Swindon photographer takes a picture every day for nine years

Maureen Iles posts a little write-up about each of the 3,288 images on an online blog which has been viewed more than 897,000 times and attracted more than 400 followers.

She has never missed a day, even continuing while on holiday in Vietnam and Singapore, and sets herself challenges and themed days to keep things varied and interesting, finding inspiration anywhere and everywhere, such as from street signs, derelict buildings, flowers, and teddy bears.The blog is named after Honeycomb Beach in Bournemouth, a favourite day out destination.

The Adver first spoke to the 76-year-old when she hit her 700th consecutive photography day back in 2015 and caught up with her after the 2,300th pic went up on New Year's Day 2022.

A toadstool at Coate Water photographed by Maureen Iles

She said: "I've always taken photos - my son says 'if it doesn't move, Mother takes a picture of it.. I've definitely gotten better over the years, some of the first ones on the blog are rubbish but I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

"I love to research the subject of the picture, it makes things so much more interesting. I've printed a lot of them off and like looking back, it's good to be reminded of what you've done.

"It's hard to choose a favourite, though I like taking close-ups of flowers and shots of people, and the 100 abstracts I did last year which raised £1,240 for charity.

"One photo that has always stuck with me is when I took a photo at the end of a pier without realising there was a homeless man in it. I went back to talk to him and brought a bag of food.

"It was heartbreaking, you just think 'there but for the grace of God...', he was so lovely and let me take his picture."

A homeless man photographed by Maueen Iles

Maureen has tried her hand at turning her photos into radio broadcasts by talking about highlights on Swindon 105.5.

Over the years, her challenges have included finding a street name in the Swindon area for every letter of the alphabet, which included the Adver's old home on Victoria Road and only missed out X, or 'a seat with a view', and next is unusual pub names.

Silly Saturday sees Maureen arrange whimsical tableaux of teddies, a few were donated by her followers who enjoy responding to her posts - some of which are written 'in character' as one of the toys.

She added: "It sounds odd but it's a lot of fun. In these difficult times, we need something to laugh about. I've got such a lovely community who are encouraged to be kind."

Silly Saturday by Maureen Iles

Maureen's blog is named after a favourite day out destination of Honeycombe Beach in Bournemouth. Visit www.blipfoto.com/Honeycombebeach

An abstract photo of a Deanery Academy staircase by Maureen Iles