Photo Centre Berwick

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Photo Centre Berwick

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Photo Centre Berwick, Museum, Berwick Record Office, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The Photo Centre Collection is a huge photographic collection which offers an unparalleled glimpse into life in Berwick-upon-Tweed and North Northumberland during the second half of the 20th century!

28/08/2026

Coffee anyone?

I’m sure many of you will remember Popinjays on Hide Hill, I certainly remember bring taken in there as a child by my Granny.

I must admit that until I saw this photograph from 1975, I’d never heard of ‘Captain Phillips’ Corner Coffee Shop’.

The building next door is of course now Foxtons but here we see it in its days as John Mill’s wallpaper shop.

Do you remember Captain Phillips’ place or Mills’? Do you know who Captain Phillips was?

BRO 1944/1/6472/20

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

29/07/2026

Chop Chop!

Who remembers Bousema’s Maison Rense?

Rense Bousema opened his salon on Bridge Street in June 1955 and it remained a staple of the street until the year 2000.

As his name suggests, Rense was not a local. He hailed from the Netherlands where, from the age of 14, he served with the underground resistance during the Second World War. He took part in sabotage operations against the occupying Germans. One of his brothers was killed in action and another was imprisoned in Bergen Belsen.

After the war Rense took to the high seas and often sailed into Berwick where in 1949 he met his future wife Hazel. The couple married in 1954.

I’m sure many of you remember the couple and the shop!

If you look carefully you can just see the Photo Centre though the shop window.

BRO 1944/1/1696/2,10&13

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

18/07/2026

Salmon Queen Exhibition 2026

It’s been a great day in the Guild Hall showing 100s of our Salmon Queen photos from over the years. Lots of people spotted themselves and their family and friends.

We even had a royal visit!

We’re open again tomorrow (Sunday) 11am-4pm. Free entry. There’s films, photos, children’s artwork, activities and tasty homemade refreshments!

17/07/2026

Do you have any photographs of previous Salmon Queens, Tweedmouth Feast or Salmon Queen celebrations? 🫵

Berwick Archives will be Berwick Town Hall for a free exhibition celebrating the 80th Crowning of the Salmon Queen and the rich history of this much-loved local tradition!

A free scanning service will be available on both days between 11am and 1pm, allowing you to have your photographs digitised while helping them preserve this important part of our local heritage.

The exhibition will take place on Saturday 18th July from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 19th July from 11am to 4pm at Berwick Town Hall.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council

14/07/2026

This weekend is the annual crowning of the Salmon Queen!

As part of the celebrations we’re holding a free exhibition in the Town Hall.

We have films, photographs, children’s activities and schools’ artwork plus there’ll be refreshments available too.

We also need your help!

Do you have any photos of previous Salmon Queens or snaps you’ve taken of Tweedmouth Feast or the floats over there years?

We’ll be offering a scanning service both days between 11am-1pm so you can share your images and have them digitised for FREE!

OPEN: Saturday (10am-4pm) and Sunday (11am-4pm)

Image: Ethel Berry, the Salmon Queen for 1970, passing along Bridge Street.

BRO 1944/2/291/6

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

10/07/2026

Got a thirst on??!

With this heat I’m sure there’s plenty of you would love a nice cold glass of beer…but this might be a step too far!

In August 1965 Berwick's summer festival organisers trialed a new yard of ale competition. That’s 3 pints if you’re interested. The bonus was, the beer was free!

There were five pubs competed in the challenge, the Meadow House, the Old Hen and Chickens, the Blenheim, the Bonarsteads and the Pilot. Here we see one of the competitors getting some practice in at the Old Hen and Chickens on Bridge Street.

Do you recognise him or any of the spectators?

BRO 1944/1/4345/2,4&6

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

06/07/2026

Archive History Talks - This Saturday!

Join Northumberland Archives for a morning of talks exploring aspects of North Northumberland's Second World War and post war history.

Talks include: Berwick's Post War Housing, a Wooler Man's National Service in the Korean War, The British Honduran Forestry Unit and North Northumberland's connection with the Far East.

The event is being held in the Parish Centre this Saturday (11th July) 10am-1pm. Entry is £2 on the door which includes refreshments.

Image: Members of the Northumberland Fusiliers on a hillside in Korea.

I know this isn't strictly a Photo Centre photo but if you're into Berwick's history I'm sure you'd be interested in the event.

29/06/2026

The Magdalene Inn?

I’d always known this hostelry as The Elizabethan, so was a bit confused to see that it was once known by a different name.

The ‘Lizzie’ opened in May 1965 and was owned by the Newcastle and Scottish Brewery. The first publican was William Forsyth who had been a policeman in Edinburgh and a publican in Galashiels before coming to Berwick.

This photograph was taken in September 1989.

Do you remember when the pub was the Magdalene Inn or do you know why the name was briefly changed from The Elizabethan?

BRO 1944/1/7321/17/1

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

24/06/2026

Faces in a crowd.

Do you recognise anyone in this crowd outside Pallister’s and the Berwick Arms on Marygate?

As well as onlookers, can you spot two journalists taking notes in their pads? They’re all watching the opening of the annual Summer Festival in 1962.

BRO 1944/2/3509/65

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

22/06/2026

Carry on Nurse!

I'm sure there will be some well known faces on this photograph of Berwick Infirmary’s nursing staff taken in August 1962.

BRO 1944/2/3511/34

© Berwick Record Office - Photo Centre Collection

Address

Berwick Record Office
Berwick-Upon-Tweed
TD151DB

Website

https://www.photocentreberwick.co.uk/

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