Pennine Heritage has announced the release of a new publication showcasing the work of the celebrated photographer, Alice Longstaff.

Known for her captivating portrayals of life in the Calder Valley, Alice’s photographs documented the people and places of Hebden Bridge and its surrounding areas for over 70 years.

Start of the Roll: The Photographs of Alice Longstaff follows on from End of the Roll, the first collection of Longstaff photographs released in 2024 which went all over the world and was featured in The Guardian and on BBC Look North and BBC Radio 3.

Pennine Heritage’s Dr. Andrew McTominey said: “The response to End of the Roll was truly amazing, with Alice’s incredible images going to all corners of the globe.

"We hope the follow-up will similarly captivate audiences, providing a window into a past world but also a testament to Alice’s immense skill as a photographer.

"We’d love to gather more insights from the community to help identify people, places and stories featured in the images, as many who lived in Hebden Bridge were photographed by Alice over the decades.

"Her images also deserve to be known more widely, easily on a par with more noted contemporary photographers.”

Alice Longstaff began her journey in photography at age 14, taking up an apprenticeship in 1921 against the advice of her teachers.

Through her passion and skill, she became one of the most popular photographers in the region, capturing an invaluable visual history of everyday life.

Following her passing in 1992, Pennine Heritage, a Hebden Bridge-based charity, inherited her collection, including many undeveloped negatives in unmarked envelopes, which remained a mystery.

With extensive restoration efforts, Pennine Heritage has curated a selection of these previously unseen images.

Some of the photographs are now being published for the first time, bringing Alice’s work to a broader audience.

The collection, which captures ordinary yet powerful moments in the lives of local people, serves as both a historic archive and a tribute to her talent.

Copies of the book can be ordered by contacting [email protected].

All funds raised from book sales go back into supporting the charity, maintaining the Grade II listed Birchcliffe Centre, and preserving local history collections including the Longstaff collection.