Summer in the Woods

Photographs by Michael Fenton of Sunnyhurst Woods in Summer 2011.
Currently displayed in Sunnyhurst Woods visitors' centre from 23rd March 2012 - 11th May 2012

EVERY FRONT HAS A BACK Part 2 (Blackburn)

Every Front Has a Back Part 1 was an exhibition of photographs by Michael Fenton which were on display in Darwen Library in January 2012.

They were photographs of  rarely seen and generally unnoticed bits of Darwen ie, backstreets and the backs of some  buildings.

It seemed worthwhile to document these areas of the town because their days might be numbered and the photographs would remain a reminder of how things were before the cobbles are replaced by tarmac and they all have fancy gates to stop pedestrians.Part 2 then is more of the same but all the photographs are this time in Blackburn.

There are some differences, mainly in the backdrops. In Darwen, photographs invariably have the India Mill Chimney or the Jubilee Tower lurking in the background. In Blackburn, it is interesting to see the iconic cobbled backs strewn with wheelie bins juxtaposed with a handsome mosque.

There are also still the occasional Victorian back alley still standing in Blackburn despite the mass demolitions of the 1960’s.

If nothing else, at least these photographs might prove useful in some future “Regression Therapy” sessions. Failing that, I hope the viewers who have taken the time to look at them now may have some memories stirred or they may be curious to have a look round the back of some familiar buildings to see if anything catches the eye.

Michael Fenton. February 2012.