News / Blog

Today the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club held Round-7 of their Summer Sand Racing Championship on Vazon beach.
For the second meeting in a row there was a dramatic accident! This time it was the Bikes. As happened last meeting - I missed the action, argh! It all took place immediately behind me.
Dave Patten had just passed on his slider when he tangled with a fellow rider and he found himself launched high into the air - followed by his bike.
Dave was able to walk to the ambulance and was transfered to the PEH for check-ups. We all hope he was just bruised with nothing broken.
New picture Galleries have now been added...
SAND RACING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-7

I was only able to make a late visit to The Track to photograph Round 8 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Karting Championship... but there was plenty of close racing and also a pretty spectacular crash by William Konken.
Will rolled his Kart after a coming together with Ben Parsons. He was thrown out of his Kart. Thanfully the early reports on his condition suggest he wasn't seriously injured but you can't bounce down a race track without collecting a few bruises!
With this accident following Nigel Ozannes 'big one' on the sand at Vazon a week ago we are all reminded that Motor Sport can be dangerous, but the guys 'n gals who compete in the various Classes know this and are unstoppable.
I have added a new Gallery of pics including a few of Wills crash.
KART CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-8

A trio of my photographer mates played at the Fermain Tavern last Saturday. I should dislike these guys as it's just not fair that they all possess both musical and photographic talents!
But I'm not one to hold a grudge and it would have been 'bad manners' to turn up at the 'Wild Card' gig without my camera. So I took a few pics whilst enjoying a great set of the Blues... I like the Blues.
I have added new pictures to the Wild Card Gallery.
VIEW THE WILD CARD GALLERY

All the talk for the last few days on the Guernsey Motor Sport scene has been about Nigel Ozanne's big accident on the sands at Vazon Bay.
Nigel was racing his very competitive 'Grass Tracker' when it appears a contact was made with another car. Nigel ended up dramatically rolling perhaps as many as five times!
Thankfully, after a lengthy rescue from the car and a stay in hospital it appears that no major injuries occured.
As always after an incident such as this - and when it is known that the driver is OK - the question is: 'Did you get a picture of the crash?'
The answer in this case is a disappointed 'NO'. I had just left the beach to change to a different lens set-up. Shame on me as the race before I was in exactly the right spot... sorry Nige!
I did get a couple of good 'sideways' shots of Nigel in the first race during which he nearly ran me over! He apologised afterwards saying that he saw me taking pics and wanted a good one - but it got hung out a bit too far, he, he!
To take a look at the latest pics click here:
ROUND-6 SAND RACING PICS

The latest Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hill Climb at Les Val des Terres turned out to be a bit special with several Classes being closely fought and records falling.
I was 'out and about' on the hill as usual and came home with a load of new pics to edit. Several days later you can view the results!
I have worked a few new angles in an attempt to keep the galleries interesting. Let me know what you think.
Remember that I always have more pics then the ones that are uploaded.
Due to space limitations the only way you can see all the pics is to contact me and I will arrange a viewing on my Laptop Database... with NO obligations to buy.
The final updates include the Bikers and Karters.
HILL CLIMB KARTS & BIKES

The first Class of competitors have been added to the Hill Climb Galleries... over 250 Car pictures!
Once again I have tried to give a good and varied coverage to the racing. This takes a considerable amount of time - so don't forget if you buy a couple of pics you are doing a good job of supporting my 'Beer Fund'. It will also encourage me to continue ;-)
Once again the records dropped with the most impressive being Darren Warwick becoming the fastest ever Channel Islander up 'the Terres'. Well done that man.
Bike & Kart pictures will follow.
GK&MC HILL CLIMB 06-08-2011

I was a late arrival for the legendary Barry Ashworth of the Dub Pistols DJ set at The Fermain Tavern - work got in the way.
I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to this type of music... I lead a very sheltered life!
But, I must say it was well worth making the effort, I really enjoyed the set.
If I hadn't been driving = no drinking :-( I can definately see myself getting the groove. (Note to self: leave the van at home next time).
The stage lighting supported the music and really added to the atmosphere, it helped us photogs also!
I have added a few new pics to the Galleries. Take a look here:
BARRY ASHWORTH OF THE DUB PISTOLS

