Chris Elphick

Entry Posted October 01, 2008

Enjoying an Ice-Cream at Shepherds, Parkmill

Hi and welcome to W2G. Over the course of the following weeks, months and years, I hope to share my love of the Gower Peninsula by exploring as many aspects of its history, folklore, wildlife and natural beauty (and just about every other subject related to the area) as I can. As a qualified photographer (who feels really lucky to have stood before so many wondrous Gower scenes with camera in hand), I will also liberally illustrate this guide with some of my favourite images of this unique and precious place. I hope you enjoy my photography and writing and have time to perhaps leave a comment or two beneath any of the entries which you may find of interest. I want this site to be just as much about your thoughts about the Gower Peninsula as it is about mine. Together we can make this Welcome to Gower a unique and fascinating adventure.

Anyway, as this this site will contain a lot of personal commentary, you may want to learn a little more about me. If so, here's a very brief biography:

On the Bulwark, Llanmadoc

I grew up in the quiet, estuarine village of Crofty, North Gower. Fascinated by the countryside which surrounded me, I soon developed an interest in capturing the area's outstanding natural beauty on camera as well as becoming an avid reader on just about every local history book on the peninsula that I could lay my hands on.

My love for Gower often spilled over into my college work, where I wrote numerous articles on the area and based many of my various photography projects on the peninsula. After gaining a Distinction grade for my work on my two year full-time BTEC National Diploma in Design (Photography) course, which I took at Swansea College of Further Education (1988 -1990), I then spent a further three years studying Photography at the West Surrey College of Art (1991-1994). There I gained a BA (Honours) in the subject.

Rhossili Downs

It was whilst working towards my photography degree that I met my lovely wife Stella. Introducing her to the Gower Peninsula, she too fell in love with place and now runs Gower's oldest established website devoted to the area - Explore-Gower. Now residing in Swansea, Gower's closest city, with Stella and our two beautiful children, Amber and Conor, I visit Gower on an almost weekly basis to further my exploration of this wonderful and rich landscape. One of our dearest wishes is that one day we will be able to afford to live upon the land we both hold so dear in our hearts.

Whilst a lot of my time is taken up with family life and a job in the Civil Service (needs must and all that), I also write creative literature and produce a website on Glastonbury (my second favourite place in the World). My writing and photography has been published across the world in various books and magazines and my advice has been sought for numerous Gower related television and radio programmes.

Well, I think that's enough information about myself - for the time being anyway. You'll soon learn a lot more about me as you read through the site's various posts and downloads.

Penrice

If anyone reading this site would like to contact me privately, my email is chris.elphick@gmail.com.

Also, if you are organising a Gower event or run a tourist attraction on the Gower Peninsula and would like some FREE professional photographs to market your business or event, I can usually be booked for a very reasonable fee (and maybe even free). Email me with your requirements at the above address.

I look forward to hearing from you and/or reading your comments on this site.

- Chris Elphick