Alston Photographers

The September meeting of the Alston Moor Historical Society again highlighted the rich source of both subject matter and speakers that we are fortunate enough to have in our area. Peter Wilkinson, a member of the Society, and assisted by Rachel Etheridge, gave a presentation based on the lives and works of the ‘Alston Photographers’. Peter illustrated his talk with images from his huge collection.

During the period 1850 to 1880 the photographic process was very complicated and used unpleasant chemicals. The light was also crucial as only natural light could be used. The subject of the photograph had to stay perfectly still for up to 10 seconds and to assist in this they would invariably lean against a piece of furniture, against others in a group picture or stand in front of a frame which kept the neck braced. These supports can be seen in many of the portraits. Mobile studios and darkrooms where often used to travel to outside locations, particularly galas, fairs or anywhere where people would be gathered in large numbers.

The first photographer reviewed was Richard von Dix who arrived in Alston in 1868 and proceeded to make a significant reputation, not only as a photographer, but also as an entertainer, singer, juggler, dramatic actor and impresario. He organised a number of concerts and entertainments in the area, including at the Town Hall – and he was usually top of the bill! It is not clear why he came to Alston as he had been born in Swansea. He was an orphan and is described as a pauper in his childhood years. It seems that he may have become involved in travelling shows or circuses where he acquired his wide range of entertainment skills and travelling with one of these may have brought him to Alston. En route he had enhanced his name and was known as Richard von Dix – no doubt he felt that the addition of ‘von’ was more glamorous and added an air of mystique appropriate for a photographic artist and entertainer.

During his stay in Alston he opened a studio in Alston which he advertised his services with the claim’ picture taken in all weathers’. He took many landscape pictures in isolated places and this must have been very difficult, as he had to have his studio immediately to hand once the shot was taken. This meant taking heavy equipment with him whenever he worked outdoors. In the late 1870’s he entered into partnership with Georgina Smedly, a photographic artist, from Boston in Lincolnshire. They traded as Dix & Smedly and produced increasingly more sophisticated work. Von Dix also became licensee of two inns in Alston and in 1877 had taken over the Sporting Inn, Low Bayles where he sold brews from

Alston Brewery. Despite having made a great impact on Alston he and Georgina left in 1880 and they were next found in Jarrow. The reason for them leaving was probably a combination of personal and business matters. Thereafter he moved to the Mount Pleasant hotel in Consett and in 1888 he died. Georgina moved away and finally died in Rochdale in 1903.

Thomas Bramwell was born in Garrigill in 1835, the 4 th of 14 children, and followed the family tradition of becoming a miner. However in 1853 he started training as a jeweller/watchmaker. In 1860 he went into business in Alston selling clocks, watches, and eventually musical instruments and Jones sewing machines in addition to a running a photographic business. The latter was very successful and in 1892 extended the studios, such was the demand for his work. The premises in Front Street can be seen in many old photographs of Alston in what is now a café. Son Charles continued the family business after his death in 1907. However Charles was more interested in the jewellery side of the business and ran down the photographic activities. Thomas had left behind a large portfolio of works, particularly landscapes and town scenes of Alston Moor, but Charles sold many of these to producers of postcards, etc., such as Valentines, rather than work with them himself

The next in line was Hugh Walton who was born in 1860. The family were originally tinsmiths but were to become ironmongers, opening a shop in Alston where Hugh worked. He turned to photography and opened a studio opposite the ironmongers, prompted by the increasing volume of work that came his way. The business prospered and continued through WW1 and was still active in the 1920s.

One thing they had in common in life was the ability to capture the spirit of Alston Moor and it’s inhabitants and in death they were all buried in unmarked graves in unconsecrated ground, von Dix in Consett and the others is Alston.

NOTE TO PHOTOGRAPH OF ALSTON CHURCH

This photograph of the rebuilt Alston Church was taken c.1884/5 by Thomas Bramwell and shows that whilst the building was completed in 1870, lack of funds prevented the inclusion of the tower and steeple. These were added in 1886.