I’ve collected photos since the 60’s – my homes are full of them – heroes / icons of my youth – along with views of my hometown, my roots and my favourite place (The Lakes).  My two favourite Lakeland photographers are Old Lancastrian Jon Sparks and Cumbrian legend Phil Rigby – both of whom are totally in tune with the character and ebb and flow of life in Cumbria, Lancashire and The Lakes.

Jon has just published Lancashire in Photographs, a beautiful collection of images which captures the diversity of my home Red Rose County.  And Phil has just published Portrait of Cumbria, Life and Landscape – curated by Cumbria Life’s visionary editor (and Phil’s mate) Richard Eccles.

These books are a must for Lancastrians / Cumbrians all over the world.

Why am I telling you this?

Because Phil retired last week as Picture Editor of all CN Group’s magazines – 30 years on.  He shot both my Grasmere homes and became part of the ‘Family’, so connected was he to our homes and our ideas; the photos he took were a visualisation of our dreams.  A special man with a special eye and a special gift.

Cumbria will be poorer without him interpreting and sharing it.  But I understand via the Cumbrian grapevine that he’ll continue as a freelancer taking photos for Cumbria Life.

I hope that’s true.

Keep Going Phil.

KR