A local photographer’s work brought back to life is the subject of a fascinating talk this month.

Around 1978 a collection of around 11,000 glass plate negatives was discovered in the basement of 18 High Street, Sutton (since lost as a result of the widening of Sutton Court Road). They were made by local photographer David Knights-Whittome (1876-1943) who owned shops in Sutton and Epsom but whose clientele extended far beyond the local population and area.  They were removed to a branch library for sorting then transferred into storage in the Central Library. The Archives Service has been awarded Heritage Lottery Funding to digitise, catalogue and preserve them.

On Thursday, 23 July Kath Shawcross, Borough Archivist and Local Studies Manager, will give a presentation at St Nicholas Church, starting at 8pm. She will talk about David Knights-Whittome as a photographer, his history, etc. He didn’t just photograph people coming through the door; he became known as ‘Photographer to the King’ after he photographed Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and Edward, Prince of Wales. He also photographed stately homes all over the UK and even Europe. As an Edwardian photographer his collection includes many First World War soldiers and nurses.

Kath will also talk about the project and the volunteer base which is doing so much of the work and showing lots of different types of images.

All are welcome and there is no charge.