National Trust staff celebrate as English castle is saved from ruin thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund grant

Photo by Guy Harrop . The last castle to have been built in England, is to be saved from certain ruin thanks to a £2.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. National Trust staff and volunteers celebrate the news of a £2.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund at Castle Drogo, Devon. Castle Drogo is the last castle to have been built in Britain, between 1911 and 1931 and was designed by the renowned architect Edwin Lutyens . Since  its completion it has suffered major structural problems resulting in leaks and water penetration throughout the building . The announcement of the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will now ensure its conservation including restoration work of the large flat roof. 

Crowded beaches continue as temperature stays up in Devon

Crowded scenes from Woolacombe beach today, Thursday as temperatures stay into 20's. 
All photos by Westcountry PR photographer Guy Harrop

Hottest day of the year proves a hit with sunbathers, UK

Sunbathers pack woolacombe beach as temperatures soar across the UK

Sunbathers cool off in the sea at Woolacombe beach, Devon on the hottest day of the year

Two surfers look for space amongst the crowds at Woolacombe beach, Devon

Crowds fill the beach at Woolacombe, Devon. Photos by Westcountry PR photographer Guy Harrop

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Hot weather draws in the sunbathers, Devon, UK

24/07/12. Thousands of sunbathers enjoy the hot weather at Woolacombe beach, Devon as temperatures rise across the UK. Photo by Westcountry PR photographer Guy Harrop

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Mud, glorious mud as the UK festival season gets underway

 A sea of mud and heavy downpours doesn't dampen spirits at the the annual Larmer Tree Festival in Dorset at the weekend. All photos Westcountry PR photographer Guy Harrop

Festival goers Katy Mansell-Carter (R) and Edwing Laycock (L) brave the mud to enjoy themselves at the annual Larmer Tree Festival in Dorset, despite the weekend rain which swept across the UK.

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Switzerland can be a treat for the eyes and mind.

Sitting by a tiny harbour on Lake Geneva in Switzerland sipping coffee and eating fresh pastries in the morning light. There is warmth everywhere and smiling faces nod bonjour as the boats gently bob about on the water. The sun's long shadows stretch across the floor.  Photo by Westcountry photographer Guy Harrop.

Gardening shoots in full bloom

 A couple of images from a recent gardener commission - at least someone is happy about the rain !!! 

All photos by Devon PR  photographer Guy Harrop 

Eastern bloc war camp through a photographer's eye

A visit to a transit camp in Eastern Europe by Westcountry photographer Guy Harrop.

One of the most sinister places I have ever visited is Theresienstadt concentration transit camp established by the SS during WWII in Bohemia, Czech Republic.  The Gestapo set up a prison there in 1940. Tens of thousands of Jews were murdered and over a hundred thousand people were held there before being sent to their deaths at the notorious camps of Auschwitz and Treblinka.

Walking through the Jewish cemetery and into the camp the air is still, a feeling of death and sadness surrounds you. Empty buildings littered with crammed bunks and wooden tables, cold stone floored cells, a maze of tunnels not big enough to stand in, rotting gallows and interrogation rooms – all void of life.

My grandmother was part Jewish and for me to experience a place of such sacrifice and cruelty humbled me to tears. It is important as a photographer to share experiences with your eyes, sometimes good and bad. Several of my photos from Czech Republic have been published in International papers and magazines, particularly in the Czech Republic.

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Jumping into the magical light in the sky

Shooting commissioned work abroad has its perks, especially volleyball on a sunny beach in Tarifa, Spain. The light is magical almost hypnotic and of a quality absent in the UK. It is a place you can wander around with your camera, old towns meeting new, everywhere a smiley face, an inquisitive stare, but best of all is the glow and warmth from the beautiful light in the sky. Photo Guy Harrop

North Devon photographer challenges the weather

North Devon photographer Guy Harrop has been busy shooting several brochures and prospectuses for clients across the region. This year's bad weather has been the biggest challenge for Guy, trying to organise models and locations whilst juggling the weather forecasts which can be unpredictable to say the least. Luckily with his experience, decent kit and some clever lighting, Guy has still managed to keep his clients smiling. 
Photo Guy Harrop