Urban Photography The City of Wells
Front Cover Photograph: The City nestling in the valley overlooked by the Cathedral Back Cover Photograph: The Busy High Street
This walk was part of the Talk-Walk-Talk project, a joint initiative between the Digital Imaging, Landscape and Creative Eye Special Interest Groups of the Royal Photographic Society. The aim of the project is to bring photographers together to work on a specific theme. In autumn 2026 the theme was The Urban Environment. These TWT events are in three parts - an initial talk by an expert in the field, a walk in their own area led by a volunteer and a follow-up talk about the photos taken on the walk and to select two images to go into the online gallery, which includes the images from all the different walks across the UK. The overnight storm and the weather forecast for the day meant that three people cancelled but ten intrepid photographers met at St Cuthbert’s church in Wells for the walk on October 21st. In fact the weather by the 10am start was dry and bright if a little cold and windy. The Wednesday Market held in The Market Place was cancelled due to the forecast high winds but there was still plenty to see and photograph. Those that cancelled were keen to do the walk, so a second walk was organised for the following Wednesday October 28th. Seven photographers, including some returning for the second time, repeated the walk this time with the added bonus that the Market was being held. Each photographer was asked to submit their favourite three images, which were viewed and discussed at the follow-up meeting held on November 10th. A vote was taken to choose two images to represent the walk in the TWT online gallery. Brendan's 'Time to Paws' and Sandie's 'Pedals and Petals' were chosen to represent the walk and can be viewed https://talkwalktalk.org/topic-gallery/757. A zine of the participants submitted images was also created and can be viewed in the online gallery https://talkwalktalk.org/zine/urban. Denise Bailey (Joint Walk Leader)
Our route took in: St Cuthbert’s Church, Alms Houses, High Street, Market Place, Sadler Street to Browns Gate and return to the Market Place, Penniless Porch, Cathedral Green, Vicars' Close, Chain Gate, St Andrew Street, Tor Street, Bishop’s Palace Moat to the Bishop’s Table. Participants: Barbara Voules, Brendan Doyle, Dave Loewy, David Gurney, Denise Bailey, Donald Branch, Janet Gibson, Lachlan Fraser, Roger Harvey, Roy Bailey, Ruth Forbes, Sandie Docherty, Victoria Taylor.
Top left: Ruth, Donald, Dave, Brendan, Lachlan, Vicky, Sandie, Roy. Top right: Janet, Roger, Donald, Roy, Denise. Bottom Left: Barbara, Janet,Roger, Donald, Vicky, Roy. Bottom Right: Brendan, Lachlan, Ruth, David, Donald, Vicky, Dave. Four photos were required to capture the whole group!
Market Barbara Voules LRPS
Page 6
Wells Moat Barbara Voules LRPS
Page 7
Through the Arch Barbara Voules LRPS
Page 8
Time to Paws Brendan Doyle LRPS Selected by the group to represent the walk in the on-line gallery
Page 9
Keep Clear Brendan Doyle LRPS
Page 10
Out of Use Brendan Doyle LRPS
Page 11
Unseen Figure Dave Loewy Page 12
Unseen Doorway Dave Loewy Page 13
Unseen Detail Dave Loewy Page 14
Wells Market Square David Gurney Page 15
Cathedral Through the Wall David Gurney
Page 16
Vicars' Close David Gurney
Page 17
Penniless Porch Denise Bailey LRPS Page 18
The Cathedral from the East, a view less often photographed Denise Bailey LRPS Page 19
The City Arms, formerly the City Jail Denise Bailey LRPS
Page 20
Market Place Wells Donald Branch
Page 21
Brown's Gatehouse Wells Donald Branch Page 22
Penniless Porch Wells Donald Branch Page 23
Wells High Street Shop Front Janet Gibson Page 24
Wells High Street Salvation Army Janet Gibson Page 25
Wells High Street Scene Janet Gibson Page 26
Lachlan Fraser LRPS Page 27
Vicars' Close Lachlan Fraser LRPS
Page 28
High Street Lachlan Fraser LRPS
Page 29
High Street Wells Roger Harvey
Page 30
Market Wells Roger Harvey
Page 31
Market Square Roger Harvey
Page 32
Cathedral Clock Roy Bailey
Page 33
St Cuthbert's Church Roy Bailey
Page 34
The Silent Protector Roy Bailey
Page 35
Vicars' Close chimneys Ruth Forbes Page 36
The Old Deanery Ruth Forbes Page 37
Alleyway on High Street Ruth Forbes
Page 38
Pedals and Petals Sandie Docherty LRPS Selected by the group to represent the walk in the on-line gallery Page 39
Left: Grape Expectations Right: Reflections of the High Street Sandie Docherty LRPS Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Left: Vicars' Close Right: Alms Houses Victoria Taylor ARPS Page 43
Bishop's Palace Moat Victoria Taylor ARPS
Page 44
With thanks to the Digital Imaging, Landscape and Creative Eye Special Interest Groups of the Royal Photographic Society for the Talk-Walk-Talk initiatives, which have created a wonderful opportunity for photographers to meet and practice their hobby together.
Page 45
In search of the next shot Barbara Voules LRPS
Page 46
Collage of all the images submitted created by Donald Branch
Page 47