An unseen side of Black Britain': memories of 1980s Bradford in pictures

"After losing his job in the early 1980s, Wedderburn used his redundancy pay to purchase a second-hand camera and some film-developing kit He went on to capture life around him in Bradford, with a majority of his photographs taken in and around Lumb Lane, in the Manningham area Many of the residents at the time in Manningham were part of the Windrush Generation, invited to the UK after the second world war to tackle labour shortages."

"However, they often found themselves to be the targets of hostility and violence, resulting in Lumb Lane becoming known as the Frontline' Wedderburn's photographs feature a vibrant community alongside local businesses, such as the Young Lions Cafe, Roots record shop and the Perseverance Hotel (where West Indian music was played late into the night) These businesses provided the community with much-needed spaces to connect and socialise"

"Bradford in the 80s: An Unseen Side of Black Britain is a new online gallery of self-taught photographer Victor Wedderburn's work, capturing the diverse communities of Bradford in the 1980s. These images document the community that surrounded Wedderburn at the time, offering an insight into a significant part of Bradford's history. Bradford in the 80s: An Unseen Side of Black Britain is available to view for free at autograph.org.uk/bradford. All Photographs: Victor Wedderburn After discovering Wedderburn's photography on Facebook, the team behind Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture worked with him to exhibit the images in a seminal and extensive exhibition at Loading Bay, a temporary culture space in Bradford Many of the people featured in the photographs have been identified and contacted"

Victor Wedderburn began photographing Bradford after losing his job in the early 1980s, using redundancy pay to buy a second-hand camera and film-developing kit. He captured daily life primarily in and around Lumb Lane in Manningham. Many Manningham residents were part of the Windrush Generation who faced hostility and violence, and Lumb Lane became known as the 'Frontline'. Wedderburn's images show a vibrant community and local businesses such as the Young Lions Cafe, Roots record shop and the Perseverance Hotel where West Indian music played late into the night. These businesses provided vital social spaces. Many photographed individuals have been identified and contacted, and the work is available online.

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