Author: David Wilkinson

Gayle Beck Lodge

Over the years, I have documented the condition of Gayle Beck Lodge through photography. My first image was captured in July 2010, showcasing its state. However, my most recent photo, taken in June 2025, reveals a concerning decline in its condition. The lodge has suffered significantly due to the harsh winters characteristic of the Yorkshire Dales.

Gayle Beck Lodge is a ruined stone structure located on the B6255 road between Ribblehead and Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It was originally built as a small shooting hut, likely in the 19th century, where grouse shooting parties would take refreshments. The lodge is situated about 3 miles north of the junction with the B6479. The lodge has been allowed to fall into disrepair and is now considered derelict.

July 2010

Gayle Beck Lodge 2025

June 2025

Frugal Film Project 2025

FFP25 May roll 2.

These images are taken at The East Lancs Railway, a heritage stream railway in my home town of Bury. They are all taken during the Vintage Vibes music festival over the bank holiday weekend 24th May. Almost the whole roll.

canonet QL17, Fomapan 200 and developed in Kodak HC110 1+31 Dill B for 4 minutes @20 deg

Negatives

Frugal Film Project May 2025


The Kirklees Valley is a testament to nature’s resilience. a region steeped in industrial history, lies a remarkable story of transformation. Through my photographic explorations, I wanted to document the stunning juxtaposition of the valley’s industrial past and its lush, verdant present. Each click of the shutter revealed stories whispered by the overgrown remnants of factories and railway lines, now entwined with wildflowers, trees, and wildlife. All these images are being used for the Frugal Film Project 2025, The camera must cost less than $75 and must use film as cheaply has possible. For this I am using my Canonet QL17, loaded with Fomapan 200 film

These last 2 images are taken from the same spot, one in the late 1970’s and the other in 2024. It just shows what nature can achieve if left alone.

Railway line late 1979's

Frugal Film Project April 2025

This month’s film was captured with a Canonet QL17 camera using Fomapan 200, developed in Rodinal at a 1:50 dilution for 10 minutes.

Carrying on from last months film, these were taken in the Kirklees valley, Tottington, Bury on my morning dog walk. A small collection from around a disused bleaching and dye mill and amore modern carpet mill. This is a great walk in a morning, usually about 3 miles.

The shadows and the lines was the main focus for these images.

Frugal Film Project – March 2025

This month’s film was captured with a Canonet QL17 camera using Fomapan 200, developed in Rodinal at a 1:50 dilution for 10 minutes.

The photos were taken during my morning dog walks around the beautiful Kirklees Valley in Tottington, Bury. It’s fascinating to see how this once industrial area has been reclaimed by nature, transforming it into a serene landscape that I love to explore.

Manchester in lockdown

Manchester Worker Bee

I had to take a trip to Manchester last weekend (permitted travel, donating blood) I took the opportunity to take my Olympus xa2 with me. I loaded a roll of Ilford HP5+ shot @800 iso, then developed the film in HC110 dil: b for 11 minutes. These photos are taken on what would be the busiest shopping streets in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday.

#FP4Party

FP4 Party Here are two rolls of Ilford FP4 I shot using my Hasselblad 500cm, coupled with the 50mm f4 lens. Both film where shot on the same day whilst out on my normal dog walk around the Kirklees valley in Tottington, Bury.  I upped the ISO to 200 so that I could hand hold the shots, I also used the mirror lockup after I had composed the image to reduce the vibration causing any camera shake.