A big smile for Portraits in Time

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The Newtownards Chronicle puts on its best dress this week for a retrospective photographic exhibition.

After a special VIP launch tonight (Thursday) 'Portraits in Time' will be open to the public in the main gallery at Arts Arts Centre in Conway Square.

The photographs pay tribute to the people of Newtownards and the many photographers who captured the wonderful images for over 55 years.

1955 was the first year regular photographic content was used in the newspaper, although glass negatives date back another quarter of a century.

The exhibition was put together by Stephen Dunwoody, who commented: "In a way this has been a real community effort. Over the past six years we have published old photographs and have asked readers to tell us what they know about them. Many readers took time to write in and tell us their stories.

"So, as well as the actual photographic content, we have a little commentary to go with it, supplied by our readers."

The exhibition, which runs until June 22, deals with people of the Ards in their every day lives: at work, rest and play.

Stephen explained: "Generally we have tended to avoid the big stories which are well covered, not just in the Chronicle, but in many of the daily newspapers and even television news. What we have, I think, is quite unique. Anyone who comes along will see someone they know and they might even see themselves in a photograph they didn't even know existed."

Many of the evocative scenes, such as the one seen here, will be reproduced in the exhibition, as well as never before seen photographs. It promises to be a treat for children, parents, grandparents and even great grandparents.

The exhibition is open to the public from Friday, June 4 - June 22 and admission is free.