Last updated 11:38, Friday, 20 June 2008

PICTURES of West Cumbrian scenes and people will go on display in Whitehaven tomorrow – the first time many of them will have been seen in more than half a century.

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Getting ready for the summer season at Derwentwater

The black and white pictures were taken by Whitehaven photographer Lilian Douglas (1895-1989) but for years the negatives lay neglected in a suitcase.

Then a chance remark by Lilian’s son, Peter, to a friend about the photographs sparked a rescue operation which involved digitising hundreds of her pictures.

Astonishing, highly-detailed and excellent quality black and white pictures came back to life.

Many of the pictures show Lake District scenes, Lilian often using local people as ‘models.’

She ran a shorthand and typing college in Whitehaven and would often drag the students out to some scenic location for a photo shoot.

She also photographed a number of local characters – one of her favourites being Vivien Fisher of Keswick.

He was known as the gatekeeper philosopher and was a well-known character for anyone visiting Keswick and Derwentwater. He stood on the road to Ashness Bridge.

For a penny in his bucket, he would open the gate for motorists – and dispense his own brand of worldly wisdom for anyone wishing to stop and chat!

Peter Douglas, who lives at Flookburgh with his wife Jane, said: “We’re delighted that these classic photos have been rescued from the celluloid scrap heap. In the process of being digitised, the photographs have been cleaned up and restored to almost their original quality.”

The exhibition, showing pictures from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, runs from 10am-5pm on Saturday June 21 at the Dunboyne Room in Whitehaven Civic Hall. Admission is free.

You can also see Lilian’s pictures at www.oldlakelandphotos.co.uk