Hopezine #5 / Spring 2021

Rays of light amid the darkness

Issue 5. Spring 2021 with BURSLEM CAMERA CLUB SPECIAL EDITION

EDITOR’S

It’s a funny thing, sitting to write another editor’s letter – once again, in lockdown. While it’s been difficult to stay positive during times of isolation, one thing remains constant – the need for Hope (yes, with a capital ‘H’).

For this special edition I’ve handed over the pages to the Burslem Community Camera Club, a local group of photographers who have been capturing their local neighbourhood on socially distanced, park meet-ups. The cover for this issue is by Daniel Lyttleton who started the Burslem Camera Club as part of his work at My Community Matters, a local group who glue together parts of their community.

Stand-up for something with Mark Gilbert (pages 4-5); take a stroll through the park with Tony Chen (pages 10-12) or pull up a chair and picnic with Daniel Lyttleton (14-15). Other photographs feature some enviable wildlife shots including a Heron by Hugh Irvine (pages 8-9).

Spring is underway, season of Hope. And we’ll be out of lockdown soon –that’s Hope in action. So put on your walking shoes and take it all in. For now, I hope you enjoy this special visual edition…

We meet to explore Burslem and to illustrate stories through photographic work – whether it’s a story that’s new to the whole group, or a new take on a familiar face. Work that we produce is shown in hard copy magazine format, gallery exhibition and online. We’ve explored parks, pubs and galleries and have plenty more stories about Burslem to tell yet.

We believe that documenting life in and

LETTER Erica x

around Burslem is important not only for future generations, but to allow current residents to find a common identity and take ownership of their communities –and we are proud to play a role in that. Take look through these pages as we begin to show you around… by Mark Gilbert ........................................ 4-5 by Hugh Irvine ........................................... 6-7 by Hugh Irvine ............................................ 8-9 by Tony Chen ........................................... 10-12 by Arjuna Subanandan .......................... 12-13 by Daniel Lyttleton ............................... 14-15 Zest ................................................................ 16 2 3 Issue 5. Spring 2021 Editor: Erica Crompton erica@hopezine.com Hopezine.com Advertising and Marketing: Nutan Modha nutanmodha@yahoo.co.uk Layout Design: Claire Eagles-Burrows KeeleSU Print & Copy Shop W: keelesu.com/printshop Cover credits: Daniel Lyttleton outofplacebooks.com Contributors: Daniel Lyttleton Nutan Modha Hugh Irvine Mark Gilbert Tony Chen Arjuna Subanandan With special thanks: Matthew Timmins Ray Sieber and the team at Zest Benefits Would you like to sponsor an issue of Hopezine? Contact Nutan or Erica today! Email nutanmodha@yahoo.co.uk or cromptonerica@hotmail.com for more information.

by Mark Gilbert