Exhibition images chronicle a period of great change

Doncaster Museums' Nicola Fox with a selection of photographs of the North Bridge under construction (1909 -1910). The pictures make up part of an exhibition, at Cusworth Hall, of the work of Doncaster photographer Luke Bagshaw from 1894-1944. Picture Scott Merrylees

Luke Bagshaw’s photographs of Doncaster, taken from around 1894 to his death in 1944, record the rapid changes being brought about in the town, including the building of North Bridge, and the retail revolution of the late Victorian period. But they also provide an insight into ordinary Doncastrians, the soldiers who served in the First World War, and the women munitions workers, tram drivers and railway workers who stepped in keep the home fires burning.

Now some of his finest work, including images that have never been shown before, are on display at Cusworth Hall to celebrate a £34,812 grant for the cataloguing and digitising of the 15,000-strong collection.

Coun Bill Mordue, Doncaster Council’s cabinet member for culture, said: “This collection tells the story of Doncaster from the Boer War to World War Two – a period of huge change for the borough. There are so many photos of local people and most of them have not been seen before. We are therefore looking forward to some wonderful surprises and stories to come out as a result of this project.”