Collection: Alice Longstaff Gallery

Alice Longstaff (née Speak) (d. 1992 aged 85) was a remarkable lady. Born at Little Lear Ings farm in Heptonstall on May 16 1907, she started work at 14 years old, in September 1921, as apprentice photographer at the Westerman Studio, 25 West End, Hebden Bridge. Crossley Westerman had established the studio in 1890; on his death in 1918 his daughter Ada took over the business, and it was Ada who trained the young apprentice. Alice remained there for the next 70 years. In 1935 she and her family bought the business, and her brother Clement became the framer and darkroom technician, until he died in 1963. In 1935 Alice married John Longstaff who joined the business as picture framer when Clement died, and they continued to work together until her death in 1992.