Every picture tells a story

Mr Clitheroe started a project of researching photographs many years ago, which led to him being commissioned to write four books about the Pickering area. He says he never had any intention of producing a book, but having delved into the history of hundreds of photos throughout the years, he wanted to share the pleasure of his research.

He developed a passion for photography while helping preserve the Sidney Smith collection, now on display at the museum. The collection features hundreds of negatives and he decided to track down the people in the photos.

Mr Clitheroe's first book, about Pickering, was followed by the second and third books about Ryedale and Pickering. The fourth book featured both old and new photos. All of the 180 photographs are captioned, and tell of the town and some of its folk, significant dates and events, representing the ever changing face of Pickering.

The course of research for the book was often painstaking. "But one of the main benefits I have is that I'm well known in Pickering and I'm not frightened of approaching people – nor are they afraid of approaching me," he added.

Picture: Gerard Binks.