Fifty-five staff and students from Stafford College's BTEC Photography course have presented seven books documenting the town centre's regeneration to Councillor Aidan Godfrey, leader of Stafford Borough Council, at the Civic Centre this month.
The project spanned four years and captured tens of thousands of images of major schemes including the demolition of the derelict former Co-op Department Store, the refurbishment of Market Square, and construction of the Institute of Technology.
Student contributors
Retired photography lecturer Sue Bowdery, along with former students Grace, aged 20, and Tom, aged 19, presented the collection to Councillor Godfrey on Friday 21 August. Tom is now studying at the Institute of Technology after photographing its construction from the earliest stages. Grace, who contributed to all seven books, is now studying Concept Art at Staffordshire University.
Grace said her favourite experience was photographing the former Co-op building. "I enjoyed getting inside a building that had been abandoned for so long, and taking pictures of what it had become," she said.
Tom described witnessing the Institute of Technology's transformation from its earliest phase. "Our first shoot at the IoT was when there was only two poles in the ground — I had no idea what the building would eventually look like. It was nice to see it all constructed — and then to finish up studying there as a student."
Distribution and fundraising
Sets of the books will be available in Stafford College and town centre libraries, Staffordshire History Centre, and copies will also be sold to raise funds for Katharine House Hospice.
The seven books cover: Stafford Market Square, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Co-op Department Store, Stafford Station, Lakeside, Palmbourne, and Institute of Technology.
Sue Bowdery said: "We were keen to photograph these sites for posterity before redevelopment (or time) changed them for ever. Having so many students photographing, each with their own unique perspective of the sites we visited, greatly enhanced this objective archive of images we were able to create. The students involved showed great dedication and we are very grateful to Stafford Borough Council for giving us this work experience opportunity."
Councillor Godfrey said: "I'm pleased we have been able to help these young people produce such professional work. These books are really wonderful and all those who have taken part should be proud of what they have achieved. We are currently going through the biggest transformation of the town centre in a generation and these books will play an important role in showing that regeneration journey."
Images from the project can be viewed on Instagram at @nscgstafford.photowex.
