Wakefield Museums and Castles

Pea pulling, Jack Hulme, 1940s - 1950s

Pea pulling in Fryston, Jack Hulme, 1940s – 1950s

Collected in 1998

Currently on display at Castleford Museum

A group of six women sat in a field pea pulling, most of them are grinning and looking toward the camera

Jack Hulme captured the everyday lives of his friends and neighbours in Fryston. His amateur photography shines a light on ordinary events that are not usually celebrated.

Fryston was a mining community but many families also did extra seasonal work. Lots of local people, especially women, would go pea pulling in nearby fields. They worked speedily to fill their buckets and then transfer the crops to the sacks.

Pea pulling was hard work. However, Hulme's photo also shows the friendship and camaraderie. Here, his wife Rose (second from front) works alongside her neighbours.

Delve deeper

Explore more of Jack Hulme’s archive in our online photography collection (external site).

More Jack Hulme photos

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