Colin O’Brien’s Playground Portraits
In the midst of spending last week preparing the book of Horace Warner’s Spitalfields Nippers for publication in the autumn, I asked Contributing Photographer Colin O’Brien if he would like to visit Weavers’ Adventure Playground with me before before summer’s end and create a series of portraits of ‘Bethnal Green Nippers’ in collaboration with the children. We were delighted to discover that our project coincided with the playground’s fortieth anniversary celebrations and join Sunday’s exuberant birthday party for this beloved institution which has brought joy to generations in this corner of the East End.
Alfie Davis
Brogan Ferron
Leo Hassan
Mason Pearce
Mickel Warner Mahood
Mya Warner Mahood
Arthur Ferron
Ishaac Bendjenahl
Michael Brown
Tilly Latham
Adam Warner Mahood
Lottie Ferron
Aaron McPherson
Mikki Gilbert
Patrick Doherty
Brogan Ferron
Mya Warner Mahood
Mason Pearce
Mikki Gilbert
Mason Pearce
Arthur Ferron
Paige Housham
Aaron McPherson
Arthur & Lottie Ferron
Brogan Ferron
Victor William, Playleader in charge at Weavers’ Adventure Playground
Victor and pals
Playleaders experience the ice bucket challenge at the adventure playground’s fortieth birthday party
Photographs copyright © Colin O’Brien
Weavers’ Adventure Playground, Viaduct St, Bethnal Green, E2 0BH
You may also like to take a look at
Horace Warner’s Spitalfields Nippers
Colin O’Brien’s Travellers ‘Children in London Fields
Boys and girls, come out to play,
The moon doth shine as bright as day.
Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,
And join your playfellows in the street.
Come with a whoop, and come with a call,
Come with a good will or come not at all.
Up the ladder and down the wall,
A penny loaf will serve us all.
(Irish)
Nice pictures from innocent childhood times…!
Love & Peace
ACHIM
A lovely set of portraits of some great characters. I love Colin’s portraits of the traveller children. It’s really nice to see some of today’s east end kids.
And the Ferron family have beautiful children.
You get an extra something in your portraits Colin, very direct and respectful
These are all beautiful portraits of lovely children but I think my favourites are the photos of Mason – what a wonderful smile!
Oh dear, following the route of populism – #icebucketchallenge!
Wonderful, sensitive portraits and great to see present day kids in their playground.
Sarah
A great pleasure to look at these and see the children’s personalities burgeoning.