The Newport Survey documented the cultural, economic and social images of the city across the entire decade. During last night’s event, many of those who appeared in the photos were presented with framed prints of their younger selves.
Lisa Stoddart, who appeared as a child in Victoria Crescent, Baneswell, playing a form of hopscotch said: “We were playing a game of snail, involving drawing a huge snail on the road. It’s lovely to remember a game that I’d actually forgotten playing. Seeing a photo of it brings back some lovely memories.”
Paul Reas, Senior Lecturer in Photography said: “The event was the culmination of a great deal of work, but bringing together so many of the people who were in the survey, with many of those who were involved in taking the photographs was a great thing.
“We are rightly proud of the history of photography at Newport, but this event reminded me that one of the most important strengths of the course is the links with the local community, and our role in telling the story of the city.”
Newport’s first photography class took place in Clarence Place in 1912, to mark the anniversary, the University is holding a series of events throughout the year. A specially commissioned website, 100 Years of Photography at Newport documents much of the work of Newport students and alumni over the years.