A New Archive Film Project from Windrose Rural Media Trust

One of the most compelling aspects of Windrose’s film archive is its connection to the Great Western Railway (GWR), a pioneer in using film to captivate the public’s imagination. A prime example of this is the 1936 production, Great Western Approaches.

Windrose aims to pay homage to this historical link with an exciting new projected funded by the Community and Customer Improvement Fund.

Windrose will produce a series of short film compilations that focus on locations served by GWR routes radiating from Westbury. These routes encompass destinations like Salisbury, Pewsey, Yeovil, Weymouth, Bath, Swindon, and Taunton.

Each compilation will offer a captivating journey through time, showcasing places and communities along these routes at various periods, as captured on film. To provide context, the compilations will also feature films reflecting the essence of railway travel from the 1930s onwards.

The films will be presented in a style reminiscent of earlier travelogues, complete with a combination of voiceovers and inter-titles. This approach adds a layer of nostalgia to the viewing experience, making it even more engaging.

Windrose intends to host these films on its YouTube channel. They will also be readily available to the public via the GWR website, accessible on mobile phones and tablets. Stations along the routes involved will feature explanatory posters with QR codes. Thus, anyone waiting at Warminster, Dorchester, or Weymouth stations, for instance, can instantly access moving images from the past, connecting them to the rich history of their surroundings.

Windrose possesses full-scale production facilities and will employ cutting-edge AI technology to enhance the quality of film images. Moreover, subtitles will be added where necessary to ensure maximum accessibility for all viewers.

It’s anticipated that the films will go live in the Spring of 2024.

The heart of Windrose’s archive lies in the community. Many local individuals have generously contributed to this repository, often donating films created by their own families. Over the years, Windrose has organised 264 archive film shows in various venues, attracting tens of thousands of attendees.

An online archive film festival conducted during the challenging times of COVID-19 garnered nearly 24,000 viewings. Furthermore, countless locals have played a significant role by sharing their memories and knowledge, becoming interviewees in productions featuring films from the archive.

Windrose’s film archive serves as a captivating time capsule, preserving the essence of life in Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire. The “Great Western Approaches Revisited” project not only pays tribute to the region’s railway history but also ensures that these cherished memories remain accessible by present and future generations, and is a celebration of community, history, and the enduring magic of cinema.