Photographs and personal accounts of lockdown to be turned into book capturing pandemic life

STUNNING photographs will accompany first-hand accounts of life in lockdown for a book hoping to capture this strange moment in time.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 25th Aug 2020, 16:31 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2020, 17:28 BST
Penny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: Penny, left, and MartinePenny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: Penny, left, and Martine
Penny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: Penny, left, and Martine

In May this year, when the UK had been in lockdown for some time and restrictions were beginning to lift a little, business friends Penny Plimmer and Martine Bolton decided to join forces in a new venture to record the pandemic.

Penny, a freelance commercial photographer from Horndean, has been collecting more than 50 images to go alongside people’s first-hand accounts of their experiences written up by freelance training consultant and author Martine.

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They have since collected more than 50 stories and photographs from people and businesses within a 20-mile radius of Portsmouth, each telling very personal accounts of what happened, and how they adapted to the changes they were faced with.

Penny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: An image of Bev Saunders from Helping Hands PortsmouthPenny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: An image of Bev Saunders from Helping Hands Portsmouth
Penny Plimmer and Martine Bolton are creating a book which captures images and stories about the pandemic. Pictured: An image of Bev Saunders from Helping Hands Portsmouth
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Penny said: ‘People are amazing, and I have thoroughly enjoyed taking the pictures and hearing people’s accounts. We will probably go down the self-publishing route, and are currently exploring ways of funding the book’s production.

‘Our businesses both suffered hugely during lockdown with very little paid work coming in, and so we’re looking at the possibility of sponsorship to support printing costs.’

The final product will be a large, coffee table style memento with black and white photographs and a minimum of 20 per cent of any profits from the book will go to the charities and charitable organisations whose stories feature, which includes homelessness charity Helping Hands Portsmouth.

SEE ALSO: Lee-on-the-Solent resident makes £2,000 donation to project transforming library into a community hub

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Martine, from Hedge End, said: ‘Capturing the stories has been touching and uplifting, as despite the nature of the event, so many people, businesses and charities did extraordinary things to help others and serve their communities and customers.

‘We wanted to shine a light on the superheroes, and ensure that the many positive things that came out of the situation aren’t forgotten.’

Beyond the book, the duo would love to create an exhibition of the photographs, and believe the project could attract attention to the area, highlighting the resilience, creativity and spirit of the people.

They intend to publish the book in October, and anyone who would like to be involved can contact [email protected] or [email protected]

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