The Bolt Fund
The Bolt Fund is a short documentary film that offers an insight into the life and legacy of Roy Thomas, a prolific climber and route-setter who has shaped the South Wales climbing landscape over the past 60 years. Through his passion and dedication, Roy has developed over 1,500 climbing routes across coastal cliffs and disused quarries, opening access to outdoor climbing for people of all ages and abilities.
Set during Roy’s recovery from a recent injury and his declining ability to maintain the crags, the film captures a pivotal moment of change. It explores how The Bolt Fund, Roy’s volunteer-led initiative, struggles with sustainability due to limited funding and a small number of volunteers.
In contrast to countries such as France and Switzerland, where local councils actively support the maintenance and creation of climbing venues, rebolting in the UK exists in a legal grey area. Issues around land ownership and liability mean that rebolting falls to individuals or small community groups, relying entirely on volunteer labour and self-funding.
The film serves as both a tribute to Roy’s legacy and a subtle call to action, questioning the long-term viability of volunteer-led route maintenance in the UK. By focusing on Roy’s story and the community that surrounds him, The Bolt Fund raises questions about responsibility, access, and the future of outdoor climbing across the country.
Green Heart
Urban public parks, first created in Britain’s cities during the mid-1800s in response to the industrial revolution, provided free green spaces where people could escape hardships of daily life and reconnect with nature promoting physical and mental well-being.
Today, Cardiff’s publicly gifted Bute Park remains an escape from modern life. However, in recent years the park has been under threat. The Covid-19 pandemic saw an increase in park visits, causing overuse and revenue loss from canceled events. In 2021, mass vandalism destroyed trees and saplings, while the ongoing climate crisis continues to impact the park’s landscape.
Despite these challenges, communities are continuing to safeguard the park. Friends of Bute Park volunteers collaborate with Park Rangers to maintain its biodiversity. The Bute Park Community Orchard, created by the Secret Garden, celebrates and protects fruit tree saplings to promote new growth and strengthen the community and Cardiff’s One Planet Strategy invests in improving the park’s quality and sustainability as part of global Net Zero standards. Groups such as Park Run and Outdoor Fitness host weekly events and classes promoting physical fitness and mental well-being
With a personal connection to the park – a space where I grew up exploring and playing – portraits of the public reflect what the park means to these individuals and comments on how the space is used in contemporary life.
This photo essay is an observational exploration into the state and how the park is treated, highlights the importance of the space to the local population and acknowledges the communities who selflessly fight to keep the green heart of the city alive.
