C5 Films (Continent 5ive Films)

11/09/2025

The incredible Freddie De Tommaso after his performance as Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca with Anna Netrebko and Gerald Finley at the Royal Ballet And Opera

21/08/2025

Congratulations to the Cumbria Opera Group for a splendid performance of Mozart's 'Marrriage of Figaro' tonight in Penrith, and HUGE thanks for inviting me to review it for Operawire

19/08/2025

Castlerigg Stone Circle

This amazing, mystical circle of stones dates from around 3000BC, during the Neolithic period, and is considered to be one of the most important British stone circles in terms of megalithic astronomy and geometry.

The precise function of these early circles is not known, but their importance possibly centred on their large internal areas with their formalised entrances. Sites such as Castlerigg were undoubtedly important meeting places for the scattered Neolithic communities, but whether as trading places or as religious centres, or even both, is not known.

10/08/2025

Here at the Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms to cover the remarkable Aigul Akhmetshina in her performance of Scheherazade.

05/08/2025

https://operawire.com/q-a-anna-pirozzi-on-her-recent-performance-of-abigaille-in-nabucco-more/

My interview with the delightful soprano Anna Pirozzi for Operawire

Over the last decade, Anna Pirozzi has established herself as the leading Italian dramatic soprano today, treading the most prestigious Italian and international stages.

03/08/2025

Still waiting for clear, moonless skies........in the meantime........
My Kent Wildlife Trust winning picture from 2023, one of my most popular prints!

30/07/2025

The wreck of the RX15 is a FAMOUS Dungeness landmark that has appeared in a number of television productions, magazines and books, having been a prominent feature of the shingle for over 65 years.

Its remaining, clinker-built wooden frame was, sadly, totally destroyed by fire in June, 2021.

I was fortunate enough to photograph and film it, just a few weeks before it was burnt.

28/07/2025

Littlestone Water Tower

The 120ft water tower at Littlestone was built in 1890 by Henry Tubbs to supply water to his properties in Littlestone, including Littlestone Golf Club and his proposed housing development.

Henry Tubbs wanted to turn Littlestone into a major resort and embarked on an ambitious building programme, including the Marine Parade and Grand Hotel. His plans for a pier were not realised, however, and it was eventually built at Eastbourne instead.

The tower is constructed in red brick which shows the external features of the tower very well. It narrows at about the third story and its appearance changes depending on your viewpoint. At the top there is a sort of turret, giving the building a slightly military look.

The military used the Tower during World War Two as a lookout post and they made some changes to the structure, partly the reason for its slightly wobbly look. The Army also added a substantial concrete stairway inside.

Unfortunately, the water tower didn’t function properly and the water was found to contain too much salt to be of any use. In 1902 the Littlestone and District Water Company built a tower at Dungeness to supply all of New Romney, Littlestone, Greatstone and Lydd. The tower at Littlestone fell into disuse but now serves as a residence.

26/07/2025

Late night catch...............
Moonraker, trawling for STARS on the vast plains of Dungeness beach!

19/07/2025

Camber Castle lies between Rye and Winchelsea.

This historic castle built by Henry VIII is an unusually unaltered artillery fort designed to guard the port of Rye.

There is no vehicular access to the castle but it is a one-mile walk over rough paths and fields, from Rye.

Thanks to Susan Pilcher & Kolyn Menace, I managed to get there in near pitch blackness without stumbling into the river, d***s, cowpats or actual COWS, and make it out again. It's a lovely castle! (Just go in the daytime!)

16/07/2025

St Thomas à Becket, Fairfield.

Legend has it that the Archbishop was journeying across the dangerous Romney Marsh when he fell into one of the many ditches.

He prayed to St.Thomas, as he came up for the second time, for a miracle to save him from a watery death. Just in time, a farmer arrived to save him, and in gratitude the Archbishop
had the little church built and dedicated to St Thomas a Becket.

13/07/2025

Should ET find himself lost out on the vast plains of Dungeness.......