Category Archives: About Me

Behind the scenes with Shad

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Natasha, John’s daughter had the chance to shoot with me today!
While I was was setting up my camera, Natasha took the opportunity to capture the master at work.

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Be Kind to The Cat

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BE KIND TO THE CAT

A most mysterious and misunderstood little thing
A cat is a wonderful treasure
We sometimes get stroppy and seem so aloof
But can also give so much pleasure

The perfect design, we can leap, crawl and run
For defence we use sharp teeth and claws
We rub round your legs and meow if you’re lucky
Or play with our cute little paws

We sense where we are with our ears and our whiskers
Work hard to look after our fur
We communicate using our bodies and tails
When we’re happy we give you a purr

Territorial creatures, by nature we’re cautious
If frightened, we’ll scratch and we’ll bite
But handled with care and love and attention
We’ll comfort you during the night

Some cats have seen hard times and lived in danger
And lost the will to trust
But with patience and kindness and plenty of time
We can grow to love being fussed

A cat won’t be fooled and when its been hurt
There is no quick easy fix
Though some lucky moggies have been spoilt all their lives
And have learned a few little tricks

Like my friend Muffin who turns on the charm
Or Tiffin so timid and scatty
Handsome Ginger, so proud and strong
Or Basil who’s always been batty

Lets never forget the cats gone by
Faithful felines, honest and smart
Some old friends like Bisto and sweet little Pickle
Whose uniqueness set them apart

But those who love cats do so unconditionally
Because cats deserve nothing but that
Even though we’re naughty and can make a right mess
You should always be kind to the cat

Shad talks about his home town

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I was born and raised in Bognor Regis, a seaside town in the Arun district of West Sussex on the south coast of England.  I was lucky enough to meet John when I was kitten, as I was not looked after properly, under-fed and covered in fleas.  John took me home and cleaned me up and I’m now a rather portly, proud and playful 3 year old boy.  I’m sure you’ve noticed the noble whiskers and satin coat!  I can be a little grumpy from time to time but a headstrong and adventurous cat like me is entitled to the odd mood-swing!

Me as a kitten
Me at 3 yrs

One of my favourite activities is going for a walk along the promenade.  When the tide is low, the wet rippled sand is strewn with rock pools teaming with sea life such as crabs, winkles, algae, and those tiny little fish that live in the rocky shores of the British coastline.  When the tide is high, the water can be still and shimmering blue, or choppy and murky green.

Sunset behind Bognor Pier
Bognor Pier
Bognor Beach
Bognor Beach – Piece of the Mulberry Harbour
Bognor sea front

Bognor Regis was originally just named Bognor, being a fishing town, and at one time a smuggling village until the 18th century, until it was developed into a fashionable seaside resort by Sir Richard Hotham.  He came to the area to partake of the ‘beneficial’ sea air and now has a public park named after him.  Tourism gradually took off in Bognor during the 19th century and King George V came to Bognor in 1929 to convalesce.  As a result, the King agreed to bestow the suffix ‘Regis’ (which means ‘of the king’) to the name.  It is located 55 miles south-west of London, 24 miles west of Brighton and 6 miles south-east of the city of Chichester.

Hotham Park miniature railway
Hotham Park House Clock Tower
Hotham Park miniature railway
Hotham Park

Now I can’t talk about Bognor without mentioning the legendary International Bognor Birdman competition.  This is an annual competition for human-powered flying machines which involves crazy contestants launching themselves from the end of the pier, a prize being awarded to the one who glides the furthest distance.  Competitors wear outlandish dress and construct some impressive and improbable machines to take part in the event.  It started in Selsey in 1971 and transferred to Bognor in 1978 when it had outgrown its original location.  The Birdman Event of 2008 was transferred to Worthing following health and safety concerns about the pier.

The pier is 148 years old (almost as old as John!!) and took some 18 months to complete.  It has undergone several transformations over the years, with extensions and restorations, and the addition of a theatre, a cinema and a roof-garden restaurant.  It was used during the Second World War as an observation station and has since succumbed to damage and structural collapse over the years from fire and severe storms.  With increasing maintenance and repair costs, and continued weakening of the seaward end of this Grade II listed structure, the seaward end unfortunately remains derelict.  However, the pier is still popular with locals and tourists and forms part of the town’s character and charm.

Sunset behind Bognor Pier
Butlins at night
Aldwick beach huts
Bognor Sea front

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my musings about my home town.  John and I have taken lots of photos in the local area over the years and I’ve shared a selection with you here today.  Oh and don’t worry about my little joke at John’s expense earlier.  He knows I think the world of him and have the greatest respect for him as my friend and provider and business partner (even if he is a grouchy old chap like me!!).

http://www.bognorregisbeach.co.uk/

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