Ever since Alan Burnett (News from Nowhere) began to talk about the 100th edition of Sepia Saturday, I've been wondering about that big box of photos which I know Dad has in the bottom of his wardrobe. Mostly, they are 2" square b&w prints featuring people I don't remember in places I don't recognise, but there are some that are instantly meaningful and still more which would become so with a bit of information.
And then, on Wednesday, he gave me this photo, cut out of our local paper.
This is one from the 'instantly meaningful' category. It was taken in Parwich, the village in which my parents grew up, the year is 1960 and the subject photographed is the Ladies Football Team. Immediately, this raises a few questions. The presence of spectators suggests that a match has either been played or is about to be played. The absence of mud on the team kit implies the latter. I wonder why this particular photograph was taken. The photograph was sent to the paper by Terry Fletcher of Belper, but it was donated to his collection by a Vernon Webster. Webster is definitely a local name. Websters ran one of the bus companies which serviced the villages on market days. Was this particular Webster related to one of the ladies in the team? Was he, in fact, the photographer? In which case, did he take this photograph for his own enjoyment or to mark some special occasion in the football calendar?
The people in this photo are significant too. Without this photo I would perhaps have never realised that my Mum was in the Parwich Ladies Football Team and, although this photo is a couple of years after she played, there are still names here that I recognise including one of Dad's cousins, front right. There are also two particular faces which leap off the page - aunties Jean (back row, third from left) and Hazel (back row second from right).
Meanwhile, maybe you would enjoy taking a wander round the photographic memories of more seasoned contributors to the Sepia Saturday blog.
They look like a fun-loving group. Have fun rooting in your Dad's box.
ReplyDeleteGet into that box! I'll bet it's full of blogging material, and at the very least, it will take you on a wonderful memory trip.
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you found a new facet to your mom. I'll bet back in the day that group of ladies had quite a team!
ReplyDeleteI love looking at old photos! They bring up so many questions and suggest that that moment in time was special enough for that person to take the time to snap it :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful- a ladies’ football team! My grandmother was in one at the time of the First World War so I’m a supporter. Go ladies!
ReplyDeleteThese girls look so happy! Their smiles are infectious: I couldn't help smiling when I saw them. Thanks for sharing this photo. Enjoy rooting around in your father's box: I hope he's still here to answer questions and share stories!
ReplyDeleteThey look as if they're having the time of their lives. How wonderful to have a newspaper clipping of them.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! And your Aunts look so alike. While you're going through the photos, ask questions. Ask for stories. Write them down and get them while you can....
ReplyDeleteYes, get going on those photos while someone is still around to tell you who they are and where and why!
ReplyDeleteIt can be so frustrating not to know the mysteries involved in these old photos. Especially when no one is still around to unravel them.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you solve all the mysteries in your photo box.
Nancy Javier
If the number of spectators is anything to go by the team must have been very popular.
ReplyDeleteKeep digging in that box.
Thanks so much for joining in with this special Sepia Saturday. I have known you long enough to know that any contribution you made would be fascinating - and of course, it was. No get yourself off and get your hands on that box of photos for there is the key to a forgotten world.
ReplyDeleteThe ladies look as though they're having a ball (sorry!) and I hope you find more treasures in your Dad's box of photos. Jo
ReplyDeleteWhat a "fun" group- especially Auntie Jean.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Oh yes do get to "rooting" those photos and asking while your dad can supply information. A ladies football team! Quite the find....is it what we know as "soccer"
ReplyDeleteAhh, photos just waiting to tell stories. I'm excited for you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love old pictures! Of course, I love them better when I know who is in them. My grandmother left my father a large box of old pictures... not one was marked. Blogging what you know, especially if a copy of the blog is downloaded digitally for long term storage, would be a great asset for future generations!
ReplyDeleteSo your mum wasn't the one you wanted to tackle with, unless you wanted to get bruised...
ReplyDeleteGives a new look on mothers and the life they led before they got in the family way...
:)~
HUGZ
I wonderful find just in time for Sepia Saturday 100, and great to share, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat find! A great inspiration to dig into your Dad's box. I look forward to seeing what else you might find there.
ReplyDelete