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Kent from above: Microlight pilot’s pictures show how the county has changed over 30 years

From fires and crashes to historic landmarks and new housing estates, a collection of photos taken by a microlight pilot has shown Kent in a fresh perspective.

Spanning 32 years, they show how places such as Hawkinge have changed with urban sprawl, the force of Mother Nature and long-forgotten sites.

The scene after a lorry hit a bridge on the M20 in Maidstone in 2016. A motorcyclist was injured and the driver was prosecuted after carrying a load that was too high. Picture: Geoff Hall
The scene after a lorry hit a bridge on the M20 in Maidstone in 2016. A motorcyclist was injured and the driver was prosecuted after carrying a load that was too high. Picture: Geoff Hall
A chunk of the White Cliffs of Dover collapsing into the sea in 2012. Picture: Geoff Hall
A chunk of the White Cliffs of Dover collapsing into the sea in 2012. Picture: Geoff Hall
Fields and farmland covered much of Hawkinge, near Folkestone, in 1991. Picture: Geoff Hall
Fields and farmland covered much of Hawkinge, near Folkestone, in 1991. Picture: Geoff Hall
Hawkinge now. Much of the green space has since been built on with new houses. Picture: Geoff Hall
Hawkinge now. Much of the green space has since been built on with new houses. Picture: Geoff Hall
Geoff Hall and his co-pilot flying over the English Channel. Picture: Geoff Hall
Geoff Hall and his co-pilot flying over the English Channel. Picture: Geoff Hall

The photographer is Geoff Hall, who still “gets a thrill” every time he goes up in the air.

He told KentOnline: “It's a marvellous form of flying.

“I always take my camera and it’s different every time.

“It’s been a great source of pleasure over the years.”

The 69-year-old is no stranger to heights, having worked as a British Airways cabin crew member and flown various types of aircraft as a hobby.

Photographer Geoff Hall lives in Canterbury and has been flying microlights for 35 years. Picture: Geoff Hall
Photographer Geoff Hall lives in Canterbury and has been flying microlights for 35 years. Picture: Geoff Hall
Canterbury Barracks, pictured in 2015. Picture: Geoff Hall
Canterbury Barracks, pictured in 2015. Picture: Geoff Hall
Houses have now been built around Canterbury Barracks, shown here in 2020. Picture: Geoff Hall
Houses have now been built around Canterbury Barracks, shown here in 2020. Picture: Geoff Hall
The Ashford Cobbs Wood estate fire in September 2020. A warehouse and a car were destroyed in the blaze, and neighbouring buildings were damaged. Picture: Geoff Hall
The Ashford Cobbs Wood estate fire in September 2020. A warehouse and a car were destroyed in the blaze, and neighbouring buildings were damaged. Picture: Geoff Hall
Kemsley Paper Mill near Sittingbourne, the largest in the UK. Picture: Geoff Hall
Kemsley Paper Mill near Sittingbourne, the largest in the UK. Picture: Geoff Hall

He combined his two loves and has built up more than 1,000 photos.

“I take pictures of everything.” the Canterbury resident explained.

“Villages, historical sites, because it all changes very quickly.

“You don’t fly past something for a few months and then you’ll go pack and you’ll think ‘Oh my God, it’s so different’.

“Sometimes we see they’ve started putting in what we call the ‘trenches of doom’ when they start building. Then the next thing you know there will be a housing estate on it.”

The old Rotunda Amusements in Folkestone in 2002. It shut down for good the following year. The harbour arm, also pictured, has since been transformed into one of Kent’s top attractions. Picture: Geoff Hall
The old Rotunda Amusements in Folkestone in 2002. It shut down for good the following year. The harbour arm, also pictured, has since been transformed into one of Kent’s top attractions. Picture: Geoff Hall
The former site of the Folkestone Rotunda, photographed in 2018. The tracings of the Shoreline flats development can be seen. They have since been built, with the most expensive apartments costing over £2 million. Picture: Geoff Hall
The former site of the Folkestone Rotunda, photographed in 2018. The tracings of the Shoreline flats development can be seen. They have since been built, with the most expensive apartments costing over £2 million. Picture: Geoff Hall
Another landslide at the Dover cliffs, pictured in 2018. Picture: Geoff Hall
Another landslide at the Dover cliffs, pictured in 2018. Picture: Geoff Hall
The recent fire at Elmtree Farm in Sellindge in late September. Hundreds of cows had to be rushed to safety and the blaze burnt for days. Picture: Geoff Hall
The recent fire at Elmtree Farm in Sellindge in late September. Hundreds of cows had to be rushed to safety and the blaze burnt for days. Picture: Geoff Hall
A beautiful picture of Dover Castle from the air. Picture: Geoff Hall
A beautiful picture of Dover Castle from the air. Picture: Geoff Hall

The dad-of-two flies with his friend Paul, and they take turns piloting the aircraft.

