Wakefield Museums and Castles

A group of children and adults holding hands and dancing in the street in a circle

Jack Hulme

Jack Hulme was a former miner from Fryston, near Castleford. When his wife bought him a Leica camera, Jack became the village photographer. He took thousands of pictures of everyday life in his pit village.

Jack captured his family and neighbours at work and play. His subjects knew him well and trusted him. His photos are honest, affectionate and often humorous. They form a unique record of a mining community in the mid 1900s. Jack Hulme created extraordinary art out of everyday life.

  

Jack Hulme as an older man smiling and sat in his armchair at home

Jack Hulme in his later years

Find out more

A close-up selfie of Jack Hulme as a young man taking a picture in a mirror with his camera

Self-portrait, Jack Hulme, 1920

An early snapshot by budding photographer Jack Hulme. Yes, people were taking selfies in the 1920s!
Rose Hulme as a young woman tending to the range on her hands and knees, and looking back over her shoulder and grinning

Rose Hulme, Jack Hulme, 1950s

Jack often photographed his family at home, including his wife Rose.
A large group of children sat outside Fryston Colliery. Some are sat up on the fence, and some sat below it. One child is slightly ahead of the rest. They are all smiling at the camera.

Fryston Colliery, Jack Hulme, 1940s - 1950s

Fryston Colliery, the local pit, often features in Jack Hulme's photos.
Five men of varying ages sat in motorised mobility bikes, with a crowd of other men stood behind them

Injured Fryston miners, Jack Hulme, 1940s - 1950s

Coal mining was difficult and dangerous work. Jack Hulme took a series of photographs of injured miners in their mobility vehicles.
A group of six women sat in a field pea pulling, most of them are grinning and looking toward the camera

Pea pulling, Jack Hulme, 1940s - 1950s

Jack Hulme’s photos of everyday events capture the community spirit. This photo shows the friendship of a group of Fryston women pea pulling in a nearby field.
A young boy jumping over a homemade hurdle made of bricks and a wooden stick in the street

Jumping a homemade hurdle, Jack Hulme, 1940s - 1950s

Jack Hulme captured this moment of childhood joy on the streets of Fryston in the mid-1900s.
A street parade with Union Jack bunting between houses and a young girl in the foreground watching on

Parade day in Fryston, Jack Hulme, 1950s

Jack Hulme was always on hand to capture special days in his local community.
A group of children and adults holding hands and dancing in the street in a circle

More Jack Hulme photos

Discover hundreds more photos in our Online Collections database.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to hear about our upcoming exhibitions, events, workshops and news!

Subscribe