August was hot, dang hot and to be honest I just wasn't feeling up to going out much. Not that I didn't get out and about with a camera, but I wasn't feeling good for a number of reasons. I left my Frugal Film Project August roll of Kentmere 400 shot with my Hanimex 35RAS until the final weekend of the month when I headed into town on an overcast, rainy Saturday afternoon to get the job done.
First port of call was The John Bull Chophouse, my favourite Pub that was severely damaged by a Burglary and Arson attack on August 4th 2026. The John Bull has been one of the busiest pubs in Wigan town centre for many years and the fire devastated the community that has grown around the pub and the family whom have run it for almost half a century.
The pub will re-open again after repairs are made, but not until 2027. Victoria and Peter are not going to have any income over the next few months and there are fundraising efforts organised to help them through this very troubling chapter in the history of The John Bull Chophouse. Local singer/songwriter Joe Astley, a regular in The John Bull Chophouse, has been at the forefront of the fundraising effort along with several bands and solo artists whom have come together to ensure The John Bull Chophouse will rise again.
My next port of call was a pilgrimage to the statue of Sir Billy Boston who sadly passed away recently aged 92. Sir Billy was a superstar player at Wigan Warriors in the 1950's and 60's after being persuaded to head north from his home in Cardiff to play Rugby League for Wigan and give up his dream of playing for Cardiff and Wales in Rugby Union. Sir Billy became a legend in Wigan and won every trophy available at that time during the course of his career. He is also the holder of the record for most tries scored in his career than any other British player in either code of Rugby. Only the much loved Australian player Brian Bevan, scored more tries than Sir Billy.
Sir Billy never left Wigan. He met his wife, Lady Joan Boston here and they raised their family together, never being apart for long until Lady Joan passed away a few short weeks before Sir Billy. When Sir Billy was knighted by King Charles, his wife and family accompanied him to Buckingham Palace for the occasion. I took a photo of the few tributes left for him, there were more, but the council moved the flowers indoors as the August Bank Holiday weekend was going to be a wet one.
I spent the rest of my walk happy snapping statues, buildings and whatever else caught my eye as I made my way around town. I dived into the back streets and alleyways that tell their own story of the growth of the town over the years. It wasn't long before my film was finished and I headed home, glad to have got out for an hour or two, but in need of a brew and a chance to dry off.
I
developed my August roll of Kentmere 400 B&W film using Bellini Euro
HC, 1+31 dilution B, for 6 minutes at 20 celcius and soon had it hanging
to dry. I digitised my film with my Nikon D700, Tamron Adaptall 2
90mm f/2.5 macro lens, Valoi 35mm film holder, Pixl-Latr and A5 size
led light pad. I processed the RAW files with Affinity Studio.
I am happy with my photos this month. After having bright sunshine for a couple of months it was strangely comforting to get back to an overcast sky and cooler temperatures. I'm not built for temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, This day was more comfortable for me and the depression I had been feeling all month had begun to lift as the temperature dropped.
Here's a few favourites from my August roll of Kentmere 400 shot with my Hanimex 35RAS for the Frugal Film Project 2026. I have placed them and more in my Frugal Film Project 2026 - Compact album that you can visit using the link below. I hope you enjoy them.
Frugal Film Project 2026 - Compact
