Today I spent the day scanning with 4th generation veterinary surgeon John Head of Helston. John has an amazing collection of black and white photographs taken on farms he worked on in the 1990’s, all in the Helston area. Although taken only 20 years ago these photographs, mostly portraits, provide a snapshot of a different time.
As part of ‘Tallys an Tir’ we are helping John to scan and archive his wonderful collection. We will also be getting together a group of local farmers to help link information and stories with the photographs.
Johns photographs will become part of the exhibition ‘This Land’ at Kestle Barton on 31st August/1st September this year. John also hopes to exhibit some of the previously unseen photographs at this years Helston Fat Stock show that will be held on the 3rd Monday in November at Franchis Farm.
Tom and Margaret Ralph at Gilly Vean Farm, Stithians. 1990. © John Head
Here is the very first farming portrait that John took. John says, “This was of a devoted couple who farmed at Stithians and who had known my father and grandfather as veterinary surgeons. I was so pleased with the result that I felt that I should record more.” As a vet John was in a unique position of knowing the people he photographed, making the portraits natural and full of character.
