters produced an impressive, but VERY close, win over Skipton on Wednesday night at Beau Sejour.

I know I've said it before but if you are tired of what the TV offers you as entertainment you really should pop in to Beausie for one of the Guernsey Basketball nights.... if you can stand the excitement!

I've added a Gallery featuring my photos here:
CLICK TO VIEW SKIPTON v GUERNSEY U21's

Supporting Guernsey Raiders recently has been incredibly exciting!

Guernsey's top Rugby team have been on great form whilst facing teams sitting high in the National Two East League.

Inevitably no game is going to be easy when fighting for the top places but, if your nerves can handle the stress, winning a game after a tough and close battle is really rewarding.

Add into that mix the fact that the wins come literally with the final whistle and we all need a couple of beers to steady the nerves!

Watching the action live (and feeling the tension and energy) is a perfect example of why Sports will always attract a following of supporters and fans.

I've now uploaded a Gallery featuring the most recent 'to the wire' game between Guernsey Raiders and Bury St Edmonds.

Click the link o view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE RAIDERS v BURY ST EDMONDS PHOTOS

I was one of many people enjoying a lovely autumn day on the Guernsey cliffs on Saturday.

You'll note that I didn't say it was a lovely 'peaceful' day out!

This is hardly surprising as I was up at the Motocross track for the latest GK&MC MX Championship round.

The greatest benefit of the sunny day was the great light. Just what a photographer loves as it creates nice and colourful images.

Speaking of images... my photos are now online. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS RACING

Whilst I wasn't able to photograph the whole night of Boxing as I was covering the Guernsey Press Pride of Guernsey Awards night, I was still able to capture six Bouts of the recent GABC October Fight Night.

This years event featured a visiting team from Liverpool and the final tally of wins favoured the visitors with a 6-5 result.

That total illustrates how close the fighting was and the Guernsey team certainly put on a great show. Well done guys.

I've now completed the edit and photos of Bouts 7-12 are now online if you are interested. Just click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 GABC OCTOBER FIGHT NIGHT

With the clock running over time there was an incredibly tense ending to the Guernsey Raiders v Barnes RFC game at Footes Lane.

Barnes was leading with the score-line standing at 31-28. However Raiders made a final kick of the ball that was chased down by Jack Colbourne and he managed to touch it down with the tips of his fingers!!

The Gareene Stand exploded with excitement. This was sport at its best. Raiders took a memorable win!

My photos are now online if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GUERNSEY RAIDERS v BARNES RFC PHOTOS

For a game that was fairly evenly balanced for 90 minutes a final score of 6-2 for North against St Brelade, the visiting side from Jersey, in the Jeremie Cup shows how a Cup football game is never over till the extra time is over!

During normal time it was North who looked the stronger but they failed to take advantage of this and they came close to losing this knock-out game.

However as we know it is only the final score that counts and let's hope that North build on the winning streak!

I've uploaded a Gallery of photos. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW JEREMIE CUP - NORTH v ST BRELADE

Trials bike riding is all about 'man and machine against the elements'.... although I need to include the ladies too as we regularly see them competing at the local Trials meetings alongside the men!

The first GMC&CC Trials meeting of the autumn certainly included the 'elements' side of my comment as it was very wet and slippery.

This is where I have to be honest in saying that I kept my time out on the treacherous Sections to a minimum as I don't think the phrase 'man and camera against the elements' has the same ring to it!

But I did capture a few photos. They are now online here:
CLICK TO VERY PHOTOS OF A VERY WET TRIALS MEETING