Chris Willoughby (1947-2000) – Travels with a Camera
Discipline: Photography
Chris moved to The Somerset Levels from Leicestershire in 1976. Previously he had worked in advertising and industrial photography in Leicester spending days in the darkroom. After moving to Somerset he worked as a freelance photographer for newspapers and part teaching.
In the contrasting environment of the levels he was able to spend his spare time discovering a new landscape with his camera. In time he became acquainted and made portraits of Burrowbridge’s such as withy cutters, basket makers and elver fishermen and began making portraits of them. These photographs have now become a record of a disappearing world. This interest in local crafts and customs extended to traditional events such as the September horse fair in Bridgwater and the Ottery St Mary tar barrel rolling carnival as well as Bridgwater carnival.
In 1992 he was commissioned to research and record the county of Somerset in black and White photography for a series by David and Charles publishers called Photographer’s Britain. he spent many hours in his spare time in Bridgwater library writing the book.
Every year we holidayed in Cornwall. A friend suggested Chris explore the standing stones and ancient sites of West Penwith with a view to holding an exhibition at a later date. The exhibition that resulted was well received.
Later he was invited by friend and writer Tony Anderson to retrace the journey of John F Baddeley, an author, prominent photojournalist and Chris’s distant relative, who walked across the Caucasus mountains in the 1920’s. This was a stupendous effort and Chris the people and landscape in their remote and rugged environment. A wonderful collection of images came out of the journey as well as the book Bread and Ashes by Tony Anderson. This was completed after a second visit together in 1998. Chris’s photos were used to illustrate the book which was published in 2003.
Unfortunately Chris did not live to witness the publication of the book as he died beforehand in 2000. It is now 25 years since Chris passed and I wanted to show the legacy of his work.
A selection of photographs books and cards are for sale at reasonable prices. 50% of sales will be donated to the Red Cross. Sylvie Baclet will also be exhibiting some pottery. From clay figurative sculptures to glazed slab built ceramic pieces, Sylvie’s unique creations are inspired by nature and mankind’s relation to it.”
Saturday 6th, 2025 11:00 – 13:00 – Postcard making with Nick Bickford Contact nickbckfrd@gmail.com 07551 323636
Saturday 13th, 2025 11:00 – 13:00 – Megan Players creates playful and intuitive portraits in clay and paint.’
Her clay faces workshop on Saturday 13th September promises to be fun for adults and children alike. Children must be accompanied. Suggested donation £10 adult/£5 child Contact – meganplayers@yahoo.co.uk 07495 474837
Please contact appropriate artist nearer the time for activities or Judy Willoughby willoughbyjudy@hotmail.com 07746 181704 Workshops are subject to weather permitting. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking Contact: Judy Willoughby – 01823 401130 / Megan Players – 07495 474837 / Nick Bickford nickbckfrd@gmail.com 07551 323636
Booking Price: Clay Faces suggested donation £10 adult £5 child
Age: Children accompanied by a parent
Website: judywilloughby.uk
Instagram: @judywillo1
Venue contact: 07746181704
Venue address: Secret Garden, Old School, Sand ST Milverton TA4 1JN
Directions: from Milverton Shop take Wellington direction in Sand St. The house is situated at the junction of Butts Way and Sand St.
What3Words: ///match.leotard.drumbeat
Parking: On street only
Refreshments: Tea and cakes on weekends only
Dogs Allowed: Assistance Dogs Only
Accessibility further information: A narrow door into studio. The garden is possible but uneven ground. Please call in advance if assistance is required as there is another entrance but it would be difficult for a wheelchair
Other Artists in the Venue: Judy Willoughby
Other artists in Parish: Kenneth and Marian Lauder, Sally Lancaster, Late Summer and the Earth Element, John Hartoch, David Manners, Penny Price Jewellery, Tess Armitage, Beth and Dyana French
Venue Opening times
Saturday 6th:
11:00 – 18:00
Saturday 7th:
11:00 – 18:00
Monday 8th:
Closed
Tuesday 9th:
10:00-17:00
Wednesday 10th:
10:00–17:00
Thursday 11th:
10:00–17:00
Friday 12th:
10:00–17:00
Saturday 13th:
10:00–17:00
Sunday 14th:
10:00–17:00