During a Dartmoor walking holiday based in the village of Moretonhampstead on the edge of the moor we were woken around midnight by smoke seeping into our room from a fire in a nearby building. Donning a dressing gown and grabbing my camera, the scenes that were soon to unfold were truly shocking.

I had never before witnessed a serious fire at close quarters and it's not an experience I wish to repeat. It was thought an electrical fault was to blame and thankfully, no one was hurt - the only damage was to property.

But the speed of the fire, its intensity and the complete devastation to a terrace that had stood in the village for hundreds of years was truly shocking.

Initially the fire in the roof of one property was clearly visible. Suddenly the thatch of the whole terrace exploded with a huge 'whoosh' and then the end was a simple matter of 'how long?' It took the fire crews all night to control the fire and though tired and exhausted, they were still damping down the following morning.

When we left three days later the site had been completely cleared and there was no sign of the buildings, the fire, the trauma or the valiant efforts by fire crews to save a part of Moretonhampstead's heritage.

October - 2020

This month sees  a third 'Blurb' book published! This one covers various DPG topics and my contributions to them. Printed on premium grade paper in hardback, it has a high quality feel and is a great coffeee table read.

Full details are here: https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/10334723-playgroup-a-journey-through-digital-photography

DPG - 2021

As we begin 2021, meetings are not possible and it is uncertain when they will re-start. So we have devised a programme for the first 6 months, based on members contributing to the Viewing Platform on the chosen subjects.

Full details are here: www.dpg-vp.weebly.com

There are links also to the basic photography course by Chris Bray that we ran last year and other useful contacts and links.

PORTFOLIO develops different themes and ideas - your feedback will be most welcome.

Stories of a devasting fire in Devon, the Wells 'Lifeboat Horse' and a visit to London's 'Winter Wonderland' are the first three. Watch out for more to come . . .

Watch this space for further news . . .

Just before the first dreaded Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, we did manage to squeeze in a visit to Fakenham Races. It was Friday the 13th so most of us refrained from gambling, preferring to concentrate on the photo opportunities. Here's mine: Fakenham Races

Since then, we've been restricted to 'virtual' meetings and to this end you can find all that we're getting up to on on our Viewing Platform, www.dpg-vp.weebly.com

I hope you enjoy the experience.