Holidays

The archive of family albums contains numerous photographs of people on their annual holiday or on day-trips to the seaside. Blackpool was far and away the most popular destination, and Southport, the Isle of Man and North Wales also feature in the archives. Photographs of hiking and camping trips can be found, but are much less numerous, as these were generally the activities of the middle classes. Photographs of camping holidays are often of lads' groups or scouts. The almost complete absence of photographs taken abroad is an indication of how much has changed in the holidays of the working classes.

The departure for a holiday was often the occasion for a photograph. This is especially true for group outings, when crowds of expectant people would pose for pictures either waiting to board their transport, or seated inside waiting to depart. Such trips included works outings, children's organisations such as lads' clubs, scouts and guides, and church groups.

The majority of photographs show people enjoying themselves in the traditional manner, be it strolling on the promenade, paddling, building sandcastles, donkey riding, playing crazy golf, or just sitting on the beach relaxing. The photographs taken in the studios at holiday resort seem to parody the seriousness of those taken in the city. Backdrops include aeroplanes, public bars, improbable-looking motor cars and crescent moons, while giant beer bottles, donkeys and motor bikes appear regularly as favourite props.

Accommodation was usually a boarding house or a caravan, and there are some photographs which include mementoes of places people stayed at. Photographers would often take pictures on Saturday mornings of departing guests grouped together outside their boarding houses.

Riding a tandem. 1930	Playing crazy golf. 1930	A morning dip. n.d	A Punch & Judy show on the beach at Southport c 1930	Works outing from "Bury Felt" 1953. The firm arranged the outing, train and a meal at Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Guests outside Angles Boarding House, Eastbourne, c 1910	Three ladies in bathing costumes. n.d	Dodgem cars, Southport 1948	"The Briars" Vegetarian Guest-House at Crich	Crowds gathered outside a Helter-Skelter. n.d.
Setting off for junior camp. Salford Lad's Club. Pre 1914	Salford Lad's Club Camp in Ramsey, Isle of Man, 1913	Strolling on Scarborough promenade. c.1952	Belle Vue, c.1957. The lady has an alligator on her head and a snake around her neck.	A B.B.C. radio announcer broadcasting for a "Childrens Hour" radio programme whilst seated on a wooden seat on an elephants back, inside Belle Vue. Phil Fernandes the elephant keeper is present. c1948
Building sandcastles at Cleveleys 1912	Blackpool. c 1912	Camping at Tockholes. 1951	Hiking in Derbyshire. c. 1930's	Keswick Camp 3 legged race. 1947
Clacton. 1895	Caravan at Prestatyn. n.d	North Wales. c.1919	On the beach at Abergele. c1930	Beach furniture .c1925
Nat Berkeley and Millie Goodman. c1930	At the seaside c 1906	Blackpool c 1924	Colwyn Bay c 1925	Blackpool. 1928
Old Colwyn 1936	A boat trip for the congregation of St. Mary's Church, Droylsden. The boat left Fielding's Wharf, Droylsden and the usual destination was Marple. The boats used were coal boats which had to be cleaned before the outings. c.1908	Brighton. c1870	Southport 1913	Postcard of the promenade and tower from Central Pier, Blackpool. c 1920
Blackpool c 1913	Blackpool. n.d	Isle of Man 1920	Blackpool. c 1920	A row of men sitting on donkeys at Blackpool. n.d.
On holiday in Blackpool. 1907	Guests outside Mrs Lamb's boarding house, Erdington Street, Blackpool. c 1920	Blackpool beach. c1930