Almost since its invention, the art of photography has thrived in Berwick. The town’s first photographic studio opened in 1849, sparking a tradition which would go on to capture the likenesses of generations of inhabitants of Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal. During the 19th century, travelling photographers, working from mobile studios would stop in the town. Although many of these were fleeting, William De Lan and his three daughters, who were also photographers, eventually made Berwick their home.
The picturesqueness of the town and the surrounding area made it a popular spot for amateur photographers to practice their hobby, perhaps inadvertently preserving our past through their lenses.
As technology changed, photography became even more embedded in the lives of our predecessors. Photographs began to appear in newspapers, could be sent abroad in the form of a postcard or with the click of a shutter on an inexpensive personal camera, capture a candid moment for posterity.
This major exhibition features over 100 images of Berwick and is a journey of exploration into how the town and its people have been captured by the changing photographer’s lens over the past 150 years.
The Light of Days Past has been developed in partnership with Berwick Record Office and curated by Cameron Robertson.
The Light of Days Past: Photography in Berwick 1840-1980
25 October 2025-22 February 2026
Maltings Gallery, Dewar’s Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1HJ
Wednesday – Sunday, 1100-1600
Free Admission
See: https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/whats-on/the-light-of-days-past-photography-in-berwick-1840-1980/
Comments
Beard's licence applied to England, Wales and Berwick-on-Tweed, but not to Scotland and Ireland. I have seen Hannavy's paper on this, but there is nothing conclusive, certainly about Ireland. The problem in Ireland is that our Public Records Office was burnt down in the Irish Civil War, so a lot of earlier filed documents no longer exist. The late Eddie Chandler always said that a license was not required to do daguerreotypes in Ireland and if Eddie said that, it must be true! Going back to Berwick -on-Tweed, it seems that the town was officially at war with Russia for over 100 years. There was always some doubt about whether the town belonged properly to England or Scotland and hence it was often mentioned in official documents for the sake of clarity. In the decalaration of war at the beginning of the Crimean War, Berwick-on-Tweed was mentioned as a participant on the British side against Russia. The Treaty of Paris of 1856 which ended the Crimean War failed to mention Berwick -on -Tweed and this oversight was not corrected until the mid 20th Century. I don't know whether any of this, Beard's license or the 'war' against Russia had anything to do with the success of photography in the town. However, Beard's license inversely led to the success of photography in my town, Dublin.
The mention of Berwick specifically, as you correctly state, was out of confusion as to who the town actually belonged to. It has been in English hands since 1482. But owing to the fact Berwick changed hands 13 times between England/Scotland the state of confusuion has lingered ever since. In 1746 the Wales and Berwick-upon-Tweed Act. officially absorbed both places into the United Kingdom (to the extent that they didn't need to be mentioned separately). With regards to the Russia story it's a fun one but not true. Berwick was mentioned seaprately in the declaration of war but not in the treaty (because it didn't need to be). Interestingly in the 1960s the London correspondant for Pravda came to Berwick and signed a mock peace treaty. The Mayor said something along the lines of 'the people of Russia can sleep soundly in their beds knowing that Berwick-upon-Tweed will not attack them'. (Apologies that none of that had anything to do with photography but I just thought I'd respond to your comment).
Thanks, Cameron. I think that you have confirmed that what I said was 'correct', albeit in a humorous way. We should always have a sense of fun about these things. Despite 1746 and all of that, Beard's Patent specifically mentioned Berwick on Tweed some 94 years later. Notwithstanding that, Michael states above that since its invention, 'the art of photography has thrived in Berwick'. What I was comparing that to was the long held belief in my city, Dublin, that photography had initially thrived because Beard's Patent did not apply there. I am glad to hear that the peace between Berwick and Russia is holding.