This means Mr Hall can have a free pair of hands to get the perfect shot.

Both pilots are members of Kent Microlight Club, which has its main base in Sellindge near Ashford.

Over the years they have flown right around England, Wales and Scotland, as well as crossing the Channel to France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

The Port of Dover’s Western Docks in 1997, with what appears to be a hovercraft pictured. Picture: Geoff Hall
The Port of Dover’s Western Docks in 1997, with what appears to be a hovercraft pictured. Picture: Geoff Hall
A more recent shot of the Port of Dover, taken in 2020, with a cruise ship at the Western Docks. Picture: Geoff Hall
A more recent shot of the Port of Dover, taken in 2020, with a cruise ship at the Western Docks. Picture: Geoff Hall
A fire at the St Columbia United Reform Church, Dover in 2007. Planning permission was granted for 16 flats on the site 12 years later, and work began in 2022. Picture: Geoff Hall
A fire at the St Columbia United Reform Church, Dover in 2007. Planning permission was granted for 16 flats on the site 12 years later, and work began in 2022. Picture: Geoff Hall
Wye Crown in the snow. It was cut into the chalk by students at Wye College in 1902. Picture: Geoff Hall
Wye Crown in the snow. It was cut into the chalk by students at Wye College in 1902. Picture: Geoff Hall

“It’s open to the air and quite moveable,” Mr Hall said.

“You can take off and land from any decent-sized field.”

His plane is capable of reaching 100mph but is usually flown at a cruising speed of 80 to 85mph.

Mr Hall added: “We fly all year round, but you do need to wrap up as it gets a bit nippy out in the open at 90mph.

“We have insulated flying suits and excellent helmets with full intercom.”

Vandalism at Manston Airport near Ramsgate in January 2015. It came after protests over the site’s closure. Picture: Geoff Hall
Vandalism at Manston Airport near Ramsgate in January 2015. It came after protests over the site’s closure. Picture: Geoff Hall
Ashford Designer Outlet before its extension. Picture: Geoff Hall
Ashford Designer Outlet before its extension. Picture: Geoff Hall
Lorries stacking up on the M20 in Ashford as part of Operation Brock. Picture: Geoff Hall
Lorries stacking up on the M20 in Ashford as part of Operation Brock. Picture: Geoff Hall
Seals at Goodwin Sands in Deal. Picture: Geoff Hall
Seals at Goodwin Sands in Deal. Picture: Geoff Hall
Leeds Castle near Maidstone is one of the historic sites he has photographed. Picture: Geoff Hall
Leeds Castle near Maidstone is one of the historic sites he has photographed. Picture: Geoff Hall

His favourite things to photograph are interesting patterns such as farming or building tracks, as well as anything with a military history.

Mr Hall also enjoys capturing interesting cloud formations and the changing colours of autumn.

With his unique pastime, the retiree has managed to catch some big events on camera.

Some of the most notable include the 2007 Dover United Reform Church fire, the lorry hitting a bridge on the M20 in 2016 and, more recently, the Elmtree farm fire in Sellindge.

Mr Hall said: “Sometimes we set out to find big events or we will hear on the radio that there's been an accident or a fire so we might have a look to see it.

“I’ve certainly photographed a lot of fires – you just see the smoke and follow it.”

The controversial £44 million Thanet Parkway train station in Cliffsend near Ramsgate. Picture: Geoff Hall
The controversial £44 million Thanet Parkway train station in Cliffsend near Ramsgate. Picture: Geoff Hall
The coastline at Dymchurch in 2006. Picture: Geoff Hall
The coastline at Dymchurch in 2006. Picture: Geoff Hall
Dymchurch seafront in 2018. Picture: Geoff Hall
Dymchurch seafront in 2018. Picture: Geoff Hall
Sissinghurst Castle, another historic Kent landmark. Picture: Geoff Hall
Sissinghurst Castle, another historic Kent landmark. Picture: Geoff Hall
The huge greenhouse complex Thanet Earth in Birchington. Picture: Geoff Hall
The huge greenhouse complex Thanet Earth in Birchington. Picture: Geoff Hall

He has also seen the changing landscape, as housing estates have replaced fields around the county.

“I’ve seen places like Hawkinge – which used to be an old airfield – completely obliterated now,” Mr Hall said.

He has “never felt the need” to get into drones, preferring to experience the sights for himself.

“Drones haven't been around that long as a photographic method,” he added.

“We can cover a huge area in just an hour's flight. About 50 or 60 miles of coastline.”

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