John Curno has followed up his previous book on Drewsteignton with a similar tome ?Chagford Parish ? A Photographic Study in the 21st Century?, which contains more than 200 black and white photographs of the moorland town taken by John in the last two years.
John, who lives at Drewsteignton, said: ?I could not capture everyone in the parish, but tried to find a balance between the various characters, the townscape and the scenery. I have tried to capture the essence of this parish.?
John explained the object of the book: ?Although this is not a history book, it is a slice of time, which I hope will be of historical interest in the future. Even in the couple of years that this project has taken me, I notice the changes around me, for the history is in the photographs.?
John said he had enjoyed compiling the photographs which make up the book. ?The parish of Chagford is a beautiful and varied one, and I have enjoyed meeting the friendly residents and having fun at all the local events, including Chagford Show and the Golden Jubilee parties,? he said.
The pictures compiled in the book are taken from around the parish, from the woods to Fernworthy Reservoir, from Meldon Hill to the Common, from the church tower to some of the farms in the surrounding countryside.
John was born in Plymouth in 1949, the youngest of ten children, and became interested in photography from an early age.
He married in 1977 and moved to York. John then bought a Mamiya Press camera and set about pursuing his hobby. Five years later, he had his first exhibition at Impression Gallery in York, with many to follow around the country in the next 17 years.
When John and his wife moved back to Devon in the 1990s, they chose to move to Drewsteignton because they liked the Dartmoor setting.
Chagford Parish ? A Photographic Study in the 21st Century is hardback A4 size with more than 200 black and white photographs taken in the last two years. If you would like more information about ordering a copy of the book contact John at [email protected]">[email protected], telephone 01647 281668 or write to him at 3 Knowle Lane, Drewsteignton, Exeter, EX6 6QY.Richard