A PHOTOGRAPHER has opened a new gallery in Ryedale to showcase the area’s talent.

Anthony Miller moved back to the area he was brought up in three years ago to open Belmont B&B, in Wrelton, with his wife Anne.

He said: “I was born in Pickering but moved away at the age of 18 to work as a photographer in London and Manchester where I met Anne.

“We decided to relocate to a more rural location with the aim of opening a gallery where we could promote local photography, as well as holding talks and workshops.”

Anthony converted an outbuilding of the 18th century former farmstead into The Gallery at Belmont Studios, which opened last week.

“Moving back to the area has really opened my ears to what we have in the area with the landscape and people who live here,” he said. “We have had a lot of support from those in the village and other artists and photographers.”

Anthony said they were currently planning the programme for this year and were accepting submissions from interested artists. The first exhibition features black and white photographs by Brawby-based photographer Alan Clark, called Light On The Land: North Yorkshire in Black and White.

After studying art at college, Alan’s passion for painting and a love of the countryside lead to an absorbing interest in black and white photography.

He has worked as a teacher and a music instrument maker and has lived in Lincolnshire and Staffordshire before returning to his native Yorkshire to retire and concentrate on his art.

Anthony said: “The aim is to show a mix of work with challenging photographs, as well as the more familiar work.”

Belmont Studios Gallery is in Main Street, Wrelton, and is open from Thursday to Sunday, 2pm to 7pm.

For more information, phone 01751 476931 or go to belmontstudios.co.uk