'Going to the pub helps men with their mental health'

Brewery boss Russ Clarke with social documentary photographer Ian Beesley

Once a month renowned photographer Ian Beesley meets up with his friend Ian McMillan for a pint and a chat.

At 71, the Bradford-born lensman describes himself as semi-retired, but that has not stopped him using the experience to inspire his latest creation.

Sup Up & Away is a selection of his black and white photographs set alongside poems by his drinking companion, the so-called Bard of Barnsley.

Their bespoke booklet is both a celebration and a lament for the public houses of the past that the pair knew growing up.

But, they say it is also an acknowledgement of the positive effect meeting in the pub has on their mental health and the well-being of men of all ages.

The book features Mr Beesley's photos alongside poems by Ian McMillan

Mr Beesley said: "We had this little project thinking about sitting in a pub when you're of an older age, discussing life, discussing health, discussing family.

"We thought there's a really nice little book to be done there, particularly because it's relevant to the demographic that we're in.

"[The book's] about the joy of drinking really fine beer in a proper pub, but all that comes with that.

"The social aspect and the fact that, statistically, men find it very difficult to talk about problems."

Along with Zoe Silver from Salts Mill he approached local brewery Amity Brew Co in Greengates.

Mr Beesley said: "I said to Ian we should do some beer mats...we could call them gorilla beer mats.

"We'd have a photograph on the front, that people might look at but, on the back we'd put a message. It'd be a poem or a statement."

The Amity Brew Company has made a set of limited edition beer mats to go with the book

Russ Clarke, who founded Amity with Verity Clarke and Rich Degnan in 2020, said they were keen to be part of the project, producing a beer and a six beer mat set to accompany the book.

He said: "There's nothing more warming and cosy than a pub environment to make people talk and a beer perhaps helps you open up slightly more as well.

"Ian and Zoe got in touch with the project and said would we be interested in sitting down and having a chat. We were super enthusiastic about it.

"We love our local community and we really wanted to make a bit of an impact once we'd moved to Bradford, so [this] was a perfect opportunity to do that."

The booklet and the beer are available at Salts Mill in Saltaire and a limited number of pubs across Bradford.

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