26 years on - life in Lancaster and Morecambe captured in the year 2000

Behind the camera was photographer, Dave Clark, who spent the year 2000 capturing as much of life in Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding district as possible for his project – A Little English City.

James’s photo adorns the front of Dave’s book which is still available to buy today and we have been publishing many of Dave’s other photographs since the 25th anniversary of his project last year.

This latest selection Dave entitled City Life and shows how time changes some things and not others.

James was photographed during Lancaster’s Georgian Festival, once a staple of the summer calendar but which no longer takes place, while a pensioner is pictured walking past the Skerton Hotel which closed many years ago, as did Pye’s Mill, also captured, before it was demolished.

Dave’s photograph of a parking meter in Lancaster city centre shows just how much charges have risen since 2000. Then, it cost 60p for an hour’s parking – 50p on Saturdays!

Now drivers pay £2.40 for one hour seven days a week. Parking cost £1.40 for three hours and now it’s £5 for up to four hours. Parking after 6pm was free unless staying overnight. Now it’s £3 from 5pm.

And if you wanted to use a city council car park in Lancaster, it was cash only. Paying by credit card was a long way off as was paying by phone – apps, what were they?

Tattoos are now commonplace but not as much 26 years ago when Dave shot Paddy Doyle showing off his new tattoo but skateboarders can still sometimes be seen practising outside Lancaster Magistrates Court, flytipping continues to be a problem, and travellers still pass through Lancaster on their way to Appleby Fair.

A Little English City can be viewed online at https://djclark.com/2000/ where copies of the book can be ordered, priced £14.99. Books are also available in Lancaster at Waterstones, The Proper Lovely Shop, Lancaster Maritime Museum and Assembled Books.