A Collection of English eccentricity from the past

 

 

 

Let's go BACK down memory lane: We revisit the locations of those charming pictures from 1939 honeymoon couple's English road-trip and find things haven't changed quite as much as you'd expect Colour photos captured sights of newlywed couple as they travelled across east coast of England in August 1939 Just weeks later, the peace and tranquility of the country was shattered by the outbreak of the Second World War Now the images documenting Denys and Margaret Gardiner's honeymoon have been recreated in the present day They feature shots of Lincoln High Street, River Thames, Monk Bar in York and Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire From flower-filled meadows to scenic lakes and quaint villages, the photos captured the sights of a newlywed couple as they travelled across the east coast of England on the eve of World War Two. Now, the astonishing set of images documenting Denys and Margaret Gardiner's honeymoon in August 1939 has been recreated in the present day. And although the pictures were taken 75 years apart, a remarkable number of things still appear the same. +27 Then: This remarkable colour photo shows Denys and Margaret Gardiner's visit to Brayford Pool in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, during their honeymoon in August 1939 +27 Now: In a photo taken in present day, Brayford Pool features the same towering cathedral, scenic views and raised platform, but with a higher number of swans     Surprisingly similar: One honeymoon photo, captured by Mr Gardiner's cousin Eldred, shows a man in a cap riding his bicycle down Lincoln High Street (left). Incredibly, its present day version (right) also features a cathedral, an array of shops and a cyclist - albeit, with more road markings, better safety gear and vans instead of horses     Remarkable: Boston High Street, in Lincolnshire, cuts a startling similar scene in both sets of images, with buildings, vehicles and St Botolph's Church overlooking the murky brown river below. However, time has seen the red postbox (left) replaced by a parking meter (right), while the steps to the river have been demolished entirely +27 Popular: Meanwhile, the River Thames in London was seemingly a popular sight for passersby in August 1939 - just one month before the start of the Second World War +27 Captial: The British capital looks similar in present day, with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in the background. But its new additions include the London Eye +27 Couple: The old photos captured the sights of the newlywed couple as they travelled across the east coast of England on the eve of World War Two. Above, the wedding of Denys Gardiner, born 1916, and Margaret, born 1913, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Finchley Road, Hampstead, London, on April 15, 1939 One honeymoon photo, captured by Mr Gardiner's cousin Eldred, shows a man in a cap riding his bicycle down Lincoln High Street in Lincolnshire. Incredibly, its present day version features the same towering cathedral, row of shops and a cyclist - albeit, with more road markings, better safety gear and vans and cars instead of horses.   Meanwhile, Boston High Street, also in Lincolnshire, is startlingly similar in both sets of images, with buildings, vehicles and St Botolph's Church overlooking the murky brown river below. However, time has seen the red postbox replaced by a parking meter, while boating enthusiasts can no longer venture into the river via a set of stairs. +27 Well-preserved: One of the best-preserved images in the collection, this photo shows a village sign in Shernborne, Norfolk, which is situated not far from Sandringham +27 Faded: The photos were only recently uncovered by the couple's grandson, Barney Britton, who is himself a professional photographer, after spending years hidden away in Mrs Gardiner's attic. Mr Britton believes the sign (above) may have been taken down during the war to avoid assisting enemy forces in the event of an invasion     A sun-lit walk: The honeymoon photos were taken as the Gardiners motored through the country in their Morris Eight. Left, Monk Bar in York in 1939 and, right, today +27 A popular ride: The Morris Eight was extremely popular at the time and its success propelled its manufacturer to become the biggest car company in Britain in the 1940s +27 Idyllic: In a present day photo, Morston in Norfolk is deserted, picturesque and bathed in a yellow sunset. Mr and Mrs Gardiner visited this spot during their honeymoon +27 Ready to sail: Just weeks after the couples' 900-mile round trip, the peace and tranquility of the country was to be shattered by the outbreak of the Second World War. Above, a boat is moored on banks of River Thames in London in 1939 +27 Expensive: A modern white-coloured boat, featuring a British flag, is pictured on the river, 75 years after the original honeymoon photos were taken by Mr Britton And the River Thames in London seemingly still proves a popular sight for passersby - but with expensive modern ships replacing old sailing boats. Other recreated images include the River Stiffkey in Norfolk, Beverley Minister in East Yorkshire, Monk Bar in York and a quiet residential street in Lavenham, Suffolk. The original honeymoon photos, which were taken as the Gardiners motored through the country in their Morris Eight, show them camping in sun-lit meadows, driving down country roads and relaxing by stunning lakes. +27 Spectacular: Speaking of the photos, Mr Britton told MailOnline: 'I don't remember hearing my grandmother talk about the holiday.' Above, Mr and Mrs Gardiner's car is parked outside a church at upper Sheringham, Norfolk, in August 1939 +27 Barely a difference: He added: 'But my mother had told me about the pictures due to my interest in photography.' Above, the same church is pictured today +27 Camping: Mr and Mrs Gardiner are pictured camping in Kelling Heath, Norfolk, during their honeymoon across the east coast of England on the eve of World War Two +27 Empty: During the trip, they also visited the River Stiffkey in Norfolk and Beverley Minister in East Yorkshire. Above, today, the same field is all but empty +27 Taking a dip: A bather takes a paddle in the River Stiffkey outside Wells-next-the-Sea as Mr and Mrs Gardiner and their photographer tour the north Norfolk coast +27 Mirror image: In an almost identical shot, Stiffkey River, which travels from its source near Swanton Novers to the North Sea, reflects sun rays today     Having a stroll: A woman strolls along Prentice Street in Lavenham, Suffolk, in August 1939, while another takes her dog for a walk down the same street (right) today But just weeks after the couples' 900-mile round trip up and down the east coast of England, the peace and tranquility of the country was shattered by the outbreak of the Second World War. The charming colour photos were only recently uncovered by the couple's grandson, Barney Britton, who is himself a professional photographer, after years hidden away in Mrs Gardiner's attic. Speaking of the photos, published on the website DP Review, Mr Britton told MailOnline: 'I don't remember hearing my grandmother talk about the holiday, though my mother had told me about the pictures due to my interest in photography. +27 Grand: Mr Britton said: 'I have the equipment to be able to scan the photos and was amazed when I saw them.' Above, Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire in August 1939 +27 Standing tall: He added: 'Colour films in those days would have been extremely expensive and difficult to use.' Above, the stunning building is pictured today 'When we were going through my grandmother's things after we held a memorial service to her, my mother said: "I bet we find those photos" and sure enough we did. 'I have the equipment to be able to scan them and was amazed when I saw them. Little is known about my great uncle Eldred, as he died, also from tuberculosis, one year after the photos were taken.' He added: 'Colour films in those days would have been extremely expensive and difficult to use, they were very sensitive to high temperatures and light, making the quality of the pictures he took all the more impressive.'

