The last few blog posts were taken on (or near) a long distance path that runs around the perimeter of Kirklees – The Kirklees Way. A stretch of this long distance circular walk skims the Peak District National Park above the village of Holme. If you can only walk one stretch of this 72 mile path, this is the stretch I would choose!

By the way – my work that was on display at Tunnel End has now been taken down. Thanks to James and other at British Water Ways for their hard work and for selling my pictures for me!

Issues Edge near Holme – covered with heather.

Firstly, a photo from a recent walk in the heather covered hill of the Holmfirth peak district:

Now for a non-photo ramble for a change…

If you visit this site regularly, you will know that many of my shots are taken in the Peak District National Park above the village made famous by TV’s long running sitcom (record breaking “world’s longest” no less!), Last Of The Summer Wine. The BBC have now confirmed that there are to be no more episodes made – a sad day for those fans of the light hearted comedy about a group of old fellas larking about.

What of Holmfirth’s future then? Whilst I have no doubt that the repeats will be airing for years to come, sooner or later people will loose interest in Holmfirth for it’s TV fame – but hopefully that will fire the imaginations of those that ‘market’ this gateway to the peak districts. The area is surrounded by walks in this beautiful, natural (although natural might not be the right word since much of the landscape has been shaped by man and sheep) national park and has ample accommodation with bed and breakfasts galore – perfect for walking holidays or just for those who want easy access to some of the best drives in the UK (ever noticed that Top Gear are regular visitors to the region?)

Who knows – perhaps a massive demand will arise for photographic courses and tours

Perhaps a blog shouldn’t be updated for the sake of updating it but just so anybody looking at this doesn’t think I am dead…

Here are the photos that made the final cut from our holiday in Port Merrion (near Moëlan-Sur-Mer in Brittany, France – not north Wales)

Back from my holidays near Moëlan-Sur-Mer in Brittany, France. Since I tend to keep this site geared towards scenes of a more local nature I wont post many of my holiday snaps but here are a few highlights:

Update: A couple of photos from this year added..

This coming weekend (July 17th and 18th) will see the second Meltham Memories 1940s weekend staged in Meltham. I went along last year for a brief visit before heading to Nottingham to meet my new nephew for the first time! Here are a few shots I managed to nab before I left:

The whole of the village seems to get involved, dressing up, decorating shop fronts. St Bartholomew’s church hall also boasted a very well attended war time themed supper dance. Why not take a trip back to war time Britain and come and have a look? Brass bands, vintage vehicles and even a pill box in the village centre! Don’t be scared if Meltham seems to be under siege!

More information here.

Taken on a recent walk around the Wessenden area of Meltham. A fantastic evening where the light, landscape and fauna all lined up to make for one of my favourite photos in a while:

Limited edition prints are available (signed and numbered on the reverse):

18×12″ mounted and framed – £110
24×16″ canvas – £80
12×8″ mounted – £20

Other sizes and finishes available on request.

Also – I forgot to post a link to a little feature I had in the Huddersfield Examiner recently.. Click here to read about our exhibition that has now finished :S

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Things have been uber busy getting ready for Holmfirth Art Week! For those that live locally, fellow Holmfirth based photographer, Andy Leader and myself have teamed up and will be showing our work in Holmfirth Parish Church. For those that fancy a nosy, we are having a preview night on Friday (2nd July) as part of the fringe opening – free wine and possibly nibbles if you can be persuaded! 6-9pm.

These shots were all taken on a short walk I went on last week. The weather was cracking and the light was supreme! The area around Holmfirth and Meltham seems to be blessed with fantastic skies at sunset!

As promised – a few photos I managed to snap when I escaped from our stall at last weekends Cuckoo Festival in Marsden. A lovely day out in the warm April sunshine!

Marsden – the small Pennine village with perpetual events and festivals – has it’s annual Cuckoo Festival coming up. The of the 23rd, 24th and 25th will see the village filled with people yet again.

For those that don’t know about this event, it stems from The Cuckoo Legend

Many years ago the people of Marsden were aware that when the cuckoo arrived, so did the spring and sunshine. They tried to prolong its stay by building a wall around it.

Unfortunately the wall wasn’t high enough as the legend says…

…It were nobbut just wun course too low!

Amongst other things, the village will have craft fair, vintage motorcycles, maypole dancing, belly dancing, brass bands as well as the Grand Cuckoo Procession.

I will be there on the Saturday along with some other local photographers with a selection of prints on one of the stalls so come and say hello if you are around!

Marsden is within easy reach from Leeds and Manchester via the train and is only a 15-20 minute drive from Huddersfield or Oldham.

Photos are Copyright Gary J Stevenson

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Following my offer of free portrait sittings, I have been a little snowed under getting prints, frames and canvases ordered.

Just a bit of quick news.. Firstly, my exhibition at Month of Sundaes has come to and end.. For now! Watch this space as plans are under way for a new exhibition there in the coming months.

Secondly, I will have some photos for sale at the Cuckoo Festival in Marsden on the 24th of April alongside some other local photographers.

Finally, one of my photos was selected by the local paper (The Huddersfield Examiner) to feature as a picture of the week recently. It is a shot of Digley Reservoir near Holmfirth, taken from an area of moorland known as Upper Knowl:

There is a slight misquote in the article but hey.. It’s nice to get a bit of free publicity! I have since had the image printed on canvas (16″x12″) and I have to say I’m pretty pleased with it! I will be displaying it in Marsden on the 24th of April but whatever the outcome, I will be getting a copy done for myself!