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Another year over, another collection of community stories from a small town somewhere at the back of beyond. This is the photography that occupies most of my time.
V1 The big story of the spring was the opening of our new library/community services building. This title was sitting serendipitously on a shelf as I photographed the librarians unpacking our 16,000 brand new books.
V2 Meet Michael, a lovely man. He had followed the library's progress with keen anticipation, always asking us for copies of any new photos. On opening day he volunteered to serve the refreshments. We were both so busy, I clean forgot to take a picture of him in action. I took this one the following day by way of an apology.
V3 Northumbria in Bloom, the Spring Judging visit. Of course it rained.
V4 The Town Council's annual open meeting usually attracts a turnout that could be counted on the fingers of one foot. This time they had the bright idea of inviting local community groups to set up displays. They also offered refreshments. Oh, and there was a slide show of our photographs on a big screen. When it came to the actual meeting the place was packed to the rafters, we were having to pass extra chairs over people's heads.
The Hexham Courant, predictably, only reported the one acrimonious discussion of the evening.
V5 Hanging Basket Day at our wonderful Community Allotment project. This little girl was having a lovely time digging holes in compost and exploring plant roots. The press photographer arrived and started telling her to grin at the camera. She burst into tears.
Now two from our Royal Jubilee Street Party:
V6 Dancing in the street.
V7 Spam on the table.
And only a fortnight later...
V8 Our Community Band entertaining the people waiting to see the Olympic Torch.
V9 Local girl Wendy Neal having the time of her life.
Then life got back to normal.
V10 Our Ground Force litter-pick volunteers showing off their new team strip.
V11 Work goes on at the Community Allotment, where able-bodied volunteers enable mentally and physically disabled enthusiasts to enjoy gardening.
V12 They're off! July saw the revival of the Miners' Race, a tradition from the first half of the 20th Century when local miners raced for cash prizes. We don't have many miners around these parts now...
V13 An Inspector calls. The local In Bloom judge comes visiting.
V14 A patriotic summer rolled on...
V15 Awards presentations. I get to photograph a lot of these in the course of a year.
V16 The Kite Festival.
V17 Rounding off the year school children carol-singing in the town centre.
Thanks for looking, particularly if you have got this far.
And here's wishing everyone here, Pete, the ePHOTOzine staff and all the members, a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year.
Moira
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D90  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 16.0-85.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 3 Apr 2012 - 2:45 PM |
| Focal Length: | 45mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/4.8 |
| Aperture: | f/4.8 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/25sec |
| Exposure Comp: | -1/3 |
| ISO: | 200 |
| Exposure Mode: | Shutter speed priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | On, Return detected |
| White Balance: | As Shot |
| Title: | The power of the written word, and other community stories |
| Username: | 
mrswoolybill |
| Uploaded: | 31 Dec 2012 - 7:17 AM |
| Tags: | Community photography, Photo journalism |
| Votes: | 45 |
 | Variant - Report |
Comments
Only getting up to V9 thus far Moira but they all look like very high quality images for the New Year edition of The Back Of Beyond Bugle to me, great reportage. Will come back later to view the rest of tis fine photo journalistic record.
Back again, love them all but version 16 is particularly special. Nice to see somewhere with a real sense of community.
A fine collection of what must have been a pleasure to have been involved with/in. The power of the written word indeed, admirably demonstrated by your write up - lovely subtle humour.
A very Happy New Year to yourself and Bill,
All the best,
Dave
Superb set of images, all the very best to you and Bill for 2013
Hugh
What a good idea, a lovely assemblage of the yearly community dealings! I can tell from your shots that yours is a very successful community as it keeps nourishing the spirit all year round. Very well done and I love V5 the most among others for personal reasons.
I wish you and Bill a very peaceful, healthy and happy New Year with lots of opportunities to be photographed!
WOW! a mammoth end to 2012 from you Moira, brilliant! V1 shows good taste, and I really like the innocence of Childhood in V16. (Can't believe I'm saying V16) 
Have a good Evening and welcome in the New Year as you mean to go on. With a Glass in your Hand 
All the best to you both,
John
Quote: Nice to see somewhere with a real sense of community.
Quote: so much of interest goes on in your small town
Quote: There is the difference between living in the south, and living in the North! we had happier times in the North
Quote: I can tell from your shots that yours is a very successful community as it keeps nourishing the spirit all year round.
Quote: Love the community spirit
Thanks for noticing that... We work very hard on it, we need to. We are sandwiched between a much wealthier, more self-assertive town (Hexham) on one side, and Newcastle plus the Metro Centre on the other side. We are struggling to prevent the place from turning into a dormitory town. Not helped by a) a major new housing development which has no convenient pedestrian access to the town centre, and b) the North East Co-Op which owns half the main street and does its utmost to prevent any competition moving in. I could go on...
Quote: V2 could be a great idea for a project a close up documentary of people leaving the library and what books they have chosen.
That's a very interesting idea. I'm a Trustee of the Community Partnership that runs the building, I shall raise the idea at our next meeting - it would be a way to mark the library's first birthday in April.
Cheers everyone,
Moira
PS I think V16 may get her own moment in the spotlight tomorrow...
What a wonderful year for you - so much has gone into these images - I hope the coming year is also full of rich experiences for you to record.
Its hard to choose a favourite - but I love the variety of headgear in v17
Helen
lovely to see these...
children win every time....
everythng we do I feel is for the children....
A fine collection of photo journalistic images here, Moira - you've certainly been a busy girl throughout the year!
A Very Happy New Year to you too!
All the best,
Trev
A nice round-up of images to commemorate your year Moira.
I do have favorites: V5, which brought back memories of my own childhood - I love rooting around in dirt
V2 where the shadows on the pavement look like puzzle pieces.
V14 because it moves me.........
V16 - a celebration of childhood joy.
Have a great New Year's eve - you are staying up to toast it, aren't you? We have the googletalk app open so we can ring in 2013 with mum.
See you next year
Anne
Lovely set of Images Moira, I particualrly love v 14. Have great New Year ! Steve
A de light full new year to you Moira, thanks for your support and bonne annιe
Great to see what goes on in your world.. could not see them all, french outback connection on 128 kb/s
An interesting and eclectic set of images recounting what went on in your local community in the year 2012. I look forward to seeing more of the same in 2013. Happy New Year to you and Bill, Ed
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