Commonwealth Games
Birmingham and the wider region did us proud by putting on a great sporting occasion and making it a celebration for everyone
The real hero of the marathon: Sharon Firisua of the Solomon Islands clearly had no expectation of winning the race, and in fact came 15th, but shared her enjoyment at taking part with spectators
Another view of the marathon as it passed Christ Church: the younger spectators running alongside hoped to get on TV - and they did
My sports photography was given a stern test at the finals of the rugby sevens in Coventry
More rugby sevens action
The raging bull, constructed in great secrecy, starred in the opening ceremony and was then put on display for several weeks in Centenary Square
The crowds pack into Centenary Square to admire the bull and enjoy the Commonwealth Games atmosphere
Around Brum
Pod to Bar was a project run by the Bone Ensemble theatre group exploring trade justice in the chocolate industry. I joined with former Cadbury employees and other writers to create short pieces that were put on display around the area. This was followed by ChocFest which included outdoor theatre performances on Bournville Green, to which we contributed short spoken word slots
Herons are often seen alongside the canals, but my favourite wildlife photo of the year was captured by the lake in Bournville's Rowheath Park
Although part of the reflecting pool in Centenary Square was sacrificed for use by the Commonwealth Games, it still provided respite on hot summer days
The PoliNations festival brought nature to the very centre of Birmingham. The flag on the Council House was at half mast during the period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II
The fountains in Victoria Square were restored to working condition in time for the Commonwealth Games
The canal is an extra special place in autumn
The crowds turned out in force for the first Stirchley Community Market in nearly 3 years. I had a busy time as steward and photographer but it was well worth the effort
Autumn crocuses in Highbury Park
Where can you find a monthly quiz that baffles, intrigues, includes a creative making round and often takes place within the surrounds of an art exhibition? Artefact Stirchley, that's where. My contribution to the construction of this alien rocket was extremely small but still greater than that to the music round, which was zero
There's more creativity at Artefact in the monthly spoken word nights. I have not yet succeeded in getting a photo of myself performing
After the rain in Cannon Hill Park: if you can't work out what's going on here, turn the photo upside down
...and beyond
The Ardencote Hotel in Warwickshire was a fine setting for a multi-generational, international family gathering to celebrate the 100th birthday of Miriam's mother Hanna
Hanna was among the first people to receive a card from King Charles and the Queen Consort
Miriam takes a break at the Avoncroft Museum of Buildings
Unofficial hall of mirrors in Hartlebury Castle: this was once a child's bedroom
At the New Wine Christian gathering, held for the first time since 2019, I got a demo ride in this hovercraft which, apparently, holds the world altitude record. It is operated by HoverAid who use these machines to transport aid workers and supplies to otherwise inaccessible areas, such as the coast of Madagascar
I attended the Adelante! conference, which focuses on work in Latin America, run by Church Mission Society at its headquarters in Oxford. Another delegate, who lives and works in Peru, had brought this inflatable alpaca
Christ Church
Running a livestream of our annual meeting is just one of the techy things I have been involved in: I also do most of the work in running our YouTube channel
We first met Walter Toro and Adela when we visited Bolivia in 2013: Walter was consecrated as Anglican Bishop of the country this year, and they both visited England - and Christ Church - a few weeks later
A gruffalo making porridge... stories getting mixed up as Toddler Club celebrates World Book Day
We joined with the local Neighbourhood Forum and other local organisations to run a community event
Thanks to our modern building we are able to host events for community groups. This includes Kings Heath Action for Refugees, who provide a cooked lunch and, often, entertainment for local asylum seekers. Here, entertainers from the Flying Seagull Project are performing for an enthralled group of children