This is an Edwardian studio Cabinet Card featuring five unknown men. On the reverse is a studio stamp which reads “B Collier, Photographer, Ovenden, Nr Halifax” I have not been able to find any record of such a photographer in any of the lists of Victorian and Edwardian studios, nor in census records, but that … Continue reading Five Miserable Men From Ovenden
Author: Alan Burnett
Walking The Dog
Standing on the top of Long Ridge, looking down towards Rastrick, watching the wind blow the sky away: man and dog in perfect harmony.
Knocking At The Door
I found this chap (preferred pronoun) attacked to my front door yesterday. Presumably it was knocking on the door, but being a little deaf, I couldn't hear it. However, on seeing it, I invited it in and took its photograph. Then it went on its way, leaving me with the photograph to remember it by.
Doesn’t It Look Grand?
The splendid British Newspaper Archives has just added copies of the 19th century Building News and Engineering Journal. Look what turned up in an 1891 issue - Halifax's New Market and Arcade. Doesn't it look grand! Here's the introductory article. What a bargain for £40,000. True Victorian levelling-up at its best.
Smokey Elland
I know Elland reasonably well, but it still took me quite some time to work out where I must have been standing when I took this photo fifty or so years ago. The amount of smoke coming out of the Power Station reminds you how much cleaner things are these days.
Halifax Framed
Smartphone Apps often supply you with a range of decorative frames to dress up your photos and present them to their best advantage. Trees provide a similar service to anyone who cares to walk the hills that overlook Halifax. Chimneys, church spires, and even blocks of concrete flats seem to sprout from the verdant valley … Continue reading Halifax Framed
Theatre Royal, Halifax
A photo of mine from the mid 1960s of the Royal Theatre, Halifax in the days when it was a cinema (and showing that undoubted classic "Girl Hunters!"). You can read a little of the history of the building in my column in October's Skircoat Green Directory and Halifax Directory magazines.
New Bank, Halifax, 1968
A photo of mine of New Bank, leading up to the top of Godley Bridge and Claremount, from 55 years ago. I've added a touch of colour. The good thing about adding colour to photos of Halifax from 50+ years ago is that you don't need to invest in a big palette!
Work Mates, Bradford 1930
Three work mates pictured in Great Horton, Bradford sometime around 1930. The one on the right with the pair of most extraordinary trousers is my father, Albert Burnett. The one in the middle was a fellow workmate called, I think, Matthews. The one on the left appears to be a young David Cameron, but somehow … Continue reading Work Mates, Bradford 1930
alanburnett.com 