Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of Salford

We’ve been playing in the archive again!

This time I took two of the Charity’s Design Team to have a look at a few of the treasures within our collection (it was definitely for their benefit and not just because I wanted them to take some lovely photographs for use in this blog!). It also gave me the opportunity to have a closer look at some of our photograph books and select some powerful images not previously seen by the Together Trust. You lucky people will be the first to view these photographs over the next few weeks.



John G. ‘posing’ for the camera

I thought this week I’d continue with the last blog’s theme of advertising. Pictures were taken to highlight the plight of the ‘street arab’. On Manchester’s streets in the early part of the Charity’s history, the Refuge admitted many a child who had been seen sleeping on the streets. These children on admittance were recorded as ‘dirty’, ‘ragged’, ‘deplorable’ and ‘wretched’.

The photographs taken and kept in our archive collection show examples of these ‘ragged children’. Many photographs were taken of the children themselves as they entered the home, giving before and after shots as described in our last blog. These children were largely named under the image of themselves.


Boys on step

Other photographs however, such as the one above, have no names recorded. The children are in ragged clothing and are seen to be sleeping out on the street. However the apparent cleanliness of the boys and posed-like look to the image suggests that this picture was set up by the photographer. It was probably then used to appeal to the Manchester community’s conscience.

After all who wouldn’t be moved to donate to help these children!

Comments

  1. Put that boy forward for Britains Got Talent!

    ReplyDelete

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