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The 48 black & white portrait photographs which make up this exhibition, depict some of the most important folk musicians of the past four decades. They include such household names as Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton, Richard Thompson, Gerry Conway and The Yetties. In addition to their solo careers, many of the featured artists are (or were) involved with folk super-groups like Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. |
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| The exhibition images also feature in a book of the same name and all profits from sales of the book or exhibition prints will be donated to The Teenage Cancer Trust. Click here for details of the book. |
When Mark asked me to write a welcome and foreword for his new book of photographs celebrating the great and good of folk music I was thrilled.
I knew of his talent having seen his book of the movers and shakers of Guernsey. Then I thought why me? Yes, I care about music. Yes, I want a greater audience to appreciate it, and yes I'm probably reasonably well known from my television appearances. Come to think of it that's probably enough.
Folk music is an ongoing living reminder of our social history. The music inspires us, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and sometimes just quietly contemplative. A dear friend, a singer/songwriter described the music as a big barrel full of songs and just when you think you've reached the bottom somebody chucks up another one in at the top. Many of the people photographed have chucked in more than one, keeping alive the tradition.
Long may they continue!
Geoff Hughes
“What is it about Folk music that moves people from joy to sadness, from laughter to tears? Forces the listener to sit and wonder and then in a moment brings them stomping to their feet?
It is the people who sing their songs, tell their stories and play their music. They keep a heritage alive. Passing it on from one generation to the next.
A Gathering of Folk has taken me on a journey of thousands of miles and has been a huge privilege.
My thanks to you all for your time, your friendship and your kindness, but above all for the joy your music brings.”
Mark Leightley runs his busy studio from Guernsey and now works exclusively as a portrait photographer. He has won a string of national and European awards for his work and lectures regularly throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.
Born in Portsmouth he moved to Guernsey in 1981 where together with his wife they brought up their three children.
A Gathering Of Folk is supporting The Teenage Cancer Trust by donating all profits of book sales and any exhibition prints sold.
Cancer is shocking at any stage of life - but, in the past, little thought has been given to the particular ways in which cancer affects a young person.
The Teenage Cancer Trust sets up specialist hospital units for young people with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin's and related diseases, all over the United Kingdom.
They are designed for and partly by teenagers - where young people can be together and have fun, as well as being given the best medical treatment.
Find out more by visiting the Teenage Cancer Trust website.
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Leach Colour and Spicer Hallfield are proud to sponsor Mark Leightley's exhibition, A Gathering of Folk.
Leach Colour is the oldest professional photographic laboratory in the United Kingdom. Since 1891, Leach has produced the finest quality photographic prints for exhibitions around the world. Founder Arthur Leach was a renowned Victorian portrait photographer and the company has progressed through four generations of family ownership.
Many of today's exhibitions are produced by Leach using the latest digital imaging systems. But Leach still retains the skills to produce beautiful images using traditional darkroom methods. Such methods can still produce images of stunning depth, mood and quality. Mark Leightley's images exhibited here prove this point beyond doubt.
Leach Colour is proud to be associated with Mark Leightley. Leach provides a full range of services for the professional photographer and also produces large format graphics for retail and exhibition displays.
Contact Leach Colour on 01484 406000
Spicer Hallfield Ltd has been established since the 1960's and are the UK's leading manufacturer of wedding albums, photographic presentation products and picture frames to the professional photographer.
Spicer Hallfield Ltd, Banks Road, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8EG.
Contact Customer Services on 01844 299600
