News / Blog

The sun was shining bright when King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Guernsey for their first visit since becoming Sovereigns.

This was in dramatic contrast to the weather the Royals had experienced in Jersey just the day before. Torrential rain was not an exaggeration!

I was working as part of the 'Royal Media Entourage' alongside fifty + visiting Royal Correspondents, Videographers and Photographers.

It was quite an interesting experience. A couple of things I learnt were how hard the Royals worked to ensure everyone they met felt that they were given attention. Making the same small talk at every event needs a special ability and they were both 'Pros' at the job!

Another aspect of covering the days events was just how much time the media spends just hanging around for the next moment of interest!

Also it was educational being in the hub of activity seeing how each Correspondent set themselves up for their own reports and broadcasts. Some were live, others were videoed.

The couple of photographers and videographers who were on the (very) short-list and were allowed to follow the Royal couple very closely were working 'live' with photos being transmitted from their camera direct to their Newspapers and Agencies the moment the shutter button was pressed!

The final take-aways from the day were probably how much love and attention Royalty still gets in this changing world. Of course those who dislike the concept of Royalty would have stayed away but the huge crowds did make some sort of statement.

The other thing was how the visiting Media felt that Guernsey had put on an amazing presentation. In fact, in the Media room at the end of the day one of the visiting Correspondents thanked the local team of organisers and stated that they would love them to organise the Media requirements at every overseas event as such a good job had been done!

So well done to all those involved.

And I've ticked another (Royal) photographic box.... maybe 'by Royal Appointment' is laying it on a bit too thick though!!

I've uploaded a Gallery of photos. If you were taking part or in the crowd take a look. You might be in one of my photos.
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE 2024 ROYAL VISIT TO GUERNSEY

After having a late call to cover the Guernsey Athletics Deloitte Challenge at the Icart Loop I had a challenge of my own. That was finding exactly where the race was being run!

The Guernsey clifftops around Icart and Bon Port have a spiders web of narrow paths... so what was the route going to be?

It is quite possible to be in the wrong place, patiently waiting whilst the action is just around the corner!

In the end I did strike lucky as moments after I arrived at my chosen position the lead runner passed!

So the hike was worth it and I returned home with the required shots.

If you are interested they are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE DELOITTE ALL TERRAIN CHALLENGE

Look out, the GVC MTB riders are out and about this week for their Tour of Guernsey event.

Having missed out last year due to the Island Games, Club members were eager to face the challenge to their stamina and skills over a full week of racing at venues spread across the Island.

My photos of Stage 1 are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW STAGE 1 OF THE 2024 GVC TOUR OF GUERNSEY

Congratulations to the School of Popular Music Guernsey on reaching 10 years of teaching young and older students the art and skills needed to fulfil their creative musical ambitions.

During the decade many hundreds have achieved goals and enhanced their lives through the medium of music in all its genres.

I've had the privilege of capturing many of the special performances during the last decade. In fact I was there at the first open day of SoPM. It speaks well of the enthusiastic culture of SoPM that many of the original tutors still teach alongside some early students who are now part of the tutor team.

I had a chance to pop along to Delancey Park for the SoPM 10th Anniversary celebration 'Party in the Park' to take a few photos.

I also have a huge archive of SoPM photos taken during the last 10 years. These links are to some of the Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM PHOTOS ON MY OLD WEBSITE
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM PHOTOS ON MY NEW WEBSITE

SHOCKING NEWS, sometimes a photo doesn't tell the whole story! (Sorry for the click-bait headline)😁

I photographed Round 5 of the GVC Downhill Racing Gravity series this morning and I have to say that I'm disappointed that my pics don't reveal how wet and uncomfortable it was at Ronez and the Guet!!

So you'll just have to take my word for it. Soggy doesn't even get close!

You could also take a look at my photos and use your imagination.
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 5 OF THE GVC 2024 GRAVITY SERIES

As the Chaos Festival fog clears and my beer count has been tallied (it wasn't a record year) I've started the massive edit.

