LOCAL food heroes are celebrated in a photographic exhibition currently on show at the Wharf in Tavistock. The photographs provide an insight into some of the traditional methods of food production in the Tamar Valley area, including titles such as ?Bursting Shed??, ?Constant Friend? and ?Pop?s Shoes?. The collection of predominantly black-and-white stills are the work of Ted Giffords, a Bristol-based cameraman and photographer, who works both in the UK and abroad. The images are taken from a recently-published book, ?Sovereigns, Madams and Double Whites?, written by Joanna Lewis. It tells the poignant story of the rise and fall of market gardening over the last 150 years and the influence this has had on the Tamar Valley?s landscape and culture. A spokesperson for the Tamar Valley AONB Service said the book and exhibition were a result of a photo shoot for the Countryside Agency in 2002. It showed a clear need to develop an audio-visual project with the last remaining market gardeners of the valley, creating a lasting record of the culturally important history before it disappeared. The colour images displayed at the exhibition, entitled ?A Cultural Insight?, are taken from a short film of people working on and connected to the River Tamar. The film is the start of a new project, which the spokesperson said came at a time when fishing in the Tamar Valley was facing an uncertain future. The exhibition is on display until Friday, April 29. Entry is free and available to view during normal Wharf opening hours ? which are available on 01822 613928. Copies of the book are available at the exhibition and from local bookshops.
