Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Alston, Cumberland, June 1897

Divide the class into small groups/pairs. Print the questions below on separate cards. Give each group 2 questions each. Ask the pupils to discuss their answers and report back to the class.

• Where is this photograph taken?
• Did you spot the brass band?
• Why are some children wearing medals do you think?
• Can you describe the children’s clothes?
• What type of clothing is it?
• Why might this photograph have been taken?
• What does this photograph tell us about Queen Victoria; children’s lives, shopping, housing, cameras?
• Do you think this photograph is posed?
• If it is posed, does this make it less useful for finding out about the past?
• What is the message of the photograph?

Creative activities

• Project this photograph onto a large screen. Ask the pupils to draw/paint a part of the image focussing on particular person(s) or building(s). Display their work with the original photograph.
• Creative writing: Imagine you a child standing in this crowd. What can you see and hear. Why are you there? How do you feel? Are you enjoying yourself?