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Keeping to this years theme of me being assigned to cover any event with Christmas in the title I found myself on Sunday morning on the sands of Grande Rocques beach.

This time the 'Christmas' link was all to do with dogs and knitted jumpers!

I was at the annual Sausage Walks Guernsey Facebook group Christmas outing... specifically for the local Dachshunds.

This was so much fun to photograph as there was so much action, colour and character.

So this was not the easiest of jobs but I think I managed to capture a few of the stars!

Click the link if you want to view the photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE CHRISTMAS DACHSHUNDS

One of the final events in the Guernsey School of Popular Music's calendar is also one of my favourites of the year.

The event is titled 'Music for Everyone' and that pretty well sums it up.

The format of the show, which is held in the theatre at Beau Sejour, is to give individual students the chance to perform as part of a professional band made up of SoPM tutors.

Once the students have 'done their thing' they recount what their own musical journey has been like on the road to taking the spotlight on stage.

After the event I'm always so impressed how well the 'Music for Everyone' title perfectly tells the story.

My photos of the 2025 show are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 GUERNSEY SoPM MUSIC FOR EVERYONE SHOW

Yes, it's that time of year again and the Panto season is upon us.

I usually find myself photographing one of the shows and this year I was at a rehearsal of the St Stephens Church 'Cinderella - The Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes'.
CLICK TO VIEW THE PANTO PHOTOS

I think there is some sort of conspiracy afoot this year. There seems to be a plan to wear me down to the point where I actually get seriously into a Christmas good mood!

My Christmas spirit was something that wore thin during my thirty-five years working in retail!

However it seems that this year my name has been top of the list for any seasonal photo assignments... installing the town church square Christmas lights... Hanging from a crane photographing the installation of the star on the top of St Peter Port's towering Tree of Joy... and yesterday I was sent to take photos of the amazing Winter Wonderland lights!

What's left I wonder? Carol singing? Father Christmas squeezing down a chimney? Children sledging in the snow? Well maybe not that one!

For now you can see my photos of the 2025 Winter Wonderland which are now online. They feature the magical evening event held within the gardens owned by the Bachmann family in the aid of Charities.

A huge number of islanders took the opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit whilst exploring the fairy-tale scene featuring thousands of lights... it was truly magical.

So the question has to be 'Did it work its magic and get me feeling festive?'

Well I did dig through the wardrobe looking for the Xmas jumper and I'm starting to look at the mince pies in M&S, so there's hope for me yet!

HO,HO,HO

View my photos of the stunning displays by clicking the link:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE 2025 WINTER WONDERLAND

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this particular assignment.

This time I was sent to photograph the Diwali 'Festival of Light' at the Manor Hotel. I'd been advised that I was likely to be welcomed and that was so true.

The party was just starting when I arrived and in no time there was a wonderful display of food, the music encouraged amazing dance performances by the children and vibrant colours filled the room.

The hospitality was incredible and I had to almost 'fight' my way out as I was encouraged to enjoy the food and the evening's entertainment.

I left with some beautiful photos and they can now be viewed by clicking the link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

This year my diary has been full of 'Christmas' assignments.

Clearly there is some sneaky plan to get me into a festive mood this year.

Time will tell.... but it's going to be a challenge!

I was flying high on this particular assignment as I was photographing the installation of the Town Square Christmas lights. A perfect excuse for a ride in a cherry picker!

Click the link to view my photos:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INSTALATION OF THE TOWN CHURCH SQUARE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

I really don't know what interesting assignments will turn up each week.

That part of my job is really enjoyable and I've said before that it is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to experience so many different aspects of life in Guernsey.

A recent job was another first for me. I was asked to photograph the 'full immersion' baptisms at Eldad Elim Church. I was welcomed by the multi-cultural congregation and the service was joyous, informal and friendly.

My photos of the Reverend Howard Davenport baptising six members of the congregation at Eldad Elim Church are now online. Click the link to view them.
CLICK TO VIEW THE BAPTISM SERVICE AT RLDAD ELIM CHURCH

Well that was different!

It's hard to believe that I REALLY don't like heights. Even standing on a cliff edge or climbing a ladder makes my knees go weak!

So how can my brain not be bothered by some of the silly places my work takes me sometimes??

Over the years I have been up in many Cherry-pickers.

I've been at full height and cantilevered over on the Fire Service ladder.

.....and I've hung out of a door-less helicopter chasing powerboats as they raced!

On Sunday my 'office' was airborne once again. This time it felt like I was flying.... shame about the wind and the rain though!

But I needn't explain any more. As the saying goes, 'a picture is worth a thousand words!'
CLICK TO SEE MORE OF MY OFFICE WITH A VIEW

Last Saturday I was at St Pierre Park Hotel with the Guernsey Press team to cover their 2025 Pride of Guernsey Awards.

