News / Blog

VIEW PICS OF MT. WOLF
The Carlton Hotel opened its doors to two visiting bands on Friday night and I'm pleased to say that there was great support from us Guern's.

I suppose that there was always a good chance that ticket sales would be OK as the headlining band had two locals in the line-up.
So perhaps Mt. Wolf can be thanked for attracting the punters but I have a feeling that the other two bands on the bill also played their parts by bringing their own following.

First on stage were Bright_Lights. I am really enjoying this Electro-Pop band and they were a great choice to open the night with a sound that easily filled the room and is surely crying out for a chance to feature on one of this summer's Festival stages... watch this space!

Next up was Lloyd Yates and again they could certainly claim a following amongst the 'gig goers'... even though their visits to our shores are rare. This shows that they have made a real impression on previous visits.

And so the night was completed by the appearance of Mt. Wolf. They were well received and their set showed that they already have songs that offer opportunity to make it on a bigger stage.
Looking at the gigs they have lined up around the UK during coming months the band clearly have ambition and are prepared to work for a break into the big time. Keep a ear to the ground to see if they can pull it off!

I've added new Galleries featuring the three bands:
VIEW PICS OF MT. WOLF

VIEW PICS OF LLOYD YATES

VIEW PICS OF BRIGHT_LIGHTS

So there we have it... another great night of LIVE MUSIC.
There really is NO excuse to spend your weekends sitting on the couch when there is such a great choice of live music just waiting for your support... See you next time?

Last of the Light Brigade have been in action at the Fermain Tavern to launch their new single 'The Door'.

The guys had put in a lot of work to promote the event and I was was one of many who lined the trenches ready to receive the best that the band could fire in our direction.

I've been a long term champion of the band and have enjoyed seeing them grow in confidence when on stage and at the Saturday night gig they achieved new heights. The line-up had been re-enforced with extra troops and featured Andy Coleman on keys and John McCarthy on guitar. But it was The Cavalry Choir that turned the campaign into something really special.

Even this platoon of troopers wasn't enough for their Commander and Tyler Edmonds had conscripted Mark Le Gallez and Colin Leach of The Risk and Chris Dean from... oh, too many... to join LOTLB on stage for the final push.

The result was a great showcase for a Band that is clearly ready for the next call to arms.

Support to LOTLB was in the form of Guernsey's own foot-tapping skiffle-country proponants. Their performance would have justified the couple of quid entry on its own. That is more than enough to prove that - if you missed it - you missed a great night when local music was called to 'action stations'.

Pics are now online:
LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE LAUNCH THEIR SINGLE - THE DOOR

Pics of The John Wesley Stone can be found here:
PICS OF THE BARN-STORMING JOHN WESLEY STONE

Today the Guernsey FC Green Lions showed that they will fight till the end as they achieved a win over Raynes Park Vale in the last minutes of a very competitive game.

The lead was swapped during the game as each team pressed forward but in the end it was the Guernsey sides persistence that paid off when they forced an own goal right on the full time whistle which gave them a 4 - 3 win.

Local legend Matt 'Le God' Tissier was in attendance and warmed up on the pitch before the game but didn't sit on the bench on this occasion. Matt's appearance in the Green Lions kit hasn't been ruled out for some time in the season.

Perhaps the only disappointment was the cancellation of another game when the fixture against Farnham Town had to be postponed on Saturday due to the waterlogged pitch. Whilst this gave the players a days rest they will now have to find a space in their already packed backlog of games.

But that concern is for another day. Today the Green Lions can relax and enjoy a great win.

I have added a Gallery of pics featuring some of the action:
VIEW PICS OF GUERNSEY FC v RAYNES PARK VALE

No offence meant to the riders and drivers who took part in Round-1 of the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 2013 Sand Racing Championship, but that was a dreadful start to the season!

