Over the last year or so, my photography has centred more on recording the history, social or otherwise, of my city - Stoke on Trent. I've a personal project capturing the pubs of Stoke, but I also keep abreast of what's happening culturally too.
Sad news is the forthcoming closure of Webberley's book store - 102 years young and a multi-floored maze of categories and covers. First floor also has an extensive range of art materials, the best in the City. The owners are retiring and whether or not the shop could be sold as a going concern is not known, but bricks and mortar is rapidly giving way to internet supply. Either way, my biggest fear is that this grand old lady of Hanley (we've a unique geography here!) will be torn down, or covered in franchise neon.
In brighter news, yesterday was a national Heritage day and I revisited a haunt that was once my most loved place outside of the home, Stoke library. No longer a library and bought by private money, refurbishment uncovered 150 year old tiles from the Minton's factory. These blue and white tiles offered a most likely illiterate workforce to enjoy bible tales and folklore by looking at the pictures displayed on all four walls. I've got a number of shots of them on my hard drive, but yesterday was a chance to create another joiner shot of a wonderful piece of architecture.
Above the lower door, is a mosaic of William Shakespeare.
Carl
Sad news is the forthcoming closure of Webberley's book store - 102 years young and a multi-floored maze of categories and covers. First floor also has an extensive range of art materials, the best in the City. The owners are retiring and whether or not the shop could be sold as a going concern is not known, but bricks and mortar is rapidly giving way to internet supply. Either way, my biggest fear is that this grand old lady of Hanley (we've a unique geography here!) will be torn down, or covered in franchise neon.
In brighter news, yesterday was a national Heritage day and I revisited a haunt that was once my most loved place outside of the home, Stoke library. No longer a library and bought by private money, refurbishment uncovered 150 year old tiles from the Minton's factory. These blue and white tiles offered a most likely illiterate workforce to enjoy bible tales and folklore by looking at the pictures displayed on all four walls. I've got a number of shots of them on my hard drive, but yesterday was a chance to create another joiner shot of a wonderful piece of architecture.
Above the lower door, is a mosaic of William Shakespeare.
Carl
