Names on the buses

489 David Watkin

Connections with Brighton and Hove : The 1981 film Chariots of Fire is well known for its music and the memorable opening shot of runners on a beach. That shot and all the other photography was by David Watkin who lived in Brighton from 1970. Born in 1925, he quickly made his mark as a film photographer and worked with most of the leading British directors, He won an Academy Award for his work on Out of Africa. He had a highly casual approach to photography which masked a remarkable talent for composition. He would also take naps on set while waiting for things to happen. Watkin, who made his home in Sussex Mews, was gay and had a civil partner. He lived quietly in his adopted city. He had a fine collection of 18th century literature in first editions and was a real lover of classical music. Watkin also had a great sense of humour shown to good effect in his two volumes of autobiography. He died in 2008 aged 82. Although his house has been sold and the library dispersed, friends have formed a David Watkin Society to keep his memory alive.

489 Volvo Gemini - carried name since delivery in November 2013. Name removed in July 2015.