Photography exhibition celebrates city's elders

The exhibition by Brighton-based photographer Maria Scard, celebrates being over 50 in Brighton and Hove, and highlights how older people contribute to their communities.

In the portraits, the subject is placed in the background, or slightly obstructed, inviting the viewer to look beyond their assumptions and see the inspiring older people in the city.

Over 70 portraits are being displayed along the station's boardwalk, out towards the car park, for the period of the two-week festival.

On Monday (September 25), the Lord Lieutenant Mr Peter Field officially launched the exhibition and Older People's Festival at The Flying Coffee Bean cafe at the station.

He was joined by 101-year-old Len Goldman who recited a selection of his three-minute 'Oldie Poems'.

Anthony Dowsett, station manager at Brighton, said: "We're genuinely thrilled to be able to host the launch of such an important festival at Brighton station. We need to recognise the over-50s in our community, throughout the city and on our railway, and there's no better place to do it than here."

One of the station's staff, 55-year-old Elvis who carries out security checks, features in the photographic exhibition.

Mr Dowsett said: "We're very proud of what we do here, and Elvis is an important member of our team."

Caroline Ridley from Impact Initiatives said: “This is a very exciting and rewarding day for us, as we don’t often get to celebrate our older residents, which is something we should do more of. I really hope that people enjoy seeing these photographs and come to the station specially to view Maria Scard’s work.

"The people in the portraits are to be celebrated and recognised for all that they give back to the city.”

The Older People’s Festival runs from September 25 to October 8 in venues across Brighton and Hove.

For more information call 01273 320 666, or visit: www.opf.org.uk