Concerto

Busker’s fingers

The fingers play up and down the keyboard as though he were a bloggin’ busker, the opposite hand picking out chords on the “concerto” accordion, the mellifluous tones trying hard to soften the sound of the beating raindrops as he stands almost alone in a near deserted King Street in South Shields.

The sound of a few coins dropping into his hat lying nearby would be music to his ears.

Camera detail; Konica Minolta Dimage Z3, 420mm lens, 1/250 second f5, iso 400

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Remember D-Day

64 years on

It was a poignant moment, around 64 years after the main event, when over 850,000 allied troops made the biggest ever seaborne invasion of the Normandy coast in France, set upon liberating mainland Europe from the occupation of German troops. Now, at the annual Mayor’s Sunday Parade in South Shields, we were proud to see men of the South Tyneside branch of the Normandy Veteran’s Association carrying their colours into St. Bede’s Church on Westoe Road.

Still proud to wear their uniforms, still thinking of their fallen friends and brethren, and we are still thankful for their sacrifice.

Camera details; Penatx K100D, 57mm lens, 1/90 second, f8, iso 200

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On Parade

Mayor’s Sunday

We held our annual Mayor’s Sunday Parade on the 15th. June in South Shields, an occasion for the councillors and the people of the borough to come together for a service, in this instance, at St. Bede’s RC church in Westoe Road, to ask for guidance for the new Mayor and Mayoress. Our Mayor this year is councillor Alex Donaldson and he was joined by Mayors from some of our neighbouring boroughs.
The parade was led by the South Tyneside Pipes and Drums seen here passing the forecourt of South Shields Town Hall.

Camera details: Pentax K100d, 28mm lens, 1/500 second f8, iso 200

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Walkies!

Great North Dog Walk

It’s difficult to believe but behind this crowd of people and pooches at the start line on The Leas, South Shields there are another 12,000 odd lined up behind! We broke the record again on Sunday, 12,339 dogs representing 162 breeds took part in the 3.5 mile walk along the cliff tops.

The tape was cut to start the walk by South Tyneside’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Cllr. John and Mrs. Anglin.

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 450mm lens, 125 second, f13, iso 200

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The Kookaburra

Cricket at Whitburn

The Kookaburra is one of the most popular willow bats for cricketers in South Shields and around the world, it is used by professionals and amateurs alike. There is beauty to the beast that is blessed in no other bat. Its Ferocious power holds the ability for one to control the game. The massive hitting zone, its arched power bow more strength, more power!

Here we see it being used in the forward defensive stroke, a straight perpendicular bat pushed down and forward against the hard leather ball. I caught the action during a match between Whitburn and Seaham and the young batsman is 14 year old Lee Henderson who shows immense promise for a lad of his age. He has already been picked to represent Durham at county level in a game against Lancashire!

We are pretty strong on cricket in South Shields during the summer months, we have our own South Shields and Westoe club at Woods Terrace, another pitch at the Jack Clark Park, and another at Oakleigh Gardens, but my favourite has always been the village ground in Whitburn.

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 450mm lens, 1/750 second, f8, iso 200

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