Bath: Two Cemeteries and an Abbey
Talk Walk Talk - Bath; Two Cemeteries and an Abbey
Following the opening talk on the subject by Julian Elliot, the Bath TWT for the Sites of Religious Significance took place on Wednesday 3 June 2026. Graham was unable to be there but visited the same sites on a different day. So, this zine includes the work from nine photographers; two images, and in some cases a few words, from each one. I have added the cover images and an 'action' shot of one of the photographers in action. Thanks to Denise for providing the team photo.
The wet weather on the day threatened an abandonment but by taking an early coffee break and by flipping the planned morning and afternoon sessions, we managed to keep dry and cover the ground:
• Bath Abbey has been a place of worship since a monastery was established on the site in 675AD and it is still in use today.
• Smallcombe cemetery is not well known, being hidden away down a lane but only a few minutes walk from the railway station. It it quite overgrown and has many 'abandoned' and/or forgotten graves.
• The Abbey cemetery has a similar feel but is a little more well known and is slightly less abandoned.
The images shared here include all three of the main locations and, as always, despite a bunch of keen photographers being in the same place, there are few repeat images; we all saw different things.
The follow up meeting took place in Bath on Wednesday 1 July. Following some useful discussion the group selected two images to represent the Bath TWT in the official TWT gallery and e-Zine; Doug's Doorway to Heaven, and my Standing Firm.
The combined TWT Gallery can be viewed here: https://talkwalktalk.org/topic-gallery/693
This was my 6th TWT event as leader and it was every bit as enjoyable as the others. As always, a pleasure to meet other photographers and share images and thoughts on a common theme.
Steve
Hartley LRPS
The Digital Imaging and Landscape Groups TWT initiative has been brilliant and definitely one of the reasons I keep my RPS membership.
A big thank you to the groups and also to the leaders and co-leaders of the walks who do a lot of the work.
I love the zines that are produced following these walks.
Denise Bailey LRPS
Horrible weather and traffic delays nearly defeated the day but, following a coffee and change of plan the weather actually worked to our advantage. Shooting in Bath Abbey whilst it was wet outside gave many interesting views and angles to play with, resulting in images we were all pleased with.
Following lunch, we visited two of Bath’s historic churchyards and were rewarded with some fantastic light enabling atmospheric and varied shots.
‘Standing Tall’ allowed me to shoot a silhouette against a strong blue sky but enhance the detail in the headstone, conveniently located in a break in the trees, to show its age and weathering over a great number of years.
‘Doorway to Heaven’ was shot later in the afternoon when light was still strong but at a beautiful angle picking out the doorway and large tombstone. A short wait and several attempts as the light came and went with the prevailing breeze and I got what I had been waiting for. I feel the low angle and 6 x 17 crop has helped to increase the atmosphere.
Thanks to Steve, once again, for organising a great day out and to everyone else for their company and bonhomie. Here’s to the next one.
