Rose Hulme, Jack Hulme, 1950s

Rose Hulme black leading the range, Jack Hulme, about 1950s

Collected in 1998

Rose Hulme as a young woman tending to the range on her hands and knees, and looking back over her shoulder and grinning

Amateur photographer Jack Hulme took thousands of photos of everyday life in Fryston, near Castleford.

Many of his pictures give us a glimpse into his family life at home. Here, his second wife, Rose is black leading, or polishing, the kitchen range. Jack's first wife, Lydia died in 1945. He married Rose in 1954.

Coal-fired ranges were common from the 1860s to the 1960s and were the heart of many homes. They were used for cooking, heating the house, and drying washing. The range meant the kitchen was the warmest room of the house and families would often gather there.