A Saturday in Salford …… in 1977 ….. the exhibition at The Langworthy Cornerstone Community Centre ... today

Last night I was at an exhibition of photographs of a bit of Salford that was lost and has now been found again.

The pictures were taken by Steve Chapman who on a Saturday nearly 50 years ago wandered down from Langworthy to the Docks recording what he saw.

He was accompanied by Phil Portus, another young photographer and both were aware that with the programme of wholesale house clearance, buildings and a community would soon be lost for ever.

Steve reflected that as a young art student in Manchester he had followed the redevelopment of Hulme which in just a few short years had demolished rows of small terraced houses as well as shops, pubs and small workshops wiping away a close-knit community.

Steve Chapman

And having rediscovered the negatives from that Salford trip he agreed to this exhibition of his work at the Langworthy Corne stone Community Centre.

The event attracted a host of people, from family, friends, and former residence of the area including Jimmy who features on one picture with a group of his friends.

Judging by the comments the display of Steve’s pictures brought back a heap of memories and are an important record of what the area was like and will stand long after that Salford has faded from living memory.

Many will remember that Steve’s companion on the day had an exhibition a few years ago at the Cornerstone where he showcased his images.*

Steve discussing an image

Tony Flynn and Steve

Steve’s fascinating record of that past Salford is on at the Cornerstone Community Centre from  Monday through  to Friday until December.

And because I can, here is a short video made by Tony Flynn talking to Steve, Jimmy and others on the night.*

Location; Langworthy Cornerstone Community Centre

Pictures; of the evening, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, 2025

*Phil Portus, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Phil%20Portus

**Salford Revisited chatting with photographer, Steve Chapman, https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4359521310945096&id=100006618102433&rdid=n8TQxXnPD3dgNRUg#

On Seedley Road ........ claiming my photos from Mr Greer

Now, I know I am onto a looser, by trying to claim my negatives from Mr Greer of 25 Seedley Road Pendleton.

His trade card proudly announces that “All negatives have been and are preserved from which copies can be obtained at any time in beautiful and Imperishable Enamel”

But here is the rub, Mr Greer’s studio no longer exists, nor can I be quite sure when he was operating as a “Portrait and Landscape Artist”.

His shop is not there in 1911 and I think there will have to be a lot more digging before he comes out of the shadows.

During the late 19th century there were a number of Greer’s listed in the Pendleton area and a John Greer who in 1863 was living at 15 West Albert Street and described himself as a shop assistant.

I will go back to my old friend Oliver who supplied me a selection of trade cards which are on the back of family photographs it may be that there is a date on this one.

In all he has sent over the names of 36 photographs from Salford, Manchester and beyond, which offer up a fascinating glimpse into commercial photographers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For now we just have this little glimpse into the world of Pendleton, but I travel in hope, and someone may know more and perhaps will be able to turn up the story of J Greer allowing me to reclaim those negatives.

We shall see.

Location; Pendleton

Picture, trade card, J Greer, date unknown, from the collection of Oliver Bailey