When you visit the beach you somehow expect that the water will be in the sea, not falling from above - driven by strong winds :-(

If you combine the awful weather with a pair of boots that have decided to leak and a waterproof jacket that no longer conforms to the Trade Description Act I admit that the overall result is something that I don't wish to repeat for a long time.

It is a fact that some forms of motorsport photography are rewarded by sticking around when it is wet.
For example it is possible to capture great pics at the Hill Climbs and Kart track when the heavens open. The 'roosters' can add something to a picture.

However on an exposed beach with the camera wrapped up in its steamed-up protective gear which greatly reduces your ability to even see any of the settings and then being restricted to the direction you can point the camera because of the driving rain, well, there is only one answer.

So I grabbed a few pics then did the obvious, I went home :-)

I'll be back when the sun shines :-)

My 'part-time' work is now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF SAND RACING ROUND-1

Guernsey FC's Green Lions created an impressive 4-1 win over visiting Horley Town when they played the first of three home games which make up a very busy weekend.

There has been a lot of media talk about the possible appearance at some point during the weekend of Matt Le Tissier in the Guernsey FC squad but this shouldn't overshadow another strong performance by the hard-working Green Lions.

We know that the unfortunate back-log of games will put great pressure on the squad as they try to climb to to the top of their league. Every motivation and help to keep the spirits and energy levels high will be harnessed and maybe a couple of appearances by 'Le God' on his home turf will just help The Lions pull it off!

Keep up the good work guys... the Island is behind you :-)

I have a few pics from the Guernsey FC v Horley Town game online:
VIEW GURNSEY FC v HORLEY TOWN

The weekend saw the Greenman MCC change their home venue of the open cliff tops at Pleinmont for the confines of the Fermain Tavern.

The Tavern had no problem offering a perfect venue for this warm-up gig that heralded the 2013 Chaos Festival. The word is that the Greenman MCC have chosen this year to tweak and improve on the popular formula and they are promising that this years Festival will be the best ever :-)

So with this word going out before the Tavern gig we were all expecting a pretty good night. The line-up included a few of our known reprobates in the form of Sugar Slam and Of Empires. This was a good start and the boys played storming sets.

But the band I was looking forward to seeing was Jersey's Harlequin Knights. I knew very little about them other than I had seen and photographed some of the band members before - in different bands.

Their performance was a highlight of the night as far as I'm concerned. They have great energy and charisma on stage. The songs are very well written and the vocal harmonies were superb... all this from a band that has only been together for seven months!

I understand that they will return to our isle to play at Chaos 2013. So there is your first reason to book in the weekend of 12th - 14th July for the Greenman MCC Chaos Festival. Don't miss it!
Take a look at the Greenman MCC web site for more details: http://www.chaosevents.com/

I have uploaded pics of the bands here:
VIEW PICS OF HARLEQUIN KNIGHTS
VIEW PICS OF SUGAR SLAM
VIEW PICS OF OF EMPIRES

Thanks for noticing my pics....

I'm quite amazed at today's response to the latest pics that I have added to my Galleries (but it could have been even better - read on).
The site analytics show that well over 16,000 picture viewings have been made in the last nine hours. I find this amazing and I have been humbled by the kind comments that have been posted by many people.

***UPDATE*** Viewings actually topped 26,000 in a 24 Hour period!!!

Whilst the interest in my work is all very nice - we all have an ego you know ;-) I very nearly left the Hill Climb early when it became clear that I had missed the very spectacular crash at the top of Le Val des Terres when Michael Beausire double rolled his beautiful Fiat 500 Abarth.
The good news is that Mike is sore but fine... the Abarth less so :-(
I wouldn't of wanted to make that phone call to my father telling him what I had just done to his pride and joy!!!

As a photographer those are the shots you just hope and wait for (we don't mean harm to anybody, honest). But of course you have to 'be there' to get the shot and I was at the opposite end of the hill. Bummer. Catch you next time Mike, promise!

In the end I stayed around and continued to try to capture some of the peak action moments from around the hill. I was even quite pleased with some of the pics... but still disappointed.

