CATALOGUE & INFORMATION PAGES

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Some titles have two or three DVD's on the town, as indicated. More details later . .

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16188

ABERYSTWYTH .. a Journey Through Time . . This seaside town has charmed visitors for centuries. Paintings, engravings, photographs, archive film and modern footage show how Aberystwyth has changed over the centuries. Topics include the Iron Age hillfort on Pen Dinas, the Harbour and new Marina, Castle, University of Wales, National Library of Wales, Cliff Railway and Camera Obscura, tourism and the storm of 1938 that caused such widespread damage.

From the brush of Alfred Worthington, the town's most famous artist, are colourful views of Llanbadarn Fawr, fishing boats, shipwrecks and local landmarks. From the camera of Arthur Lewis are the halcyon days on the beach, a crowded promenade, bustling views of the town's streets and shipping in the harbour. Arthur Cheetham owned a local cinema. His programmes at the Palladium Cinema including his own films of local activities from the 1920's such as the unveiling of the town's War Memorial, gymnastic displays and a race through the streets of the town.
Also featured are some of the town's vanishing buildings including the Town Clock, the King's Hall, Seilo Chapel and the Penparcau Tollgate. Aberystwyth is a multi-faceted town with far more to offer than most seaside towns the world over. The promenade, sloping streets, churches, chapels, cafe's, clubs, pubs and academic altars that nestle among the natural splendour of Wales create a unique magic captured in this video.

16176

BATH .. a Journey Through Time . . . walk down Memory Lane, visit the Bath of yesteryear. See rare colour images during World War 2, the devastation caused by enemy bombing, the local Home Guard also feature as they prepare for possible invasion. Few places in the county can boast such rich colour film captured at that time.

Recall Bath during the swinging 60s, vividly depicted in beautiful colour film. Re-live the 'Monarchy 1000 Years' celebrations of 1973 - including scenes of the Queen's visit. In the 1970s, Bath underwent many changes as redevelopment took place.

16156

BIRMINGHAM 1 ... A Nostalgic Feast . . . Take the ultimate walk down Memory Lane as we visit the Birmingham of yesteryear. Included in this nostalgic feast are rare early colour recordings held by the Central Library. The recordings date from between 1930-1970s and are a vivid reminder of those long lost days. Many of these films are seen here for the first time.

Films included on this DVD: A unique record of everyday life in Birmingham in the 1930s ~ Celebrations in the city to mark the proclamation of King Edward VIII in 1936 ~ Spectacular centenary celebrations of 1938 ~ Recently discovered unique colour film of the VE Day celebrations in Birmingham ~ Colour films of Birmingham’s Trams including the Victory Tram from 1945 ~ Rare film depicting the many industries which help give Birmingham the title ‘The City of a Thousand Trades’ ~ The great changes which took place during the 1960s ~ Packed with evocative images, narration and reminiscences of local people; this video offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the history and changing face of England’s Second City.

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16157

BIRMINGHAM 2 . . . a 2nd visit to the Birmingham of yesteryear. Recordings feature the City of the 40's, 50's and 60's The Trams that once criss-crossed their way through the City's streets have now gone, but can be viewed again with beautiful colour moving images - which include the Victory Tram, decked out in lights to celebrate the end of World War Two.

From the motor car and motorcycle industry to chocolate manufacture, rare film illustrates the reason Birmingham acquired the title 'The City of a Thousand Trades'. Around the Bull Ring, Nelson's Statue stands in bemused isolation, as excavation work goes on around him during a period of great change to the centre in preparation for the brand new Birmingham of the 1960's.

