Amber, our newly appointed Archives Project Technician, recommences work digitising the fascinating Herbert Collection. She shares some specially selected snapshots of Dorset from times gone by.
As one of Dorset History Centre’s newest additions to the team, I find myself with the fascinating privilege of delving through three decades of local Dorset history, as documented pictorially in the life’s work of late and great Weymouth photographer – Graham V Herbert.
Herbert was a prolific photographer. Spending his life in Dorset, between 1953 and 1983 he had taken an astonishing 7000 photographs, perfectly capturing the essence of the people, places and products of this era.
If you are new to the Herbert Collection, do take a peek at previous articles exploring interesting aspects of the collection, including the change in fashions, social values, and industry over this time.
If you have a passing interest in comparing the Dorset you know now with the Dorset of the mid-twentieth century, or if, perhaps, you just fancy an ogle at some beautiful black and white vintage photography, welcome! You’re in the right place.
Over the coming weeks as I digitise my way through photos captured in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, I shall be plucking out particular gems of interest and posting them here for you to see.
I also hope to share with you some of the highlights of my other work, in addition to providing some “behind-the-scenes” detail on how we go about saving some of Dorset’s history for future generations.
So let’s kick off with some photos of festive fun – fresh from the frosty winter archives of 1965!
On his busy around the world trip, Father Christmas makes time for a scheduled stop over in Weymouth!
(reference: D-HBT/5287)
Showgirls from Weymouth Pavilion strike a pose around the Christmas tree
If you look closely at the tree, you’ll see a small sign prompting the public to ‘Give a toy to this tree’… (reference: D-HBT/5301)
Weymouth Pavilion’s cast of ‘Christmas Crackers’ visit local children’s home
A few days later the spirit of Christmas is evident to see, as gifts which were generously donated to the Pavilion earlier in the month are presented to youngsters from the Southwinds Children’s Home (reference: D-HBT/5304).
Man shakes paws with Old English Sheepdog!
And last but by no means least, in this charming image members of the Ceccheti School of Dancing gaze on merrily, bedecked in their tinselled tiaras and tutus as a man in a dapper suit shakes paws with an Old English Sheepdog (reference D-HBT/5295). Quirky. Festive. Fun!
And with that, we wish you a very merry festive time!
Amber Phoenix, Archives Project Technician