I live in Wotton-Under-Edge, literally under the edge of the Cotswolds escarpment which is a result of geological uplifting (tilting) of the surface limestone layer, exposing its broken edge. This escarpment is sometimes called the Cotswold Edge and it has the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile long-distance footpath, running along it and past my cottage. This is my physical connection with this particular type of Edge. So the evolving collection below makes a play on words in order to be included in this outlier section of Connections with the Edge.
Wotton overlooks the Severn Valley and is a market town with a history dating back to AD 940. It has many independent shops and a strong community and cultural life. For the past five years I have organsied the monthly jazz jams at the local Under the Edge Arts centre and I go walking in the area. My daughter went to the local Secondary School Katharine Lady Berkeley. Wotton is located in Gloucestershire on the southern fringe of the Cotswolds; the latter was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966. Being on the 'edge' and 'fringe' of things makes Wotton very interesting.
Below is a selection of photos I have taken, in and around my chosen home, from June - December 2022 (usually, I state if not) mainly using the camera that I bought with the help of a small inheritance from Aunty Dot. I indicate when photos were taken on my mobile phone. The mobile phone is more intimate as it is ubiquitous, people don't really notice you using it as much compared with a full on camera with a zoom, I always have my mobile on me, and as such it captures my connections with the people and places on the edge. This is a magical place.
Organising themes:
- My cottage or close by
- Driving around the area
- Lets the sun shine
- Westonbirt National Arboretum
- Coombe lake on my figure of eight walk through the seasons (mobile phone)
- Portraits of the Daughter
- Out and about with the son and daughter (all taken on mobile phone, unless stated otherwise)
- Soundcheck
- Bristol Bears - Ashton Gate (mobile phone)
- Nights out in Bristol, Nights out in Bristol, Stroud etc. - the gigs
- Nights out in Bristol - people and places
June - December 2022 (portfolio #1)
1. MY COTTAGE OR CLOSE BY
I was not a gardener until I bought my little cottage! Got help from Billy. Before (2019) and after (2021/2) shots below, taken on my mobile phone.
(Navigation tip: each pic enlarges to a better quality when you click/tap on it, you should then be able to step through the photos using arrow to the right/left of the photo.)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(above 5 mobile phone)
(mobile phone - January 2022)
If the video won't load refresh the page. Yesterdays, written Jerome Kern, arranged by Andrew Colman based on the Tubby Hayes version. Video by Jerry Capon filmed at the South Cotswolds Jazz Club in Wotton that I run. This is the Second Friday Jazz Jam 11/11/22. Good turn out of players and punters. Simon Wilde was a star doing the sound and the bar ... great evening..
(mobile phone - above 2 pics March 2022)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
2.DRIVING AROUND THE AREA
(mobile phone)
3. LET THE SUN SHINE
(mobile phone)
4. Westonbirt National Arboretum
5. Coombe lake on my figure of eight walk through the seasons (mobile phone)
March 2022
(above 10 captured on my camera)
6. PORTRAITS OF THE DAUGHTER
7. OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE SON AND DAUGHTER (ALL TAKEN ON MOBILE PHONE, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE)
(above 2 pics mobile phone - June 2022)
(above 4 pics mobile phone - June 2022)
(above 7 pics mobile phone - August 2022)
(camera)
8. SOUNDCHECK
(mobile phone - May)
(mobile phone - May)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(2nd & 3rd pic mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
Above 2 by Judith Boniface my camera
(above 7 mobile phone, 7th by Francis)
(mobile phone)
9. Bristol Bears - Ashton Gate (mobile phone)
Sept 20221
Above 4 pics October 2021
Above Sept 2021
Above 2 pics March 2022
Above 2 pics Nov 5 2022
10. NIGHTS OUT IN BRISTOL, Stroud etc. - THE GIGS
(mobile phone)
(mobile phone)
Mobile phone
(mobile phone)
11. NIGHTS OUT IN BRISTOL - PEOPLE AND PLACES
(mobile phone)
Great images John–Much admired your Tribute to Granddad–inspires my to do the same for mine- GCM. Sgt. Maj. David Gresty- Lancs. Fusiliers-Gallipolly-Some-etc. If I don’t make a record it will all be lost. Time and motivation!!
Thanks for the superb Jazz Jam at Wotton on Friday. Please pass my compliments to all in the group.
Barry Spencer.
Hi Barry, thank you for your kind words. I felt it important to honor Grandad Sidney otherwise ‘it will be lost in time’ as you say. Glad you enjoyed the jazz, good evening and looking forward to seeing your drawings. We have a video on our web site of you doing you sketches/drawings as we play Jeannine: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1783619571927362/posts/3379951318960838/ I looked at your site and do like your drawings … Regards John