A kaleidoscope of photographs

BEYOND the Roving Bridge from Great Haywood Junction is a collection of photographs by Robert Cartwright of Stafford.

In his introduction he comments that the title might give the impression that the scope of his photography was far and wide but points out that the Trent & Mersey was his principal area of activity with fewer visits being made to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and the Shropshire Union canals – all within easy travelling from his base.

Great Haywood Junction, alongside Brindley’s graceful Roving Bridge, was one of the first locations that sparked Robert’s interest in canal photography in the 1970s.

On an early visit he became friends with Nigel and Jennifer Jackson, the crew of Malcolm Braine’s trip boat Cactus, which took passengers on short cruises along the T & M.

Through their friendship it soon became clear to Robert that ‘the cut’ generated a very friendly atmosphere and that it offered many opportunities for photography.

Robert’s book highlights the Trent & Mersey from Colwich, through the Haywoods, Salt and Weston, passing by the marina at Aston to reach the pound above Lime Kiln Lock in Stone.

The Staffordshire and Worcestershire is followed from Haywood Junction through to

Penkridge and the ‘Shroppie’ from the bridge at Woodseaves, with its centrally mounted telegraph pole, through Norbury Junction to Gnosall.

Beyond the Roving Bridge from Great Haywood Junction (A5 format with 50 photographs, £9.99) can be obtained from the Canal Farm Shop at Great Haywood or by mail order.

Robert, a supporter of the Staffordshire Branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England (CPRE) is donating £3 from the sale of each book to registered charity 219443. Payment may be made by credit/debit card or by PayPal by employing the link https://cpre-staffordshire.onlineweb.shop/

In case of difficulty contact Robert on 01785 254283 or robertandrew.cartwright@virgin.net