Salisbury Cathedral

On Thursday night, I tagged along with members of the Andover Split Image Photographic Society to Salisbury Cathedral.

We all met up, had a chin wag, then set to work.

Luckily, the Cathedral had a concert on that night, so I managed to persuade my way in, just before they closed for a quick couple of internal shots. 

As the sun set, their was not a cloud in the sky. Bit of a shame, but can't complain. The evening was stunning. Probably the first dry day in weeks.

So, with my tripod at hand, something I don't use at all, I set about this stunning landmark shooting landscapes. Something else I don't normally do. Managed to get a panoramic out of it too.

All in all, a good night out.

Hope you like the pictures.

Exercise Wessex Thunder

The last couple of weeks here at the Army Headquarters in Andover have been exceptionally busy. 

I have covered a variety of jobs including the Secretary of State for Defence, TA Cavalry firing the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, an archaeological dig and a forces career day. Their has certainly been no rest for the wicked. 

The other interesting story I covered was the Royal Army of Oman on exercise with 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain.

The Omani Western Frontier Regiment had spent two weeks on exercise with 2 Para, which concluded at the Military training village of Copehill Down.

So after an early start we headed onto the area. 

The arrival of all the exercising troops was to be by Helicopter insertion. So after a short wait, the helicopter 'work-horses' arrived, otherwise known as the Chinook.

Troops and vehicles inserted by air

Thankfully after all the recent rain we have had, on this day, we had sun! What a nice change it was too. 

Troops patrol away from the Chinook

Within minutes of the aircraft landing, the ground was covered with a sea of multi-coloured camouflage. With the Omani soldiers leading the patrol, it was quite clear who was who. 

Covering open ground

The patrols strengths varied. Some were small 2 Para patrols, while others were mixed with the Oman's. 

It wasn't long before everyone got into cover for more detailed map briefs.

The Omanis covering open ground

Once into cover and the commanders had put their men in the relevant places, the briefs took place. 

An Omani soldier in an overwatch position

2 Para being briefed

Once the main briefs were over, the men needed to move closer to Copehill village in order to get a better appreciation of the land and current exercise threat.

Lt Col Adam Dawson MC, CO 2 Para radios through his orders

The CO, by this time, had all his 'ducks in a row' so to speak and was ready for the off.

The relevant sections were informed of their route of approach. They then prepared to attack the village.

2 Para moving fast

As with any well planned exercise, there are several surprises for the lads on the way. Several buildings had been occupied with 'enemy' and were making this task anything but easy for the troops.

Building Entry

Once the main entry to the village was done, each building had to be cleared as they progressed down the street. Some of these buildings were made purposely hard to enter, so high entries were needed. As with any good commanders assessment of the task, ladders and all relevant equipment were carried for this reason.

Get Up There!

By now, the exercise was moving at a nice pace. The Omani soldiers were really proving their worth too. Working together with ease, despite an obvious language barrier.

Covering Fire

Enemy located

Omani Fire Position

The exercise, from my point of view, was going well. The enemy were taking a good hit and the progress being made was good. The Paras had a good amount of weapon systems between them, as did the Omanis.

Para firing position

Another high entry

As the exercise came to a natural lull, it was clear that not many enemy positions were still manned. The lads were all still pumping with adrenaline and could have gone on all day.

Photographically, this was a good job for me. It had been a long time since my last trip to Copehill, but it always makes good pictures. 

Training villages like these always have their advantages. Firing blanks is one of them. This means my movement is hardly restricted due to safety implications, as sometimes being in front of the barrel of a machine gun is where you need to be for the best image. Clearly this can never happen on a live range.

Once we were finished, it was back to the office to edit and send to press. Job done!

So all in all it's been a very busy, but varied couple of weeks at work.

Over the next few weeks I have some Olympic Torch events and a trip to the Defence Animal Centre to look forward too. These will make for some amazing images!

For the official press release from this story, please visit the Army Website 

Thanks for reading and more from me soon

Steve

Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir sings to MPs in London

It has been a varied first week back at work in the Army Headquarters. Monday and Tuesday were relatively slow days, doing vital admin, and catching up on 100 or so emails, on my work terminal, that arrived during my time away. Despite having an 'Out of Office' reply set, the emails still kept piling up.

As most of you know, I have been doing a lot of work in my leave with the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir. Now I was back to work, it was about time they got some official coverage from us at the Army News Team. With their schedule firmly imprinted in my diary, I set about going to London with them as they performed at the House of Commons and Portcullis House.

