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Market Trader In Bordeaux

January 19, 2026

I made this from a photograph I took of a market trader in the historic Saint Michel district, in Bordeaux in 2025. The market is a remarkable place that reminded me of the old Brick Lane market in London’s East End as it was thirty years ago. I love her face which reveals the hard working stoicism of a market trader who will be out working in all weathers.

‘Market Trader in Bordeaux’ – mixed media on paper, 2025.
‘Market Trader in Bordeaux’ (detail) – mixed media on paper, 2025
Shopping at the Sunday market, Brick Lane. East London 1984.

You can buy a signed copy of my latest photo book here.

Mark Simpson At The Tung Auditorium

January 17, 2026

On Wednesday 14 January, composer-in-residence with the Liverpool Philharmonic, Mark Simpson, performed his work Geysir at the Tung Auditorium with his ensemble, comprising players from the Phil. In 2006, aged 17, Mark won the BBC Young Musician of the Year award with a brilliant performance on the clarinet. He has since established an international reputation as both a composer and soloist.

A current geological definition of a hot-water geyser is “…a hot spring characterised by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase”. I have never had the pleasure of seeing a geysir (the Icelandic word for geyser), but the performance of Mark’s work might well provoke interest in the phenomenon.

It was a marvellous concert that also included music by another Liverpool-based composer, Gary CarpenterPantomime for 13 winds—and Amistad for basset clarinet and bassoon by Simon Holt. The evening concluded with Mozart’s Gran Partita, which was an influence on Mark Simpson’s Geysir.

Mark Simpson introducing the evening with a mucial illustration.
Mark Simpson at the Tung Auditorium.
Mark Simpson talking to the audience at the Tung Auditorium.
The Mark Simpson Wind Encemble.
Gary Carpenter about to take a bow following the performance of his work ‘Pantomine for 13 winds’.
Mark Simpson thanking his Wind Ensemble.
Mark Simpson thanking his Wind Ensemble.

You can buy a signed copy of my latest photo book here.

Around East London (49)

January 13, 2026
Having a rest. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Taking a break. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Watney Market c.1985
Watney Market. East London 1985.
Having a smoke on Brick Lane. East London 2024.
Dunch Street. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Dunch Street. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Cyclist on Brick Lane. East London 2024.
Passing the optician. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Passing the optician. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Watney Market c.1984
Shopping. Watney Market. East London 1985.
Collecting food and money for the miners in East London 1984
Collecting food and money for the miners. Watney market. East London 1984.
On the phone. Watney Market. East London 2017.
On the phone. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Man with a bicycle. Watney Market. East London 2017.
Man with a bicycle. Watney Market. East London 2017.

You can buy a signed copy of my latest photo book here.