Holburn Studios, Bridlington

by Jean Illingworth
(Bridlington)

David John and Jean Illingworth have a passion for music and arts, especially photography, and run a number of projects under the heading of Holburn Studios.

The name came from their last house in the Wolds village of Kirkburn, which originally was called Holburn House, the ‘holburn’ coming from the fact their was a ‘burn’ (stream) forming a pond in a hollow (the ‘hol’ part of the name). When they moved to Bridlington in December 2009, they kept the name, but David’s recording studio is called ‘South Beach Studio’, as its located 100yds from Bridlington’s stunning South Beach.

Finding a big house close to the beach was the main reason for moving to Bridlington, as Jean was spending most weekends and summers evenings on the beach, photographing the changing light and moods of what she considers the best beach in the country (if not the world).



Although many of Jean’s family are photographers, Jean only took it up in 2003 when the family moved to the East Riding and she was so struck by the light and the big skies that she just had to photograph them, spending every spare moment wondering around the Wolds with her camera (initially a very basic one).



There is a beautiful Norman church in Kirkburn, and Jean did a calendar of her local photos to raise funds for its upkeep, this sold so well, that she has produced one every year since, doing larger print runs each year to meet the demand. As people liked her pictures so much, she did a range of cards, which every year she changes.



In 2008 she had an ‘Open Studios’ Exhibition in the Village Hall at Kirkburn, which was very well attended, and in 2010, following the move to Bridlington, two exhibitions in The Spa. In 2011, she is having another exhibition at The Spa, as part of the Coast Project she is organising, but has decided to invite other photographers, whose work she admires, to join her. The free exhibition ‘Coastal Images – Jean Illingworth and Friends’, will run from the 23rd May to 3rd June in the Gallery Suite.



David is an artist and musician, and has played in many bands over the years. Whilst living in Kirkburn, David and Jean started Kirkburn Acoustic, aka ‘The Burn’, a monthly acoustic music evening at the Village Hall. Many people in the village took part, helping with the PA, arranging fresh flowers and candles and / or performing. With any style of music and any age welcome, ‘The Burn’ very quickly got a reputation for a wonderful night out, and attracted capacity audiences and a waiting list of performers. It brought a rural community together, and in 2007, the couple were awarded the East Riding Chairman’s Award for ‘Enhancing the Social Wellbeing of the East Riding of Yorkshire’.



The couple also ran a ‘turn up and play’ acoustic evening, called Gallery Acoustic, at the Wolds Village Art Gallery, Bainton, and this is now run by their friends.

On moving to Bridlington, The Burn had come to a natural end, so when the management at The Spa, Bridlington, asked David and Jean to run an acoustic night there, it was a natural progression, and ‘Acoustic @ The Spa’ was born, with some memorable evenings of fabulous music during 2010, with the sea as a backdrop in the lovely Harbour Suite. This is continuing in 2011, but with only one Acoustic @ The Spa evening every 3 months, as David is concentrating on running South Beach Studios, and Jean on the Coast Project.

The first artist to be recorded at the studios is David Swann, a wonderful singer / songwriter from Malton. David John recorded his previous, much acclaimed album, ‘Headlands’, two years ago. The new album, will be called ‘Chasing the Light’, which was the title of Jeans photo exhibition, and the title song was written as a celebration of her photographs. The album will be launched at the autumn Acoustic @ The Spa on 3rd September, when the whole CD will be played live from start to finish.

Before that, however, will be the summer event, ‘The Coast Concert’ on 3rd June which be the culmination of a 3 day song writing workshop with internationally renowned singer / songwriter Boo Hewerdine, supported by David Swann, and Hissyfit, with their spine tingling vocal harmonies. Places are still available on the song writing workshop, 1st - 3rd June 2011 in Bridlington, which is a wonderful opportunity for any budding songwriter to work one-to-one with Boo, who, as well as making his own albums, has written with, and for, numerous artists including KD Lang, Eddi Reader, Paul Young and Natalie Imbruglia. He recently starred in BBC 4’s Songwriters Circle show alongside Chris Difford and Justin Currie.

The Song Writing Workshop and Coast Concert are part of the Coast Project (which is part of the Arts Festival), which includes Jean’s exhibition and a one day ‘Photographing the Coast’ workshop on 30th May 2011 at The Spa.



Another part of the project is The BIG Beach Picture, a huge picture of the beach made in felted sections by local schoolchildren, which will be on display at The Spa 23 May – 3rd June.

For more information, on Holburn Studios and The Coast Project, please go to www.holburnstudios.co.uk.

All photographic images are copyright to Jean Illingworth, and can not be used, copied or printed without her permission.