Harrogate Photographic Society has announced plans for its 100th anniversary, which include showcasing historic images of the town as well as photos from the early days of Ukraine’s independence.
The society was founded on October 23, 1922 and was originally based at a shop on King’s Road.
Mike Hudson, the society’s president for its centenary year, said:
“There were seven members originally but that rapidly expanded… and it took off big time from then.”
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A team from the society has gone through the image archives at Harrogate Library and North Yorkshire County Council to find pictures from that time.
Many images have been lost but the ones which remain are set to be digitised and displayed to the public in the near future.
Mr Hudson said they were hoping to preserve elements of Harrogate’s history. He added:
“When someone passes away, the sons, daughters and relatives… [put photos] in the bin or in the skip and they’re lost forever. We’re very lucky to have just a few photographs and prints that have survived.”
There are also plans for a special presentation alongside local jewellers Ogden of Harrogate about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt in 1922.
JR Ogden was tasked with advising archaeologist Howard Carter on the jewels and gold found within the tomb.
The covid pandemic was a challenge for the group, Mr Hudson admitted, with its meetings having to be held online.
However, he hoped that people would now be encouraged to return and meet the photographers in-person.
Some of the society members’ photos (photos: Harrogate Photographic Society)
Photos from Ukraine
Following the look at Harrogate’s past, the society will hear from globally renowned photographers including Tim Smith and Paul Haley.
Mr Smith will discuss his time spent in Ukraine and Russia in 1991, when Ukraine voted to declare independence from the Soviet Union.
Mr Haley, a war photographer, will be sharing his photos for the Falklands War, the 40th anniversary of which was this year.
Mike Hudson believed that each photographer brought something different in terms of their work. He said:
“Each photographer has something special to say themselves. They each excel in the genres of photography they take.”