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16133

BLACKBURN . . Remembered . . . reflect on the momentous changes of the 20th century, changes in industry and commerce, living and working conditions, sport and entertainment. See and hear people who experienced them and who can share with us a century of triumphs and tragedy, war and peace, hardship and good times. Written and researched by local historian Stephen Martin Child. Incorporating interviews with local characters and beautifully illustrated with archives from Blackburn Library as well as modern day footage. Topics Include:- The Textile Industry - Brewing - The Church - Shopping - Sport and Entertainment - Education - Transport

see Heritage6 for another Blackburn title, but on DVD

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16135

BLACKPOOL . . . 'The Golden Mile', 'The Tower' and 'The Lights' can only refer to one place ... Blackpool! A veritable wonderland of candy-floss, kiss-me-quick hats and white-knuckle rides. This collection of archive films, offers the viewer a nostalgic feast of images from 70 years of recordings. Included in this compilation is rare footage showing Blackpool in the 1920s. Marvel at the enchanting images as we visit the Jazz Age, with evocative scenes of the town's attractions being enjoyed on those long-gone summer days. Relish the delightful sequences as bright young bloods from the lost generation, twirl and hurl themselves into a frenzy at the funfair.

Meanwhile, beauties parade in swimsuits and crowds dance the afternoon away in the open air. These are just a few images from this unique film. Moving on a few generations, we feature a film produced in the 1950s to promote the town in the cinemas of the day. The recording, shown in its original wide-screen format, is a beautiful period piece. Swing into the sixties, with amateur films capturing the town of that frantic decade. Once again, crowds dance on the Prom, but to a very different tune.

These and other sequences included in this video, offer the viewer a nostalgic and informative Journey Through Time.

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16136

BRADFORD . . a Journey Through Time . . . Who could have imagined, as the people of Bradford prepared to celebrate the dawn of the 20th Century, the momentous changes about to take place in industry and commerce, living and working conditions, sport and entertainment. Reflect on these events with the help of people who experienced them and who can share with us a century of triumphs and tragedy, war and peace, hardship and good times.

Written and researched by local historian Dr Gary Firth. Incorporates interviews with local characters and beautifully illustrated with archive film, photographs and modern day footage. Topics Include:- The Worsted Industry - Employment - Social Life - Shopping - Sport and Leisure - The War Years - Education - Transport - A delightful record of Bradford's past.

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16177

BRIGHTON. . a Nostalgic Feast . . . the history of the town is traced from its prehistoric hill-forts, to its success as a major Tudor fishing town - and its transformation into the premier resort of the country. The social atmosphere of the town is seen as being important, in not only its success as a maritime town, but in its subsequent role as watering place and home of Kings of England, and latterly as a major entertainment and holiday centre.

The spectacular squares, crescents and terraces of Regency times are seen in a range of media and the development of town around them is put in its social setting, culminating in the evolution of the Royal Pavilion of the Prince Regent. The glitter of the Royal Pavilion and the sparkle of the seaside entertainments hid some notorious slums and both aspects of the Queen of Watering Places are seen here in a mixture of prints, paintings, photographs and vintage and contemporary film sequences.

Topics include: Brighton's landscape - The Fishing Industry - Early sea-bathing - The Royal Pavilion - Regency architecture - a 1926 film of the seafront - Contemporary easy-going Brighton.

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18254

HITLER'S WAR ON BRISTOL . . . During the Second World War, the ancient city of Bristol faced a bitter struggle for survival against German air raids. The bombing lasted from the night of June 19th 1940, when Luftwaffe aircraft first took off to attack the area, until the final ‘all clear’ sounded in the early hours of May 16th 1944.

Between September 1940 and May 1941 Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed city in England. It was never purposely subjected to indiscriminate terror bombing as a means of smashing civilian morale. However, the inaccuracy of the heavy attacks mounted against Bristol’s vital harbour facilities and aircraft factories, caused widespread damage, death and destruction in a number of the city’s most populous districts. By June 1944, 1,396 people in the Greater Bristol area had fallen prey to the bombing, and 89,000 properties in the city had been either damaged or destroyed.

With the help of archive film and illustrations, together with visits to historic locations and interviews with those who lived through the Bristol Blitz, you will see how the city defended itself against Hitler’s onslaught. This documentary also reveals the full impact of the conflict upon ordinary Bristolians, thrust overnight into the front line of the war against Germany's mighty Luftwaffe.

