Community Connections by Caroline Gratrix –
Matt Emmett is a Caversham based landscape and heritage photographer. His eight-year photography project titled ‘Forgotten Heritage’ won him Architecture Photographer of the Year in 2016 and then the inaugural Historic Photographer of the Year the following year. His work captures and documents ruins and at-risk heritage, and is not only stunning but historically important. Matt works with Heritage Open Days and gives lectures on photography around the country.
During lock down, he took his allotted exercise time late at night. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the streets, Matt was inspired to produce a body of work in and around Caversham and Reading. His stunning images are now being made into a calendar for the local homeless charity Launchpad, and will be on-sale raising funds for them in time for Christmas.
Recently he has turned his talents to video, and was commissioned by the Friends of Caversham Court to produce a short film for them, which you can view via the home page on their website http://home.fccg.org.uk/
How long have you lived in Caversham Matt?
Most of my life.
What’s your favourite thing about Caversham?
That it is compact with lots of lovely independent shops.
Caversham’s best coffee shop?
I don’t drink coffee or tea, but my other half likes Geo café.
Where to eat in Caversham?
We tend to go to The Bina, The Alto Lounge or just over the bridge to The Moderation.
Where to shop in Caversham?
My favourite shop is Homecrafts Hardware Store in Church Street. The guys who run it are super friendly and helpful, often with lots of honest advice on the best way to tackle a DIY project.
If you could bring anything to Caversham, what would it be?
It would be quite nice to have a decent bowling alley on our doorsteps, it’s an activity that is enjoyed by our whole family.