A PROJECT is underway to honour the contribution that eminent Victorians made to Southport’s development – and LookBack readers are being asked to help.
Keith W. Roberts, a lecturer in photography, is delving into the visual libraries of the nineteenth century philanthropists who left such a mark on our town.
He is conducting his research towards an MA degree and its fruits will hopefully be exhibited at the Atkinson Art Gallery in 2009.
Keith W Roberts, lecturer in photography
Keith told LookBack: “It is in essence a photographic project, so I am hoping to be able to produce a series of images based upon any stories or artefacts that these Southport Victorians may have left behind that still exist.�
Past mayors of Southport are expected to feature prominently in his project, in which the images will be developed using authentic old processes.
Samuel Swire, Walter Smith, Samuel Boothroyd, Richard Nicholson, William Sutton, John Unwin and Edward Rimmer are among those involved, many of whose names have been bequeathed to Southport landmarks.
The entrance to the vault of Victorian mayor Samuel Swire at Duke Street Cemetery Photo by Keith W Roberts
But some traces of their influence have also since disappeared.
Keith, 38, told LookBack how he had learned that Matlock Road in Birkdale was known as Swire Road until 1906, honouring the 1872-73 mayorship of Samuel Swire, Esq, JP.
Time spent in Duke Street Cemetery provided inspiration for the research by Keith – who is a photography programme leader at St Helens College with a background in professional freelancing.
He said that reading the detail of gravestones there made him think: “this person probably contributed so much to society in the course of their lifespan.�.
A broken memorial cross for William Pochin in Birkdale Cemetery. His grave is visible from Liverpool Road, depicting a 15-ft sculpture of Jesus Christ with his arms held open
Any relatives of these eminent Southport Victorians living in the North West – or anyone else who can assist in the project – are asked to contact Keith.
Write to him at: 7 Morven Grove, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6AY or by email at keithroberts@sthelens.ac.uk
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