Unfortunately when I combine having a great time, live music, beer and photography at some point I end up with a lot of photos!

So there's no shortcut, I just have to plod through... but its fun looking through the memories again.

I've already uploaded a load of photos which you can view if you click the link. Please share and tag to get the word out.... thanks.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 CHAOS FESTIVAL PHOTOS

At last weekends Cricket Inter-Insular Cup T20I Series it was a case of being in the right place at the right time for me.

Sadly Guernsey were beaten by the old enemy in the first two matches of the series but luckily for me Guernsey took the win in the final match.... and that was the one I was assigned to cover!

So it was a win, win from my perspective. I've added a new gallery featuring my photos if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 CRICKET INTER-INSULAR PHOTOS

Having completed my photography of the Triathlon early on Sunday morning the day was still young!

So I had booked in another assignment to fill the rest of the morning... it would be a shame to waste that time!

So it was straight off to The Track to photograph Round 6 of the GK&MC Karting Championship. As expected there was some fantastic, competitive and close racing.

Those photos are now online on the link below.

But once the Karting was done that still left the afternoon for more action! Check back later to see how I filled that time too!
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 6 OF THE KATING CHAMPIONSHIP

Few things get me out of the front door at 06:30 on a Sunday morning!

But that's what happened when I headed off to Amarreurs for the start of the latest Guernsey Triathlon Club race.

Oh, and just in case you get the wrong idea.... NO, I wasn't taking part, just taking a few pics of those who were!

The gallery featuring my photos is now online if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST GUERNSEY TRIATHLON RACE

Saturday was a busy one for me as I started the day at the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club hillclimb at Le Val des Terres.

The afternoon saw a change of venue and Sport as I headed to North Field.... no, not for football but boxing.

I was covering 20 BOUTS! Yes 20 BOUTS of the Boxfit King of the North event. As you can maybe imagine I think that edit will take a while!

But to keep up to date the link below will take you to the GK&MC Hillclimb photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GK&MC HILLCLIMB PHOTOS

It was an early start to Sunday morning but it was worth it.

Guernsey Triathlon Club were down L'Ancresse for their Pembroke Sprint, Super Sprint and Aquathlon Series.

By 7am the sun was already rising well above the horizon promising a beautiful Guernsey summers day and it was most enjoyable spending a couple of hours photographing the competition.

I've uploaded a gallery of my photos if you want to see what these guys get out of bed for....
CLICK TO VIEW THE TRIATHLON PHOTOS

Vazon Bay entertained the GMC&CC Sandracers once again on Saturday afternoon.

This Sport seems to be facing a challenge to keep the number of entries up at the moment which is a great shame.

Every Sport has its ups and downs and the long local history of Sandracing in Guernsey will surely guarantee its future.

The thrills (and tumbles) on the wide open sands of Vazon Bay offer racers a chance to slide and speed without obstruction!

I encourage any frustrated 'road racer' to pop down to Vazon Bay and maybe sign in to marshal the racing. By being 'close to the action' you will get a far better idea of the speeds on the beach.

You might even find yourself wanting a slice of the fun... whether you are on two wheels or four!

You can also get a feel for the racing if you take a look at my latest gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST ACTION ON THE SANDS

My edit of the 2024 Guernsey Together Festival is complete, yay!

I've said this before but it's always fun and interesting 're-living' an event through the photos. Oddly, sometimes I don't even remember watching a band or photographing a group of people.... and before someone else makes the comment, yes maybe it was because of the beer!!

So with the edit finished the last galleries are online featuring the Day 2 bands and also an extra gallery offering a feel of the atmosphere and characters.

Click the link to view:
CLICK TO VIEW THE COMPLETED 2024 GUERNSEY TOGETHER GALLERIES

My workplace this morning definitely beat a 'desk job' as I photographed the GVC Adventure Cycles MTB Gravity Series Enduro ROUND 4 at Pommare.

