New book highlights stories of extraordinary effort from charities and businesses during the pandemic

Businesses, charities and individuals within a 20-mile range of Portsmouth have been immortalised in a coffee-table book by training consultant and author Martine Bolton and Penny Plimmer, a commercial photographer.

In May, the pair decided they would like to create a record of the times through beautiful black and white images alongside words about what people had achieved.

Over the following six months they collected 67 stories and photographs, with themes including NHS and key worker stories, community stories, stories of transformation, creativity, resilience, loss and more.

Penny, from Horndean, was over the moon to see her work in its final printed form.

She said: ‘For me emotions took over when the book arrived. It is everything I expected and more, I believe it is something good that has come out of a dreadful year.

‘Meeting all of the people and charities in there brought warmth to my heart. I know this has been their experience now they have their own copy of the book.

‘Many people have now bought more copies to give as a gift, which fills me with love as for every book purchased, 20 per cent of the proceeds go to the charities.’

A donation from sales revenue will go to the charities and charitable organisations whose stories feature, including Rotary Club, Helping Hands, Pompey in the Community, Music Fusion, YouTrust, Dementia Support, Elizabeth Foundation, Kings Theatre and The Pompey Pals.

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Martine, from Hedge End, said: ‘It’s so exciting to see the book in print at last, and finding its way in the world.

‘We hope the exposure brings blessings to the people, businesses and charities whose stories feature, all of whom have been amazing this year - stoic, creative, resilient and so thoughtful of others.’

The book is on sale on Penny’s website, visit japics.co.uk/lockdown-book to read more about the project and the stories.

The pair hope that the many inspirational stories will uplift readers, and remind them that while 2020 was a difficult year in so many ways, the human spirit was strong and a lot of good came out of the situation.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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