So many of my photographs of Halifax were taken 50 or 60 years ago, so for a change, I thought I might post a more contemporary view. So today, I went to the top of Beacon Hill and took a photograph of Halifax as it is now. You would hardly believe the changes that have … Continue reading 1st April 2025
Month: March 2025
Surveying The Change
A photograph from the early 198os showing my father watching, somewhat wistfully, as the last remnants of the old Charlestown Railway Viaduct in Halifax are being demolished. This leaves him with a clear view of the Albion Mills and Bailey Hall factories of John Mackintosh, where he spent the last 25 years of his working … Continue reading Surveying The Change
Sharp Find
It is more usual to find Roman coins buried deep in a farmer's field or in the grounds of a Roman villa. This coin, however, I discovered at the bottom of a drawer while carrying out an excavation to find a new blade for my pencil sharpener. I've no idea of the date, but I … Continue reading Sharp Find
Seaside Shutters and Displayed Memories
There is something rather special about a "Walking Snap" - those brief moments of history captured in the click of a seaside shutter. Armies of seasonal photographers would stalk the piers and promenades of endless seaside resorts, snapping holidaymakers and displaying memories in grubby shop windows. Here's my mother and my brother in Bridlington some … Continue reading Seaside Shutters and Displayed Memories
Decapitating Shadows
We are quite proud of our gibbet here in Halifax. For those unfamiliar with the town and its somewhat unique approach to the punishment of petty criminals, a gibbet was an early form of guillotine used in Halifax to decapitate thieves between the 13th and 17th centuries. The gibbet featured in the photo I took … Continue reading Decapitating Shadows
Something Near Life
There is a real pleasure in finding an old photograph - in this case probably more than 125 years old - which is fading into obscurity and being scratched and torn towards extinction, and rescuing it and sharing it. It doesn't matter that you don't know who she is - I don't either - what … Continue reading Something Near Life
The Arts And Crafts Town
I've shared this photograph of Blackledge in Halifax before - not on my daily calendar, however - but it warrants a second outing. I think it was about 1982 when I took it, and Beacon Hill was just beginning to gather the verdant covering we are familiar with today. If you ever needed to give … Continue reading The Arts And Crafts Town
Misery Carved In Granite
When my time comes, I wouldn't mind a memorial like this. There's an appropriate look of regret at the passing of the person whose grave she keeps watch over (at a cemetery in Bradford). There's none of your "it's a blessed relief" or "we can now clear the house of all his junk". Just misery … Continue reading Misery Carved In Granite
Visual Toothache
I took the photograph that was the start of this image the other day as I wandered around Halifax waiting for my dental appointment. Since then, I have poked and prodded it, scraped and flossed it, and finished up with something which is quite pleasant to look at. Not sure you can say the same … Continue reading Visual Toothache
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