Outside the House of Commons

The choir had been invited by the MP for Devizes, Claire Perry. Claire covers Bulford, Tidworth and Larkhill within her constituency, and wanted to show her appreciation by inviting them to this special event. After a tour of The House of Commons, the choir got to sit in the gallery and watch a debate. Claire told us later on, that Mr Speaker commented on how they were the most glamorous spectators he has ever had in his gallery.

Once the tour was over, and a group shot was taken on the staircase in the Grand Hall, the ladies had some time to change and warm up for their performance.

The Grand Hall

Performing for the masses

Wherever You Are

The choir absolutely loved the day, and their performance was absolutely amazing. Despite hearing them sing quite a lot, the songs never bore me. In fact, I hear them get better every time they perform.

With 'Wherever You Are' being the most well known wives choir song, two of the ladies sung their hearts out for the crowd on the solo part, with the rest of the choir doing a great job behind them.

Sir Andrew Robotham 

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans

Luckily, several of the Armed Forces Ministers were able to attend. Sir Andrew Robotham and Philip Hammond, The Secretary of State for Defence to name but a few. They were all totally in ore of these women, and spent time talking to them, and giving them praise for their hard work. They also commented on the vital support they give their husbands in such a career. I am proud to say that my wife is part of this amazing choir, and is she the most supportive person I know.

Philip Hammond watches the choir

With a few speeches done, there were just a few songs left. By this point, the crowd had grown somewhat, as more politicians finished work.

Philip Hammond addresses the choir

Philip Hammond then got invited by Claire Perry to say a few words. 

God Save The Queen

With the performance coming to an end, it just left the National Anthem to sing before heading home. Philip Hammond and Andrew Robotham were then invited to sing with the choir. With Andrew Robotham firmly within the choir ranks, and Philip Hammond stood with Claire Perry, it was quite an impressive rendition. The whole of Portcullis House were on their feet, singing along too. Spectacular.

After that it was time to pack up, interview all the people I needed for my story and catch the coach home. The day had been great. Very hot, but great. We were all sweating lots, but it was worth it. 

It was the next morning I got the story finished and published on the British Army website, along with a picture gallery on the Army Facebook page. Claire Perry has used the story in her constituency leaflet and the Salisbury Journal have published it too. Hopefully more people have used it by now, as it helps raise awareness of the choir and their good work.

Then it was all change! I had to quickly get my kit, drive to Longmore and photograph Number 1 Company, Irish Guards conduct riot training. This was in preparation for a future contingency role, in EU led peacekeeping missions and the Olympic security. Quite a variation for my first week back eh? 

Military Wives to Riots! Brilliant!

More from me soon.

Steve (@CombatPhot)

Post Op Tour Leave (POTL)

Hello! Me again! 

Sorry I have been so quiet over the last month or so, it's been manic here!

I left Afghan around the 19th March, did the usual stop off in Cyprus, which was actually quite enjoyable, despite just wanting to get home, then landed around the 21st in the UK.

As most of you would have seen my end of tour slideshow by now, all I can say is, what a relief! That was such hard work to get off the ground, I am just glad it all worked out. I checked the other night and have over 8,000 hits on YouTube now, and the feedback I have got from my official Twitter (@CombatPhot) has been amazing!

So what have I been up to? Well................three days after landing back in the UK, I was in London giving a talk at the Imperial War Museum on Photography and 21st Century Conflicts. The talk was very well attended, with an audience of over 50, and went down a storm. Making the most of being in London, Mrs Blake, some friends and I made a weekend of it. We checked into an amazing apartment for the night, visited the Ice Bar and went to see Shrek the musical, which was brilliant!

So this is what i've missed out on for six months eh?

After the initial rush to get ready for London was over, it was back to reality, living at home with my family all over again. Six months is a long time to be separated, and everyone has to get used to being around each other again. Sounds weird I know, they are your loved ones and you have all missed each other dearly, but in a roundabout way, got used to being apart. Using china plates, metal cutlery and being able to wear clothes other than MTP were novel changes for me!

So after a week or so back at home, readjusting, and doing menial tasks that I haven't missed, like food shopping, I was off on another adventure. This time I was Italy bound. Taking advantage of the school half term, we took the boys away for a weeks holiday. 

My lovely wife had booked us an apartment about 40 minutes from Venice, giving us plenty of scope to admire the sites in the location we stayed but also travel into Venice for the day.

Sadly the weather was not on our side, despite the promises of sun, but we made the most of it anyway.

After a few days enjoying the sites of Lido Di Jesolo, we planned a trip to Venice. The trip would be by bus, then boat to finally arrive at St Mark's Square.

River Taxi on route to Venice

The weather was amazing the day we went, to which we were all thankful. We were all really excited about seeing such a famous and picturesque city, and the chance to get some photos of this spectacular place was on the cards for me too. 

