Pattison's caption on this image was 'A helping hand.' Although it must have been an extremely hard way to make a living the girls look happy enough.
Date (of image) : 1888
Donor : Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham
Creator : James Whitehead Pattison
Part of the "Pattison's Photographs" collection
Location
Cockle girls of Seaton Carew and West Hartlepool. The girls made a living by going out onto the rocks at low tide to collect shell fish and then sell their catches on. Bella, one of the girls had a shack on the Snook near to the golf clubhouse.
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