Hidden Hitchin

For those Hitchinites on social media, specifically Instagram, you may have noticed the emergence of captivating photographs of town centre storefronts.

The stunning images have been taken by Hitchin resident Danny Pearson, celebrating our wonderful town.

Danny, who is also a children's book, and Beano comic writer, spoke to Nub News about the pictures which have been rapidly attracting acclaim from audiences near and far.

Read on for Danny's Q&A with Hitchin Nub News:

Hitchin Nub News: Thanks for your time Danny, talk us through your mesmerising photographs taken in Hitchin town centre recently

Danny Pearson: Thank you, Layth for asking me to talk about some of the recent images I've captured. Honestly, I had no reason to start taking these photos. It was, and still is, just for fun. As you've seen I've taken snaps of Hitchin's hidden treats - Shop fronts, the market, pubs, alleyways, and cash points. A smorgasbord of unlikely local delights.

I came across this wonderful piece of text whilst reading 'Hitchin Past and Present' by Pat Gadd. The final words that appear in the book have stuck with me,

'We are but links in the chain that binds our past, - even our very beginnings – lost in the mists of antiquity, with our future as yet unwritten.

What will our descendants see and know when they inherit this old town? When our quiet corners and busy meeting places become Their town, Their home, Their heritage.

What changes for good or ill will the future bring? We will not know, for we shall become just another chapter woven into rich tapestry, that makes up 'This History of Hitchin'. – Pat Gadd, 1978.'

I love those final lines. They are beautiful but also haunting. They have stuck with me.

This town means everything to me, and it fascinates me, daily. I'm proud to be a part of it. Every time I walk through its streets and alleys, I spot something new. Something else that carries a history, 'another chapter woven into rich tapestry, that makes up 'This History of Hitchin''.

The winter months can be challenging with the long nights but if you embrace the dark then other things can be revealed. There are areas of Hitchin that go unnoticed. Beautiful corners and buildings come into their own when lit up by false light. 

These photos were all taken using my camera phone (so nothing fancy). I just wanted to capture what I think are interesting scenes I encounter on my walk back from work.

Hitchin Nub News: Does it work just because it's Hitchin or maybe because shopfronts are inherently interesting to some?

Danny: It works for me because it IS Hitchin. These hidden scenes are here, waiting for someone to stumble on them. It makes it more interesting to me. London has thousands maybe even, millions of photos taken of its various sites every day, but how many photos are taken of the front of our Reylands Laundrette on Bearton Rd? Not enough if you ask me.

It's strange in a way. We have lots of photos of Hitchin landmarks, and the main streets, but I pine to see photos of long-lost hidden Hitchin treasures. What I wouldn't give to see a great photo of Paynes Park Social Club. The Blockbuster Video on Hermitage Road. The Red Hart juke box. Wimpy! All those scenes 'lost in the mists of antiquity'.

I guess this is my way of recording what is here now. Capturing places that are unlikely to ever grace the inside pages of a tourist guide, or history book, but are inherently important to how we are living. I even became fascinated by cash machines and how they look once the sun goes down. Are they going the way of the common phone box? As we increasingly go contactless these beacons of our highstreets may soon be no more. It was interesting and fun capturing them as they are now. Framed in neon.

Hitchin Nub News: There seems to be an element of mournfulness in the shots, is that because your images don't feature people, or do you think there is something else to it?

Danny: An element of mournfulness, maybe. But I see it as a celebration really. Look at the wonderful scenes we have in our town. Some obviously beautiful – St Mary's Church, The Corn Exchange, Market Place, but others are not so obvious. A cash machine wonderfully lit in playful neon. The shadows of a deserted alley. The glow reaching out from a takeaway shop. These too are beautiful. Or at least I think they are.

You've noticed that there are no people in these photos (yet). I think this is because I see these spots like backdrops of a stage scene. I prefer these accessible outside areas to stand alone, free from people. Sitting there, ready for the next actor to come along and play their part in the story of our town. Didn't someone once say that all the world's a stage?

Hitchin Nub News: What's been your favourite so far?

Danny: You have a small selection of the photos I have taken over the last two months. The first was a photo of the Reylands Laundrette. A pocket of Hitchin that time and space has simply left untouched since its conception. Beautiful in its own special way and still a firm favourite with locals. This one kick started my journey and sent me down the rabbit hole.

My last (at the time of this article) is a photo of the Rose and Crown pub on Market Place. You can see the difference between the first photo and last photo I took. I think I'm getting a better eye for shadows. I don't know. They are both fascinating buildings covered in their own unique history and they both have tales to tell.

Hitchin Nub News: What's the feedback been like so far?

Danny: It's been really positive. They have started up conversations and dug up deep memories of past shops, pubs, and restaurants. Stories from decades ago have been shared and fond memories posted up of misadventures outside various takeaway shops.

Others have reached out to say that they have enjoyed seeing my random posts and have started doing the same. It's been a welcome and positive outcome from what is just something to entertain me on the commute back home. Creativity is so important and has the power to inspire people to talk and come together. Something this town excels in.

Hitchin Nub News: Anything else you'd like to add?

Danny: This is just a bit of fun. Something to keep the brain from freezing and to keep the spark of creativity lit.

I encourage anyone who visits Hitchin to go and explore. I mean really explore. Go down a street you've never been down before. Visit a green space that you've only ever seen on a map or seen a photo of online. Go and grab a drink in that pub or bar you've only ever seen the outside of. Go into the shop you've always thought had nice window displays. Eat at that restaurant or order that takeaway. Go inside St Mary's, the very heart of Hitchin. Walk around the Market and see the amazing items on display. Visit the museum. Explore the past, enjoy the present and think about how you're going to help create the future.

There is so much potential out there and many areas to explore. Our town offers so much and it's all there, waiting for you to play out your next scene.

Why have I taken these photos? Why share them? Why are people interested in them? I guess it's because they are 'just another chapter woven into rich tapestry, that makes up 'This History of Hitchin'.'

Enjoy

Danny Pearson (Hitchin resident) – Children's book and Beano comic writer.

Danny will be making an appearance at Next Page Books on Saturday, (February 3) to speak about his Beano work. Find out more here