Style Spectrum

Leon Butler

Above:

I find the stretch of coastline towards Freshwater holds some kind of magic that makes it one of the best places to feel centred and relaxed. This was shot at the end of a group walk where everyone needed a few minutes to take it all in.

“I studied photography at school but put the camera away for many years until my snowboard career called for more creative input.”

Growing up on the Isle of Wight gave Leon a passion for being active and in the outdoors. This upbringing has led to a life of adventure and chasing snow around the world. Working now as a freelance copywriter and photographer, Leon enjoys the process of storytelling and how people and products interact with our landscapes. Recent campaigns include shooting for Visit Isle of Wight to promote the hugely popular walking festivals, which Leon says was a great way to show off the Island and its incredible scenery.

Above:

This is one of my favourite photos. The history of the Island is something we should celebrate and these three gentlemen are walking past the site of the 1970 Isle of Wight festival, the man on the left was there amongst the action when Jimi Hendrix took to the stage.

Right:

The island has an extensive array of maintained walks with a huge variety of surroundings. The boardwalks that wind through Newtown marshes are a fantastic place for some moody and muddy photos.

Above & Left: I like to incorporate local landmarks into my images. The autumnal weather for this shoot at Appuldurcombe House was perfect to portray the drama of the property. The grounds have such stunning features with bags of character.

Above:

There’s no story behind this one, I just liked the gnarled tree with its autumnal colours against the blue sky.

Right:

Another group hike photo, this one around Bembridge takes in the old Windmill overlooking the countryside. The island has such amazing colours around September/October time. This walk was led by the amazing IOW Ramblers.

STAY ACTIVE AND BUSY WITH U3A

In Japan there is no word for ‘retirement’ – and Japanese people have the longest life expectancy in the world! Luckily, on the Island there is a group for people who want to stay productive and engaged in life once they have escaped the stresses and restrictions of full time work.

u3a Wight has been going in its present form for just three years. In that time two sisters – Carol Bradshaw and Sally Forster – have brought together nearly 200 Islanders under its umbrella with the support of a small committee. Nationally u3a is enjoying a surge of interest from people wanting to live life to the full. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. Changing patterns of living as you get older can create space to try something new or refresh something old. The u3a exists to provide opportunities to experiment, learn, have fun, and share skills with lively like-minded people. Carol, a former teacher, is chair of u3a wight and Sally, a former psychotherapist, is membership secretary and groups’ co-ordinator. However, it is the members themselves who generate the ever-increasing number of opportunities on offer – from playing mah-jong, visiting gardens and beach walks to improving Spanish, family history, slow running and eating out. Carol, a Cowes resident, will be standing down in October having served her three-year term as Chair. “The idea of continued learning attracted me and the open invitation to have a go at something new,” she says. Sally, who lives at Yafford, offers support to those who organise groups and events. “The majority of our members would say that they were busy people before they joined us. However u3a is about choosing how you are busy, doing things that make you feel good and doing them with friends . . . like learning, exercising, teaching and laughing . . . and occasionally something left-field like moonlight swimming!”

Annual membership is just £20. Contact Carol on 07748 886246 or email

chair@u3awight.uk.

There is also a comprehensive website: www.u3awight.com