Without a Trace: Manchester and Salford in the 1960s

In the early 1960s, Shirley Baker began photographing the streets of Manchester and Salford, capturing the mundane and trivial aspects of life before the demolition of homes and communities. Her powerful images sparked by her curiosity recorded people and communities involved in fundamental change, bridging time and connecting with a past that should not be forgotten.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2018
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

In the early 1960s, Shirley Baker embarked on a captivating journey to photograph the streets of Manchester and Salford, a time when entire neighborhoods were being demolished, and communities were being uprooted. With a deep sense of curiosity and a desire to preserve the essence of everyday life, she aimed to capture the mundane and trivial aspects of life that were often overlooked by others.

Shirley's powerful images, sparked by her insatiable curiosity, captured the faces and stories of people and communities undergoing a profound transformation. Whole streets were disappearing, and she sought to document the remnants of the street life that had existed for generations before the drastic changes.

Despite the upheaval and the demolition of homes, Shirley managed to capture a glimpse of the past through her lens. Her photographs revealed the warmth and vitality of the communities that were being displaced, offering a poignant reminder of the rich heritage that was being lost.

As the years passed, the areas where Shirley's photographs were taken were redeveloped into a new and entirely different environment. However, her images continue to bridge the gap between time, connecting us to a past that should not be forgotten. Shirley's work serves as a powerful testament to the importance of preserving our history and capturing the stories of the people who have shaped our world.

Through her lens, Shirley Baker has immortalized the memories and experiences of those who lived in the streets of Manchester and Salford during a period of immense change. Her photographs serve as a valuable reminder of the human impact of urban development and the importance of cherishing our shared heritage.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 201 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750988988