‘Joseph and his Amazing Black and White Pictures’ by David Henderson

Stratherrick Hall, 30th September 2014 at 7.30pm

David’s talk and slide show was preceded by a brief AGM of the Heritage Group.  Apologies were given and the minutes of the 2013 AGM approved, along with Frank’s 2013/14 Accounts.   Alan had printed his Chair’s Report to save time.   Unfortunately we have lost our Secretary, Carol Jones, and so are looking for a replacement.   Other new recruits to our small committee are always welcome, and could help boost the activities of the Heritage Group.

David Henderson is an Invernessian, a retired economist and ex-Highland Councillor.  A couple of years ago he gave us a most interesting and entertaining illustrated talk on the history of Highland cattle droving.   This time round, he was talking about the Joseph Cook collection of photographs of Inverness, fascinating black-and-white images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.   Joseph Cook was not a photographer himself, but was a collector of interesting historical photographs of Inverness and its surroundings, taken by a number of photographers whose identities have now largely been lost.

David gave us an extensive show of photographs from the collection, giving a fascinating view of Inverness in bygone times, including perhaps the only surviving photograph of the old stone arched bridge which preceded the fondly remembered suspension bridge, which itself was well covered by a number of views.   The Castle and its Jail, Castle Tolmie, thatched cottages in streets such as King Street, leather tanning by the river, the Town Steeple and Town House, the Cathedral and Eden Court (the Bishop’s Palace), and Dalneigh when is was a farm outside Inverness’s built-up area were among the many subjects covered by David’s slide show.   He added colour to the monochrome views by adding descriptive comments and interesting anecdotes about many of them.

Alan thanked David for his talk and show, and there were many questions and additional comments from the audience.   The evening finished with tea, coffee and biscuits – thanks to Elspeth, Margaret and Morgan for preparing these refreshments.

Watch out for our next event, planned for spring 2015.

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