The most enjoyable by far of my various shooting assignments for the 'Within Walking Distance' project is a research trip down Langley High Street.
Outside it's a cold, grey and drizzly day, but we receive such a wonderful warm welcome from the High Street shop-keepers. They are all too happy to share their experiences of working in the heart of the community.
A prime example is 'Elaine's', a discount store packed to the gunnels with an amazing selection of, well, pretty much everything! Just a little further along is a neatly-stacked, independent pharmacy, the marvelous 'Card 'n' Gift Box' run by a lively young lady determined to keep the community spirit alive and further down still, Premier Cars, a busy local taxi-firm.
Unlike so much of contemporary Britain, Langley High Street remains a vibrant hub within the community it serves.
My second shoot for 'Within Walking Distance' takes place at the community centre in Langley Park, just round the corner from the library.
The centre is run by Sandwell Irish Community Assocation and plays host to The Golden Years Club once a week on a Tuesday.
I arrive early and help set out the tables. Leda, the lovely cook, is already hard at work peeling a mountain of potatoes. Previously a catering manager with the Council she now works at the centre. The menu she's chosen is one of the Club favourites - gammon followed by apple crumble and custard.
I wander round chatting to members as they arrive and take their seats. Meanwhile at the top end of the hall, Graham, the bingo-caller makes preparations for his session.
We've come to explore memories of Langley past so books, newspaper cuttings and old photos are passed round. So many stories are shared. The lady from Cork planning her holiday, the wife of a Minister who's spent forty years working in the Church Assemblies of God, a mother and daughter who chat about time past at the old Grammar School.
Conversations are brought to a temporary halt as the prize draw is called, the winners helping themselves from a trolley of sweets and canned food.
Many of the members of the Club nurse disabilities and chronic illnesses, some sadly terminal, but there's an immense warmth to be found here. Fellowship, memories and laughter at the heart of a Black Country community.
Dear Sheddists,
a few months ago my future son-in-law asks if I would like to get involved in a new project funded jointly by Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
'Within Walking Distance' is the project in question and it brings together history, poetry, photography and animation to celebrate the unique heritage and culture of Langley, in the Black Country.
The project has been initiated by the Friends of Langley Library group and it focuses on twenty five famous landmarks, some old some new but all within walking distance of Langley Library.
My role will be to document the various events that bring together the local community during the course of the project.
My first assignment is at Smethwick Library where the Friends Group carry out much of their research. I watch as they study books, maps, micro-fiche cards and on-line resources to collect invaluable information both about local sites and the people who made up the social history of Langley.
Here's the group hard at work ...
