NEW VIEWS OF THE DARENT VALLEY 2023 *
We began work on this project in summer 2022, in association with the Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership (DVCRP). DVCRP covers the six railway stations between Sevenoaks and Swanley inclusive; the four intermediate stations are Bat & Ball, Otford, Shoreham (Kent!) and Eynsford.
Our Club aim was for members to enjoy themselves in producing a body of work highlighting the attractions of the Darent Valley. This would contribute to DVCRP's aim to encourage sustainable transport and tourism within the Valley. We tentatively thought that we might be able to put on an exhibition in mid-2023 to celebrate both our project and the Valley. Over a dozen member volunteers were able to take part in some way.
The bounds of our photography for the project was roughly the environs around the stations that could be relatively easily reached on foot or bicycle. It was a pragmatic boundary, not rigidly measured. We wanted it to be fun as well.
After some 10 months on the photography - when we we knew we had a great set of images - arrangements for the exhibition were set in train.
We had a long list of over 300 pictures that members had put forward from the even greater number they had taken. All volunteers taking part voted to help narrow them down to seventy prints for a display in the main hall of Bat & Ball Station. We also showed 100 different digital images on the wall-mounted monitor.
We worked hard on the Friday afternoon to install the show on display boards kindly lent by Sevenoaks District Council and Sevenoaks Town Council. About 150 visitors saw the show over the weekend, with a number expressing interest in joining the Club. The café at the station opened specially for the show, and did a roaring trade.
Digital equivalents of prints exhibited can be seen here.
* Our project was shortlisted for the national Community Rail Awards 2024 ; even though we didn't win it was great recognition for the Club.