A new Band made up of very familiar (no, I didn't say old!) faces took to the stage for the first time last weekend at the Fermain Tavern.
The gig was a sell-out and the crowd were not disappointed by a high energy and fast moving set. This Band is going to be in demand.
When you see the reactions from the party-goers you have to wonder why no-one has got around to putting together a Ska Band in Guernsey before.
That oversight has now been fixed. Make sure you check-out their next gig. Before then, take a look at the pics...
SONS OF THE DESERT AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

Yesterday I was able to spend a short time at The Track photographing the latest round of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Series of Kart Racing.
The heats were as competitive as ever with close and exciting racing. If you have never witnessed this form of Motor Sport I recommend that you find time to pop down to The Track at Victoria Avenue on a race morning.
The action is virtually continuous and there are good, safe viewing points. Championship details can be found here:
VISIT THE GUERNSEY KART & MOTOR CLUB WEB SITE
The latest Gallery of my Kart Racing pictures can be viewed here:
ROUND 7 KARTING SERIES
My time was split between photographing the Kart Racing and capturing Round 6 of the Guernsey Powerboat Association's Championship over the Fermain Course. A new Gallery of pics can be viewed here:
ROUND 6 OF THE GPA POWERBOAT RACING

Today saw the latest Round of the Guernsey Powerboat Association 2011 Championship over the Jethou Course.
The conditions seemed to be enjoyed by all the competitors that I spoke to after the race.
However one driver may be wishing he'd staying in bed this morning. Carl Wallbridge's Cat named 'Cody Cat' took a heavy hit near the stern cracking and holeing the hull. It quickly took on water and the motors were flooded.
The boat was saved though and towed into St Peter Port for some hasty salvage work on the twin engines. This was tough luck for Carl but lets hope is back racing again soon.
I have added pictures of the racing here:
ROUND-5 OF THE GUERNSEY POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
UPDATE: A few pics of Round 6 have been added to a new Gallery.
Incredibly 'Cody Cat' made it back into the water and to the start-line after being repaired.
ROUND-6 OF THE GUERNSEY POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

A big update has been made to the Greenman MCC Chaos Festival picture Gallery... nearly there!
The latest pics include Bands Jack Rabbit Slim, Top Buzzer, Nemesis, The Gaa Gaa's featuring Brobots, Sugar Slam, Lizzard Channel, She Haunts the Roads, Enraged, Mentallica and Spunge.
Quite a few then! This confirms what a great (and BIG) event the Chaos has become.
As I mentioned in my previous post the weather wasn't too kind but the Festival crowd were still full of energy... the Bands played a big part in this I'm sure - and the Breda (as brewed in Guernsey!)
'Keep it live' is my moto.
VIEW THE LATEST GREENMAN CHAOS PICTURES
UPDATE: Final Band pics added include Big Machine, Bulletproof, Last of the Light Brigade, Brutus Stonefist and Underneath the Sky. JOB DONE until next year!

The extremely wet and windy Greenman MCC Chaos Festival held on the exposed cliffs at Pleinmont, Guernsey is already just memories.
But they are good ones, despite the aweful weather!
There was a great turn-out for all the entertainment and the fact that both main stages were sheltered from the elements to some extent meant the Bands had a more attentive audience than usual.
This Festival is now well established and had a good number of Continental visitors. Big apologise to them - it was along way to come to get wet through to the skin!
But the good spirit and behaviour made for a brilliant time.
I was taking pics, of course, and will feature many of the Bands that appeared during the weekend. First up is the Band from Gibraltar. Breed77 combine heavy metal with flamenco sounds - it works, promise!
BREED77 AT THE GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL 2011

It has to be grudgingly agreed that this year it was Jersey that produced the best weather for their rounds of the MSA National Hill Climb at Bouley Bay.
You must understand, I'm not complaining, it is a lot more pleasant spending a day following the racing when the sun shines!
The enjoyment was completed by the fact that the Guernsey contingent did so well. A good day of Motor Sport then.
The visiting 'National' competitors impressed with some new kit. Wallace Menzies DJ Firestorm with its dramatic traction control system echoing up the valley and Mike Manning's four wheel drive Ford Puma were perhaps the most memorable.
A new gallery of pictures has now been added...
JERSEY MSA NATIONAL HILL CLIMB

