This vintage postcard of Brighouse dates from the early years of the twentieth century and shows a part of the town that has undergone changes over the last 100 years, but will still be recognisable to those familiar with the town. Just imagine that you are stood near the top of Wilkinson's car park and … Continue reading John King Lane, Brighouse
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Market Days In Brighouse
My scanning project this week takes me back further than I almost care to remember, back to the late 1960s when England were World Cup winners, Carnaby Street was fashionable, and Brighouse still had a Council. At some stage I was walking around Brighouse with my camera, and I went into the Open Market, which, … Continue reading Market Days In Brighouse
Looking Inside … To Find An Elephant In The Room!
The wonderful thing about old 35mm negatives is that they come in strips. I used to always process my own, and cut them into strips of six negatives for storage, and this has preserved a degree of continuity when it comes to the relationship between individual photographs, half a century or more down the line. … Continue reading Looking Inside … To Find An Elephant In The Room!
The Stream At Shibden
This old picture postcard is a recent arrival in my collection, and it's a welcome one because I have known this stream all my life. My familiarity with it is of little help when it comes to naming it, and it is noticeable that even this old postcard dodges the issue by simply describing it … Continue reading The Stream At Shibden
Far Worse Places, Nellie
"This is where I spent my Easter Holidays", wrote Nellie from Brow Cottage, Greetland in May 1904 to her friend Ethel Knight, the daughter of the publican of the Black Horse in Lindley, Huddersfield. There are far worse places to spend your holidays, Nellie!
Memory Maps Of Halifax
They should call old photographs “memory-maps” because that is what a half-decent old photograph is. You should be able to sit down with a cup of tea and a magnifying glass and, in your mind, walk down streets that are long gone and look at buildings that are equally long-demolished. Take, for example, these photograph … Continue reading Memory Maps Of Halifax
Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May
A recently acquired vintage postcard of the sundial in People's Park, Halifax provides the basis for a timely New Year's post. The Smith sundial will be familiar to generations of Halifax dwellers, having been presented to the park in 1873 by Alderman Matthew Smith, a partner in the wire manufacturing company, who later became Mayor … Continue reading Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May
Getting A Tram To The Cemetery
Think of WhatsApp messages accompanied by fabulous photographs. Not photos of pouting lips or meaningless plates of food, but photographs that capture and preserve history. And thus you have picture postcards from one hundred years ago. Each one becomes an exploration, taking you through quiet graveyards or along disused tram lines. The cemetery along Lightcliffe … Continue reading Getting A Tram To The Cemetery
Fading In Halifax
I was flicking through the TV channels the other day, wondering whether to watch a concert from Australia, a quiz show from America or a cricket match from India, when I started getting bored with it all and reading an old newspaper instead. The newspaper was from one hundred years ago (Halifax Courier, Wednesday 10 … Continue reading Fading In Halifax
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