Cocklers on Southport Beach

As part of the Images of Sefton Artist in Residence project, I spent some time with the Southport Cocklers, a group of mostly young and very fit workers as they headed out at low tide across the beach to the cockle fields. The conditions were treacherous, the wind was constantly blowing and tractors stuck in the unpredictably soft, waterlogged sands was a common occurrence. Despite the undoubtedly dangerous working conditions, or more likely because of, the banter began the second the key was put into the ignition of the cobbled together lorry-boat and continued throughout the long and strenuous days right up to the second it was time to pack up and return to safety.

Commissioned by Sefton Council and exhibited at the Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport, 1987.