A snapshot of English eccentricity: Photographers fascinated by our quirks captured nation's whimsical streak in series of images from the past Tony Ray-Jones toured the UK between 1966 and 1969 seeking out odd British customs The Somerset-born photographer was fascinated by the English and their capacity for off-the-wall behaviour He tragically died from leukaemia aged just 30, but work is now on display at the National Media Museum in Bradford The English are known throughout the world for their eccentricity and behaviour that leaves many foreigners scratching their heads. It was with this in mind that Tony Ray-Jones created a body of photographs documenting English customs and identity between 1966 and 1969. Humorous yet melancholy, these stills were a departure from anything else being produced at the time. They quickly attracted the attention of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London where they were exhibited in 1969. Tragically, in 1972, Ray-Jones died from leukaemia aged just 30. However, his short but prolific career had a lasting influence on the development of British photography from the 1970s through to the present day. In 1970, Martin Parr, an 18-year-old photography student at Manchester Polytechnic, was introduced to Ray-Jones and was immediately inspired by his work. Parr moved to Hebden Bridge in 1974 and produced The Non-Conformists, a series of images shot in black and white in and around the Calder Valley. This project started within two years of Ray-Jones’ death and demonstrates his legacy and influence. Now the work of the two photographers is the subject of an exhibition at the National Media Museum in Bradford called 'Only In England'. +8 Eccentrics: Tony Ray-Jones created a body of photographs documenting English customs and identity between 1966 and 1969. This image taken in Blackpool in 1968, shows a man using an unusual method to beat the sun +8 Young love: An infatuated young couple share a tender moment on a Beachy Head boat trip in 1967 +8 Cabbage on display: An auction of Harvest Festival goods in Pecket Well Methodist Chapel in West Yorkshire, 1978 +8 When worlds collide: A beauty contest in Southport, 1967. +8 This picture, possibly taken in Morecambe, Lancashire, between 1967 and 1968 shows a free spirit in swimming trunks and some other slightly more formally dressed men +8 Quirky: Two women take shelter as they enjoy some refreshments during May Day Celebrations in 1967 +8 Visionary: Sadly, the photographer never saw the impact his photography would have. He died at just 30 +8 Stark beauty: The black and white stills brim with character and energy

Eerie photographs reveal abandoned bedrooms and living areas of Victorian-era asylum that was still being used until last year In 1895 Portrane Lunatic Asylum was the most expensive building in Ireland paid for by the British Government The hospital had an initial budget of £200,000 but this rose to £300,000 by the time it was finally completed The facility was seen as being at the forefront of mental health care when it was opened in 1903 The crumbling St Ita's hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin was the most expensive building ever sanctioned by the British Government in Ireland when commissioned in 1895. With a capacity of 1,200 beds, the facility, known then as the Portrane Lunatic Asylum, was seen as being at the frontier of mental health care. Over the past decade Irish health authorities have been gradually closing the final Victorian era facilities. The last 27 patients housed on two wings were moved to accommodation late last year as the neo-Gothic style hospital was closed. Now, the building in Portrane is silent. However an urban explorer called Obscuraprints accessed the site and took this series of eerie images, offering a fascinating insight into Victorian mental health care. Scroll down for video +10 When it was commissioned in 1895, the Portrane Lunatic Asylum was the most expensive ever building paid for by the British in Ireland at a planned cost of £200,000 +10 The asylum was designed by architect George Coppinger Ashlin in a neo-gothical style and as a result the costs spiraled to £300,000 - £32 million in today's money +10 St Ita's at its height housed 1,200 patients but there were just 27 remaining by mid 2013 as health authorities prepared the decaying unit for its eventual closure +10 The hospital was divided between men and women, and then it was further divided into four further sections depending on a the severity of the mental illness involved +10 +10 When the final patients were removed from the Victorian facility, not all of their personal effects were collected and left strewn across the floor +10 Despite the decay, St Ita's was considered state of the art, with each of the wings having a view of the sea just 500 metres away to aid in the patients' recovery +10 The building was designed to be functional as well, with the clock tower doubling as a water tower which could be used in the event of a fire at the facility +10 The project was supervised by Alfred Ignatius McGloughlin who was forced to flee to the US during construction after he had an 'illicit liaison' with one of his maids +10 According to the Irish Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht: 'Ireland had a leading place in the establishment of lunatic asylums in the nineteenth century'