Trevor Bailey, Windrose Rural Media Trust’s Director writes:
Thanks to the splendid interest shown by the local media, our Dorset Online Archive Film Festival has been a great success. It was a simple idea: just a selection of films from our collection dating from the 1910s to the 1990s made available via the internet for a week, with the support of Dorset Council. Yet, as simple concepts sometimes do, it really seems to have delighted a great many people.
Trevor Bailey
Quite a few have been in touch with us to say how, after all the restrictions of the Covid-19 emergency, this opportunity to look at local life in the past through the window of moving image has really meant something to them. Many have seen echoes of their own lives and even relatives who are no longer with us.
Covid has prevented us from presenting archive film shows to live audiences. There have been 259 such shows so far, reaching tens of thousands of people. The Online Film Festival has helped to fill that gap.
The Festival is now over but I am glad to say that it is still possible to see films and hear sound recordings from the Windrose archive, via our Close Encounters page.
If you visit the Windrose Shop on the website you will find a wide range of DVDs and CDs available featuring material from the archive. Windrose is, of course, a registered charity and all proceeds from the sale of DVDs and CDs is used to help fund the archive and our other work.
We did not know that an online film festival would work. It is only because of the help from various publications, websites and other local media, who were able to provide the vital link to communities around the county, that it has.
Thank you.
Trevor Bailey
Director
Windrose Rural Media Trust
Windrose Dorset Online Archive Film Festival is supported by
Dorset Council Leisure Development Fund
🎥 The coast – Weymouth to Swanage
Filming birds at Winfrith in 1960s, travels through Dorset in 1940s, Sein fishing at Chesil Beach, the last train to Portland 1960s, paddle steamer at Lulworth 1960s, Purbeck farming 1950s, Weymouth promotional film 1950s. Plus Swanage seaside holidays in 1930s (which is also available on DVD).
🎥 Blandford to Sturminster Newton
Blandford’s Coronation celebrations 1937, Blandford and Shaftesbury in 1930s, Sturminster Newton Market in 1930s and 1990s, the Somerset & Dorset Railway in 1960s, Fontmell Magna in 1980s. Plus Iwerne Minster in 1918. (A sparkling, newly-discovered original print of an old favourite in wonderful condition – a revelation).
🎥 Wimborne Minster – Wareham
The moving of the model town 1960s, an unusual rail accident at Wareham Station in the 1950s, Wimborne Urban District Council 1950s. Plus Soldiers, Civilians and Stockmen (also available on DVD), a mass of films about Wimborne town and Wimborne market during the Second World War with a comparison visit to the market in the early 2000s. Presented by the late John Loder.
🎥 Buckland Newton to Sherborne
Buckland Newton people make one of the first Parish Maps 1990s, the King’s visit to Sherborne 1940s, Sherborne streets and fete 1950s, Sherborne School 1930s, an historical pageant at the Larmer Tree gardens 1960s, well known Sherborne farmer Jack Dimond and his old binder 1950s and 1990s, Cerne Abbas 1960s and 1990s. Plus Mother Of All Pageants (also available on DVD), the story of the great Sherborne Pageant with the original 1905 film and music. Presented by the late Gerald Pitman.