Retrospective photojournalism

I’ve previously blogged about the legendary Leslie Overend, the man whose photographic collection spanned decades of Morley life.

Leslie retired in 1983 and died six years later, bequeathing his vast (not too well sorted) collection to Stephen White. his journalist colleague from the Observer days.

Stephen devoted eighteen months to producing a retrospective of the 1960s from the collection, launched in September 1992.

Stephen started sending a weekly picture to the Morley Observer the following year, frequently eliciting responses and recognition of people, helping Stephen index the collection in the process. Sixteen years later, the following decade hit the streets.

Stephen is the deputy editor of the Bristol-based Western Daily Press but will always be a Morleian.

“After years of doing very little with Leslie’s vast collection of negatives I decided to archive them properly.
“That task took me about 18 months. Then, last Christmas (2007), I launched the website www.leslieoverend.com in tribute to Leslie and his work.

“When this was complete I realised that some 16 years had elapsed since the first Overend’s Morley book – and I was asked when I was going to do another.”

“The last Overend’s Morley book proved hugely popular as a Christmas present. I’m confident that this will be the same – and bring back lots of happy memories for lots of Morley people.”

The book can be bought from the Morley Obtiser offices in Queen Street or can be ordered, post free, direct from Stephen, details on his website. Of course, if you are an exiled Morleian abroad, postage will not be free!

He also tells me that he still has about thirty copies of the original book for sale and they can be bought post free at a much reduced price.

Whilst I don’t know any of the faces in the books, the street scenes, furniture, clothing and haircuts are a fascinating social history of this town I call home.

(Update- retirement year corrected)