I thought it would be nice to take a look back at what I’ve been up to with my camera this year, so here’s my photographic 2025 retrospective.
In January, winter was gripping the moors where I take my regular walks. Freezing conditions and strong winds were whipping up the snow, transforming the landscape.
Snow was still in evidence as I headed south along the Pennine Way to capture images of runners in the Spine Race, a brutal challenge in which competitors traverse the full 270-mile distance of the national trail, taking minimal sleeps.
Here’s a runner crossing the footbridge over a cloud-cloaked M62 at Windy Hill as night falls.
This year has seen the Bradford district celebrate its status as UK City of Culture, and Keighley had its own launch event in January.
This youngster shows her artistic skills in the Drawing Box session staged by Keighley Creative in the Airedale Shopping Centre.
I regularly photograph staff and events at Airedale General Hospital for its communications team. Here, senior nursing staff show their love for the job.
In February, the Airedale Hospital and Community Charity celebrated its 30th anniversary, with party hats and cupcakes.
That month, Keighley TUC, which is made up of delegates from various trade unions (including me), mounted an exhibition at Keighley Arts Hub of work of political cartoonist Alan Hardman.
The organisation’s president Steve Davison addressed the gathering.
February also saw me at Salford Quays to see comedian Stewart Lee’s show at The Lowry. This public artwork at Media City caught my eye.
Keighley College, which can trace its roots back to the formation of the town’s Mechanics’ Institute, celebrated its 200thanniversary.
Here, principal Kevin O’Hare speaks to guests who included students, representatives of Keighley companies, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, a Deputy Lieutenant and town mayor.
March saw me in London Docklands for the annual Photography and Video Show, which now alternates between the capital and Birmingham. As well as searching out some deals on gear, the show provides an opportunity to photograph professional models.
A short distance from the ExCel exhibition centre, the cable car across the Thames looked very monochromatic against the east London skyline.
It can be a challenge making interesting imagery at conferences, but James Blake, YHA chief executive, was in animated mood at the annual gathering of the Outdoor Industries Association in Cheshire.
For once I found myself on the other side of the camera for a visit by representatives of the regional media to Buckingham Palace. I joined fellow members of the National Union of Journalists inside the palace to meet the King during a pleasant champagne reception.
I reminded the monarch of his visit to Timothy Taylor’s brewery in Keighley back in 2001. “The things you do for England!” was his reply.
While waiting for my train back home, I had a wander round the back of King’s Cross Station, where the repurposed gas-holder residences were the backdrop for a mirrored walkway.
April sunshine bathed the spires and tower of the Minster during a visit to York.
While in Lancashire, I had the chance to launch the drone for a night shot of Blackpool Tower during my stay there for the NUJ’s delegate meeting.
Back down at ground level, the lights of an amusement arcade beckoned visitors on the Golden Mile.
In May, I was asked to photograph the wedding of my Keighley Creative colleague Riaz to his partner Steph in Ilkley.
That month, a wool-clad sculpture was erected on Penistone Hill, Haworth as part of Bradford 2025 City of Culture’s Wild Uplands installation.
And in May, too, council leader Susan Hinchcliffe visited Keighley Creative to meet, among others, the mysterious Keighley artist Dripsy and view some of his work.
In June Airedale Hospital staged its annual Pride of Airedale Hospital awards, in recognition of some of the sterling work of staff at the hospital.
Each year I visit Liverpool, birthplace of my maternal grandfather, for a few days at the Outdoor Trade Show. They city’s waterfront has a mixture of older and modern architecture displaying its transition from a thriving port to its more mixed economy.
I regularly work for Keighley Business Improvement District and on this occasion I was commissioned to photograph the transformed interior of the Shimla Spice restaurant.
My friend Sharon Wright, who was a colleague during my time at the Keighley News and who now lives in London, co-wrote a book with Ann Dinsdale on buildings associated with the Brontë family. Here she is causing merriment at the book launch.
Another event I covered was the annual garden party Acorn Stairlifts throws for its staff. Entertainers at the Steeton event provided a fiery finale.
While at the Woolshops Shopping Centre in Halifax, children were entertained at a dinosaur and fossil event.
The mobile City of Culture building The Beacon came to Keighley in August, where Keighley Creative and artist Naseem Darbey staged another successful Mega Drawing Box event where young and old were able to practise their artistic skills.
While up in Leyburn, my son Tom teamed up with fellow musicians in an ad-hoc band, Shatner’s Bassoon, to provide the music for Wensleydale Brewery’s summer bash.
Wearing one of my other hats as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition supervisor I was able to enjoy the Lakeland scenery in Great Langdale as dappled sunshine bathed the Pikes.
By September, work was progressing to transform the former Sunwin House store on Hanover Street into a centre for the creative arts for East Street Arts and Keighley Creative.
A trip north for a few days in Glasgow, a great friendly city where the locals take delight in showing little deference to the equestrian Duke of Wellington with his perpetually cone-adorned head.
October saw the Airedale Hospital and Community Charity welcome guests to East Riddlesden Hall for its annual ball, complete with a little fowl play.
Another commission for Keighley BID in October to capture images of Central Hall in Alice Street, and the Rock Choir members who meet there regularly.
In November our town comes together to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict, at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. These young people prepared to lay their poppy wreath in the Town Hall Square.
That month, studio holders had the chance to view their potential new accommodation at the Hanover Street building. Here, Keighley Creative events and operations manager Cat looks at plans with artist Leonie.
Keighley Creative also staged its inaugural, and successful, K-Town Comedy Club gig at its base in the former Argos store.
While in Oxenhope, Tom strapped on his bass again to join fellow musicians playing covers of the Fab Four’s songs at a charity ‘Beatles Drive’ at the village community centre, raising cash for Manorlands and dementia charities.
In a new move, Keighley Town Council obtained a road closure of North Street to place an outdoor stage on the road for the Christmas lights switch-on. Here, Marigold Addams belts out songs as artificial snow falls on the audience.
Then to Harrogate for a Christmas event at the Victoria Shopping Centre where children were able to don lab coats and PPE to test toys during a day staged by the Toyland shop.
In December I decided to invest in a better drone, capable of more professional images. Here’s a night shot of Keighley, with North Street running diagonally up the centre of the picture.
One of my final events of the year was a screening of the amazing film I Swear, shown by The Unit and Keighley Creative at the latter’s Stockroom Cinema. After the audience watched the movie, they were able to quiz producer Piers Tempest, right, in a question and answer session.
It’s fair to say I love my work as a photographer, and I hope to continue for some year yet. During 2025 I did undertake a project for Bradford 2025 which is still under wraps, but which will be unveiled in the New Year, so watch this space.
