From punks and Mod clashes to petrol-bombs at Toxteth riots

Black and white photographs unearthed from more than 40 years ago show key moments in the country’s history.

The incredible photos, some dating back to the 1970s, show some of the major events in the UK’s timeline as well as moments that form a part of the country’s narrative.

Capturing the range of lives being lived in the late 20th century, the photos offer a glimpse of the people and the raw emotions that inhabited the country at the time.

From conflicts between the Mods and the police in London, to youths in balaclavas charging through Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1981, the photos shine a light on the key moments in British history.

In one photo a petrol bomb is seen exploding as police charge rioters in the inner-city neighbourhood during the Toxteth riots.

In another extraordinary photo South Kirkby Colliery miners are seen returning to the surface after a seven hour and fifteen minute shift deep underground in Yorkshire. 

My British Archive: The Way We Were 1968-1983 by Homer Sykes and published by Dewi Lewis can be found here.

Among the fascinating black and white photos is this one taken in Chelsea, London, during the summer of 1977. The photo shows a skirmish breaking out between the punk rockers and the Mods- two conflicting British youth groups that emerged in the 1960s. The man, who is wearing a torn T-shirt from the punk shop Smutz, which sat above Beaufort Market in London, is being restrained by a police officer. Punk Rockers would often gather by Sloane Square tube station and then walk down King’s Road to hand out flowers but the gatherings were not always peaceful and they would often block traffic on the road

In one black and white photo taken in 1981 men and youths disguised in balaclavas are seen charging down a street in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to throw petrol bombs at the the British army in Etna Drive, Ardoyne, north Belfast. The incident became known as The Troubles in Ardoyne. The Troubles, which refers to the thirty-year conflict in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century also saw violence spill over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and Europe

In one black and white photo taken in 1981 men and youths disguised in balaclavas are seen charging down a street in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to throw petrol bombs at the the British army in Etna Drive, Ardoyne, north Belfast. The incident became known as The Troubles in Ardoyne. The Troubles, which refers to the thirty-year conflict in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century also saw violence spill over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and Europe

In another photo taken in Toxteth, Liverpool, in 1981 a petrol bomb explodes as police charge rioters in the inner-city neighbourhood, also known as Liverpool 8. The Toxteth riots, which were sparked in July 1981, lasted nine days and led to around 500 arrests. The photograph shows police from the Operational Support Division, (OSD), attending the scene of a blaze and the chaos in the streets

In another photo taken in Toxteth, Liverpool, in 1981 a petrol bomb explodes as police charge rioters in the inner-city neighbourhood, also known as Liverpool 8. The Toxteth riots, which were sparked in July 1981, lasted nine days and led to around 500 arrests. The photograph shows police from the Operational Support Division, (OSD), attending the scene of a blaze and the chaos in the streets

In Hoxton, London, during the year 1978, Sister Patricia is photographed handing out cups of tea to members of the public from St Saviour's Priory annex. St Saviour's Priory is an autonomous house which belongs to the Society of St Margaret and was founded by John Mason Neale in 1855. The daily life of the Sisters is centred around the Eucharist

In Hoxton, London, during the year 1978, Sister Patricia is photographed handing out cups of tea to members of the public from St Saviour’s Priory annex. St Saviour’s Priory is an autonomous house which belongs to the Society of St Margaret and was founded by John Mason Neale in 1855. The daily life of the Sisters is centred around the Eucharist

In another black and white photograph taken in Covent Garden, London, in 1980 fashion student from Bournmouth and Poole College of Art Wendy Tiger Pearson is seen dancing at the Blitz Club. The club is widely regarded as the where the  Group of young clubbers outside The Blitz club, Covent Garden. 

