Taylors Seafood and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

I decided last week that I wanted to include more features about the North Shields Fish Quay into the blog. After all this blog is written about the places, people and events that are on my doorstep and I can walk to the Fish Quay as quickly as I can walk to Longsands.

A few people had told me that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was going to be filming at various locations in the area including Taylors Seafood based in the heart of the Fish Quay. I checked their facebook page which confirmed this and decided to pop down the day before his visit to check if I could pop down on the day and take some photos for the blog. I was invited down the following morning to snap away. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a morning person so a 5.30am start to my day came as a shock to the system. I walked from my flat down to the Fish Quay in some brilliant morning sunlight and saw a side to the fish quay that I had never seen before - I even managed to get a coffee and a bacon sandwich at 6.15am (but that's a story for a different time). Tony and his crew at Taylors Seafood opened up just before 7am and began preparations for their day ahead which would include selling the latest seafood catch as usual but also to welcome Bafta Award winning TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to their premises.  What struck me about Taylors Seafood straight away was two things - atmosphere and quality. The guys made me feel very welcome with a nice mug of tea and a friendly chat about what they do whilst they were setting up. The variety of seafood on offer was quiet astonishing; from locally sourced fish, just landed into the quay side from the trawlers, to more exotic items like Canadian lobsters and more seafood that you would find on TV's 'The Deadliest Catch' (which happened to be playing on a plasma screen).

It was not long before a the shop began to fill up with a mixture of local restaurants and fish merchants to locals with an appetite for great seafood at affordable prices. I will not buy fish from a supermarket after witnessing the quality, expertise and selection on offer here. Sally who owns the Martineau Guest House, featured earlier in the blog, is a regular customer and popped in to buy her fish while I was there, she showed me a whopping great whale of a fish for £4 - now when I say whale - I mean Moby Dick sized.

Before long Hugh and his film crew turned up at Taylors with their own catch (the fish that is normally wasted because of bureaucratic laws as mentioned in my previous two posts). I made myself known to Hugh and his team and promised to keep out of the way whilst they were filming. One of the few problems with my camera is that I look like press and it makes people wary at times. After speaking with the sound engineer I decided that I should keep my distance and shoot with a long lens (70-200mm for camera buffs). This meant that my shutter clicks would not be audible on the mike.

Shooting from such a distance is quite problematic, I was very far away and its hard to compose a scene but the guys had filming to get so I got what I could, when I could. I think that my adherence to the crew's wishes won me some respect as they began to talk to me about shooting some images at a local primary school (featured later). I think the filming at Taylors went well as there was a nice varied selection of people for Hugh to talk to and serve and the staff seamed to enjoy their visit too.

I will be popping into Taylor's tomorrow to say hello to everyone and to thank them for being so welcoming.

You can view Taylor Seafood's website here: http://taylorseafood.co.uk/

...and also view their facebook page (updated daily here) : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylor-Seafood/271225799181?ref=ts#www.facebook.com/pages/Taylor-Seafood/271225799181?ref=ts#

Please take a look at Hugh's website here which has details of the Fish Fight Campaign: http://www.fishfight.net/

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (North Sheilds Fish Quay)

This image of the BAFTA award winning TV Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was taken today at Taylor Seafood at the Fish Quay in North shields.

© Anthony Dorman

This is one of a number of candid shots that I took whilst Hugh was filming the latest series of Fish Fight programmes today. The aim of the series is to highlight the food waste caused by EU and government regulations that make fishermen throw half of there catch back into the sea due to red-tape. I have experienced this myself when I embarked on my North Sea Adventure and witnessed first hand the amount of fish that is thrown back to die in the sea. The regulations set in place by government do not help conserve fish as it is impossible to select what enters a net. Hugh is trying to change the law to help the fishing industry and to also show that the wasted food can be used to help society. Today I shot some images at a local primary school who were being fed with today's fishing catch of fish that normally would be wasted. I was worried I would be in the way of Hugh and the crew today however they were very friendly and accommodating. I look forward to seeing the new series.

Check out Taylor Foods Website here: http://taylorseafood.co.uk/#

Check out The Fish Fight campaign here: http://www.fishfight.net/ Please sign the petition.

I will be posting more images of Hugh at both Taylor Foods and Priory Park Primary over the next few days.

www.anthonydorman.com

North Sea Adventure

This post comes from my own personal blog www.anthonydormanphotography.blogspot.com which was posted in January. I am posting it today as I will be posting about the North Shields Fish Quay area in the next few days. The Fish Quay is a quick walk from my house and part of the immediate area and full of fascinating people, places and industry. It is so interlinked with Tynemouth that it deserves to be featured in the blog.