So thanks again for looking at my days work and for finding them hours before I posted this blog saying that they were online!

Got to love the Internet haven't you :-)
TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST HILL CLIMB PICTURE GALLERIES

Just a quickie this time as I'm preparing my kit for the final Motor Sport extravaganza of the busy weekend... the Bank Holiday Hill Climb.
So whilst the last of the batteries are being charged I have managed to prepare and upload pics of todays Autocross racing at Chouet.

My guess is that Peter Jory will be nursing a stiff neck at the Hill Climb tomorrow after making a complete roll-over - wheels to wheels (take a look at my pics). Pete even seemed keen to continue in the race but the regs insist on car and driver having a check-over first.

Not like the old days, eh!

Check-out all the action here:
TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST AUTOCROSS ACTION

Well I'm not complaining you understand, but having waited for the 2013 Guernsey Motor Sport season to start for proper, this weekend sees non-stop racing. Nice!

First on the list was the GK&MC Sprint meeting at Vazon coast road. It was cold.... very cold. Maybe it was even a bit too cold as there was a real lack of new records. I think we might have been spoilt by the last couple of seasons racing when so many new lows have been achieved.
It is far to early though to label the new season as ordinary yet!!!

With an Autocross race lined up for Sunday and the first Hill Climb of 2013 on Monday we are all going to be kept busy and entertained.

Talking about entertaining. Special thanks have to go to two competitors at the Sprint. Firstly to Richard Turk Vaudin who lit-up the rear tyre on his Hayabusa whilst warming it before a run. A mega burn-out would be good enough for most people... but Richard went one or two better than that by doing it one handed whilst creeping forward in total control. Stylish!
I got the pics.... job done :-)

But the prize has to go to Lee(three wheels on my wagon)Corbet who managed to lose a rear wheel half way down his run. The other one was also about to come adrift!
As no-one was hurt we can all have a laugh about it and I guess Lee is going to receive 'pay back' for his many years of 'taking the micky' out of other racers. Enjoy!
Full marks for style though as the tyre went though the finish and recorded a time, ha, ha.

It must have been my lucky day as I was also in the right place to capture pics of Lee's little mishap.
Sprint pics are now online:
VIEW PICS OF BURN-OUTS AND LONESOME WHEELS AT THE VAZON SPRINT

VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS RACING
Last weekend seemed to herald the start to the Guernsey Motor Sport season for 2013.

Both the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club and the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held events. We are also looking ahead to next weekend when the first Sprint and Hill Climb are booked in. It is non-stop Motor Racing from then on... just like the racers like it :-)

I have already posted pics of the GMC&CC 2-day Trials meeting so today's additions feature two of the GK&MC championships.

On Sunday the winter Kart Championship was wrapped-up at The Track with race three of the short series. The track conditions were pretty good for the karters. That is more than can be said for the Moto-X riders as they were welcomed once again by very muddy conditions.
It must be said though that the track did improve as the day went on and there is little that anyone can do about a dirt track that has suffered from record levels of rainfall and snow.

I don't think you will find a single competitor in any of the formulas that are raced in Guernsey who doesn't hope for a drier twelve months ahead! Fingers crossed, eh?

I'll be out and about (rain or shine) at just about every race of 2013. Make sure you look back regularly for the Gallery Updates.
VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

The Annual 2-Day Trials meeting organised by the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club is usually an excuse for an Island tour. This year was no different!

I don't know if a Trials bike has a mileometer but if they do the digits would have rolled around over the last couple of days.

There was a good entry for the 2013 2-day event and each day the sections were spread around cliff tops, beaches and valleys. I did my best to follow the competitors and was rewarded by the quality of riding. Once again the Expert riders impressed me with their skill and nerves. It was just a shame that the weather on Sunday was so bitterly cold on the beach sections as this must have put off some spectators.

