Salford Advertiser Pavement Parking Article

I was recently quoted in an article in the Salford Advertiser newspaper, a sister newspaper to the Manchester Evening News, regarding the 'pavement parking' issue that is currently going through Parliament.

Backing for Ban on Pavement Parking

Salfordians have welcomed plans to make it illegal for motorists to park on pavements. A bill is currently moving through Parliament which would make it an offence to park on foot-paths. It is being backed by the charities Guide Dogs and Living Streets who say pavement parking causes a risk to pedestrians forced to walk on the road, as well as damage to kerbs.

Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, is also supporting the bill, claiming the laws are 'confusing for motorists and dangerous for pedestrians.'

The move has also won the backing of Advertiser readers. Posting on our Facebook page, Kimberley Burrows said "I'm a new Guide Dog owner and welcome this completely. I'm constantly having to walk out into the road because parked cars become obstacles and barriers for myself and my dog to try and navigate around. It's disorientating and alarming to have to go out into the road with very little vision in just one eye but I'm left with no alternative sometimes.'

And Anna Plaskett said: "As a paramedic, I struggle to get down a lot of streets with cars on either side. I often have to find alternative ways to get to my destination as the roads are not passable, meaning whoever has phoned 999 had to wait that bit longer." But she added, "Making people park on the roads and not have tyres on the pavement will make the emergency services jobs harder, plus bin lorries and other large vehicles."

Salford council can only currently fine drivers if there are traffic regulations on the road, while the police can take action if the vehicle is judged to be causing an obstruction or parked dangerously. Councillor Derek Antrobus, Assistant Mayor for strategic planning, said: "We would welcome any additional powers to tackle the problem of nuisance parking but would urge some flexibility for those streets where residents have no alternative but to use the pavement and they do not cause a problem for wheelchair users and prams."

Inspector Phil Bromley, of GMP's Traffic Network Section, said: "Anything that enhances road safety by freeing up pavements for pedestrians is to be welcomed, as vehicles on pavements can obstruct vulnerable people who use the verge or footway."

The bill's second reading in Parliament was due to take place on March 27th. But because it seems unlikely to be debated so close to the General Election, another date may be chosen by the MP.

Interview with Daily Mail Online

I did an interview with the national press on Friday morning and had photographs taken the next day, which was picked up by the Daily Mail Online this afternoon. I cannot believe that such a huge newspaper wanted my story on their website! I'm really pleased with how it all turned out, just like with the Salford Advertiser / MEN article! Both articles have really reassured me, and the response has been so positive!

Below are the photographs that were taken over the weekend, and I have copied the article below for you to read.

Photographs © Mercury Press & Media Ltd.

Blind Student Named 'Young Illustrator of the Year' by RNIB: Refuses To Let Disability Stand in Way of Art Career

• Kimberley Burrows has virtually no sight
yet creates amazing illustrations

• The 25-year-old is blind in one eye and can only
focus for a few minutes at a time with the other

• Her pieces take a month to finish as she
can only work for 20 minutes at a time

• She has been awarded Illustrator of the
Year by RNIB's Insight Magazine

These stunning pieces of art will never be seen by their creator properly, as she is unable to see in one eye. Kimberley Burrows, 25, from Salford, Greater Manchester is completely blind in one eye and can only focus for a few minutes at a time in her other. In spite of her disability she is establishing herself in the art world, with the RNIB's Insight Magazine recently naming her Young Illustrator of the Year for 2014.

The 25-year-old has refused to let her sight problems stand in the way of a possible career in illustration. While her disability poses difficulties in a job that demands such attention to detail, Kimberley insists that it has only made her more determined to succeed. Kimberley said: 'I have loved art for as long as I can remember. I might struggle to do a still life, but I draw from what I see in my mind.'

Kimberley even said that she hopes her passion for drawing could lead to a possible job. 'I know it's not the obvious career choice for someone who is blind, but I've got the willpower to tackle in any obstacles. It is my ultimate dream to become an illustrator for children's books. When I was younger I always enjoyed the large print illustrations by Quentin Blake in the Roald Dahl books, although Paddington Bear was probably my favourite - and still is.'

Kimberley dreams of one day being a children's book illustrator; her Paddington drawing, left, and another piece featuring herself, right.

Due to the strain that drawing places on her eyes she can only work on her pieces for around 20 minutes at a time, which means her illustrations can take up to one month to finish. She says: 'I don't find it too frustrating as it's what I'm used to and I know at the end of the month it will be done. If I set myself a goal I know I'm going to achieve it and that keeps me going.'

