THERE are going to be hundreds, perhaps thousands, of events vying for your attention over the extended Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, but few can be shouting louder than the Gilesgate Archive exhibition of old photographs of Durham on Saturday, June 4.

The Gilesgate Archive, collected by Michael Richardson, has a truly remarkable store of images of the city, as this selection shows.

Some of them will be on display in St Giles’ Church at the church’s Platinum Jubilee Fete, which will run from 10am to 3pm. It will also include a hog roast, fairground organ, an “Animals about Town” petting zoo, stalls, tombola, children’s crafts, games and light refreshments,

All are welcome and admission is free. Here is a selection of images with Michael's captions:The Northern Echo:

A busy Silver Street in 1946. Two-way traffic manoeuvred up and down this street under the control of the police box in the Market Place. The large double fronted property at the top left of the street was the former town house of Sir John Duck (c.1632-1691), Durham’s Dick Whittington. It was unfortunately demolished in the 1960s. This medieval thoroughfare remains more or less the same today, but is now pedestrianised

The Northern Echo: The Dean of Durham, Cyril Argentine Allington (1872-1955) and his wife, Hester Margaret (nee Lyttelton), c.1936. They are photographed with a young Durham Cathedral chorister, Stephen Hancock, who was born in Bishop Auckland. He later became a household

The Dean of Durham, Cyril Argentine Allington (1872-1955) and his wife, Hester Margaret (nee Lyttelton), c.1936. They are photographed with a young Durham Cathedral chorister, Stephen Hancock, who was born in Bishop Auckland. He later became a household name as Ernie Bishop, husband of Emily in Coronation Street, and his brother, Christopher, played Charlie Cotton, husband of Dot in EastEnders

The Northern Echo: Daisy Edis bathing her dog in the yard of 142, Gilesgate in 1952, taken by Elizabeth Harrison. Daisy was a renowned photographer, operating at 51 and 52 Sadler Street. She had followed her father in the profession and when she married, and became Mrs

Daisy Edis bathing her dog in the yard of 142, Gilesgate in 1952, taken by Elizabeth Harrison. Daisy was a renowned photographer, operating at 51 and 52 Sadler Street. She had followed her father in the profession and when she married, and became Mrs Spence, she continued to use her maiden name

The Northern Echo: Looking up Gilesgate bank around 1946. The properties on the left (up to just past the wagon) were demolished in the 1960s for the new road scheme. The property set back a little near the wagon was Forman’s fish and chip shop. The vehicles, left to

Looking up Gilesgate bank around 1946. The properties on the left (up to just past the wagon) were demolished in the 1960s for the new road scheme. The property set back a little near the wagon was Forman’s fish and chip shop. The vehicles, left to right are a Ford 5cwt van, a potato wagon delivering to Forman’s, a Leyland Tiger TS8 and a pre-war Austin 7

The Northern Echo: The staff of the Durham County Advertiser, 1891, left to right, back row: A Allisson, H Atkinson, D Gillespie, J Gowland and R James. Second row: J Cragg, W Rowntree, T Coulthard, J Palmer, B Russell, ? Sefton, ? Newton and R Salkeld. Third row: H

The staff of the Durham County Advertiser, 1891, left to right, back row: A Allisson, H Atkinson, D Gillespie, J Gowland and R James. Second row: J Cragg, W Rowntree, T Coulthard, J Palmer, B Russell, ? Sefton, ? Newton and R Salkeld. Third row: H McKnight, T Vasey, J Wise, ? and G Shaw. Front row: T Henderson, E Herring and ?. The young boy in the front row is holding the works cat, a useful employee in those days. This was probably taken ahead of a printers' wayzgoose – an annual works' outing paid for by the bosses

The Northern Echo: Market day in Durham around1952. This is an easy photograph to date as the ‘man on the horse’, Lord Londonderry, had been sent to London for restoration. Note to the right of the photograph are the railings belonging to the gent’s

Market day in Durham around1952. This is an easy photograph to date as the ‘man on the horse’, Lord Londonderry, had been sent to London for restoration. Note to the right of the photograph are the railings belonging to the gent’s underground toilets

The Northern Echo: Workwear Supplies and Archibald’s Store, in North Road, around 1972. These buildings have been demolished to make way for smaller retail premises. Many people used Archibald’s store as a short cut which brought them out in Crossgate

Workwear Supplies and Archibald’s Store, in North Road, around 1972. These buildings have been demolished to make way for smaller retail premises. Many people used Archibald’s store as a short cut which brought them out in Crossgate

The Northern Echo: The Market Place during the sand blasting of the New Market, the Guild Hall, the Town Hall, the Church and Lord Londonderry’s plinth in 1973. In the centre of the photograph, a large hand painted sign states: "Fish Shop Open"

The Market Place during the sand blasting of the New Market, the Guild Hall, the Town Hall, the Church and Lord Londonderry’s plinth in 1973. In the centre of the photograph, a large hand painted sign states: "Fish Shop Open"

The Northern Echo: Looking up Silver Street from near the entrance of Moat Side Lane in 1975. A Renault 850T van is followed by a Renault 12TL. On the left side of the road is Curtis’s shoe shop, popular then for their platform shoes. Next door up from it is

Looking up Silver Street from near the entrance of Moat Side Lane in 1975. A Renault 850T van is followed by a Renault 12TL. On the left side of the road is Curtis’s shoe shop, popular then for their platform shoes. Next door up from it is Timberland

The Northern Echo: A view from the castle, looking over Silver Street and Fowlers Yard towards Framwellgate Waterside in the 1960s. Note the gas holder belonging to Sidegate Gas Works

A view from the castle, looking over Silver Street and Fowlers Yard towards Framwellgate Waterside in the 1960s. Note the gas holder belonging to Sidegate Gas Works

The Northern Echo: A horse-drawn ash-cart on collection day in Milburngate, 1920’s. At the time of the photograph the Corbett family were living where the folk are gathered at the door. The majority of homes at this time would have had ash-closets (toilets).

A horse-drawn ash-cart on collection day in Milburngate, 1920s.  At the time of the photograph the Corbett family were living where the folk are gathered at the door.  The majority of homes at this time would have had ash-closets (toilets)

The Northern Echo: The royal visit of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in June 1977 when the royal couple took to the balcony of the Town Hall. The mayor is Cllr Alan Thompson

The royal visit of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in June 1977 when the royal couple took to the balcony of the Town Hall. The mayor is Cllr Alan Thompson