The GMC&CC make every effort to provide a weekend of entertainment for the visiting riders from the Mainland and France. The formula certainly works as there were plenty of smiles... even on the exposed headlands.

See you all again in twelve months guys?

Pics of the 2-Day Trials are now online:
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC 2-DAY TRIALS

I can't say it better than to quote Colin Leach (Guernsey Press 28-03-2013).

'It was a send-off in style. In what must count as one of the best gigs ever to be staged at Fermain Tavern, last weekend's appearance by Wilko Johnson and his band was a fitting end locally for a musician who has struck a chord with many - in more ways than one.'

We British are not renowned for showing our emotions in public. Somehow we all get embarrassed with the realities of life. We don't talk about or face up to the simple truths... we are conceived, we live out our term, we die.

I have pondered on what to say about the weekends gig that I was privileged to photograph. Without a doubt it touched the heart of more than a few in the audience. I spoke to one lady who told me it had been a wake up to the reality of her own inevitable life cycle. None of us know what tomorrow brings?

The memorable occasion that I was photographing was the farewell gig by Wilko Johnson. We all knew that Wilko has recently had to face the knowledge that he is terminally ill. Thankfully few of us have been in this position and we cannot possibly imagine how we would handle such a situation. Of course everyone would react in their own personal way.

But perhaps we can all take a little strength and even inspiration from the way Wilko has chosen to look to the future. Wilko has decided that his time should be used to enjoy and share what has been a huge part of his life... the gift of making music.

So the sell-out of two nights at the Fermain Tavern in Guernsey was no surprise. Wilko has been a regular visitor on the stage at 'the Tav' over several decades and he was surrounded by old friends who gave him a send-off that will be remembered and talked about until it takes its place in musical folk-law.

Maybe it is difficult, given the circumstances, to make an unaffected critic of the gig but I will argue that the two nights were a couple of the greatest live performances I have shared.

Hopefully Wilko Johnson left Guernsey knowing that he had touched people with his energetic performance and song writing. He stimulated many of us to look to our own futures and how we should make the very best of our own time. It reminded me that the medium of music has so much to give. It can be the focus to bring people together. It can touch all sides of our emotions and, lets face it, it makes the world a better place!

Thanks for the memories Wilko.

A Wilko Johnson performance, for photographers, is one of the hardest to capture. He just won't stand still! It is a challenge to represent the essence of his show in 'still' images. But I tried, and have added a few pics to the Wilko Johnson Band picture gallery:
VIEW PICS OF THE WILKO JOHNSON FAREWELL GIGS AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

A very select few Guernsey bands were given the honour of sharing the bill with the headlining Wilko Johnson Band when they played two nights at the Fermain Tavern last weekend.

Wilko actually gave local fans the special honour of playing for two nights at the 'Tav'. This was a bit special when you consider how few venues Wilko is visiting on his Farewell Tour.

Many of the Guernsey supporting act band members weren't even born when Wilko began his musical career! But they were given a rare opportunity to both appear on the same bill and to have a 'masterclass' in live performance from one of the true masters.

Whether you are a great fan of Wilko's music or not, it really doesn't matter because within a couple of songs you will not be able to take your eyes off him... you will be dragged into his space and he will be in control. Very few performers can wield that sort of influence on a crowd.

So there must have been a bunch of lucky musicians pinching themselves on Monday morning wondering if it had all been a dream!

Lucky for them I was taking a few pics so they can re-live the moment :-)
VIEW PICS OF LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

VIEW PICS OF MEMOIRS BE

VIEW PICS OF THE PHANTOM COSMONAUT

VIEW PICS OF THE RISK


That's it for pics of Wilko's farewell gigs in Guernsey. Long may they live in your memories...

Guernsey Motorsport competitors (and their partners at home) can be reassured that the local rescue unit has been putting in the hours to prepare for the new seasons Hill Climbs and Sprints.

Sarnia Rescue have just completed a well organised and realistic practice of their skills whilst giving Paul Le Pelley's once immaculate red and white Mini a last 'swan-song'.

