David Cameron launches Conservative Party Manifesto in Swindon

Wow, what a morning. I was photographing at The Conservative Party Manifesto launch here in Swindon this morning.
It was presented by Prime Minister David Cameron but George Osborne and Theresa May both made speeches as well.
I have never seen so many famous faces in one place. The security must have been a nightmare. I think the whole of the Cabinet was there as was Samantha Cameron. Not only that, there were all of the famous journalists that I have only ever seen on TV. And I was in the media room with them.

Star struck, me nooooooo.

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Prince Andrew The Duke of York visits UTC Swindon

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew The Duke of York made a flying visit in the rain to The UTC University Technical College in Swindon. The site which is still under construction was rather wet and muddy and we all had to wear boots, hard hats, hi viz jackets except the Prince himself!!

The Prince seemed genuinely interested in what was going on and seemed to enjoy himself. He met a selected few of the students, parents, staff and construction workers.

Fleshcreep Simon Wegrzyn meets Swindon at Old Town Lights Switch On

simon wegrzyn

Simon Wegryzn and Mayor Nick Martin

Simon Wegrzyn and STFC

Simon Wegryzn and Rockin Robin

Simon Wegryzn

simon wegrzyn

Simon Wegryzn

Simon Wegryzn

Last night was the Switch On of the Christmas Lights in Swindon Old Town. I had a lot of fun photographing Simon Wegryzn who plays Fleshcreep in this years Panto Jack and the Beanstalk at The Wyvern Theatre. Not only was he a really nice guy he was so easy to direct and was really happy to do anything I asked of him. I am really looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the cast at the Panto over Christmas.

Swindon Regents Circus Progress

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Swindon Regents Circus

Every time I pass Regents Circus, which is quite a lot these days, it seems that the construction site and the building itself has doubled in size, it is really impressive how quickly the site is progressing. So as today has been such a gloriously sunny and warm day I thought I would take the camera and take a couple of shots. Now these are from outside the site as I do not have permission (yet) to go on site, but I am working on that one.
However it is balanced out by the really old part of the Old College which is a lovely old building and will be preserved but as yet nothing has been done and it just looks very sad. However it is far more photogenic (in my opinion) than the new one at this point in time. And so I ended up taking more shots of the old building than the new. What I would give to go and have a wander around inside the building as it is before the developer gets in there and it all changes.

Mousetrap at The Rat Trap, Swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

mousetrap swindon

Todays photo shoot was with the cast of the long running Agatha Christie play The Mousetrap which is due to play at The Wyvern Theatre Swindon next February. Where else could it take place but at The Rat Trap Pub in Stratton. And of course a nice bunch of people they were as well.

It was very very sunny outside and so made shooting outside not as easy as it could have been (and it was cold). Inside of course was no problem. I also used my Nikon d800 for the first time. Can anybody see the difference between the two cameras, which shots are on which camera??

Another enjoyable few hours I reckon.

Swindon Farmers Market Returns

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Swindon Farmers Market

Well for a number of reasons I have not blogged for a while. I have been in Spain for a couple of weeks and since being back I have carried out some photo shoots that I am not contractually allowed to use yet. But I am back now and will be blogging again on a more regular basis.

This shoot was for and about the first day of the return of the Farmers Market in Swindon. The market has not been held for about a year and was greatly missed. The market has now been reinstated and will be held every Thursday from now on.
It was interesting from my point of view as the stall holders were very friendly and happy to pose but it was so good to see how positive they were about the economy and the future. The bread sold out in the first few hours and the vegetables were not far behind either. I had heard that generally people are starting to spend a little more on quality rather than quantity and from what I could see they could be right.

So get yourself down there on Thursdays and get not just fresh but really tasty (yes I did try everything whilst I was there)!!! fruit, veg, bread etc.

Swindon Big Summer Session The Audience

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Just a small selection of images of the audience from the two days of The Big Summer Session in Swindon.

Now I am not going to repeat what I said in the other post. But I am going to say I thought the audience were absolutely great. Despite all of the weather problems all of the people I spoke to were happy, enjoying themselves and having a jolly good time. It is so nice to watch people enjoying themselves.

A success if you ask me.

Swindon Big Summer Session the Artists

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Summer Session Swindon

Just a small selection of images of the artists from both days of the Big Summer Session.

Now I know and appreciate that there were lots of complaint about different things and I really can not comment other than I know for definite that the organisers did work extremely hard to make it a success. There was so much hard work going on behind the scenes that people dont see and are to ready to complain. And of course there was the weather. It was awful but what can you do about it. It was an outdoor event and this is Britain.
After years and years of racing (running and duathlon and triathlon) that there is nothing you can do about the weather so you just have to go with it.
I did get really worried about my camera gear at one point. Mine and others cameras got very very wet and I for one got quite worried about them failing and long term damage !!!!!

So I for one apart from the weather on sat say it was a success and say thank you to the organisers for putting it on.

Bristol Save the NHS and Anti Austerity Protest March

Today I spent a few hours in Bristol at the Save The NHS and Anti Austerity Measures protest march and rally. There were a good few hundred protestors from various groups including The Radical Bloc, Save The NHS, many of the Trades Unions and other supporters. It was quite a loud march but peaceful and good natured and included The Radical Bloc Group stopping outside of Primark to protest and show their solidarity with the Bangladesh workers who ae suffering quite a lot at the moment, well probably all the time to be honest!!

This is just a small selection of all of my images which if anybody is interested more can be found at http://www.DEMOTIX.com or
please feel free to contact me directly.

Swindon, how it marks the Funeral of Margaret Thatcher a piece of history.

Swindon at the same time as Margaret Thatcher Funeral

Swindon at the same time as Margaret Thatcher Funeral

So, this is how Swindon marks a historic event. I for one am very disappointed in the fact that there was nowhere in the Town Centre to watch the funeral of Margaret Thatcher. Now this is absolutely nothing to do with any political leanings I may or may not hold, it is about an event in history and as you can see by these two photos taken shortly after ten o’ clock this morning. Which is when the funeral was taking place in London.
The Big Screen was not showing the news as it usually does and only had an advert on it for an art event that was not due to start till 11.30 so in my mind they could have shown the funeral on the big screen. Now those of you who follow my twitter will have noticed that I did question inSwindon about it and there only response (both on Twitter and by phone) was oh it wasnt planned to show it!!!!!
I also took the time to talk to several people in Wharf Green and they like me would like to have watched the funeral on the Big Screen and were as equally disappointed as I am.

As someone who likes and supports Swindon I just feel a little let down by the town on this occasion.

What do other people think?????