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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...

If you had an invitation to spend a morning on the beach (instead of having the missus make you tick a few more jobs off your list of to-do's) I guess you would take the beach option?

Well this is what I thought too. That is before I spent time on Chouet beach last Sunday. It was Round-7 of the Guernsey Autocross Club's Winter Championship. The problem was the weather and the fact that I had failed to dress for what was about to come!

The racing started off in reasonable conditions. OK, it was dull and there was a bit of moisture in the air. But I could handle that. Then things turned for the worse, much worse.
After the interval the heavens opened, big time, and I found myself sadly lacking in the waterproofing department - at least on my lower half. Needless to say I got saturated. This was all the excuse I needed to head for home, a shower, a Sherry a tasty roast dinner with a glass or two of red wine.

What would've you done?

:-)

I did get a few pics before I ran for cover though.
A FEW AUTOCROSS PICS BEFORE I RAN FOR COVER

I'm going to sound like a cracked record again but I make no excuses for this.

Stating the blindingly obvious - photographers capture light!

OK, we hope to have a subject somewhere in that light to make our effort worth while :-) But the quality of the light is essential.
This is true for the successful creation of any photograph of any subject.

So it is a pleasure to work at gig photography when I have a 'lighting guy' who is equally keen on the quality of light. Guernsey has a couple of 'starmen' and I have worked with both of them over the weekend. First it was Mark Guillou at the Elysium gig.
VIEW THE ELYSIUM GIG HERE

Next on the list was Fermain Fest... at the Fermain Tavern, now there's a suprise!
This eight hour musical marathon was lit by Lloyd Hellyeah. Now Lloyd is really keen on his set-ups. I was pleased that a few weeks ago Lloyd invited me along one evening whilst he was setting up a gig so we could discuss what type of light I find works for a photog.

So what a treat it was at Fermain Fest when Lloyd turned on a few new tricks. Don't you just luv that layering. Now that's what I call lighting! I hope all the gig-goers noticed too :-) Thanks Lloyd.

You can make up your own mind if you like by checking out a few of the Galleries. I must also give a big shout to Jack Fletcher who organised Fermain Fest. Great job mate. You have set the bar really high!

Pictures are now in the Gallery and don't forget to say well done to the lighting guys next time you enjoy their work...

THE PHANTOM COSMONAUT
THE OK
RENTOCLEAN
THE BLACK VOTE
BULLETPROOF
PARTY IN PARIS
LIFEJACKET
BRIGHT_LIGHTS
TANTALE

SHOCK, HORROR.....

Maybe the 'Good old days' really were the best?

This week has been a great one for music lovers. Danny Baker has been on TV talking about iconic Albums, the format, the all-time greats and the influence they have had on society as a whole.
Each of the episodes featured a small but knowledgable panel who explored many classic recordings.
I'm pleased to say that I own quite a few of these:-)
I am dusting them off as I write and I intend to get to know a few favourites again....

Of course it was inevitable that the featured Albums were mostly produced years and even decades ago. So I asked myself the obvious question... were the old days really better?

I thought that the answer was obvious and without doubt... of course they were!

On Friday night I had my thoughts confirmed whilst at the Dog House watching Elysium perform two brilliant sets featuring many classics and a few less well known songs by one of the Bands on the 'Greats' list in Danny Bakers series. The Band was Pink Floyd.

I can still remember hearing 'Dark Side of the Moon' for the first time. It was at Birnam Court Hotel and the Album was being played (loud) by Ponders End (a great band) between sets. I was with my current wife (of approx 40 years) so you can guess how long ago this was! Surely it couldn't get any better than that?

Hearing Elysium play those great songs (incredibly well by the way) just proved that the old days would never be bettered.

So there it is. Sorted. Or so I thought!

But by the following day I was in a little doubt. This time I was at the Fermain Tavern for an eight hour musical marathon. There was a great vibe, one that can only be generated by live music. The gig-goers were mostly much younger than me - as always - and of course they were all living their own personal 'best times', now!
So maybe it is impossible to 'record' the one and only perfect moment? Maybe life is meant to be lived for this moment? And if music can be a part of it the world is a better place.

..... reading the above, maybe I should've been a hippy, ha,ha ;-)

In case you are wondering. The special moment I would like to bottle from Saturday night would have to be the set by Bright_Lights. A new local band featuring an electronic drum kit, sequencing and digital sounds. New sounds for tomorrows classics.... I LOVE now....
More about Bright_Lights in my next post...
Pics of Elysium are now online:
ELYSIUM PLAY PINK FLOYD AT THE DOG HOUSE

The Thomas de la Rue was taken over by supporters looking for a Sugar Slam fix at the weekend.