In another black and white photograph taken in Covent Garden, London, in the year 1980, fashion student from Bournmouth and Poole College of Art Wendy Tiger Pearson is seen dancing with others at the popular Blitz Club. Ms Pearson worked at the boutique store Granny Takes a Trip on Kings Road, Chelsea, and also worked as a dancer at the Embassy nightclub in Bond Street 

In one extraordinary photograph taken in 1979 South Kirkby Colliery miners in Yorkshire are seen returning to the ground in The Cage following a seven hour and fifteen minute shift. Following a gruelling work shift underground the ride up to the top would take 45 minutes. Miners who worked closer to the coalface would be paid more than those who did not and an experienced miner who was an electrician working at the coalface could receive around 84 shillings a shift

In one extraordinary photograph taken in 1979 South Kirkby Colliery miners in Yorkshire are seen returning to the ground in The Cage following a seven hour and fifteen minute shift. Following a gruelling work shift underground the ride up to the top would take 45 minutes. Miners who worked closer to the coalface would be paid more than those who did not and an experienced miner who was an electrician working at the coalface could receive around 84 shillings a shift

This photo from 1977 shows a gay couple after they were attacked in Notting Hill, London. The couple walk through the street in a distraught state after the older man was attacked and had his wallet stolen. During the 1970s, derogatory terms such as 'gay bashing' or 'queer rolling' were used by homophobic groups to target gay men

This photo from 1977 shows a gay couple after they were attacked in Notting Hill, London. The couple walk through the street in a distraught state after the older man was attacked and had his wallet stolen. During the 1970s, derogatory terms such as ‘gay bashing’ or ‘queer rolling’ were used by homophobic groups to target gay men

This picture offers a glimpse of life away on the surface after a mining shift. Taken in Snowdown, Kent, in the year 1976, the photo shows Albert Christian and his workmate smoking in the pithead baths after a work shift down the mines. The miners would have a locker each and would use the pithead baths to bathe after working for hours underground

This picture offers a glimpse of life away on the surface after a mining shift. Taken in Snowdown, Kent, in the year 1976, the photo shows Albert Christian and his workmate smoking in the pithead baths after a work shift down the mines. The miners would have a locker each and would use the pithead baths to bathe after working for hours underground

This photo unearthed from 1981 shows two Catholic IRA members during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The men stand against the wall on Falls Road with balaclavas and scarves covering their faces and with petrol bombs in their hands. Those who belonged to the group would often come from the working class section of society

This photo unearthed from 1981 shows two Catholic IRA members during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The men stand against the wall on Falls Road with balaclavas and scarves covering their faces and with petrol bombs in their hands. Those who belonged to the group would often come from the working class section of society

In another fascinating photo taken in Appleby, Westmorland, in the year 1981, a member of the travelling community throws two pennies up into the air in a game of chance. According to the rules of the game if both coins land heads up or tails up you the person who makes the call wins however if the coins land with a heads and tail, the person who throws the coins in the winner 

In another fascinating photo taken in Appleby, Westmorland, in the year 1981, a member of the travelling community throws two pennies up into the air in a game of chance. According to the rules of the game if both coins land heads up or tails up you the person who makes the call wins however if the coins land with a heads and tail, the person who throws the coins in the winner 

This photo taken in Chelsea, London, in the year 1982, shows men dressed in bow ties and shirts trying to demonstrate their flair for style and looking at themselves in the mirror. The men were pictured at the Wedgies night club in the Kings Road- a popular spot to gather during the 1980s

This photo taken in Chelsea, London, in the year 1982, shows men dressed in bow ties and shirts trying to demonstrate their flair for style and looking at themselves in the mirror. The men were pictured at the Wedgies night club in the Kings Road- a popular spot to gather during the 1980s

In another photo a National Front supporter is pictured in Lewisham, South London, in 1977. In the picture he is seen carrying pieces of wood as people around him carry placards declaring Housing and Welfare Britons Before Immigrants

In another photo a National Front supporter is pictured in Lewisham, South London, in 1977. In the picture he is seen carrying pieces of wood as people around him carry placards declaring Housing and Welfare Britons Before Immigrants

The black and white photographs come from Homer Sykes' My British Archive, The Way We Were: 1968-1983

The black and white photographs come from Homer Sykes’ My British Archive, The Way We Were: 1968-1983

 

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