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16180

BRISTOL . . in Old Film This DVD is in effect a composite of the three VHS films above, replacing the three separate DVD's. Using unique archive film preserved by the Bristol Record Office, it takes us on a journey through the history of Bristol in the 20th century.

Part 1 features the city in the 1930s. This was a period of tremendous change, both in the way that it looked and the way in which it's citizens lived their lives. See some of the old streets and buildings that were soon to disappear in the blitz. The working port in 1934. Festivities and celebrations including Bristol – Brighton Week 1934, the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935 and the Coronation of George V1 in 1937.

Bristol during World War Two is Part 2, with amazing colour film illustrating life from the Blitz to celebrations to mark the end of hostilities in 1945 with the visit of Winston Churchill. Footage includes the bombed out city centre in 1942, rationing and salvage efforts, street scenes of Bristolians going about their daily lives as well as Emergency Services, Home Guard, Women's war work and the Americans.

The final part of the programme shows us the post-war Bristol of the 50s and 60s. This archive film gives fascinating views of Bristol and Bristolians at work and play during this time.

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16137

BURNLEY . . Remembered . . . The threshold of a new millennium is an ideal point to review the recent past of Burnley, and to examine what effect the last hundred years has had on its citizens.

Who could have imagined, as the people of Burnley prepared to celebrate the dawn of the 20th century the momentous changes about to take place, in industry, education and housing, through to sport and entertainment. We reflect on these events with the help of people who experienced them and who share, with us a century of triumphs and tragedy, war and peace, hardship and goodtimes.

Written by local historian Roger Frost, and incorporating interviews with local characters, we peer through the mists of time. Beautifully illustrated with the archives from Burnley Library. Subjects include the textile industry, business and retail, sport and entertainment, transport, education and housing. A delightful record of Burnley's past.

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16189

CARDIFF. . a Nostalgic Feast Formerly on 2 x VHS, now on 2 discs . . . The Welsh Capital is a lively and cosmopolitan City. We commence in the 1940's, during World War 2 of the populous at work and play, including the King's visit to a shell-making factory. Early scenes of the Docks are also captured, as freight is frantically loaded and unloaded in Cardiff's once bustling port.

Re-visit the Cardiff of the 40's and 50's through the use of unique images - including colour film of the Coronation celebrations. Imagine the thrill of the occasion, as visiting Royalty and Celebrities are mobbed by fans from different eras - most remarkably, Danny Kaye's popular arrival in 1952.

The 1960's and 70's are vividly recalled, as many aspects of the City's life are touched upon - incorporating scenes from the Capital's sporting arenas.

Sequences include: Coronation celebrations of 1937: street parties and visit from the King and Queen: VE Day celebrations: evocative images of people of Cardiff welcoming the end of the War: Women's Land Army's Recruiting Parade of 1946: Princess Elizabeth's visit in 1948: Churchill receiving the 'Freedom of the City' in 1948: Colour 'Trolley Bus' sequences recorded in the 1950's: A 'Corpus Christi' Parade, filmed in the '50s: the Empire Games of 1958, showing the street decorations and the Opening Ceremony: Scenes of flooding - filmed in the 1960s.

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16191

CARDIFF, a HISTORY of . . . . . The history of the City of Cardiff, Capital of Wales, traced from Roman origins 2,000 years ago. A turbulent past, during which it has endured Saxon, Irish and Norse raids, Welsh attacks against Norman rule and English Civil War battles.

In the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries the Iron, Steel and Coal Industries were instrumental in the growth of the city, and Cardiff became a successful Industrial Port. Thousands of people were attracted here to work, and as a result the city became a cultural and ethnic melting pot. Despite Cardiff's increase in size, wealth and status, it remains in many ways a federation of villages, each which contributes to the city's friendly and hospitable character.