I don't think that I have missed updating this web site for such a long period. I note it has been ten days!
But, that doesn't mean I haven't been busy taking pics.
My Commercial work has been hectic with several large projects 'on the go'.
Also there have been a couple of big events that I enjoy covering... it is one of these that is featured in todays update. The latest picture Gallery features the MSA National Hill Climb at Le Val des Terres in Guernsey.
This was a very wet event which brought with it all the inconvenience and discomfort of steamed-up spectacles and lenses and the use of protective covers for my equipment.
Of course this is just the same for all the racers and helpers. Somehow a 'spirit of togetherness' comes out and with the right attitude we all end up enjoying the experience. We are an odd lot!
So the first pics can be viewed using the link below.
Other Galleries will be added to feature the Jersey Rounds of the MSA National Hill Climb at Bouley Bay.
Another very wet event was the Greenman Chaos Bike & Music Festival and I have many pics to add to the Galleries. Keep a check on the news page for updates...
GUERNSEY MSA NATIONAL HILL CLIMB 2011

What was actually only two days of Festival and Music has actually taken much more than a week of my life!
Firstly, I was pleased to play a very small part in setting out the Festival site... there goes three days.
Then there were the two Festival days. Hot, long and non-stop... but great fun!
And then the inevitable sorting , processing and uploading of the pictures. There goes more than a week!
I have just added the last Gallery of pictures showing some of the atmosphere, the smaller stages and the Dance tent.
The final Gallery can be viewed here:
A GALLERY DISPLAYING THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL

There don't seem to be enough hours in the day at the moment! Having spent a considerable time in the build-up to the Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts helping on-site and in the office of the organisers - then two solid days of picture taking - the task of selecting and optimising all those pics continues.
As usual, it is quite suprising how much of an event I miss/forget when chasing around trying to get the best angle on all the action. Sorting the pics is a bit like seeing things for the first time... it's really strange!
But this is what I enjoy. When I capture a 'moment' that represents a performance and occasion it makes it worthwhile.
So, the latest pictures are now on-line. The Bands include Example, The Petebox, ZeroOneZero, Twist & Pulse, Asylum Seekas, Teaspoonriverneck, Jaded Things, Nemesis and The Stowaways.
There are still more to come! Watch this space.
THE LATEST GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS PICTURES

I have already praised (lots) the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts for their fantastic inaugural show!
I have spent the day re-living the two days whilst editing and optimising some of the pictures I captured.
The first edit was done whilst playing Primal Scream's Screamadelica... and I tell the wife that this is work, shhhh!
So far the Gallery updates include Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, Hayseed Dixie, Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem and The Go! Team.
Many more Band pics and Festival pics will follow.
Check-out the Galleries here:
GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Many people doubted that it would ever happen but they lay silent now!
I suppose you can understand why there were sceptics that such a huge event could be bought to Guernsey, especially when it was just two brothers, Jon and Paul Stephen, who were organising it - virtually alone.
In the end they called in a good few 'favours' but I hope that those that helped at the last minute all felt that they played a small part in this ambitious project.
Myself, I was pleased to be a 'goffer' for a few days.
I also photographed the Festival and over the next few days will add picture Galleries of many Bands and the atmosphere.
First up are pictures of Primal Scream performing 'Screamadelica'.
How do you get such a big act for your first ever Festival? Only two guys know!
Big thanks to Jon and Paul. If you didn't attend... you missed a great one.
PRIMAL SCREAM HEADLINE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Everyone who attended the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts will want to thank the twin brothers who were behind the whole thing.
It was a massive commitment and a roller-coaster of emotions in the final build-up. But they produced 'the impossible'.
Be sure to thanks these guys when you see them on the street.
You can view a Gallery of pics here... updates during the next few days.
THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

A massive amount of organising is begining to take shape down Victoria Avenue on the Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts site.
The venue is perfect for the many attractions and Bands that are lined up to appear.
When I was on site earlier another line of heavy articulated lorries loaded with gear was squeezing though the gates.
This Elevated panoramic view shows the area which will be filled with two more 'main tents' together with bars and festival traders.
Don't leave buying the tickets until the day - there are bound to be queues.
Tickets can be purchased from Yakwax Surfshop, Red Ape Clothing, HMV &
THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL WEB SITE