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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Paul Britton

Life in lockdown captured for future generations in collection of stunning photographs

Life in lockdown has been captured in a collection of stunning photographs.

And the images from Greater Manchester and across the country are being stored in a vast online achieve so people can look back on the time.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought untold grief and fear with it.

More than 1,500 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals alone.

Inside Oldham Athletic FC (Stuart Bennett)

But the photographic collection captures life continuing in its limitations during the lockdown.

Historic England asked the public to document a week in lockdown by submitting images of their experiences.

There were 3,000 entries, with professional photographers also asked to contribute.

Virtual Parliament (Andrew Gwynne MP)

Historic England said the idea was to save the best and most evocative images into its archive.

The project was the first time since the Second World War that the public were asked to officially help the public body document a moment in history.

Now the images have been selected - from a chip shop in Bolton to a Greater Manchester MP logging on from home in Denton to a virtual sitting of Parliament watched by his young grandson.

The daily briefing, Manchester (Lois Gyves)

In the North West, 15 images feature as part of the 200-strong 'Picturing Lockdown Collection'.

The images are all now freely accessible online.

The work of professional photographer Tristan Poyser, who took a job at an Amazon warehouse in Bolton after the coronavirus crisis saw his work disappear, is also featured.

First grandchild (Laura Dally)

The M.E.N. has already revealed a snapshot of his work.

Historic England said the unique responses have helped form a visual record in time in its archive, which records England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history.

Photographers has a week to send in their entries.

The project began on April 29.

Amazon worker Diana Tulsi (Tristan Poyser)

"The submissions give a fascinating insight into people's experiences in this unprecedented time," said an Historic England spokesman.

"Images sent in by people across the North West featured cheery workers in a Bolton chippy, social distancing measures within the Vauxhall factory in Liverpool and a besotted nanna's first glimpse of her newborn granddaughter through the living room window.

"We’re facing one of the most extraordinary moments in living memory. We are living through history.

"Historic England wants to record our collective experience in these extraordinary times, spark a conversation about identity and its connection to history and place, and help people navigate their way through with reflection, expression and creativity."

Claudia Kenyatta, director of regions at Historic England, said: "The fascinating response to our Picturing Lockdown call-out sheds light on our collective and individual experiences of lockdown and provides a snapshot into this unusual time that will be accessible for future generations to see and learn from.

"Our thanks go out to all who submitted their work, to our 10 contemporary artists, and to our photography team who have produced an inspiring range of images."

The full collection is available here.

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