The story of the city is told using photographs, archive film, drawings and modern-day footage.
Topics include: Cardiff Castle: Llandaff Cathedral: Industry & The Docks: The Bute Family: Sport and Culture. Written by Alan Price-Talbot.

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16158

CANNOCK CHASE. . a Journey Through Time . . . has a long and proud history; home to Iron Age tribes, a Medieval hunting ground, site of early industry, wild heathland and an important coalfield with its close-knit communities - all are part of the story of the Chase. But the Chase is now experiencing dramatic changes and much of the evidence of the past has already gone; only memories remain.

This video sketches the early history of the Chase as well as bringing to mind much which is still familiar about its more recent past, including: Unique pictures of Hawks Green as it was half a century ago - The early years of the Chase coalfield - Cannock at the turn of the Century - The first miner's homes on the Chase - Memories of when Hednesford was the shopping centre of the Chase - The building of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hednesford

Rare photographs of the communities of Cannock Chase in 1947 - Schooldays at the Central School, Chadsmoor - The canals of Cannock Chase - The proud tradition of the Mines Rescue Service - The glory days of the Electric Palace - When rent was 8/6d a week - And much more.

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16159

CHELTENHAM . . a Journey Through Time . . visits the Cheltenham of yesteryear. Includes rare archive footage of the early 1920s. This recently discovered film was originally produced for the Chamber of Commerce to promote the town in cinemas around the country. Believed to be the earliest film record of the town, it vividly captures the era with evocative images of everyday life.

Sequences recall: Enchanting street scenes of the car-free roads - Interesting images of the Shopping Centre recalling the fashions of the 1920s - Steam Train arriving at Cheltenham, as visitors disembark at St. James Station - Cheltenham's Medical Baths, a reminder of the unusual treatments available at that time - Cheltenham's famous Public Schools, with young men at drill practice, and the ladies enjoying a carefree sunny day. Moving on several decades, see the very different world of the 1950s and 'swinging '60s'.

Finally, a beautifully made film showing the town during the 1970s.

DISC 2:
CHELTENHAM . . A HISTORY . . and such a long history, dating back as early as the 8th Century, but it is only in the past 200 years that it has developed into the beautiful town of today.

Once a small rural market town, Cheltenham's development was altered by the discovery of mineral springs and its subsequent evolution into a fashionable resort with several successful Spa's. Cheltenham's reputation was enhanced by Royal patronage, and "visitors of great fortune and gentility" flocked to drink the waters and enjoy the lively social life. These glory years have left an impressive legacy of elegant Victorian villas and terraces, fine floral parks and tree lined thoroughfares.

The history of the town is illustrated by using photographs, drawings, and modern footage to show the Cheltenham of the past and present day. Written by Robin Brooks.

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16192

COLWYN BAY . . a Journey Through Time . . . Amongst the earliest recordings - from 1914 - we see racing cars speeding along the Promenade, from Old Colwyn. Five years on, and the town commemorates its War dead. As the camera pans the procession, we see views of the Streets and the Pier - including shots of the first Pier Pavilion, three years before it was burnt down. Into the 1920's with a visit from the Prince of Wales, the opening of the new Post Office, and street scenes from both Old Colwyn and Colwyn Bay.

Meanwhile, the heavy seas of 1926 brought storm damage to the Promenade. The 1930's, and the second Pier Pavilion is razed to the ground by fire - see film taken the morning after. The summer of 1933 brought the opening of the Outdoor Swimming Pool at Rhos-on-Sea, with British Heavy-Weight Boxing Champion, Jack Peterson, enjoying the first swim. Marvel at unique never before seen film, shot in 1934 - showing many scenes of the town and its people: including the third Pier Pavilion, Show Girls dancing on the Prom as holiday-makers enjoy the sea and the beach, shots taken in Eirias Park capturing many attractions no longer in existence, and many street scenes, including some of the Trams which ran in the town until 1956.

Watch the fashions change as decade upon decade of visitors revel in the attractions of Colwyn Bay. This unique and charming collection of films will appeal to locals and visitors alike.

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