Scarborough 1963-1970

Until the age of 8 years, I was brought up on council estates on the outskirts of Scarborough, a seaside town in North Yorkshire. On 19th March 1963 we moved into the town itself, which opened up a whole new range of possibilities for escape and adventure. I explored the town and particular places as if I owned them. This was a fantastic time for me: an intrepid explorer in my own town, hidden amongst the holiday-makers and day-trippers.

I have decided to embark on a long-term project looking at those special places of my boyhood wanderings, and these images are where I have got to so far. They are not intended to be a record of what was and I have tried to avoid the merely nostalgic. Rather they are images made of what I see there today and what captures my eye now, through the filter of decades. 

Yellow Netting, Footprint and Bottle Top, South Bay

Yellow Netting, Footprint and Bottle Top, South Bay

Life Saving Equipment, South Bay

Life Saving Equipment, South Bay

Pink Bin and Lighthouse, South Bay

Pink Bin and Lighthouse, South Bay

Bollard and Jimmy Corrigan’s, South Bay

Bollard and Jimmy Corrigan’s, South Bay

Many Footprints in Sand, South Bay

Many Footprints in Sand, South Bay

Footprint in Sand, South Bay

Footprint in Sand, South Bay

Wall, Futurist Site, South Bay

Wall, Futurist Site, South Bay

Futurist Site, South Bay

Futurist Site, South Bay

Fence, Beach, Sea, Sky, St Nicholas Gardens, South Bay

Fence, Beach, Sea, Sky, St Nicholas Gardens, South Bay

Yellow Post, Barrier and Wall, Futurist, South Bay

Yellow Post, Barrier and Wall, Futurist, South Bay

Green Shutter, Brick Wall, South Bay

Green Shutter, Brick Wall, South Bay

Crack in Wall, West Pier, South Bay

Crack in Wall, West Pier, South Bay

Gate, Damaged Wall, Blue Shape, West Pier, South Bay

Gate, Damaged Wall, Blue Shape, West Pier, South Bay

Blue, Green Net , Yellow Cord and Worm Casts, West Pier, South

Blue, Green Net , Yellow Cord and Worm Casts, West Pier, South

Red Plastic and Sea, West Pier, South Bay

Red Plastic and Sea, West Pier, South Bay

Reflections, Jimmy Corrigan's, Foreshore, South Bay

Reflections, Jimmy Corrigan's, Foreshore, South Bay

Builders' Hoarding, North Bay Pool

Builders' Hoarding, North Bay Pool

North Bay Pool

North Bay Pool

Boating Lake and Floating Plant, Northstead Manor Gardens, North Bay

Boating Lake and Floating Plant, Northstead Manor Gardens, North Bay

Red Post, White Pole and Blue Whale, Crazy Golf, North Bay

Red Post, White Pole and Blue Whale, Crazy Golf, North Bay

Discarded Board and Structure, Near Scalby Mills, North Bay

Discarded Board and Structure, Near Scalby Mills, North Bay

Leaves and Water Plants, Boating Lake, Northstead Manor Gardens

Leaves and Water Plants, Boating Lake, Northstead Manor Gardens

Chairlift Pillar, Sky, Sea, Beach, Grass and Lamp, North Bay

Chairlift Pillar, Sky, Sea, Beach, Grass and Lamp, North Bay

Metal Doors, Near Beach Huts, North Bay

Metal Doors, Near Beach Huts, North Bay

Lamp Post and Abandoned Chairlift Pillars, North Bay

Lamp Post and Abandoned Chairlift Pillars, North Bay

Alpamare, Yellow Wall and Dark Blue Door, North Bay,

Alpamare, Yellow Wall and Dark Blue Door, North Bay,

Shower, Near Beach Huts, North Bay

Shower, Near Beach Huts, North Bay

Yellow Telescope, Scalby Mills, North Bay

Yellow Telescope, Scalby Mills, North Bay

Seawall, Sea and Duck, Scalby Mills, North Bay

Seawall, Sea and Duck, Scalby Mills, North Bay

Terminus 1, Mr Marvel's, North Bay

Terminus 1, Mr Marvel's, North Bay

Cafe and Reverse Sign, North Bay

Cafe and Reverse Sign, North Bay

Stained Concrete (Face) North Bay

Stained Concrete (Face) North Bay