I photographed Tom in October 2015 near my studio based at Horton Manor, Ilminster. He’s played music of one kind or another all his life — his first guitar at six years old, taught his first chords by his brothers’ skiffle group in 1958, and performing from the age of ten.

It was in his fifties, recovering from a back injury, that Tom first picked up an old banjo. Since then it’s become his main instrument — leading, eventually, to his greatest joy: forming a family band with his son, daughter, and brother, all accomplished musicians in their own right.