A retired lollipop lady from Belfast was reunited with an old photo of herself thanks to an appeal published on Belfast Live.
Last month, we published an article calling for people featured in a series of old community photos taken in Belfast from 1992 to 2004 to get in touch ahead of the launch of a new photobook from art gallery Belfast Exposed.
Freda Kelly was delighted to discover she was featured in the book, titled 'Belonging', after the article caught her daughter's attention on social media.
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"I hadn’t thought about this photo being taken for many years, until my daughter saw it on Facebook and discovered that Belfast Exposed were trying to track down people who featured in their new book," Freda said.
"It brought back lots of memories of my time as a lollipop lady at Donegall Road Primary School. This isn’t the only time my path has crossed with Belfast Exposed, as I once took part in one of Mervyn’s community workshops and learnt some new skills with a camera!"
'Belonging' is a photobook giving a unique glimpse into the lives of Belfast's communities through the lens of talented local photographers. It is limited to just 500 copies.
A celebration of everyday life in the city and featuring images taken between 1992 and 2004, the photobook brings together images from Belfast Exposed’s extensive archives, capturing shared moments of togetherness, resilience, and connection across the city’s neighbourhoods. From lively street gatherings to intimate family moments, bustling markets, and vibrant festivals, the book is a tribute to the heartbeat of the city—its people.
Speaking at the launch of the book, Deirdre Robb, CEO of Belfast Exposed, said: "At Belfast Exposed, community is at the heart of everything we do. Over the years, our archive has grown into a living testament to the many faces and voices that make up this city. Belonging is a celebration of the diverse and resilient communities that have shaped Belfast into the place it is today.”
Mervyn Smyth, Community Engagement Manager, said: "Many of the photos in this book were taken by people who’ve been part of Belfast Exposed’s community programmes—a big part of what we do. These programmes give people from all walks of life a chance to explore photography, share their stories, and capture the world around them.
"At Belfast Exposed, we want to give a platform to voices that might not always be heard. Photography is amazing that way—it doesn’t just freeze a moment in time; it helps build understanding and connection. Belonging is all about that. It celebrates the moments where people come together, support each other, and create a shared sense of who they are.”
Featuring 90 pages of photos spanning different generations and experiences, Belonging reminds us that no matter where we’re from or what challenges we face, there’s always a place where we can belong.
Belonging is now on sale from the Belfast Exposed shop, online at www.belfastexposed.org or from the centre at 23 Donegall Street, Belfast.
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