As some of you will recall, in one of my other online lives I am a keen contributor to the Geograph photo-mapping project. I have taken photographs in 14,803 different squares - the British Isles being divided into over three hundred thousand of these squares which measure 1km by 1km.
On the Geograph home page, they declare that the project has attracted 13,815 different contributors since its inception in December 2005. However, behind that figure there lurks another story.
I joined Geograph in 2009 which was the year I retired from full time teaching here in Sheffield. That connection is clearly not uncommon. As I read it, I would say that a substantial proportion of Geograph contributors are retired folk with time on their hands to roam about with their cameras. Of course, when someone retires the next big thing in their life will be death and when a Geograph contributor dies then he or she will cease contributing images. Crazy I know - but it's true!
What you find is this. A contributor will have been uploading new pictures on a weekly basis for years and then all of a sudden their contributions stop. Okay they may have got bored with the whole thing or maybe they've had a debilitating stroke or maybe someone stole their camera or something like that but mostly the endings are down to death.
I wonder what my very last picture will be? Here I am sharing the last images of three previously busy Geograph contributors. This was the last picture of Dr Neil Clifton who submitted 16,509 photos between December 2005 and November 15th 2018. It was taken on Fleece Street in Rochdale, Lancashire that same month:-
And if you are wondering about the picture at the top of this blogpost. It is of Elliottholme Lodge near Bakewell, Derbyshire. I snapped it just last Friday. And if I fail to wake up in the morning, following the example of my brother Paul, it is this image that will be my last gift to Geograph and the world. My swan song. Thank you and good night. (Sound of hooting, cheers and foot stomping)
This is an interesting and useful project. as far as I know we don't have anything like it here. Last photo? Bah! Anybody who walks as much as you do will be around for a while.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you will outlive me Red! The race is on!
DeleteWe never know when our end will be (or a life changing event)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there's an Australian Geograph.....off to google
There's a German Geograph but not Australian as far as I know. Perhaps you could get it going Kylie!
DeleteOh that Elliottholme Lodge is just lovely.
ReplyDeleteA very peaceful location and yet just five minutes by car to the centre of bustling Bakewell.
DeleteBeautiful pictures, all of them. I'm sure you will wake up in the morning, so I'll stop here and say "seeya tomorra"
ReplyDeleteYou were right Elsie! I AM ALIVE!
DeleteThe next big thing for many a retiree is not death, but grandchildren - as in your case. And for some others, it is a world trip, a move to a more comfortable place in a quieter area, the start of a new hobby or taking up volunteer work - it could be a number of things. Death certainly is the last big thing for all of us, though, and it is good to keep in mind that we just don't know how long we'll be around. Take my sister's closest friend R - it is the first anniversary of his death today. He would have turned 59 only 3 weeks later. Thankfully, my sister had the opportunity to be at his side for the last weeks of his life, and used them well. He knew he was loved.
ReplyDeleteAnd you were there for your brother until the end - and beyond, sorting out his estate.
I accept your reservations.
DeleteIt's not a bad photo to go out on. You should wake in a hour or worse, two. Let us know you survived the night before we write posts about your last Geograph picture.
ReplyDeleteNovember 15th and I am still alive so you have my full permission to rejoice Andrew!
DeleteMiserable creature! Actually it is quite interesting what we set out to record before our death. Maybe it is very Northern but here in Tod, there are loads of F/B chat about families, churches, mills and general brick-a-brac. Perhaps it gives an impression of a way of narrow life us Southerners have lost because we have moved around in our lifetime.
ReplyDelete"There are many communities in "The Deep South" which have seen little movement" - Miserable Creature in "Reality - A Portrait of England"
DeleteAll excellent photos, but well, it's not exactly a cheerful subject is it?
ReplyDeleteI will stick to cheerful subjects in future - like the sacking of Suella Braverman.
DeleteThat even featured on our main news! I immediately thought of you :-D
DeleteI was cheering.
DeleteWe rarely know when it is the last time we will do something - drive, drink beer, say goodnight, make someone laugh, wipe our bum.
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly true of my oldest brother Paul who died in his sleep in 2010.
DeleteElliotholme Lodge could be a oil painting. It's excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt was built in 1865 under the instructions of The Duke of Rutland.
DeleteI guess all things must end. Have you searched online for obituaries of these individuals? I wonder if they're dead or just stopped contributing.
ReplyDeleteI have done some searching yes and I can confirm that two of them are definitely deceased.
DeleteI often have the same thoughts about blogger and the last posts people write. I have often wished there was some sort of way I could write a final post that would only publish after a month or two of inactivity.
ReplyDeleteYou could prepare your own "post mortem" post and instruct a family member or friend to publish it for you after your death.
DeleteYou've certainly contributed a good number of those photos! You do have an eye, Mr. P. and use it to great advantage in your photography.
ReplyDeleteAlways striving for the perfect shot.
DeleteWishing you a long, happy, healthy life, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI hope I make it to eighty.
DeleteAs long as there are new postings there is life.
ReplyDeleteA dying blogger could schedule a year of new postings from beyond the grave. For example... Are you really alive Mr Penguin?
DeleteChattering finch and water-fly
ReplyDeleteAre not merrier than I ;
Here among the flowers I lie
Laughing everlastingly.
No : I may not tell the best ;
Surely, friends, I might have guessed
Death was but the good King's jest,
It was hid so carefully.
G.K. Chesterton
Most appropriate in relation to this blogpost. Nice to see you're out of Barlinnie once more John.
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