90 years of weddings remembered

Photographs of weddings in the west end of Newcastle over nine decades have been assembled for a new exhibition.

Anyone who had married in Benwell was asked to dig out their old wedding photographs for a record of a changing community.

Community researcher and development worker Judith Green, who is coordinating the project, said: "Even decades ago, when hardly anyone had a camera, they usually had a photo taken on their wedding day.

"Everyone loves looking at old pictures and we thought it would provide a unique record of how society has changed, but also reflect the pride and interest people have for this area of our city."



Dozens of pictures were sent in from all over the world by current and former residents and their families, from as far away as New Zealand.

Showing the changing dress and hair styles over the decades, the earliest date from the 1920s and the most recent from 2009.

Judith said: "We were amazed by the response. We have hundreds of photographs of around 170 weddings to put in the exhibition showing thousands of people.

"It seemed so important to us to provide a permanent record of the church's role in the community, in an area which has changed so much in the last century.

"So many people who sent in pictures no longer live in the west end because their homes, the long rows of old terraced houses, have been demolished.

 

Jane and George Spark's marriage lasted three years before George died

 

"It seems, despite all the changes, even those who've left, still have huge affection for Benwell."

Read Full Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-13796987

90 years of weddings remembered