A large group of visitors paddling at Cleethorpes c1920s.
Another original seaside photograph by the prolific and excellent photographer J. W. Hardy of Cleethorpes.
John William Hardy was born in Sheffield on 10th February 1876. He was the son of a newsagent. John married Minna in Sheffield in 1905. He was a photographer by then. By 1911, he was working as a photographer in Cleethorpes. After living in Signhills Avenue in the early 1920s, the family moved to 52 St Peter’s Avenue (where the Co-op in now) between 1925 and 1926. J. W. Hardy had a studio on the seafront. He also took outdoor, souvenir photos of holidaymakers walking along the promenade sitting in deckchairs and paddling in the sea.
John William Hardy worked as a busy photographer through many decades. He still had the studio at his home at 52 St Peter’s Avenue when he died on 29th or 30th July 1954. His son, John Keith Hardy, was also working there as a photographer.
On the back of the photograph it says, “Dear Sam. Do you know anyone on here? I think you will be able to spot us all. I think Clara has told you we are coming back by the 1-30 train on Sat. I don’t know what time it arrives in Sheffield but you will be able to judge for yourself. Sam it is my turn now. We shall start from here on Sat 1:30 and arrive about 4 o’clock. Vic(?) will get my money for me on Friday and he will buy a tin of Bruno and he is sending me £1.0.0 out of his Bacca money so that I shall get it on Thursday morning and then he will take it out of my wages and will come to our house on Friday night with the remainder(?). Just a little rain last night Tuesday. Lovely weather add day Wed. Dad”
Additional, modern notes accompanying the photograph are as follows. “Two men with caps on left: The smallest on is your granddad Sam. Uncle Reg is front row extreme right wearing cap. On his right, just behind him is Aunt Emma. Behind her is Great Grandad Bellamy and next to her is your grandma Sis holding Don. Aunt Clara is in the centre at the back with a hairnet on her head. I don’t know anyone else.”
