The road runner and veteran photographer

Meet Ian Beesley, Bradford social documentary photographer. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak about his work, make sure you go. He was the speaker at the first meeting of the season of the Tynedale Photo Group. It was one of the best photography talks I have heard.

When Ian left school he had a job in the local sewerage works. This was where he started to take photographs. This was also where he worked as a road runner on the railway in the works and also where the older men encouraged him to look for further education. They recognised that this was the only way out of the sort of dangerous, filthy work they were doing.

Ian went on to college and has been recognised as an important documentary photographer for a long time. He has documented dying industries, working with the workforce in collaborative projects.

His images were superb and I was inspired by his approach. I was delighted to be the person to give the vote of thanks and more delighted when he agreed to be photographed.

There is an exhibition of his work, Grafters, at Bradford Industrial Museum at the moment and another at Salts Mill, Saltaire. I need to find a way to visit them before they close.

Otherwise, I had a lie in this morning - not surprising after the hectic weekend and late nights!