Paul was kind enough to donate the Mini after he wrote it off at last years GK&MC Alderney Sprint. Thankfully Tim was OK after this big crash - but the Mini faired less well.

The donation of the Mini body to Sarnia Rescue offered the chance to practice the safe removal of an injured driver from a proper racing car... one that was fitted with full race seat, harness and roll cage.

Steve Marquis called on his previous experience as an airport fireman to set up a very authentic exercise that included an engine fire and a Marshal who had collapsed whilst running to the incident.

I was on the scene to 'get in the way' whilst photographing the team. I also captured a video from an overhead camera so the crew could analyse the whole procedure in a de-brief.

I have to say that I was very impressed by the professional performance of Sarnia Rescue. The extrication of the driver was very challenging and required great team work and the use of several bits of specialist kit.
It should be reassuring to all racers that this well trained unit and their rescue equipment are just seconds away from any type of incident you might have.

Remember to say a thank-you to the guys and gals next time you see them attending a race meeting. Whilst you have been re-building your kit through the winter months they have been putting in the hours fine tuning their rescue skills... oh, and remember that none of you can race without Marshals and Medics attending every meeting.

I have added a small selection of pics to the Marshals Gallery if you want to see how useful Tims old Mini was and what a fitting 'Motor Sport end' came to a once stunning race car:
VIEW A FEW PICS OF THE SARNIA RESCUE TRAINING EXERCISE

You have to look hard to find a weekend in Guernsey when there's no Motorsport action!

We are clearly a load of petrol heads (not super unleaded anymore!) on this little rock. Well I guess we have to entertain ourselves somehow :-)

So last weekend it was business as usual with the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club turning out at The Track for their Winter Kart Championship and the Autocross Club playing chase on the beach with their Banger racing Championship.

It was bitterly cold at both venues - but the beach took the prize for the most uncomfortable.
The thermals came out of the bottom draw and I can now agree that there is no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing!
After getting wet through at the last Autocross race I'm pleased to report that I was fully prepared this time.

Take a look at what can be achieved with the right clothing :-)
VIEW THE LATEST KART RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PICS
VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PICS

If you were in any doubt about your existence or whether your heart was still beating you would have left The Fermain Tavern on Saturday night knowing you still have a Pulse.

Of course the band that got your heart 'a flutter' was The Pulse.

Following the trend of 'oldies' reforming, it was the turn of this band from the '80s. They always had a loyal following due to an unbeatable formula. The line-up was as strong and experienced as any to emerge from these shores. They wrote great songs. They gigged till they dropped & always managed to transfer their on-stage energy onto the audience.
(A NOTE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS OF BANDS): Listen up and take note.

The occasion that bought the Band together again was the realisation that their back catalogue of original songs had never made it to the studio.

The decision to put down the definitive 'record' of their time together could have been a big mistake. We can all be guilty of recalling past times through rose tinted glasses and the fact the songs came from a time 30 years ago meant there was a risk that the whole thing could simply be past its sell by date.

But no. What we were treated to was the proof that quality, energy and class will always live on. Well done guys. Now just keep it up!

The gig turned out to be better than an hour in the gym. The hearts were beating. We felt the Pulse. We were alive.

See what I did there? :-)

I have added a load of new pics to The Pulse Gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PULSE

I have just read an article by John Harris on The Guardian web site and if you enjoy live music I encourage you to pop along there too.

John reports on the demise of what he terms the "toilet venues".

The name doesn't exactly endear itself to you, does it? But it is the name given to a disappearing genre of live music venues. Usually pubs with a small stage and small capacity of 100-250 maximum gig-goers.

The British musical scene is littered with major acts that developed and crafted their songs and stage persona in these often seedy and poorly supported back-street spaces. John lists many establishments that have now disappeared and mentions famous acts that emerged from the "toilet scene" including the Manic Street Preachers and The Vaccines. There are many, many more.