Once again the evening celebrated the most amazing people and the acts of kindness and achievements they performed during the last twelve months.

The photographers team consisted of just two of us so it really was non-stop action as we made sure we captured all the emotions and smiles.

I've now uploaded a new Gallery featuring my photos of the awards night.
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 PRIDE OF GUERNSEY AWARDS

The axe's (of the guitar variety) where out for a fight in Jersey when the Jersey School of Popular Music held the annual 'Battle of the Jersey School Bands' at Haute Vallée School theatre.

This years event was the best ever and was great fun to photograph.

Now this is just an idea.... but maybe we could have a 'Battle of the Bands' inter-insular someday?

Now there's an idea SoPM!

You can view the Jersey BotB's Galleries by clicking this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE JERSEY BATTLE OF THE JERSEY SCHOOL BANDS

Tantale's recent gigs have seen them as headliners, a role that they rise to with style. They have more than a decade of experience and deserve the recognition that they've earned.

But last weekend Tantale took a supporting role at the return gig of The Recks at St James Guernsey.

The combination of these two great local bands created an night to remember... and I'm not the only one who thinks so. The comments on social media have all been fervent, thrilled and excited.

I've just uploaded a few pics of the TANTALE set. Click the link if you want to take a look:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST TANTALE PHOTOS

With the 2025 Vale Earth Fair just around the corner I thought I should make one last effort to finish and update the Chaos 20-25 Festival photo gallery.

I'm sure I will have another mega edit awaiting me after the VEF but that will have to wait until my VEF Real Ale induced headache has eased!

For now you can view photos of the legendary (and last) Chaos Festival by clicking this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE CHAOS 20-25 FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERIES

First stop on Sunday morning was Petit Bot valley for Round 5 of the GVC Gravity Series. This championship is proving to be really competitive with just seconds separating the top riders.

I had to complete the shoot early due to other jobs but I did capture some of the action. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 5 OF THE GVC GRAVITY SERIES

In just one word I think the 2025 Liberation Day (the 80th) in St Peter Port was 'Spectacular'!

And if you want the longer version here is how my Thesaurus describes 'Spectacular'.....

grand, splendid, magnificent, sensational, impressive, glorious, striking, stunning, staggering, amazing, astonishing, extraordinary, outstanding, remarkable, dramatic, daring, breathtaking, dazzling, eye-catching, colourful, ostentatious, flamboyant

It was all of those!

Thank you to the many who put so much of their time into making 'Lib 80' happen and to all those who joined their fellow Islanders to celebrate such an important day.

I took a few photos and they are now featured on my website if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE SPECTACULAR 2025 LIBERATION DAY

I've managed to find some time over the holiday period to update and add new Galleries to the NEW WEBSITE.

It's a near impossible job for me to bring all my photos over to the new website as there are many hundreds of Galleries and hundreds of thousands of photos.

But I'm keen to give the new website a fair representation of my photographic work over the decades so when I find a few spare hours I'll continue with this chore!

So, at the moment, if you are looking for photos of a particular event or personalities you might have to use the search option on BOTH sites! But remember that ALL NEW photos from 2023 onwards are only added to the new site. Good luck and happy hunting!

Here are links to each of the websites. Happy hunting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW WEBSITE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OLD WEBSITE

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

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

It's always a fun afternoon when I'm assigned to photograph the Lions Club Donkey Derby.

The format barely changes from year to year.... but why change a winning formula?

This year the Lions Club had arranged a beautiful sunny summer afternoon and that encouraged a great attendance of eager punters keen to lose a couple of quid at the Tote as everything was organised for raise funds for Charities.

I've uploaded a new Gallery to display my 2024 Donkey Derby photos.
Click this link to view the Donkey Derby photos:
CLICK TO VIRW PHOTOS OF THE 2024 DONKEY DERBY

I had an enjoyable weekend covering just a few of the many events taking place in Guernsey. Please don't ever try an tell me that there's nothing to do in our Island. You just can't be looking hard enough!

One of the most entertaining was the 2024 Medieval Fete d'Etai held within the walls of Castle Cornet. Displays and re-enactments were presented by Tol Galen and the Companie of the Duke's Leopards from Jersey.

I've added a small gallery of photos to my website if you want to see what happened.....
CLICK TO VIEW THE FETE D'ETAI DISPLAYS

I think I'm done!

The Chaos Events Music & Bike Festival is one of my highlights of every year even though it is a 'working' holiday - but it's great fun too.

But I always end up with a big photo edit.... well it is three days of photography combined with quite a lot of beer!

So the editing has to fit around my normal week of photography and that delays completion. BUT, I get there in the end and the final Chaos 19 photos are now online.

I think I deserve a beer or two! Click the link to view the Galleries....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETED GALLERIES OF CHAOS 19 PHOTOS