Castleford Museum to hold mining photography event - free to visitors
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Castleford Museum is hosting a free event on Saturday 23 March for visitors to see a fascinating local photography collection.
Fryston photographer, Jack Hulme was a hairdresser and talented amateur photographer, who captured everyday life in his pit village on the outskirts of Castleford. His photos are a unique record of a mining community in the mid-1900s.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike when people are reflecting upon the impact of our coal mining heritage across Wakefield.
The event is part of Our Year - Wakefield District 2024. It’s a year-long programme of breathtaking spectacles, unique festivals, major events, and community-led activities that celebrate all of the Wakefield district.
“There’s a captivating selection of shots for visitors to enjoy year-round, but this event is a brilliant opportunity to flick through the full collection and see some of the original photos.
“I’m sure the pictures will spark lots of memories of life in Fryston and other mining communities and I hope people will join the museum on 23 March so that we can capture these important stories for future generations.”
Cllr Michelle Collins
Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure
During March, Our Year is celebrating the district’s mining heritage with a series of events and activities as part of Our Heritage, Our Stories. The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike when people are reflecting upon the impact of our coal mining heritage across Wakefield.
The Mining March: Pit village life by Jack Hulme event is at Castleford Museum on Saturday 23rd March, 11am – 3pm, free entry, no need to pre-book. Find out more: Mining March: Pit village life by Jack Hulme | Experience Wakefield
The display, Extraordinary Ordinary: Pit village life by Jack Hulme is open now at Castleford Museum
Notes:
The Year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike when people are reflecting upon the impact of our coal mining heritage across Wakefield.
A newly updated display of Hulme’s work is being unveiled at the museum. Extraordinary Ordinary: Pit village life by Jack Hulme features some old favourites alongside previously unseen photos from the archive.
As well as the 40 photographs currently on display, Wakefield Museums & Castles also cares for a selection of more than 300 of Hulme’s evocative images.
The photos turn ordinary moments into works of art. Taken mostly between the 1930s and 1980s, they capture major events from the Second World War to the Miners’ Strike, as well as scenes from working, family and community life.
The museum is also asking visitors for their help in identifying the people, places and events in the photos.
On Saturday 23 March there will be chance to chat with the curator and share memories of Fryston.
The event will have something for all the family. Younger visitors can also take part in the Mining March Family Fun activities. Budding photographers inspired by Jack’s photos of miners in Fryston can try making a card camera and draw pictures of some of the mining objects on display. The crafts are suitable for ages 3+ and all materials are provided.
Full visitor information for Castleford Museum can be found at Castleford Museum - Wakefield Council
Our Year
Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 is a partnership celebration, led by Wakefield Council. It is a year-long programme of breathtaking spectacles, unique festivals, major events, and community-led activities that celebrate all the Wakefield district has to offer.
It will be a catalyst for inward investment, a boost to the visitor economy and vitally, an opportunity for people across the district to get involved in the region’s unique culture and experience the positive role creativity plays in their community.
For further information, follow Our Year on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.