Alston Moor community photograph

16 July 2026

Blog by Sarah Orme, Alston resident

The idea of an Alston Moor community photograph had been mooted since Damon Hall became chair of the Alston Moor Historical Society in May 2024. The 1999 millennium photo – on the wall of many houses and Alston Medical Practice – was his inspiration, along with the many Victorian celebratory photographs stored in the historical society’s archive.

Having the idea was the easy bit. An initial meeting identified a number of issues that seemed insurmountable. The original site on Front Street would need to be closed – necessitating a route diversion that would need to be developed by a road traffic company, approved by Westmorland and Furness Council, and advertised for 12 weeks prior to closure – at a cost of around £3,000.

The idea of a photo went into abeyance until Alston Heritage (AH) was formed in January 2025. AH is a community group made up of the six heritage sites on Alston Moor – Epiacum Heritage, The Hub Museum, Nenthead Mine, South Tynedale Railway, The High Mill, Alston Historical Society – supported by the Alston Moor Partnership. It was at a meeting of Alston Heritage when the suggestion was made to move the photo to the Fairhill Recreation Ground. The trustees of Fairhill were approached and happy to lend their site for the event. The photographer, Nick Unwin, who had been on standby for over a year, visited Fairhill and identified a natural bowl that would give the gradient required to get everyone in. A date and time was chosen – 2 June 2026 at 3.15pm, a Tuesday afternoon to replicate the timing of the 1999 event – and advertising started, including a postcard, delivered by volunteers, to every house on Alston Moor.

Unfortunately, there’s been much change to employment and education on Alston Moor during the last 27 years and, despite meetings with the local school and employers, the opportunity for many people to attend wasn’t possible.

The morning of June 2nd arrived. After days of rain the site was checked – it would be safe if everyone wore sensible shoes – but it was still raining at 10am and it was suggested a postponement might be sensible. Opinions were divided and it was agreed a further site inspection would take place at 2pm and then Facebook would be used to let everyone whether the photo was going ahead or not.

At 2pm the stewards gathered, the sun came out, and messages were sent to all and sundry. By 2.30pm chairs had been put out, Nick had set up the hi-role pole and checked his cameras, and the stewards were a few people in a big space. At 2.45pm the community of Alston Moor began to arrive, and by 3.15pm around 400 people were gathered for the 2026 Alston Moor Community Photo.

Three photos were taken – the second with people who had been in the 1999 photo raising their hands, and a third giving a 360-degree perspective. All were published on Facebook and the first two photos are available for people to download for free from the Alston Heritage website.

The 2026 Alston Moor community photograph was supported by a community grant from the North Pennines National Landscape team through the Land of Lead and Silver project which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.