General Information
During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster &
Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that
feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster
Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district
at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit
the information page. If you find a caption is
wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D
J Clark.
Date:
June 18th 2000
Location: St Bernadette's
Church, Bowerham Road
Photographer's Diary
Sunday 18th June - First Communion
With Maggie having a large family all of which are Catholic, this was the season for religious ceremonies for the young. Josh was to receive his first communion and I was duly summoned to attend. I made some pictures before they started and moved to get a good view of the proceedings. I had persuaded the teacher in charge to let me be the official photographer, as parents and relatives were asked not to take pictures during the service. I took my pictures and progressed to the party.
With a paddling pool in the garden and hot weather, getting wet was a sure thing. Rather than fight the inevitable I took a couple of pictures with my camera as my safeguard and moved on to the Cathedral. Bishop Brewer had died a week earlier and I was to document the funeral. I was told he would be lying in state, guarded by the Knights of St John. A little unsure about photographing a dead body, I went to the Cathedral and boldly went about my business. The knights had no swords, just a sash around their necks and they questioned my being there. ""I'm official" I claimed, this always works with amateurs.
I then went up to the Park to see what was going on. An RAF cadet display team were dancing, a bit strange for people in uniform, but they were quite good. Again the commander came up to question me "I'm official" came the reply and once again I was left to carry on. I also got some summer pictures of people relaxing in the park. A quick walk round and then back to the car. Back to the car and to the party, I was soaked within minutes.