FASCINATING photographs of a Scottish street fair have come to light after lying undeveloped inside a camera for more than half a century.
Amateur photographer Stuart Pearson was given the Kodak Junior 620 as a gift by a friend who picked it up at an antique store.
The 46-year-old from Grangemouth, near Falkirk, opened the camera and discovered to his amazement that there was still film inside.
After spending £12.25 to get the film developed by specialists, Stuart realised he was looking at images of the 1963 Bo’ness Fair – and now the hunt is on to find out who took the pictures and if any of the people in them can be tracked down.
Posting the pictures to the Bo’ness Fair private Facebook group, Stuart wrote in a caption: “I received an old camera for a recent birthday present.
“Surprisingly it had an exposed film in it.
“I have received the developed photos in the post today, four were successfully processed.
“They appear to be images from the Bo’ness fair (Borrowstounness).
“Appreciate any information anyone can offer on the year taken.”
He then updated the post when it was quickly discovered the pictures were taken in 1963.
Speaking yesterday (Thu) telecoms engineer, Stuart said: “There was meant to be eight photos in there originally but only four came out.
“The other four came out completely white.
“When I first got them in an envelope in the post I live streamed me opening it on Facebook.
“First of all, I was thinking, I could have nothing here. I spend all that money, and stream it live on Facebook for nothing.
“It could have been a complete waste of time.”
“When the pictures came out, I had a look and did a bit of research on some of the text on one of the buildings.
“Then I joined the Bo’ness Facebook group and posted them there.”
Speaking about the technical difficulties of developing film which is so old, Stuart added: “Opening up the back of the unit I saw the film, although initially I thought it was just a holder. But after inspection I confirmed what it was.
“After the film is fully exposed there is a protective adhesive label type of thing at the end of the film that wraps around the spool. On the label it said exposed.
“Apparently the method used to get the image on film are fairly robust and as long as the seal is tight can probably keep the undeveloped intact for a considerable time.
“The film spool was fully intact, other than some colour aging on the Kodak emblem, it was in good shape .
“There are a number of companies who still can develop old films like this.
“They can even supply a new film respooled onto the original holder to take more images.”
On the Bo’ness Facebook page, people responded with enthusiasm with some possibly identifying relatives.
Sandra Johnstone wrote: “What a great find. Great photos as well, wonder if anyone can make out relatives.”
Evie Harley said: “Wow, what an amazing find.”
Linda Simpson commented: “My dad Alex Hay in this photo, left hand side. Not sure if the man at front directing the float is my uncle Ronald Nisbet.”
Laura Paterson said: “That’s definitely grandad. I know that back anywhere.”
The original photographer has still not been identified.
