Notes from Kenton Rec
Reflections on an online photographic journal during lockdown
(Photo: John Earls)
In last week’s column I made reference to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of my thoughts about Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at the time.
Today marks something of a personal anniversary for me in relation to the pandemic because on 19 September 2020 I launched an online exhibition called Notes from Kenton Rec: a photographic journal of Kenton Recreation Ground during lockdown.
(Photo: John Earls)
The exhibition ran until the end of December 2020 (it was originally scheduled to close on 30 November) and it was a collaborative effort between me (concept and photography) and my son Jack (curation and website design).
Kenton Recreation Ground - ‘Kenton Rec’ - in Harrow, North West London is a special part of my life, having lived opposite it for over 30 years. The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns made parks particularly special spaces for people and communities, firstly as places to take daily exercise and subsequently to meet friends at a safe distance.
(Photo: John Earls)
Just before the first lockdown I became symptomatic and had to self-isolate. Once I was able I took a daily walk in ‘the rec’ and, as I did so, took a picture to capture something about the day and the place. I shared these daily throughout April - August on social media (Twitter as it then was) to express gratitude for a wonderful space but also to record an unprecedented time.
The online exhibition consisted of over 100 pictures featuring images of the beauty of the park and its surroundings that are both ordinary and extraordinary. They also captured a sense of community whilst cataloguing a remarkable period.
(Photo: John Earls)
My son had graduated in fine art in 2020 and there weren’t many opportunities to pursue his artistic endeavours which at the time focused on sculpture. This project not only allowed him to do something artistic whilst in temporary employment but allowed the two of us to work collaboratively on a project that gave me another outlet for my regular photo taking.
I was also pleased that the project resonated with others. I received a number of messages from local people such as “I shall look at Kenton Rec with a fresh eye in future during my daily walks” and “thank you for bringing our lovely park to life”. Harrow Council’s weekly ‘My Harrow’ e-newsletter did a feature on it saying: “During the coronavirus pandemic, our parks far exceeded their value as special spaces for people to exercise and to meet friends at a safe distance”. It was even mentioned in a ‘Fan in the Stand’ interview I did that was published in a match programme for my beloved Wealdstone Football Club (where I am a season ticket holder).
(Photo: John Earls)
I still walk through ‘the rec’ a lot, but haven’t been able to go for morning runs like I used to as since my first bout of COVID in March 2020 I get out of breath too quickly (possibly due to long COVID but despite a series of tests and examinations I have not had a formal diagnosis, indeed I have been advised that such a formal diagnosis isn’t given).
‘The rec’ still gives me much pleasure. And I still take pictures there and occasionally post them on social media (you can find me on BlueSky (here) and X (here).
(Photo: John Earls)
I said in a press release at the time (yes, there was a press release): "It would be lovely to think that one day, when it’s possible, these pictures, or at least a selection of them, might get exhibited in a gallery as well as the ‘hut’ in Kenton Rec itself”.
It didn’t come to pass. But you never know. In any event, I’m still very pleased I did it and, on the fifth anniversary of its launch, quite proud of what me and my son achieved together.
(A more recent picture of Kenton Rec, September 2025. Photo: John Earls)