As a great supporter of live music I used to seek out the most obscure of these places whilst travelling the UK (in a previous life) before becoming a pro photog. I used to have a knack of finding live music wherever I stayed. Sometimes it was worth the effort - sometimes not. But it was always better than sitting alone in a hotel bar!

However even ten years ago I was becoming aware that venues were closing their doors to live bands. A couple of my regular haunts in Birmingham were Ronnie Scott's (now a Lap Dancing Club) - which meant the missus told me it was out-of-bounds ;-) There was also a pub just around the corner that was run, I think, by the Musical Guild. Also gone forever.
John Harris's article tells the story much better than I ever could, please take a look.

So how does Guernsey compare to 'the big wide world'?

Well we are doing pretty well I think.

The Fermain Tavern can certainly qualify as a "toilet venue" (no offence meant!) and is surely our premier live venue with a roll-call all the way up to Elton John. The 'Tav' is still offering a stage to the likes of the legendary Wilko Johnson and many other visiting acts and local bands.

Then we have the many 'pub' venues like the Thomas de la Rue, The White Hart, Blind O'Reilly's and The Dog House (edit: I must add the Cock & Bull to this list - otherwise known as 'my town office') who regularly open their doors to live music. There are also many less regular venues.

This leads me to the conclusion that Guernsey is very lucky to still have such a vibrant live scene.
But how long will it last? John's article tells how hard it can be for proprietors to justify devoting space to bands. We can all recall standing in a group of maybe ten people listening to a band.... this cannot reward the effort put in by the Landlord.

The responsibility lies with us, the live music lovers, to support what we have... if it disappears it will be gone forever and where will the next Manic Street Preachers or The Vaccines come from then?

The scary thought is that Simon Cowell thinks he has the answer!!

Follow this link to the article:
CLICK TO READ JOHN HARRIS'S ARTICLE IN THE GUARDIAN
&
TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW MORE PICS OF WILKO JOHNSON ON STAGE THE FERMAIN TAVERN

The GMC&CC Trials at the weekend where held on sections based around one of Guernsey's prettiest coastal valleys, Petit Bot.
With the sun shining and a few early spring flowers brightening the hedgerows the afternoon was very inviting.

The Trials riders were out in force to enjoy a few hours of their favourite motorsport - but they had to deal with the result of the previous weeks of frequent rainfall... read MUD!

It is remarkable to see the riders negotiate muddy slopes on their bikes when it is almost impossible to find any grip when climbing on foot. It is also clear from watching the competitors that a confident and committed approach to each obstacle is the only successful way to clear a section.
As always, the Experts made it look soooo easy!

I returned home with minimal soiling from the abundant mud and with a few good pics... I'll call that a job well done.

Pictures are now online:
PETIT BOT TRIALS, A MIX OF SUN AND MUD

I'm impressed!

Saturday saw another GK&MCC Motocross Championship race on the Pleinmont track. And what a pleasure it was to spend the day out on the sunny south coast cliffs of Guernsey.

The superb weather and great light seemed to turn me a bit 'trigger happy' and I fired off nearly 300 shots.... that's just not like me!

But the racing was really entertaining and I think a good time was had by everyone. I even chatted to a few marshalls who thought that it wasn't such a bad place to be!

However the thing that has impressed me most is how the interest in my pics has been recorded on the web-site log.

Due to other photographic commitments today I only just managed to upload the weekends Motocross pics late this morning. I didn't find the time to add any links to the Gallery. However I have just checked the site statistics and it seems that already over 4,000 picture viewings have been made!!

I can now officially state that Motocross riders do not lack initiative when it comes to searching out pics of their own riding.... even if I still think that they have a few nuts 'n' bolts missing when it comes to throwing their bikes around corners and into the air :-)

I somehow doubt that there are may riders who haven't already found the new Gallery of pics. But if you haven't, it is here:
VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS PICS... IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY...