Search is still on to reunite lost 1970's wedding photographs with original owner

By James Smith

14th Apr 2023 | Local News

12 lost wedding photographs dating back to 1973 have been traced back to Kenilworth (image supplied)
12 lost wedding photographs dating back to 1973 have been traced back to Kenilworth (image supplied)

The search is still on to find the owner of 12 wedding photographs dating back to the 1970's which were found in an old dresser.

Sarah Evans, owner of Leeds-based second hand furniture company 'Cheeky Toucan' discovered the snaps in a dresser that she had bought to 'upcycle' over two years ago.

Having posted the photographs on social media, the images were then traced back to Kenilworth's St Nicholas Church.

But even after Kenilworth Nub News wrote about the photos in 2021, they still have not been reunited with their original owners.

The background here can be recognised as Abbey Fields, Kenilworth (Image supplied)

"The dresser caught my attention and it looked quite unique," Sarah said.

"It had already been repainted in the past by a previous owner, but was quite worn, so I thought it would make a great project.

"I wasn't aware of the photos until I picked up the dresser and the last owner explained to me that they'd been found in the dresser drawers and each owner seems to have kept them together, which I thought was lovely.

"These personal moments caught on camera seemed too precious to throw away, even to a string of strangers who have kept passing them on."

The dresser before and after being 'upcycled' (image supplied)

The photographs, which have the date 14 June 1973 written on the back, were initially shared to a Leeds Facebook group, with the story picked up by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Reverend Stella Bailey, who left St Nicholas last year, then wrote to the Post saying she recognised the church.

She then recommended that the search be taken to the Warwickshire County Records Office in Warwick, where the local marriage records are stored.

Unfortunately, the date on the back of the images is believed to have been the date that they were developed rather than the date of the wedding, making the owners harder to trace through the records.

But two years after the search first began, Sarah is still hopeful she will be able to reunite the snaps with their owners.

The wedding took place at St Nicholas Church (image supplied)

"I wanted to at least give it a shot and track down someone in the photos or a relative, I'm sure they'd mean a lot to someone," she added.

"I didn't have much to go on, apart from a printed date on the back.

"So I'm very grateful the people who shared the post or took the time to really look at the minor details of the building and grounds and eventually confirm where it was."

The photographs are dated 14 June 1973 (image supplied)

So far, there has only been a happy ending for the dresser itself, which has now received a much-needed lick of paint.

Sarah said: "The dresser has had quite the colourful makeover now, and I actually ended up finding the perfect place for it in my own home and decided to keep it for myself.

"Not very profitable I know, but I still see it as a great investment as I love it in my home."

Do you think you think you know anybody in these photos? Then please contact our editor at [email protected] so we can try to reunite these images with their owner.

The photographs have stayed with the dresser between multiple owners (image supplied)

Social media has helped track the location down (image supplied)

     

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