2010 – ongoing. A chance encounter with a nocturnal fishing/beach fire party whilst out photographing led to a suggestion to visit (and photograph) Maurice Surtees, one of the canniest gadgies you’d ever have the pleasure to meet. So the next day I went up to his Ryhope Pigeon Cree, the world’s only listed Pigeon Cree, no less. Built by Maurice and his brother William in the early 1950s out of bits of wood from Ryhope Colliery, that meeting sparked an ongoing friendship, documentary project, and video – currently awaiting completion – until then, here’s a small selection of images. Nowt’s a bother lad!