Looking Back - 2014

Wow - and what a year!

I will open by indulging with, what in my view, was the high point - in more than one way, and although this is a picture taken of me rather than by me there was a serious message to this daredevil stunt I did back in June Yup, I jumped out of a perfectly good aeroplane in aid of the RNLI, raising £580 in the process. I loved every minute of it and I will be back to do more skydiving just as soon as I can, with the aim of doing a solo freefall - yee-haaaa!

Well, that was June, what of the rest?
It has been a year full of great highs and unfortunate lows, both personally and work-wise.
It has been a year of decisions and changes.
It has been a year which has challenged my determination, my strength and my emotions.
It has been a year which opened up new experiences and ideas.
It has been a year where I have had some success and recognition.
I guess this is what you might expect through any year but the main thing is I'm still here, even if I have been a bit quiet of late, and I'm looking forward to great new challenges in 2015. (More of those in the next post) However, before we leave 2014 behind let me pick up on some of the favourite images and highlights from the year.

January

2014 arrived with gusto, when we felt the full Atlantic force down in West Cork.

A first visit to the wonderful city of Glasgow for Burns weekend. So much to see, including the fabulous Transport Museum. A return visit is a must.

February

Big changes! The decision was made to stop hiding and transform as Celia Bartlett Photography - a new look and a new website 

Still finding time for going out to enjoy a favourite place with a favourite walking companion

March

Back out to another favourite place - West Cork, with lots of plans to mull over

Visiting an interesting location on a shoot for a well known, quality supermarket - now one of my regular clients.

April

Another new work association with a great name - and one we already have a personal interest in to boot!

Who can't resist a bluebell wood?!

May
 

Private view for my Open Studio - with special guest.
Two weekends in April / May

Back to the stunning scenery in West Cork, with plans now starting to take shape.

June

A selfie with a difference! Admiring one of the many motorbikes at the annual Meldreth charity motorbike show.

Reaching the middle of the year with an early start for the Summer solstice sunrise at Lowestoft

July

Theatrical photography, now a regular feature throughout my working year, whether it be outdoors or indoor



 

Covering big events is also part of the working year - and the biggie of the year was the Tour de France but look who stole the show?!

Delighted to have had a sell-out souvenir book off this once in a lifetime event.

August
 

Photographing politicians - one of two I had the brief to fulfil this year:- The Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP

A visit early on in the process of the Tower Poppies - just amazing!

September 

Another ride out to the Ace Cafe London for the buzzing Annual Reunion

An extra special early-morning photo shoot at the stunning Glendalough upper lake, Co Wicklow, Ireland.

Magical!

October

Surfed back in to Ireland ahead of the West Cork Photography Weekends I had been planning for months.

A reflective evening just before my first guests finally arrived for the Photography Weekends.

And so successful they were, I am rolling them out again in Spring 2015!

November

The first of the regular annual events that take place in November - the big noise of the fireworks ...

...contrasted with capturing the serenity of the Remembrance Sunday Parade.

December 

Rounding off the year covering an event that would bring joy to many families - the Homecoming Parade - the troops had returned home from Afghanistan in time for Christmas

I would like to thank you for your support over these past twelve months and may I now take this opportunity to -

Wish you all a Very Happy New Year.
May it be full of joy and happiness!

I look forward to sharing 2015 with you.

58 Field Squadron, Homecoming Parade, Saffron Walden

Homecoming parades have become something of a regular feature in the town of Saffron Walden, and today, there was one such parade which heralded the end of an era. The 58 Field Squadron, based at Carver Barracks along with the 33 Regiment, have just completed their final tour of duty in Afghanistan, as all troops are withdrawn from the country.

An appreciative crowd had gathered around the market square on a chill and yet thankfully dry December morning. The crowd included the school children of the military families, all keen to welcome the troops back.

As the Lady Mayor Cllr Sandra Eaden inspected the troops and presented the Operation Herrick medals, the military band of the Gurkhas played 'One Moment in Time'

Following an official address of gratitude by Colonel Andrew Howard, deputy commander 8 Engineer Brigade, and a moment of reflection by the Chaplain, the troops marched back out of the market square, no doubt feeling glad to be home with their families in time for Christmas.

Pause to Remember - Armistice 2014

 The eleventh hour of the eleventh day on the eleventh month, 2014

A hush fell over Saffron Walden market square for the 2 minutes silence on Armistice Day,
as the Royal British Legion flag fluttered on the town hall above.

Pause to Remember

Remembrance Sunday, Saffron Walden

The annual Remembrance Parade took place in dry sunny conditions. After the downpours of the previous night, it was a welcome relief for the huge crowd who had gathered for this notable centenary year for the beginning of the First World War and what had been the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Along with the Engineers from Carver Barracks, all armed forces were represented as well as the respects being paid by other organisations from the town. The salute was taken for the Last Post, before hearing the church clock strike eleven, the start of the two minute silence.

Following a short service and the wreath laying, the parade was led by the band of the Air Cadets, leading the way to the service at St Mary's Church, those lining the route, including the town dignitaries and The Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, applauding as the soldiers passed by.

I will now leave it to the images to tell the story.

Lest we forget

Saffron Walden Fireworks 2014

Once again, the Saffron Walden Round Table excelled with the annual fireworks display on The Common last night. Famously a free event, it was estimated that over 10,000 people gathered to watch on a comparatively mild evening, with just enough wind to disperse the excess smoke but not so much it blew the display off course - or worse, the bonfire flames onto the surrounding trees, as it did last year.

Set to thoughtful music, there were enough light bursts and bangs to wow the crowd, leading to many comments circulating that it was the best display in a number of years. Even the youngsters were able to create their own light displays with the light sabres and glow sticks which were on sale to help swell the money raised for local charities. As has become the tradition, the Round Tablers do a bucket collection, which is a successful way of raising the funds to finance the display as well as the charity collection. I'm sure there will have been a huge collection raised last night.

The evening rounded off with the traditional lighting of the bonfire, only this year it started with a real bang (planned), causing many around to jump when they felt the force of it, along with the heat of the explosion. Then it all calmed down again before the crowd began to disperse and no doubt planned to be back same time, same place next year.