Life Continues

I find it somehow comforting that, although this massive old oak has fallen and is slowly decaying, its place is taken, the canopy has closed over and life continues around it.

Sunflower Field in Autumn Mist

Much as I love Sunflowers when they are in full bloom, I think these softer images of the sunflowers in full bloom are my favourite shots of them. The bejewelled cobwebs and the misty backgrounds all add to the feel of elegant decay.

Colours of Dereliction

Photographers are often drawn to abandoned places where decay and emptiness show the collapse of the 'futures of the past'. Upper Heyford is just such a place having been deserted in 1994 and most buildings left as they were. Many of them are now deemed unsafe even though they are classified Heritage sites.  The  dilapidation gives us visual clues to the faded lives, moved communities and lack of awareness of the past. Having myself lived through the Cold War era when 30,000 USA personel were stationed there and billions were wasted on nuclear preparations, it illustrates the enormous waste of money and often lives that results from the propaganda created by politicians and media -  a lesson that never seems to be learnt by any generation.

Refined Decay at Calke Abbey

• Calke Abbey was owned by the Harpur family for 300 years including Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe who amassed a huge collection of natural history specimens. When he died, his eldest daughter, Hilda Harpur-Crewe  sold some of his collection to pay death duties but there are still many specimens left. She was succeeded by her nephew, whose sudden death led to crippling death duties (£8m of an estate worth £14m) and in 1985 the estate was transferred to the National Tust by his younger brother.  It was decided to leave the house in the decayed state that it was found. The Church, on the other hand, is well maintained.