It was over forty years ago but I remember very distinctly the smell of the air at Newark Livestock Market. It was thick with the scent of sheep, cattle and damp earth, mingling with the sharp tang of fresh straw. Farmers in well-worn jackets gathered in little huddles, their voices a blend of deep-voiced bargains and knowing laughter as friendly banter masked a deep desire to strike a deal. A firm handshake sealed most deals, the kind of agreement that needed no paperwork - just trust, grit, and generations of trade.

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The market dates back to 1871 but in March 2020, due to substantial and longstanding rent arrears, Newark and Sherwood District Council terminated the market's lease. The following year, the site was demolished.

This series of photographs was made in 1983 - while a sixth form student at a local school - and by which time I had already formed a burning passion for documentary photography.

Thurcroft is a village in South Yorkshire, one kilometre east of the junction of the M1 and M18 motorways. The village name is first mentioned in 1319 but is derived from the anglo-norse ‘Thorscroft’ (Thorir’s farmstead). Formerly a tiny rural hamlet, Thurcroft Colliery was sunk in 1909 and by 1923 the population had grown to around 2,000 transforming the village into a thriving coal-mining community.

 

Thurcroft’s ‘allotment association’ was formed in 1924 and an ‘annual show’ was the highlight of the gardening year. I made this series of photographs in early 1984, while at school locally.  The colliery closed in 1991 as part of the wider reduction of the British coal industry but the ‘allotment association’ continued to thrive.

Irish traditional music sessions are vibrant gatherings deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Ireland. Dating back centuries, these sessions have evolved from informal gatherings in kitchens and pubs to organised events that celebrate the rich musical heritage of the Emerald Isle.

 

De Barra’s Folk Club at 55 Pearse Street in the pretty West Cork town of Clonakilty is a famous example. A hundred years ago this was a grocery bar with a bakery and storehouse to the rear.  Today, it has become one of the most celebrated ‘Trad’ music venues in Ireland. The intimate interior is steeped in music history.  On the walls behind the musicians is a treasure trove of music memorabilia - including a Jimi Hendrix Experience platinum disk - providing the perfect backdrop to a session … all within reaching distance of the bar.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was established in 1837 by a group of "noblemen and gentry connected with agriculture in the county of Yorkshire" under the Presidency of John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer.  The following year, 1838, the Society hosted its first annual meeting and exhibition.  

 

Throughout the entire history of the Show, no photographer had ever been granted permission for a triple-A - 'Access All Areas' - pass to photograph behind the scenes and to photograph the Show itself.  In 2018, for the 160th Show, I was extremely fortunate to be granted a AAA pass.

Scooters have a rich and distinct history in England, tied closely to post-World War II industrial recovery, youth subcultures, and evolving urban mobility. Their rise to prominence can be traced through several key phases, reflecting broader social and cultural shifts in the country.​ 

 

Their cultural legacy is deeply embedded in music, film, and fashion. Films like Quadrophenia helped immortalize the association between scooters and youth rebellion. The image of a sharp-dressed Mod on a Vespa remains iconic and, even in modern fashion, hints to the Mod style continue.

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This series of photographs was made at the Scoot to the Waterfront scooter rally organised by Lincoln Knights Scooter Club in July 2019. I visited the rally with members of Harrogate Photographic Society.

On 3 April 2021, thousands of protestors gathered in central London to join the national 'Kill the Bill' day of action. The protests opposed the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which critics argued threatened the right to demonstrate. The London march, starting at Speakers’ Corner and ending in Parliament Square, became one of the most visible moments in a nationwide movement that drew in activists from across the political spectrum.

 

My coverage of the ‘Kill the Bill’ day of action was syndicated through various media agencies for national and international distribution. Several of my photographs from the event received awards, including a FIAP Medal for Photojournalism and recognition in the BIPP Regional and National Awards (winning for Editorial Photography and Photojournalism). Photographs from the series were exhibited at events including Photo Suisse International, Images Sans Frontiers and the New York Photo Fair.

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The image of the march being blocked by photographers outside Buckingham Palace was chosen by Martin Parr for inclusion in the collection of the Martin Parr Foundation.

Pole dancing is a vibrant and evolving form of artistic expression and physical fitness. With its roots in traditional strip clubs, pole dancing has now transcended its stereotypes to become a respected art form and fitness activity. Performers are often members of organised clubs, run by qualified and experienced teachers, where performers can explore the sensual yet empowering movements of the genre.

 

This series of photographs, from 2022, documents the set-up and the performances at a pole dance event given by members of the Samantha Walsh Pole Fitness Studio at a private event in Padiham, Lancashire. 

Photographs of the behind-the-scenes preparations are made in black-and-white, while the performances are made in colour.  

 

I am grateful for the very kind permission and cooperation provided by Samantha and her team of pole dance performers that allowed me to make this series.

This series of photographs, from 2025, is drawn from a larger series about ‘Church on the Street’ (known as COTS) - a remarkable faith-in-action charity and church based in Burnley and working across East Lancashire, including a significant presence in Blackburn..

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Homelessness support is one of COTS’s most visible and vital missions. Their Burnley hub provides hot meals, clothing, showers, company, and a warm space for anyone who needs it. Volunteers - many with lived experience of homelessness - offer encouragement and understanding. Beyond meeting immediate needs, COTS helps people find accommodation, navigate services, and build a path toward stability.