Ever wanted to know what you could find within a mile of Rewe in East Devon? Photographer Paul Sandy, who lives in the village, has captured the surrounding countryside on camera and the results are on show at an exhibition at Exeter University on 19 February to 16 March 2007. Paul, 51, is a long-term resident of the village, which lies between Exeter and Tiverton. As well as his 'day job' as manager in information services at the University of Exeter, Paul is also a landscape photographer.  | | Columbjohn Chapel |
In putting together the exhibition, Paul strictly enforced the 'within a mile' rule. Paul said: "Although I have travelled a fair amount and therefore have made photographs in different parts of the world, I do tend to always be drawn to the UK and the South West in particular. "This was very much reflected in my 2006 exhibition of scenes in and around Devon and this exhibition, which consists entirely of images made within one mile of my home. "The basic premise of my photography is that I want my work to show the world as I see it and to impart to viewers a version of the feelings that I felt when I experienced the scene depicted. "Maybe the sensations of others are the same - or similar - maybe not, but maybe some others can share something of that experience."  | | Countryside near Rewe |
Paul believes that every area has a uniqueness to it and it's that special uniqueness that he is seeking to show in the photos. "What is so special about Rewe? You might say nothing, but then you might say everything," said Paul. "It is not especially special, but it is, of course, unique. And surely uniqueness is the most special quality of all? "These pictures are all made within a mile of my home; I have been quite harsh in rejecting any images from even slightly outside my one mile inclusion zone. "This means that there may be a follow-up exhibition entitled Not Quite Within a Mile at some point in the future!" The Within a Mile exhibition is at Exeter University's Reed Hall Gallery on 19 February to 16 March. Opening times are 9am to 5pm. | 
