Cumbria has a stunning landscape but the very terrain that makes it so beautiful can also make it inaccessible in some areas to people with mobility issues and wheelchair users.

The annual Maryport Trawler Race is planned for July 2021 but COVID-19 restrictions may affect whether the race is run this year. I thought it might be a good idea to use this blog post to raise awareness of the event and to support the organisers.

The recent pandemic lockdowns prevented many people from travelling to pursue their photography hobby but, while stuck at home, photographing garden birds can be the perfect way to try a different subject.

On May 9th, 2021 the Lake District National Park celebrated its 70th birthday. England’s largest national park was designated as the UK’s second park for the nation on May 9, 1951.

Once again, thanks to the organisers, I was invited to photograph the 2014 running of the annual Maryport Trawler Race on Saturday 17th May. Again the weather on race day was ideal, warm with clear skies and a little wind to whip up some swell to create sea spray and breaking bow waves. The waves increased as the race started giving some impressive spar photos.

Once again, thanks to the organisers, I was invited to photograph the annual 2013 Maryport Trawler Race on Saturday 19th May. After the appalling conditions at last year’s race I went prepared for bad weather but this year it was a glorious summer’s day with clear skies and calm seas. There were more boats than ever leading to some close racing and some good photos.

After missing last year’s race due to bad weather I was again invited to take photographs of the 2012 Maryport Trawler Race, so off I went on Saturday 4th August to see what the day had in store. My first race in 2009 had beautiful weather, blue skies and calms seas. 2010 was similar but the sea was a little choppy. 2012, however, was a completely different day.

This photograph was taken during a stunning sunset at Whitehaven harbour in August 2010. The image shows the Millennium Wave lit up in neon blue against the rich orange sky. The Millennium Wave is an iconic sculpture along the length of Whitehaven’s Lime Tongue Quay reaching the 40m tall Crow’s Nest mast.

On Saturday 13th August, I was again invited to join the Maryport Trawler Race as photographer for the event. This year I was fortunate to join the Isle of Man Fisheries Protection Vessel (FPV) Barrule, an impressive boat and astonishingly quick.

On Saturday I was invited to join the Maryport Trawler Race as photographer for the event. The race organiser is one of my work colleagues so offered me the opportunity to photograph the boats. The day was perfect with calm seas and clear blue skies.

I received a request from VT Nuclear Services to go to a local playgroup to take photographs of a donation in support of their work with local children. Haile Playgroup, near Egremont in West Cumbria, were awarded a donation of £700 towards the purchase of a climbing frame and safety mat for children in the under 5 group.

An evening out with VT Nuclear Services and Maryport Rescue inshore lifeboat along with presentation of certificates for a sea survival course sponsored by VT Group.