Barrie Farnsworth talks to a Wirksworth man whose artistic magic with a camera will never get in the way of his day jobs!
WIRKSWORTH man has been an official photographer at many prestigious sporting events – like the Paralympics and the Commonwealth Games – but confesses he has never he wanted to be a full-time photographer! Phil Searle said: “I always enjoyed photography and felt if I pursued it full time, the enjoyment would be taken away, so I took my day jobs in other directions – which have ranged from events management to a spell in the Civil Service and IT management. And for the last 15 winters, until coronavirus wreaked havoc, he has been travelling around the world, primarily as manager of national skeleton teams, the sport where brave souls tackle ice tracks head first on small sleds. “I was in charge of Great Britain Skeleton for several years and have since managed both the Dutch and Norwegian skeleton teams,” Phil explained. “I have had a go on a skeleton – but I prefer to manage rather than compete!”