A virtual Bowlees exhibition by Richard Laidler

It’s (not just) all about the light

Since returning to his native North East in 2007 after 30 years in the south of England, Richard Laidler has got to know Teesdale properly. He was always, and remains, very fond of the northern Yorkshire dales, especially Swaledale, but now says Teesdale comes top of his list of favourite places.

He said: “Teesdale has, in my opinion, some of the best landscape in the country – arguably in the world. A large part of it lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and as these pictures show, with good reason. I get as much pleasure from wandering about in it as I do from occasionally seeing my pictures published in local media and sometimes broadcast on BBC Look North. During 2020 the Covid lockdown severely restricted our movements for quite a long time and visits to the upper dale were out. Living where I do in the lower dale (Hutton Magna) I am lucky to have some attractive, if a bit gentrified, countryside on my doorstep, and during the lockdown I walked the same local circuit from the house almost every day. I reckon I’ve done the equivalent of the coast-to-coast about eight times. We did have some lovely spring weather which helped. I haven’t included any pictures from that time in this exhibition but there are some on my website at www.middletonphotos.co.uk

“The whole of the dale is always lovely but the upper dale is the most dramatic, and in certain lighting conditions can appear quite stunning. Its all about the light – and I hope I’ve captured that with these pictures.

“But its also about the people who live in it, farm it, look after it and keep it looking like it does today. Over the years I’ve got to know a few of you quite well. You’ve always been extremely friendly and welcoming. No names, no pack drill, but you know who you are! This virtual exhibition is dedicated to you.”

All the photos here are available in a variety of sizes and formats (Canvas, Mounted/Framed and Acrylic) from Richard’s print on demand shop at https://photo4me.com/profile/24781/. You can browse photos at www.middletonphotos.co.uk