Chard In Old Photos exhibition at Manor Court Primary School next month

Craig Hussey, a keen collector of old photographs, is hosting a ‘Chard in Old Photos’ event on October 26 and 27.

“I have been interested in old photos ever since ever since I started looking through my grandmas photos when I was about seven,” he said.

“I’ve been collecting them for years and following the social media boom I decided to share them.

“It really took off and people started to really love them.

“This is a first for me and I have to say I’m a little nervous - I’m hoping that people’s curiosity will get the better of them.”

The exhibition, at Manor Court Primary School in Chard, will include photos from the early 1900s to the 1980s featuring demolished pubs, old shops, long forgotten houses, cinemas and railway stations.

Raising money for the Catherine Wells-Burr foundation and the NHS, Mr Hussey will be looking for donations on the day and also has a Just Giving page.

Ms Wells-Burr was murdered by Rafal Nowak in 2012 at her home in Chard. Nowak – along with two accomplices - were jailed for life in 2013 for her murder.

The foundation, set up by her family, helps support victims of crime.

“I chose these causes as they are both close to my heart, I have known Catherine Wells-Burr’s parents for over 20 years and they are lovely people,” Mr Hussey added.

“What happened to their daughter was so sad it sent shockwaves through the whole town.

“A few years ago my friend Gary parsley and I ran Bournemouth half marathon to raise money for their charity.

“The NHS are a truly wonderful and underrated institution and as the current situation has showed us we’d be lost without them.”

You can donate by visiting gf.me/u/yvyh6n

The old fire station, now Crowshute House

The original co-op, now demolished

The London Inn, Chard

The Victoria Pub, now demolished