Welcome to the 500 faces of Hebden Bridge
photographic project by Jason Elliott

2010 is the year that the Packhorse Bridge in the centre of Hebden Bridge will be 500 years old. As this bridge that straddles Hebden Water is what has given the town its name, many people will be celebrating the event in one way or another (see www.hebden500.co.uk for more information) and this is my small offering.

The idea behind it has come from a wish to show the variety of Hebden Bridgers; something, in my opinion anyway, that gives it a vibrancy, creativity, innovative spirit, as well as a sense of tolerance and cohesion that much larger towns, and even some cities, aspire to."

The subjects are all members of Hebden Bridge society. This is to allow key people who are very involved in what goes on in the town to be included, even if they do not sleep in Hebden Bridge at night. It also acknowledges that there is a section of the population that work, eat, socialise in Manchester and Leeds, even if they do sleep here at night, and play no real part in local life.

The first photograph was taken of Richard Jones on August 24th 2008 and the last one, of Jennie Wild, on June 28th 2010.

The collection will be exhibited in the Arts Festival shop in Albert Street, Hebden Bridge from July 24th until August 21st 2010, and interest has been shown in publishing the collection in printed form.

At the end of 2010, the collection passes to Hebden Royd Town Council to safeguard as a historical archive for the use of future generations enabling the great-great-great grandchildren of the subjects will get a glimpse of how "Hebden Bridgers" looked in the early twenty-first century

Back to the 500 faces Gallery

NB. All images on this website are the copyright of Jason Elliott

Contact Jason

  See us on Facebook