During my placement at Sunny Bank Mills, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a range of donated objects. I found myself drawn specifically to the photographs, noting how they capture memory, labour and the everyday life of the people who worked at the mill.
A collection of candid photographs taken by Thomas, a mill worker, includes images from the 1937 Coronation of King George VI. What struck me most was their natural, unposed quality: workers laughing together, taking a break to smoke a pipe, or simply going about their day. One memorable image shows three men sitting on skips and skeps during a break. The donor explained it was taken during WWII, when these items weren’t in use and that apparently when the war ended, people stole them for bonfires to celebrate the end of the war. It was reported that they burnt very well, probably because of all the oils they had absorbed.
Other donors contributed equally captivating photographs: workers in warping sheds, standing by looms, or enjoying tea breaks. One image shows three women and a man sitting on the grass at the top of the mill site just behind where the Museum & Archive is now. Another captures a man raising a bottle in front of looming equipment. These candid moments offer intimate glimpses into life at the mill.
Some photographs came alongside industry training certificates from 1978, showing workers proudly holding their award. It is interesting to see the image and the object side by side.
A series of sepia-toned postcards adds another glimpse into the past, one depicting the mill decorated “in honour of the Lord Mayor of Leeds”. Interestingly, one printed image, folded and torn, is the same as one of Thomas’s photographs but donated by a different person, showing how memories and stories often overlap. These postcards carry a sense of everyday life and celebration, preserving moments that might otherwise have been forgotten.
Even a small selection of these donated photographs reveals the layered history of Sunny Bank Mills. If you recognise anyone in these images or know their stories, we would be thrilled to hear from you. Your contributions help bring these snapshots of everyday life to life, preserving the human stories behind the mill for future generations.
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