Landscape Group Launches Mobility-Friendly Events By Mark Reeves ARPS

Landscape Group Launches Mobility-Friendly Events

By Mark Reeves ARPS

Five years! Over five years, in fact. The landscape group was launched in January 2016 and only now have we arranged our first specifically-planned mobility-friendly workshop. Of course we should have done it long ago but better late than never! As the organiser of the group’s professionally-led events programme, I have long been very aware that most of our events are not accessible to people with limited mobility. Taking place in the rural and often rugged places that are popular with landscape photographers, getting to these workshops is often just not possible for anyone with a significant mobility impairment.

To date I have ensured that as much information as possible is given in event descriptions to enable people to judge for themselves whether the terrain and location will suit their particular ability or fitness. In addition, where possible, I have asked our event leaders to consider designating some of our events as “mobility friendly”. These have mainly been those workshops held in urban locations or coastal locations where photographing from a promenade or other paved surface has been possible.

But now I am really pleased to announce that this autumn we will be running our first specially designed mobility-friendly event. If it is popular and successful (which I am sure it will be) then it hopefully be the first of many.

© Simon Turnbull

© Simon Turnbull

This first event will enable photographers to capture the beauty of the Chilterns in autumn colours. The National Trust estate at Ashridge features wheelchair accessible trails through the woods and also has mobility vehicles available for those who need them. The detailed planning of this event has been done by Simon Turnbull FRPS who will also be the workshop leader. Living locally, Simon knows the area intimately and has plenty of experience of running workshops at Ashridge.

Simon said, “Landscape photography can often feel like an overwhelming business, particularly with the amount of planning and technical know-how needed. Add to that worrying about suitable parking, rough terrain and many other logistical factors for those lacking mobility and it takes it to a whole new faff level. I’m all about mindfulness so was thrilled to be asked to help design and run a workshop that would remove as many of these challenges as possible."

© Simon Turnbull

Simon’s planning has been benefited from invaluable input and piloting from Sue Wright. Sue is the Landscape Group’s Web Manager and happens to use a wheelchair herself for longer walks. When I mentioned to Sue that I wanted to organise such an event she was immediately enthusiastic in her offer to help.

Sue added, “I’m passionate about making photography possible for everyone so when Mark mentioned that Simon wanted to run a second Chiltern Woodland Masterclass in the autumn that would be mobility friendly I was delighted to help him by sharing my experience. In May, Simon and I met up in the car park of Ashridge Estate to do a recce of the two wheelchair accessible trails. I took my electric wheelchair along and I’m glad to say, apart from the puddles (it had rained non-stop that month!) the paths are manageable and easy to get around”.

Details of the workshop can be found on the RPS website at https://rps.org/events/groups/ landscape/2021/november/wstchiltern-woodland-mobility-friendly/

There will be a maximum of six participants and helpers are also welcome to come along for free. You do not have to be a wheelchair or mobility scooter user to attend but if you are ablebodied please book on the twin event whose details are at https:// rps.org/events/groups/landscape/

Any feedback or suggestions for future mobility-friendly locations will be very gladly received.

Please email me at the address below.

Mark Reeves ARPS Professional-led events manager landscapeproevents@rps.org