Town’s past is brought to life

Although many of the photographs were taken at a time when life in northern England and Scotland was often depicted as tough or grim, the Portrait of a Town exhibition that can be viewed at the Granary Gallery from next month portrays a different reality.

In addition, an online version of the exhibition is now available to view at www.photocentreberwick.co.uk

The smiles of many of the subjects in Portrait of a Town shows that people were happy to pose for photos and were, perhaps, familiar with David and Ian.

These images – along with that of a group of six teenage girls holding their dresses up to avoid being splashed by the waves as they paddle in the sea – encapsulate aspects of life in Berwick between 1951, when David founded his photojournalism business, until 2012, when his son, Ian, retired.

Using more than 50 images from the Photo Centre Collection, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of Berwick townspeople and some of the shops and industries that once thrived in the town.

Also featured are popular leisure time activities, ranging from darts teams to leek shows, plus actual news and life events.

Portrait of a Town, which will run from May 29 to October 3, has been commissioned by Berwick Visual Arts and Berwick Record Office (Northumberland Archives) and is curated by Cameron Robertson.

It has been supported by the Friends of Berwick and District Museum and Archives and the Community Foundation.

James Lowther, head of visual art at Berwick Visual Arts, said: “Local visitors will see the familiar in the individuals and places shown in the images.

“Not only that, I think visitors will equally be able to enjoy something of an immersive, memory-laden and shared experience, as many of the photographs offer wonderful reminders of the changing fashions, styles and compositions spanning six decades.

“The photographs and portraits in the exhibition also represent an important record of social history in Berwick.”