Celia Bartlett Photography

08/05/2026

Friday 8th May 2026
Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough
For how many of us, was this the defining moment in our interest, love and passion for nature and wildlife?

I am among those who is still in awe of this legend, this centenarian - he doesn’t need to be any more special than he is already. To go down in history as a pioneer of, and the greatest wildlife documentary producer.

I will unashamedly share a still from camera man, Martin Sunders to celebrate an incredible life that is

04/05/2026

Monday 4th May 2026
West Midlands
100 years ago today saw the start of the General Strike, which lasted until 12th May 1926. It was called by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, in an attempt to raise the facts to the British government of wage reductions and worsening conditions for coal miners, thereby forcing them to act. The strike failed as the Government was prepared for this. With their use of volunteers to keep services running and the propaganda via the British Gazette, the TUC were unable to secure any concessions.

With printers also on strike, the British Gazette was printed by HMSO and edited by Winston Churchill for Baldwin’s government. Local papers were also affected, with titles such as the Wolverhampton based Express and Star, printing bulletins which were clearly manually produced, in order to keep readers informed.

Imagine my surprise when clearing my mum’s flat recdntly, rather than finding a hidden stache of bank notes my sister discovered two folded yellow pieces of paper tucked inside a book. These were, a hastily produced Express & Star bulletin with a hand drawn masthead, dated from the first day on 4th May, and the more polished Daily Bulletin on from 6th May by the Dudley Herald. The significance of the dates dawning on us as we read the reports. Amazing to think that these have been tucked away for 100 years and I have never seen them before now.
Fascinating.

03/05/2026

Friday 1st May 2026
Saffron Walden, Essex
For my Saffron Walden swan song, I was delighted to photograph the wedding of John and Trish.

When I originally knew they were getting married on May Day, I realised I would be long moved away, however, due to the timing of handing the key back to my mum’s flat, it meant I would actually be in town on the day.

Fortuitous it was, as John approached me at short notice with a “Know a good photographer…?” I took that to mean their original plan for a photographer hadn’t worked out and, as I have known them for a long while, I could offer a short shoot, with the proviso that I would need to be back on the road again by teatime.

Trish looked stunning in a dusty blue two-piece outfit, and John was dapper in his three-piece suit, although finding it a bit warm on this beautiful sunny day. It was lovely to walk through the town one more time, from the Town Hall to the beautiful Bridge End Gardens for some photos (sadly the laburnum arch wasn’t quite in bloom). From there it was a short walk round into The Eight Bells for the reception.

It was a relief to retreat into the shade, where John’s daughter was setting up the beautiful lemon and elderflower wedding cake that she had made, and appropriately Bealtaine-adorned with May-blossom and lilac.

Sadly, my time at the reception had to be cut short, and I missed the speeches and their little dog arriving in his bow-tie outfit. However, it was such a pleasure to capture at least a part of their special day.

I wish them both every joy and happiness in the years ahead.

16/04/2026

Thursday 16th April 2026
South Shropshire
It is now exactly three weeks since we moved to Shropshire and it has been pretty much full on unpacking, fixing, sorting, washing, addressing, chucking, recycling, some sleeping and lots of dog walking. Meals have been as and when and made up of a motley selection of anything edible.

It was lovely therefore, to be invited by our neighbour to the monthly “Farmers’ Butty Van”, this morning being hosted by him and his brother in the barn at their lovely tucked away farm in the little valley below us. Being so close and a lovely morning too, the best option was to walk, although we had to dodge the highest count of passing vehicles down our little lane since we arrived. Mind you, that said, the first car stopped, asking us if we wanted a ride, assuming we were on our way to the Butty Van - everyone has been so friendly and helpful since we arrived.

We were surprised to see so many of the local farming community there- probably near on a hundred, all chatting away whilst bacon and sausage buttys and mugs of tea were served. Even being recognised as newcomers, people were happy to chat to us, making us feel very welcome.

It was also lovely to see the mobile health van on site too, providing an opportunity to have blood pressure and cholesterol checks (probably wise to partake of this service before the butty!)

It was back to sorting the mountain of boxes this afternoon. I’m not quite sure when it will be finished but I’m guessing our Airbnb accommodation will be ready long before we have emptied the last box of our stuff. Then, it will have to be back to work proper.

