In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In Prescot, Tony Mallon was commissioned as photographer. This image is one from the first of two sets of images taken as part of the commission. Mallon wrote the following text to describe his work on the project: "I have been working in collaboration with local residents from Prescot since summer 2021. At the beginning of my residency, I explored Prescot Town Centre’s rich history with its residents through a series of Photography and Memory Fairs. People’s archival photographs and stories revealed how much the ‘High Street’ has played an important and fond role in their lives – their first kiss, watching television for the first time through a shop window or looking forward to your pick and mix sweets on a Saturday. A selection of these images and stories where displayed on shop fronts at three locations on the ‘high street’. It was beautiful to see/read what have been up to then private moments, usually only shared with family/friends become accessible to the public. It was fascinating getting a glimpse of people’s history." The photographer added the following information about this image: "In September 2021 Rev'd Kimberley Mannings was licensed as the Vicar of Prescot. Before ordination she was a secondary school Religious Education teacher and youth worker. [Reverend Mannings said:] 'Sometimes people ask me what my favourite part of this beautiful, 800-year-old town centre church is. There are, indeed, so many striking features, from the Norman font to the stained glass windows, but my answer often takes people by surprise: "the top of the church tower". The Parish Church exists for the whole town: every corner, every person, and so many stories are interwoven with this sacred place, where people have gathered at the highest and lowest points of life. It's why I love the top of the tower, as it's the vantage point from which you can see every part of the town: the shiney and new; the bustling; the quiet; the forgotten, and it reminds me that this church was built for, and belongs to, every corner.'... 'There has been a lot of fear amongst residents this year, with talks of crime and, only this week, news of gunshots fired. i Sometimes I come up here and lament the sense of pain and fear that people are experiencing- offering t to God in prayer. At other times I gaze out and dare to dream of a bright future: of hope restored and healing for the broken. My prayer throughout is "God, help me to see this town and its people through your eyes".' 'Picturing England's High Streets' commission by Open Eye Gallery, Historic England and Photoworks.
Part of a collaborative project by Tony Mallon and the Prescot Photography Group.
This is part of the Job: HEC01/128/01/04/01 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Tony Mallon: Prescot - Photography and Memory Fairs; within the Volume: HEC01/128/01/04 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Tony Mallon: Prescot; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Tony Mallon
Photographer: Mallon, Tony
Medieval Parish Church, People Posed, Religion
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