Kimberley is also studying Braille and hopes to get her own guide dog, as depicted in this drawing.

Kimberley's dream of turning her passion into a career may soon be realised - she has already been commissioned to create a special drawing of Paddington Bear for creator, Michael Bond. Despite her illustrations taking up the bulk of her day, Kimberley also finds time to study Braille alongside arts and crafts at Henshaws Society for Blind People, as well as cane training with the Salford Sensory Team and is working towards getting her own guide dog. Kimberley said: 'Once I finish my training, what I'd really like to do is study fine art at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.'

Kimberley can only work on a piece for 20 minutes at a time due to the strain it places on her eyes.

'I also want to continue campaigning with the RNIB to make things better for young blind people. I've been to the Houses of Parliament with them and we also set up a young person's campaigning network called Envision.' 

Kimberley added that she is impressed with what technology has allowed people with sight problems to do but believes more work is still needed. 'When I was at school we didn't have computers, so one of my friends would have to read what was on the blackboard to me. Things are much better now with the technology we have but there's still more than can be done. Even with the obstacles I faced, art was always something I loved at school. I know illustrating is not the obvious choice for someone with sight problems and I will need to work hard. But I am very determined and I refuse to let anything be a barrier to achieving my goals.'

A spokesman for the RNIB said: 'Kimberley is an inspiration and her work has rightly earned her a top award. We wish her all the best in her very promising career as an artist.'

The article can be seen on the Daily Mail Online website by clicking on the thumbnail above.

Salford Advertiser / Manchester Evening News Scans & Online Article

Last Thursday I had an interview with Ruhubia Akbor, a journalist who works with the Manchester Evening News, and on Monday a photographer came to my home to take some shots for the accompanying article. Both of my articles for the Salford Advertiser (Thursday, 13th February) and the Manchester Evening News (Friday, 14th February) can be seen below, detailing my journey of winning the RNIB's Illustrator of the Year for 2014 and producing illustrations for their Insight Magazine.

Blind Artist Sketches Out a Bright Future for Herself

A blind woman is a step closer to realising her dream of becoming an artist after winning a national competition. Kimberley Burrows, 25, was born partially blind and can only see a little out of one eye. But despite only being able to work on her drawings for a few minutes at a time, she has never let her sight problems hold her back. Her winning illustration saw her being named the RNIB's Insight Magazine's Illustrator of the Year.

Her drawing - which represents her next steps in life from training for her guide dog, learning braille and how to use a long cane - features in the current issue of the magazine and took almost a month to complete. Kimberley, of Irlam in Salford, said: "I've enjoyed drawing since I was a little girl. It has always been my favourite hobby. I thought I'd give it a go and spent a month working on it. I can only do a little each day as it causes eye strain. I really didn't think I'd win and I was really shocked, but pleased and honoured."

Kimberley uses a Daylight lamp to help her see her work and uses colouring pencils and a fineliner to create her colourful pictures. She is no stranger to praise for her work having been commissioned to create a special drawing of Paddington Bear for creator Michael Bond.

She said, "I chatted to his daughter through Facebook and showed her some pictures I'd done of Paddington. She really liked them and wanted me to meet her dad, so we travelled down to London and I took him a special picture I'd done and he loved it. Art is not a usual line of work for someone who is blind, but no matter what, you can't let things be a barrier. You have to overcome and achieve what you want to achieve. You do need a lot of willpower but I'm determined to do it."

Kimberley has now been given the task of creating 12 illustrations over the year and asked to create a piece of artwork for Henshaws Society the Blind at John Lewis' community art wall in the Trafford Centre. She has ambitions to study art at the Royal National College for the Blind after she has a fully trained guide dog.

Photographs © Eddie Garvey

The article can also be viewed on the Manchester Evening News official website here.

It was wonderful to go to Henshaws yesterday, at Artherton House in Manchester, and share the experience with my friends and the staff - with some of them already having seen my article in the Salford Advertiser the night before. It was also very surreal to listen to the Salford Talking News and hear the team reading out the article, describing my photographs (with some really love compliments!) and give very positive comments. They also recognised that I'm a listener of the local talking news and wished me the best of luck for the future. I'm extremely honoured that Ruhubia wanted to write an article about me and am so thankful for the opportunities it has presented - an interview with the national press and ITV news, coming very soon!