Kestle Barton

Documenting farming families- the photographs of vet John Head

John Head is a 4th generation vet whose veterinary practice 'Head & Head' is still running in Helston today. Over the 1990's John spent time documenting the farming families he visited in his role as a vet, producing an extensive and valuable collection of black and white portrait photographs.

In the first section of this film John shares his family history and some of his more personal memories of being a vet. These include learning from his father, the changes he has seen within the veterinary field and farming industry, and his motivation for photographing the farming families he spent time with.

In the second portion of the film, John gets together with a group of farmers whom he photographed in the 1990's. Together the group reminisce about the characters and farms that feature in John's photographs; sharing stories about farming in the Manaccan/St.Martin area.

This film was made as part of 'Tallys an Tir; Traditions & Stories of the Land' and was screened at 'This Land' at Kestle Barton, alongside an exhibition of films, photographs & objects made in collaboration with local farmers and community members over 2012-13. For more on the project please visit cornishstories.com.