Lords Day Observance - Sunday shop closing

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Lords Day Observance - Sunday shop closing

Lords Day Observance - Sunday shop closing.
1899

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Media ID 14386649

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1899 Closing Cold Hardy Icicles Legal Legislation Lords Observance Opening Parliament Poor Snowing Sunday

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> Arts > Artists > H > C.B. Hardy

> Arts > Artists > H > Paul Hardy

EDITORS COMMENTS
Lords Day Observance - Sunday Shop Closing (1899): A Winter Scene of Religious Devotion and Economic Hardship This evocative photograph, taken in 1899, captures the spirit of the Lords Day Observance movement, a religious and social campaign that advocated for the closure of shops on Sundays. The image portrays a bustling high street on the cusp of transformation, as shopkeepers prepare to adhere to the strict observance of the Sabbath. The winter scene is marked by the heavy presence of ice and snow, with icicles hanging from the eaves of buildings and a light, yet persistent snowfall blanketing the ground. The cold weather adds an element of hardship to the image, as the poorer members of society huddle together, wrapped in heavy coats and scarves, while the more affluent make their way to church. In the foreground, Paul Hardy, a shopkeeper, is seen closing the shutters of his store, symbolizing the collective decision to observe the Lord's Day. The legal implementation of the Lords Day Observance Act in the UK Parliament in 1888 had made Sunday shop closing a requirement, with penalties for non-compliance. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of a time when religious observance and economic legislation intersected, shaping the social fabric of communities and the daily lives of its people. The image also highlights the enduring power of tradition and the role it plays in shaping our collective memory.

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