Moorland barn

A common site scattered around this area, a barn standing sentinel over a number of small field high up on the fringes of the moorland.

New for old

Leek was once a thriving mill town, but as manufacture has become cheaper 1/2 way round the world we have had to find new usage's for our abandon mills. Some have become homes other have become retail outlets like this one. This one is one of many antique/interior design shops that Leek is now famous for. Another beautiful building, just look how the windows are different on each floor.

The Unicorn

Pubs, mills and churches, it seems that nearly every street has at least one of these and most of them are a photographers dream, urban works of art over looked by most people. Take this one, just look at the detail and use of different building materials.

Warslow church

This is the village church in Warslow which is a few miles out side of Leek, right in the middle of the Staffordshire moorlands

Old Kilns

The old Kilns at the foot of Kiln lane, just after the council had cleared the ground before landscaping it.

The wallabies

The wallabies of the Peak District came from a small private zoo in the grounds of Roaches House near Leek. The zoo was established in the mid 1930s by Henry Courtney Brocklehurst,who tragically lost his life in World War 2. These few bred and became as many as 50. They have been seen by many people over the years. I had heard of them from lots of people and although i walked on the Roaches for years i had never seen them. Then one day as i was looking for trees to photograph one just hopped across the path.

The Mermaid

A view of the Mermaid inn, situated on the ridge over looking both Leek and the Roaches

The old nick

Another view of the old police staion

Early dawn

The Roaches just before sunrise.

The vets

One of Leek's vets, and a good example of how to make your business stand out

Snow scene

Leek park, just by the tennis courts after a heavy snow fall

Lolly pop

A school crossing wardens sign, known as a Lolly pop, giving the user the title of Lolly pop man(or woman.

Winter hills

The Roaches seen from the road in Meerbrook, reflected in Tittesworth reservoir. A picture you can no longer take as they have build an island in the lake, totally ruining the reflection

Working mill

A Rare sight in Leek, a mill that is not a block of flats.

Moorland farm house

Westbrook farm just off Morridge, a typical spring view up in the hills

Sky line

A Leek sky line, trees and churches, sums up Leek quite well.

Leader of the band

The band stand in Brough park, taken during the last heavy snow fall. Much to my surprise i had the place mostly to myself, with just the snowman for company.

Stormy day

Tittiesworth reservoir as seen from the Roaches. A man made lake completed in the 50s and now a lovely spot for a walk as the water company has spent lots of money up rating the paths that go round it.

The Wellington

A typical back street pub, what would have been the mainstay of social life before the advent of the TV. Also my Mum and Dads local many years ago and could we hold the title of the first pub i ever went into.

Roach end

This is a disused barn at Roach end, about 5 miles from Leek, taken last week. I've being trying to get up here in the snow for a while but there is either too much and the roads blocked or not enough and it looks wrong, this was spot on for me with the sunshine and blue sky, truly one of the best spots on the planet.

Grim up noth

Not a typical Leek view but it must have looked a bit like this when the mills were all up and running, this shot was taken about 10 years ago on a cold frosty morning, giving the smoky effect. As it was taken 10 years ago i have no idea where it was taken from.

Blue water

The other end of the Leek arm of the Cauldon canal, this is less than a mile to the centre of Leek, one of the things that makes the place so nice is that you are never far from great views like this.

Lock keepers cottage

The lock keepers cottage at the junction of the Caldon and Leek canals

Its all at the Co op

The Co op on the corner of Picton street and Britannia street, the site of my first Saturday job, but back then it was call Boaters.

The old cemetery

The snow covered cobbles running up between the old cemetery, behind St Edwards church

The white house

The white house, Consall, it stands between the canal and the railway, both old industrial byways now turned to leisure.

The scrapyard

Bestwicks scrapyard, a place that as a photographer always interests me.

Windy day

The market place Leek, taken last year when the market was abandon due to high winds.

The Talbot

A Disused pub right in the centre of Leek, such a sad site.

Play ground.

The rear of terrace housing just off Britannia street, one of my old play grounds, but in those days it was just a large open yard

St edwards church entrance

The main door of the old church