The 365 project is A Year In The Life of Sheppey running at the same time as similar 365 projects in Faversham and Canterbury. The objective is to have a picture posted for everyday of 2011and to post them for the public to see in 2012.
I am part of the Sheppey project along with another thirty or more photographers amateur and professional, some taking a week or more on the calendar throughout the year. Rain, shine or snow, the pictures are taken. Some photographers concentrate on activities and people, some on the landscape and others on events.
My approach is to look for the things that would not attract great notice, the hidden things, the things that might not usually be seen as important by the casual passer-by. From the mudflats of the Swale to theSparrows nesting in my neighbour's roof and the odd, quirky things that Sheppey has as well as some of the best, wild island scenery in the area, thus far I have gathered a number of pictures.
As an off-shoot of the project, and likely another project, I have begun a journal that is taking me across the island from the Swale crossing bridge to the remote Shell Ness beach, across from Elmley nature reserve to the busy Sheerness port and Bluetown with a walk into Queenborough and Rushenden with excursions on the side.
I have a journal of slide shows steadily growing and a Wordpress (jpuss23) blog journal. In these pages I will take you on a light trip around the island.
I have since added a second album to 365 (365 Two) and some of the pictures and the origins need a little explanation. The Room, for example is a converted shipping container which is shipped around the borough and used to display local artist's work. It is a community project and can be hired for no fee. The picture of the Room was taken on the Sheerness sea front. Harty church is on the remoter end of the island. Inside it is a chest that was washed up from a wreck, it is said, and is used as table on which couples sign the wedding register.
Elmley Marsh is an RSPB reserve surrounded by farmlands, industry and close to Sheppey's land link to the mainland. It offers peace and seems impose a slower pace in which there is time to watch the birds and perhaps talk to others about the area.
Opposed to that is Queenborough with its busy creek and fishing boats; Bluetown and the docks where local history competes with a venal desire to make the almighty dollar. The chairs are part of a the old Music Hall - I am sure they are being replaced.
HMS Wildfire was a Minesweeper based in Queenborough during WWII.