 

Earlier this year I took a walk along the Fish Quay at North Shields which is a place I really like because there is always someone or something interesting there to photograph. I noticed some fishermen making some repairs to their nets on the quayside and decided I would ask if they would be in my 100 Strangers Project. Philip pictured below agreed to having his photo taken as he said he really liked photography. I said how much I would like to go out on one of the trawlers to get some reportage style images. Within 5 minutes we had agreed that I would go out on his boat the 'Aspire'

 

 

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

The images below where taken in order and where shot using only natural light. The lighting conditions where extremely difficult from the early morning pitch dark to the below deck ambiance. I was determined not to distract the crew with flash photography so I shot with a large aperture and some very high grainy ISO settings. I also wanted to present un-edited real photos, I was not going to airbrush or remove unwanted items. I wanted to tell the real story including the wonky horizons caused by my land lubber legs and slight sea sickness.

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

 © Anthony Dorman

© Anthony Dorman

 

For me the day was a success, I was still alive, had not thrown up and had some interesting reportage images and a lot of new knowledge. For Philip and the 'Aspire' crew it was another frustrating day with a poor catch and a damaged net costing £1000 to repair. I was really looked after and had some great conversations, especially with Philip about everything including fishing, religion and art. I wonder how many people will get the chance to do what I did that day considering how the industry is suffering through high costs and crazy regulations set by men wearing suits in Brussels? I hope that this industry survives unlike many others once essential the the North East economy and history.

I decided to post this today as I received a disk in the post from Martin (hands image and goatee images) as he is a keen photographer who wanted me to see his photos.

www.anthonydorman.com

www.anthonydorman.blogspot.com

Follow the new INTynemouth twitter page here: http://twitter.com/#!/INTynemouth

Tynemouth Tour

The lovely lady below is Keiran-Ann Keilty, a qualified local guide who has just started a guided walking tour of Tynemouth. We got in touch with each other through the Tynemouth Business Forum and agreed that I should do a preview walk with Keiran-Ann. I won't give too much information about the walk as it would spoil the experience. What I  will say is that I learnt more about my local area during my walk than  had learnt in the five years living in Tynemouth. 

photography by www.anthonydorman.com

The walking tour starts at Tynemouth Priory and finishes with a delicious cream tea at The Grand Hotel. I really enjoyed my walk with Keiran-Ann and would recommend it to both local residents and visitors to Tynemouth. The talk will educate you and keep you fit whilst enjoying some splendid scenery.

Please combine Keiran-Ann for more details including times and booking information.

kkeilty@hotmail.co.uk

07816789685

Elwood (Tynemouth Dog)

(Elwood) Lurcher from Tynemouth

Spotted taking John from Children of the Revolution for a walk down Front Street. Sleek with a fabulous sporty build and amazing eyes (Elwood that is).

www.anthonydorman.com

http://intynemouth.blogspot.com/p/tynemouth-dog.html

Tynemouth Surf Co

Tynemouth is known for its surfing which has long played a big part in bringing new visitors to the area. You can often see many surfers in the sea just off from the Long Sands beach with many locals surfing when they finish work. I have to admit that I have never surfed due to the fact that I am hopeless in the water. After spending some time in Tynemouth Surf Co I think I may have changed my mind. Everyone there is as you would expect being surfers i.e. very chilled and laid back, but in a way that assures you that they live for surfing and can teach a land lubber like me to surf.

photos by www.anthonydorman.com

I had a good chat with Stephen the founder of Tynemouth Surf Co about what they do which includes lessons and hire facilities as well as stocking everything you would think of relating to surfing. In the short time I was there I got the sense of a growing community of people who live for the weekend, longing for the surf. I am thinking of asking for a surfing lesson for my birthday as its about time I tried a sporting past time that is available right on my doorstep.

Check out the Tynemouth Surf Co website here for details including lessons and opening times;

http://www.tynemouthsurf.co.uk/about.htm

Puddytigger

Puddytigger can be found on the second floor of the Green Ginger Shopping Arcade which must be one of the most unique shopping malls (An old church). Puddytigger stocks a mixture of jewelry, fine art and craft ware as well as soaps and aromatherapy oils. Helen the owner of Puddytigger has put together a collection of locally sourced and ethically sourced handmade goods.

I would recommend anyone visiting Tynemouth to visit The Land of Green Ginger and to go and have a chat with Helen. Puddytigger is a treasure trove of gift ideas, from lovely bears, unique jewelry and artwork as well as craft work inspired by local scenery. My next post about Puddytigger will show some of these items in more depth. This blog is in its infancy and so is written as an introduction which will grow into a larger story. Until then why not pop in and have a chat with Helen who has some great banter. You must also ask to see Boris who is well known to regular visitors.

The Land of green Ginger is one of a number of venues in Tynemouth that is dog friendly if you are thinking of bringing your pooch to Tynemouth.

Visit the puddytigger website here:

http://www.puddytigger.co.uk/

Visit the Puddytigger Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Puddytigger/155038853623?sk=wall

Martineau Guest House

Martineu Guest House on front street is a fantastic place to stay in Tynemouth. Situated on Tynemouth's prestigious Front Street it is central to every possible amenity and local point of interest. I was told about Sally who owns Martineau by John from Children of the Revolution featured earlier in the blog. I popped round to see Sally who made me feel instantly at home with a nice cup of tea in dining area of her guest house. After a quick chat I was left to photograph the rooms which are beautifully styled with warm, and luxurious fabrics and accessories. Sally has provided binoculars in some of the rooms so visitors can really enjoy the great views.

The rooms are named after parts of Tynemouth or local people and places like Priory View and my favourite Collingwood View.

I finished taking my photos and popped back down stairs to see Sally, I was greeted by the small of freshly baked bread which Sally makes for her guests. Food is a big part of the experience Sally provides her guests from picnic hampers (on request) to a fantastic breakfast selection including the infamous 'Big Geordie' cooked breakfast. Sally offered to make me and my girlfriend our breakfast the following morning so that we could experience her food first hand. I will be posting some images and details of this in a later post. After reading numerous reviews online for Martineau Guest House I can see that Sally has created a warm, relaxing and friendly experience for many visitors to the area

Visit the Martinea Guest House website: http://www.martineau-house.co.uk/

Check out the Trip Advisor reviews Here: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g656900-d210717-Reviews-Martineau_Guest_House-Tynemouth_Tyne_and_Wear_England.html

www.anthonydorman.com

Billy - Good Craic at the TVLB Museum

I reckon that many people have walked past the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum without ever going inside. I have lived in Tynemouth for nearly five years and have visited Tynemouth since I was a boy to see my best friend. It was not until recently that I ventured inside what is one of the best kept secrets for anyone interested in local history or all things maritime. I love history and I like reading about it but there is nothing better than the first hand verbal history that comes from those who actually take part in the events. Billy is one such character, he has seen many events in his time as the caretaker of the museum which is still an active station manned by volunteers.

Billy 52/100 '100 Strangers' © Anthony Dorman

Billy is great, loads of stories and funny anecdotes from the history of the TVLB to his time hunting crocodiles in Australia. I have visited the museum a number of times since my first trip in which Billy happily took part in my '100 strangers' portrait project. After some communications with the TVLB I was invited to take some images of the museum interior this weekend which I will be posting very soon. The people of Tynemouth are quite diverse and always interesting. They will always be a feature of this blog as they are part of what makes the area so interesting.

www.anthonydorman.com

Gareth James Chocolatier

One of the newest venues in Tynemouth is Gareth James Chocolatier. Where do I start about this place - OK - simple - its awesome. For some reason it took me a while to venture inside but when I did I knew I had found a new favourite place. The interior is superb, relaxing, warm and inviting. The smell of the fantastic chocolates on offer is intoxicating and Gareth and the staff are amazingly friendly and relaxed.

Images by Anthony Dorman

On my first visit I bought a selection of handmade chocolates for my parents for their anniversary and some brownies for myself. I was hoping my parents would leave me a chocolate to try but no they scoffed the lot in record time. Saying that my brownie habit has now reached epic proportions, a tale I am hearing from other residents of Tynemouth also addicted to these scrumptious bundles of food heaven. I implore you to visit this place, have a hot chocolate (the best I have had) or a tea, or coffee and enjoy the atmosphere. When you talk to other retailers in Tynemouth and mention Gareth James they light up thinking of all the nice things on offer. Whenever Gareth himself is mentioned everyone says two things - he is really nice and he is doing fantastic things with his business for such a young guy. Gareth invited me to see how the chocolates are made on the premises which proved two things - he is passionate about chocolate and I would eat my weight in chocolate if left unsupervised in there. I will be posting some images about the making of the chocolates on the blog soon.

Check out the Gareth James Chocolatier facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/garethjameschocolatier

http://www.anthonydorman.com/