This band of old rockers (hopefully they won't be too hurt by me labelling them as such - but it's true!) took over the pub to launch their new Album, Fameless.

I understand that this is their first recording for 18 years. I guess that will make any contesting of my previous statement a bit hard to succeed ;-)

The Album was well worth the wait. Make an effort to search it out. It captures much of the energy the Band brings to their stage performances. The song writing is good and each track powers into the next with a grungy-raw rock sound.

I'm pleased to say that this Album is yet another that features my photography... so how can it fail to make an impact!!
I have lost count, but I think that now makes five Albums in the last twelve months. Rock 'n' Roll, eh!

My pics of the launch gig are now online and they benefit massively from Mark Guillou's stage lighting.
The stage area in the Thomas de la Rue is normally a 'black hole' and quite impossible to photograph. Not on this night though. Thanks Mark.
PICS OF SUGAR SLAM'S ALBUM LAUNCH GIG

Saturday saw the Motocross riders taking to the sky up on the cliffs at Pleinmont. It was good to be out in the fresh air - even if the was bl***y chilly!

As a photog it was worth wrapping up against the elements as the light was great. Winter light can be rewarding as the low angle and (on a good day) the warmth of colour can make the colours sing.

The track seemed to dry out during the day and the conditions deserved a better turn-out. I guess some of the racers have been put off after the prolonged wet spell. Maybe we will see them back - fingers crossed - as we need full Classes to keep things interesting.

My days work is now online:
NEW MOTOCROSS PICS ONLINE

Better later than never... as the saying goes!

Well I suppose - to be pedantic - (I get that from my missus. We have been married a VERY long time) the latest updates weren't actually late. It is just this Blog telling you about the update which is late :-)

My excuse is that last weekend and the week leading up to it were very busy. On Saturday the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held their Annual Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation at St Pierre Park Hotel. Once again I was invited to support the presentation with a slideshow featuring a racing picture of each winner as they came forward to pick up their Silverware.
I also ran a slideshow during the meal and disco which followed that featured more pics of the Clubs racing over previous seasons.

I have stated this before but it bears repeating. I am quite amazed how good a digital image can look when projected eight foot wide when the resolution (1024 x 768 pixels) is sooooo low.
Todays digital photographers won't even get out of bed to use a camera with less that 12 megapixels. This equates to a pixel resolution of at least 4,000 pixels wide! So how can an image look sharp and detailed when seen projected 8 foot wide with just 1024 pixel width? Answers on a postcard or e-mail please :-)

But I have strayed from the point a bit. This latest blog is late... but I have had the latest 'shoot' online since Sunday night. This features the Winter Championship of the Guernsey Autocross Club on the beach at Chouet. If you haven't found the Gallery yet follow this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

Twelve Tribe Mansion introduced their debut 'self-titled' Album to a very enthusiastic and large audience a few days ago at The Fermain Tavern.

The trio of highly competent and well matched instumentalists have only had about a year together but in that time they have clearly built a strong following. This is made more noteable when you consider that the bands 'songs' have no vocals!

If you sat around a table in your favourite pub, beer in hand, trying to think of a formula for your new Band it is unlikely that you would consider setting up an instrumental group... certainly not if you were hoping to appeal to the masses!

But every rule is there to be bent and broken and Sam McKerrell, Tom Bradshaw and Simon Howitt have hit on a perfect and unusual balance in their sound. I can only describe their music as being Jazz, Funk, Rock with great dynamics and a movement that seems to roll along without ever missing a vocal layer.

These guys have proven that quality nomally does rise to the top and a Band can reach out to an audience who didn't even know they were 'into' Jazz-Funk before they heard it :-)
Top stuff guys.

Twelve Tribe Mansion were supported by Bright_Lights on the launch night. They are also worth catching again.

Pics of the two Bands can be viewed here:
VIEW TWELVE TRIBE MANSION ALBUM LAUNCH PICS
VIEW PICS OF BRIGHT_LIGHTS

On Sunday there was more than a little relief amongst the racing fraternity that, at last, we could get back to what we enjoy most.... RACING!
Christmas and the New Year only seem to spoil the fun (and routine) when this enforced break puts everything on hold for a few weeks!

So there were loads of smiles, a few new competitors and lots of new kit on show for the first race of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Winter Karting Series at The Track.

The weather was what we expected after the recent wet periods... actually it was probably better than we should have expected as the rain seemed to stay away and the track dried more as each race went on.

There was plenty of close racing suggesting the season will be well worth following. Make sure you visit The Track during the season. Spectators are always welcome....
Pics of the racing are now on-line:
PICS OF ROUND-1 OF THE 2013 WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP