I took this photo at the Halifax Charity Gala nearly sixty years ago, and it still gives me pleasure now. There are so many things going on, so much social history on display, so many eyes looking in so many directions. The face of the little girl, bottom left, makes the picture complete.
Tag: Calendar
15 August 2024 : Beacons
They used to hang bodies up there, or light beacons to warn of invading Spanish armadas or French onion sellers. They had fancy beacons to shine down on the folk of Halifax below. What they should have had, however, was a good old cast iron gas light, that would have been a beacon befitting Halifax … Continue reading 15 August 2024 : Beacons
14 August 2024 : Green
100 years ago you would have had difficulty seeing the hills that surround Halifax because of the smoke and the smog. 50 years ago you would have seen them but they would have been bare and battle-scarred, testament to what industry can do to land. Now they are green with stone-coloured highlights. You can say … Continue reading 14 August 2024 : Green
13 August 2024 : Patterns
The second of the series of photos taken while waiting for my wife to emerge from the dentist's. These are the steps leading up to Broad Street Plaza in Halifax - a delightfully curve-less concrete and steel prospect that faces off against the classical elegance of Halifax's Victorian Town Hall on the other side of … Continue reading 13 August 2024 : Patterns
Issy
They say an image is worth a thousand words but anyone who has saved a computer file knows you can squeeze a decent novella into the space needed to save a grainy photo of your Aunty Nelly on a deckchair. It is the detail that is so expensive in terms of bits and bytes, but … Continue reading Issy
Markets
I worked in Bradford for a time just after leaving school, and at lunchtime I would explore the wonderful old Kirkgate Market. It always seemed slightly more imposing than Halifax's Borough Market, as perhaps befits a city rather than a humble town. Bradford's market was torn down in the early 1970s and replaced with a … Continue reading Markets
Albert And Rose
All praise those sainted mortals who, When given a photo know what to do. With pencilled words small and clear, Discreetly say on the photos rear Whether it's Jack or Joe or God only knows Or in this case, Great Uncle Albert and his wife, Rose.
Commercial Street
From the mid nineteenth century onwards, every northern town worth its weight in brass had a Commercial Street. To these streets the new generation of drapers, bakers and umbrella makers were drawn. I took this photograph of Brighouse's Commercial Street over half a century ago. It was busy then and, I'm glad to say, it's … Continue reading Commercial Street
Have Bed Ready
The postcard dates back to the first decade of the 20th century and shows the Winter Gardens and Pier in Great Yarmouth. As is so often the case, the message on the back of the card is far more interesting than the somewhat crude image on the front. "Dear Mother, Just a line hoping you … Continue reading Have Bed Ready
alanburnett.com 