A Prestonian’s seven year labour of love to bring nostalgic scenes of the city into colour is now on display.
Edwin Williams has been meticulously recolouring 33 historic images of Preston and the surrounding area.
The 72-year-old’s work is on display in the Harris Museum and Art Gallery’s gallery two.
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Growing up in Deepdale, Edwin says he was inspired by his father and mother’s interest in photography and Preston’s history.
The retired BAE engineer who now lives near Leyland said: “The idea came from watching my dad work on his photos. My mum collected everything she could find about Preston – photographs, postcards, documents. This exhibition is really a tribute to both of them.
“Whenever I can help other people to see themselves and the world around them differently, it brings me great pleasure.
“I’m just sorry my mum isn’t here to come and see the exhibition – I am so proud of it.”
The exhibition, which is free to attend and requires no ticket, also includes detailed information about each historic scene hanging on the walls of the Harris.
Edwin has thanked everyone who has already been to visit and says he is overwhelmed by the comments he’s received and have been left in the visitors book.
He is planning to be regularly at the exhibition to answer questions from visitors during its run at the Harris.
This week he also featured on the BBC News website as they did a compare and contrast of some of his original images with the restored ones.
Edwin’s watercolour work is on until Sunday 12 April.
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