13/04/2026

06/04/2026

Monday 6th April 2026
North Essex
On the 14th April last year, I posted about the annual bluebell promise to my mum. Whilst she was frail when I took her for her 2025 visit to the bluebell wood, I didn’t expect it was likely to be the last time I would photograph her in front of the gate. Unless we can work a few miracles, it might be difficult to get her back to this particular bluebell wood now. I also didn’t know at that time, that this year would be the last time I would be passing this wood at bluebell time.

As I happen to be back in Walden for the Easter weekend, clearing mum’s flat, I thought I would pop by, as the bluebells seem to be flowering early this year. The sun had retreated as I drove there and there was a melancholy feeling as I stood near to the gate. Over the years, the wood has become more and more uninviting with signs, barbed wire, padlock and chains. The bluebells which once grew right up to the boundary, have been crushed by several years of logging work, which stunts any future growth. That joy of the massed carpet and the scent on the air was missing - just as there was a significant someone missing.

However, spirits were lifted a little as I was about to leave, as the sun came out and I thought, there must be a bluebell wood near to her in Suffolk where she now lives…plans could be made!

05/04/2026

Saturday 4th April 2026
The Fry Gallery, Saffron Walden
There was a two-fold reason for me to be back in Walden this weekend, one of them being the opening of Papercuts - the first solo exhibition by illustrator and collage artist, Michelle Thompson. This is a retrospective of thirty years of her work, being showcased at the Fry Gallery in her home town.

I have known Michelle for around twenty years and have documented her work progress on several occasions throughout that time, so it was a must for me to document this recognition of a local yet highly acclaimed artist. Her work has probably unknowingly been seen by many, as her illustrations have regularly appeared in the Guardian (indeed she was fulfilling a commission for the Guardian this very morning), the Financial Times, New York Times and also the Sunday Times amongst many. One of her most iconic pieces of work featured on the front cover of the Sunday Times Magazine - Blond Ambition, a Wahol influenced portrait of Boris Johnson from 2016 and has popped up in unexpected places since then.

The exhibition showcases sketchbooks from her time at Norwich and the RCA, to her special collage scissors, book covers, and both commissioned and new works hanging on the walls. The exhibition runs from today until 28th June and is a must see.

27/03/2026

Thursday 26th March 2026
Essex - Shropshire
Move day no.2
We certainly don’t do things by halves. Not just content with moving mum last week in the middle of all our house sale, but after nearly five months of agents and solicitors, our own move packing kerfuffle has been full on for these past three days. The final stage came yesterday (I was far too kn****rd to do a post last night).

Hubby left early so as to get to our new home to meet the removal men, leaving me to do the final clean through of our old home of thirty-three years. It was the late reveal of the appliance alcoves in the kitchen that created the most scrubbing. I kept looking up to that missing clock space on the kitchen wall, seeing how long I had left before I got the call to say ‘completion’, I did get an extra hours grace before the new owners arrived but the floor was still only half mopped. There the cleaning had to stop.

Car packed, hungry, and a slightly tearful good luck hug from a neighbour, I was on the road by 2:15, bound for the stunning Shropshire Hills but first, one last look back at Saffron Walden, home for forty-one years, nestled in a natural bowl surrounded by much smaller undulating hills.

A road trip of three and a half hours later, and I had traded the familiar townscape for a bucolic village where will begin the next phase of our lives.

As the daylight faded I sat weary yet relieved amongst the clutter of boxes and furniture. I made sure I got my priorities right though with a cuppa with a celebratory posh biscuit. The only unpacking tonight would be the bed and my pj’s.

A big shout out to the amazing guys from Pretloves who not only worked like trojans but coped with my meltdown on day one. Sorry guys!

Here begins retirement for himself but not for me - back to my press work and photography workshops. Watch this space…

18/03/2026

Wednesday 18th March 2026
Essex - Suffolk
Move day no.1
At ninety-four and a half, mum finally acknowledged that independent living was getting too much for her.
Today was a big day which she embraced with acceptance and dignity. Her joy at being greeted by all the staff as she arrived, and her contentment with the attentive carers was wonderful to see. It gives my sisters and me peace of mind, and we now look forward to being able to spend quality time with her during our visits.

A huge thank you has to go to all the care staff from Here to Care, for their daily visits over the past four years.

As one door closes on a life chapter, a new door opens.

17/03/2026

Tuesday 17th March 2026
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!