WHITEHAVEN residents have the opportunity to view vintage images of the town after a public body has unveiled a new collection.

This week, Historic England launched its new Aerial Photography Explorer - which for the first time allows users to search and explore an online map showing aerial photographs of England over the past 100 years.

Aerial imagery provides a fascinating insight into the development and expansion of the nation’s urban centres and changes to the rural landscape. It can also reveal striking discoveries - such as ‘cropmarks’ showing hidden, archaeology beneath the surface.

Over 400,000 images from 1919 to the present day have been added to the tool, covering nearly 30% (around 15,000 square miles) of England, allowing people immediate digital access to Historic England’s nationally important collection of aerial photographs.

Included on the website is a 1922 image over The Picture Theatre on Tangier Street, as well as a 1933 aerial image of the harbour.

 

Whitehaven News: AERIAL: This 1929 image of Tangier Street features the Picture Theatre, now known as the Gaiety. Picture: Historic EnglandAERIAL: This 1929 image of Tangier Street features the Picture Theatre, now known as the Gaiety. Picture: Historic England

 

Across Copeland you will also be able to see a 1933 image of St Bees School and a 1929 image over the village of Seascale.

 

Whitehaven News: AERIAL: This image of St Bees School was taken in 1933AERIAL: This image of St Bees School was taken in 1933

 

By opening up these images to the public through this accessible online tool, Historic England hopes that people will use it to research their local areas, offering an insight into a century of changes and development. It will also provide industry professionals and local authorities with a useful resource to help planning, heritage projects and archaeological investigation.

 

Whitehaven News: QUAINT: A 1929 image of Seascale can also be found. Picture: Historic EnglandQUAINT: A 1929 image of Seascale can also be found. Picture: Historic England

 

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said: “I am delighted that our new online tool will allow people to access easily our wonderful collection of aerial images and enjoy the historic photography that our team uses every day to unlock the mysteries of England’s past.”

Nigel Huddleston is the MP for Mid Worcestershire and also the Minister for Heritage. He said: "What better way to discover our shared history than through this fascinating new online tool which offers a bird's eye view of our past. I can't wait to discover more about my local area and encourage everyone to explore the thousands of English sites from the last century."