St Mark's Square

As we turned the corner and got our first view of St Mark's Square, my face just lit up. What an amazing place with tonnes of character. My camera was now poised and at the ready. I did, however, soon realise that I wasn't on a photo holiday and had to entertain my family too, as this is the sort of place you could spend a week and not get bored of photographing it. The intricacies of the buildings, the sculpting, the modes of transport and the general way of life in Venice, is amazing to capture in a photo.

Spectacular Craftsmanship

With a 24hr travel card for Venice, we were certainly in no rush to get home that night, so wanted to fully embrace as much as possible.

Not one straight line in the city

Venice is very picturesque in my eyes, although many say its old, decaying and smelly. Well, what do you expect from a city built on water, believed to have been discovered back in 421 AD? The place is still brimming with culture, colour, life and soul of a true Italian city. I just loved it, soaking up the atmosphere was great.

Traditional Venetian Mask

Having been in Afghan for 6 months with my camera, constantly on the go, I wasn't keen to do anything for a while, but glad I took one of my cameras to Venice, this would have been a shame to miss.

Riverside Housing

Local Artist

Inside the Basilica - St Mark's Square

Water Taxi

Now, as you know, Venice is built on the water. People here don't own cars. The streets are far too narrow, plus they would have to constantly cross the water. So river taxis and Gondola's are the only way people move from one side of the city to another. This is also the way businesses work and move freight.

The city is like a maze. You could easily spend two or three weeks here and still not see it all. The small streets weave in and out of the waterways, then suddenly stop. This is where you need a gondola to move across the water and continue your adventure. Very cleverly done, but confusing and frustrating at times for tourists! haha

Anyway remember where we parked the car?

One man and his Gondola

A gardening company move up and down Grand Canal

Once we had seen the majority of Venice City that we wanted to, and having fed the pigeons in the Square, we shot off on yet another boat trip to the Island of Murano, famous for its glass. As we sailed to Murano, we passed the main Venice Cemetery, which is also on it's own island, and is a rather impressive size too. Quite surreal, but spectacular nevertheless. 

So, hoping to catch one of the famous glass blowers doing his thing, we shot around the island quickly before all the shops closed. Luckily for us, we caught one, just about to do his final show for the day. The glass sculptures that these guys produce are phenomenal, and come with a very hefty price tag to say the least. 

Glass horse

With my son Joseph amazed at the man making a glass horse, we had to have a quick look around the shop. Needless to say I was a touch concerned. I was carrying a bag and camera, my wife had a bag and then we had the kids to watch, as we carefully manoeuvred up and down the narrow isles looking at pieces of glass with five figure price tags. After 10 minutes and realising we could afford nothing more than a small glass, sweet shaped souvenir, we left heading back into Venice.

We now had one more thing to do before we headed back to our apartment; a Gondola ride. This was no easy task. The Gondola's are a world known attraction for the city, hence the prices reflect this. Having asked nearly every Gondolier as we passed how much it was for a ride, we, being true tight brits, wanted it cheaper. Sadly, the tactic of bartering in Venice doesn't work. They set a price, and know if you don't pay it, 100's of people after you will. So at 7pm we bit the bullet and paid for the most expensive taxi ride known to man. Having said that, it was a real experience, one that we won't forget.

Laundry Day

Some of the scenery we saw as we travelled up and down the small waterways, was just spectacular. Wondering how many items of clothing fell off the washing line and into the water was one funny topic of conversation as we sailed by. All these sorts of funny things make good pictures, and as you can probably guess, I have loads from just the day in Venice, too many to show you. The ride took about half an hour, and we got to see lots of stunning buildings as we sailed up the Grand Canal. This was matched with old, derelict ones. But they all looked good, if that makes sense.

Marny Miles with our Gondolier

One thing I forgot to mention at the start of this post. My wife had applied to the Marny Miles Facebook page to take him on holiday with us, and we were successful on getting him on the dates of our holiday.

Marny Miles is a bear, created by a Military family, who raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA). The idea is to get Marny to travel as much as possible, with as many families as possible, collecting memorabilia on the way. This, along with Marny will eventually be auctioned off for the charity. 

My son Joseph, 9, was really excited and took him everywhere with us, and we even persuaded our Gondolier to have his picture taken with him too. The least he could do for emptying my wallet! haha. 

We hope that Marny is successful in raising as much money for the charity as possible.

To read more just search 'Marny Miles' on Facebook.

Well, that was Venice over. Time to pack and head home. What a cracking break with the family.

I now have lots more leave to take, and intend to spend most of it relaxing, but also busying myself on occasion with various projects I am doing, which I will share more about in the not so distant future I hope.

Steve