But I'll let you into a little secret. My job's not all outdoors, sun and action as, sadly, I then have to complete the edit of my photos.... and you guessed it. That's a desk job!!

But the job's done and photos are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 4 OF THE GVC GRAVITY SERIES

The Guernsey Together Festival fills a gap in the local calendar of events and has now established itself as a 'must go to' for many.

The 2024 GTF was blessed by good weather... apart from late on Saturday eve by which time everyone was in festival spirits anyway!

It is noticeable to me that the majority of the crowd is made up of families and people who aren't regulars at the VEF, Chaos or Sarkfest (when it existed).

The GTF festivalgoers are attracted by a lineup of mostly 'middle ground' popular tribute acts and cover bands. This is not a criticism as the thousands attending prove that there is great support for the concept.

Every act that I saw received an enthusiastic reception. The overwhelming comments from those I spoke to was that they had had a great time and maybe this 'first' taste of a festival format will encourage them to add one of the other local festivals to their calendar as well.

I spent the two days wandering between the two stages (and the bar) and I've added a Gallery featuring the Saturday lineup.

Click the link if you want to view my photos:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF SATURDAY AT THE GTF

When I spoke to several riders at the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 'Twisty Sprint' event at The Track I had a different response each time.

My question was... Do you like having a Twisty Sprint in the Club calendar?

Of course everyone answered with a 'Yes'.... this was pretty obvious as they were all there taking part!

But it was the additional comments that 'split the pack' as some said they'd love a Twisty Sprint several times a year as they got so much racing... and it was so different to other events.

Another response was that they didn't really love the event but they were certain that by the end of the day their riding skills would be improved after negotiating the tight and twisty track so many times!

For a photographer I also enjoy the event as it is different. Sadly though it conflicted with another assignment limiting how much time I could spend at The Track.

Luckily I didn't have too far to go for the next job. The Guernsey Together Festival was literally just across the road!

I've now added a new Gallery featuring a few Twisty Sprint photos and I'm about to begin the long edit of two days of Festival pics!

Click this link to view the Twisty Sprint photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 TWISTY SPRINT PHOTOS

There was a family theme on Tuesday evening at Blanche Pierre Lane at the Lewis Laine Shield football final. The game was between Sylvans U14's v Rangers Black U14's.

What made it a family event was that my grandson Anton was joint Captain of the Rangers. Also there in support was his father Ric and his uncle Steve.... and of course me taking the pics!

It's safe to say we had a most enjoyable time. A 5-1 win for Rangers helped a bit! Well done guys. Great football... but I want you to work on your celebrations for next time, ha, ha 😉⚽️🍾🥇

My photos are now online.
CLICK TO VIEW THE LEWIS LAINE SHIELD PHOTOS

There was a great turnout for Round 1 of the GVC Ian Brown's MTB XC event at Delancey Park on Sunday morning.

The enthusiasm, toughness and endurance on show, particularly from the juniors, was very impressive.

The course consisted of multiple gradients mixed with longer straights and twisty corners which all worked together to make it hard for the riders to find any rhythm.

This championship promises lots more close racing. I hope to be there to give full coverage of all the action.

Photos of Round 1 are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 1 OF THE 2024 MTB XC SERIES

It seems there's never a shortage of people wanting to face the challenge of a Triathlon!

But how do you know if you can complete such an event?

Well the Guernsey Triathlon Club offers the chance of a 'taster' in the form of their 'Try A Tri'.

I covered the event today for the Guernsey Press and I've added a gallery of my photos here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 TRY A TRI PHOTOS

So as I write this it seems that we are back to the rainy season!

There is a lesson to be learnt from this and that is to really make the most of the good stuff when it happens!

This is what thousands of Islanders did on Liberation Day 2024 when we enjoyed a beautiful sunny day in Guernsey.

I spent my time up at the Last Post where the entertainment was great. I took a few pics too. They are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 LIBERATION DAY ENTERTAINMENT