Goodbye 2000s #2

More photos from the archives...

Slap Alice came along to the Aveling & Porter building for the demo yesterday. Afterwards, we went along to the Nag's Head where the ME1 album was playing. She slipped away before her song came on, but I stayed behind alone to listen. If you haven't downloaded the ME1 album yet, do it now. The 21 track album is FREE, but there is a button so you can donate to Oxjam and Amnesty International if you like. Slap Alice is playing at Poco Loco on 30th January.

At Medway Eyes presents... Sounds of '67 - January 2009

At Medway Happenings - August 2008

Legitimised Vandalism

Another George Bond building is being bulldozed, to make way for a car park - a charming view for visitors to Rochester Castle. At the Aveling & Porter demolition protest on Thursday, it was rightfully pointed out that if the average citizen did what the council are doing, they would be arrested. Medway Council seems to think it has the right to strip our towns of their heritage, to ignore our voices and violate its own code of conduct. The council seems to have forgotten that it does not own these towns, it is just a caretaker, yet is not taking any care at all. What will this mindless minder be passing on to the next generation? All that will be left is a clinically beautiful historic Rochester surrounded by rubble; the remnants of the council's destruction.

Criminals. Vandals. Liars. Thieves. Oh, and kerb crawlers. Medway Council. Serving You.

Memories #1

I've been scanning lots of old photographs recently. My nan is something of a hoarder, which has brought both delight and misery.

I found this letter with a postmark of 1957 when my dad was seven years old. I've left the spelling mistakes in because it's sweeter that way. I know that my dad broke his arm at around this age so I imagine he may have had to stay in hospital. Unfortunately, there's nobody left to ask. Dad is dead. Grandad is dead. Nan has dementia. It's hard to imagine that my dad was ever so vulnerable, that he was once the age of my own young son....

Dear mother and father
Please buy me a model Air-craft or nelsen ship. I'm getting on all right. It is nise here but I'm still afraid. I wish I coude go home but I can't. hope you are well.
Love from Sammy. 

Talking About Regeneration

The demolition of the Aveling & Porter building began today.

Please read the Medway Eyes blog
and get angry enough to do something.

Goodbye 2000s #1

All that faff over the new millenium and here we are, ten years later, saying goodbye to another decade. With a desire to put the last few years behind me and embrace whatever happens next, I've decided to share some of my favourite photos here. Some will make the cut because they are aesthetically pleasing, interestingly composed or beautifully executed (for me at least) and some will make the cut because my favourite people are in them.

This lot are all strangers, but still they are my favourites.

Taken at Riverside Live '08. I was intrigued by her expression and body language. I have no idea who or what she was looking for and I still spend way too much time wondering about that. I wish that I'd asked her. She could have been waiting for a pizza or a lover, watching the skateboarders or the distant clouds, or simply trying to decide if she should have another drink. I'll never know, and she's probably forgotten. It'll be one of those tiny forgettable moments in her life, but will have me wondering for the rest of mine.

Taken back in July 2007. The guy on the left insisted I take his photo as soon as he saw my camera. His friends kept walking, somewhat embarrassed by his flamboyant posing. I get a lot of people asking me to take their photos, especially when I'm out at gigs, and they always ask for a card or what website they'll be appearing on. There is an assumption that photos will be made available online, especially when people are captured out clubbing. It's a fairly new sort of an assumption, strange, interesting and slightly alarming. I found it refreshing and fascinating that this guy insisted on having his photo taken but showed absolutely no interest in seeing it. As he walked away, he said "Does my bum look big in this?" I made the mistake of looking. He laughed.

Taken at Sweeps Festival, Rochester, 2008. If this geezer was in a Guy Ritchie film, I'm sure we'd all be scared shitless, but he looks so at home in his pink glittery hat, with his lovely black handbag, giant teddy and dolphin balloon. This shot typifies that family man/gangster character which is so prevalent in those 'ard man films, not that I'm making any assumptions about this actual man - I'm sure he's very lovely, and he does look gorgeous in pink. I'd like to thank his family for abandoning him with all the fairground paraphernalia, an act which led to one of my favourite candid shots of 2008.

More coming soon...