October 2023

PM in the AM

I met former Prime Minister Gordon Brown early on a Sunday morning at Govan & Linthouse Parish Church this month. I was photographing the visit as part of the church’s  ‘Year of Celebration’ marking 150th anniversary of the life and work of the Church in Govan. His father Rev Dr John Brown was a past minister at the church. Also present was his brother John, who I had known from working at the Glasgow City Chambers.  They were both doing  readings at the service. I was made so welcome, especially has there was lots of tea and cakes upstairs in the church hall.

Pumpkin Time Again

I had my annual visit out to Arnprior Pumpkins this month. Rebecca had hundreds of super sized pumpkins in their field. I love the farm as my granny and mum were evacuated their during the war and had many good memories. The amazing thing was they went back to Glasgow at weekends. The photo call got such a good show in all the national papers.

Cool colours in the Sick Kids Hospital

I met Dr. Alyson Walker, Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthetist, at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. I photographed her in the first phase of the Theatre Improvement Initiative. Her vision is to make the theatre and reception areas much more attractive to the youngsters that come into the hospital. The centrepiece of the flagship project is an ambitious art installation by illustrators Laura Darling and Mark Faulkner. Stories from patients, families, communities, and staff were collected and brought to life in artwork that flows throughout the whole Department. The reception space, where I photographed Alyson, features an urban scene that transitions into a countryside setting along the corridors, mirroring the journey from urban business to rural calmness. You can read the whole article here. 

50 Years of Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society

I had a lovely evening at a civic reception at the Glasgow City Chambers celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society. 
Glasgow Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, was joined by Stuart Robertson Director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society and Michael Dale, chair of the trustees. I photographed them beside a Mackintosh chair crafted by Bruce Hamilton. I loved the yellow rose in the picture, as  yellow roses were used in many of  Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s stained glass and paintings.

Cool Vans

I was down at the Titan Crane in Clydebank visiting the cool Jules  from Staycation Scotland. The camper van hire company based in Clydebank are now hiring out their vans to trades people like joiners, painters, florists, anyone who might need the use of a van without having to buy a new one. What a great idea from Jules, who now adds Browns Vehicle Hire to her commercial business.

Under The Microscope

I love Silent Witness. I also loved Quincy, so when I got the chance to work with the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services I jumped at it. I am not involved with individual cases but more in the process of what they do and how they do it. Such as illustrating the end of year reports, brochures and information website. Getting in to the labs is amazing, seeing where things happen. I even get to wear my own white coat. The pages I have shown here were used in their magazine. It is fascinating the detail they can go into. It would keep me on the straight and narrow and what a nice bunch too.

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