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David Chadwick | Hulme, 1975-1977

David Chadwick’s incredible photographs of Hulme in the 1970s document the first residents of the newly built crescents and maisonettes, then the largest public housing development in Europe.

Chadwick came to Manchester in 1972 to study photography at Manchester Polytechnic’s Art School. During his last year at the Art School, he began documenting Hulme and continued to do so for the next two years. During this time, the old two-up-two-down terraces were demolished to make way for the new Hulme, made up of brutalist crescents and high rise walkways.

This is the first of our two galleries of David’s work documenting the first years of the crescents and newly built estate as the community settled into their new surroundings. 

This is a photograph of two teenagers in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Two teenage friends in the cresents.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a mother and daughter in Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Mother and daughter.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Two elderly residents chat outside the bookmakers.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a Hulme resident in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
A resident enjoys a smoke.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of the Hulme community in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
A man dances in the crescents.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a young boy in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of residents of Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Residents gather for drink .

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of kids in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Young girls play in the crescents.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Manchester, UK taken in 1976 by photographer David Chadwick. Posters in the background for The Sex Pistols at The Free Trade Hall, 1976.
Manchester, 1976. Posters in the background include the now legendary Sex Pistols gig at The Free Trade Hall.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a milk float in Hulme, Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a boy playing in Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

“Moss Side and Hulme were extraordinary, vibrant communities. I got to know them well as many of my Art School friends lived there. The destruction of this brilliant, vibrant community was heartbreaking, especially as its residents’ future homes were likely to be Soviet-style blocks that looked crushingly grey and seemed specifically designed to crush any individuality.” – David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a young family in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

A family walk along Hulme Walk through William Kent Crescent. In the background The Spinners Arms, one of the many pubs that served the community.

This is a photograph of The Spinners Arms in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Friends drinking in The Spinners Arms. Hulme, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of The Spinners Arms in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Barmaids at The Spinners Arms. Hulme, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme in Manchester, UK taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of the brutalist architecture in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
An elderley resident with the concrete backdrop of 'New Hulme'.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a family in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
A young family walk through one of the crescents in Hulme.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme residents, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Kids play on the walkways to the maisonettes.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of boy writing graffiti in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
A boy writes graffiti on a wall.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Lads off to play football.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of children playing in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Children play on a bouncy castle.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme in Manchester, UK taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of Hulme in Manchester taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

This is a photograph of a sound system in Hulme, Manchester, UK. Taken in the 1970s by photographer David Chadwick.
Sound System in Hulme, Manchester, 1970s.

Photo © David Chadwick.

Click below for more from David Chadwick's Hulme series

DAVID CHADWICK | HULME PORTRAITS | 1975-1977

Gallery first published 5th February, 2023. © David Chadwick / British Culture Archive. All rights reserved. 

All images © David Chadwick, all rights reserved. No usage or reproduction of any kind without prior permission of the copyright holder.

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