Treasured memories

Hi everyone,

It's Suzi here.  I'm looking forward to blogging more.  I've been busy working behind the scenes on a new look website and revamping the packages and products we offer.  But today I've been feeling very nostalgic.  I've just had a new fringe cut into my hair for the first time in 30 something years, and it's taken me right back to when I was a little girl.  This got me looking through some old photographs of my family and it's made me think how lovely and important it is to have these photographs to look back on.

My dad suffered some health problems with his heart recently, which came as quite a shock to us all as he had always previously been in good health.  Fortunately, he's recovering well, but it's certainly made us all sit up and enjoy every moment and to cherish the time we have together.  My Dad and my Grandad have always had cameras slung around their necks or a cine camera to hand, which I am so so grateful for.   Dad recently put all of Grandad's old cine films onto CD which is so nice to have - seeing generations of my family through the years!

Mum & Dad's wedding day 

I won't bore you with any films, but I thought I'd share a few photos with you.  We'd love to see some of your old photographs and hear about some of your memories.  Please feel free to add a link to a childhood photo you really cherish too on our Facebook page.

Liz Flanagan Storytelling at The Old Treehouse

I didn't have a wedding this weekend, so I caught up with friends, had a potter around Hebden Bridge, read, cooked, planned, even did a spot of housework.  On Sunday afternoon, I popped into The Old Treehouse in Hebden Bridge, it's such an enchanting children's shop.  Children's author, Liz Flanagan, was holding a Storytelling event.  She was reading from her recently published books Starlight Grey, and Cara and the Wizard.  It was the perfect setting, with the children sitting on toadstools listening to the magical tales! After Liz read, the children then had a chance to create their own stories and pictures.  It was a great event for a Sunday afternoon, and I think there are going to be more Storytelling days/evenings at The Old Treehouse in the run up to Christmas.

Hattie's Brave Shoot

When part of my research for a shoot is to sit down and watch a film in the afternoon, especially when that film is the wonderful Brave, I love my job just that little bit more!  I have to say when I saw it at the cinema the first time around, a few tears were shed, and judging by the sniffs from some of the adults around me, I wasn't the only one!  It's a beautiful film - great characters, adventures, and of course, the story.  I love a good soundtrack, and it was great to hear Julie Fowlis singing on the title song too.

Anyway, back to the shoot.  I went round to see Hattie, and we sat down to talk about what she would like to do in her Dream For Life Shoot.  I knew just the spot in Hardcastle Crags.  The trees down there were the perfect backdrop.   So off we went for a run around the forest, chasing willo the wisps, climbing trees, and Hattie showcased her archery skills.  She makes a fantastic Princess Merida I'm sure you'll agree!