Nostalgia

By How Michael

I know it existed – because I’ve read about it somewhere. Local historians can be heard muttering these sentiments from time to time – often when talking about a book, an object or a learned article they can’t quite lay their hands on. And all too often the reason for their failure to locate many of these can be put down to the fact that they no longer exist – if they ever did.

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been told by various relatives of the deceased that “historical records” – documents, books, photographs or whatever, that were in his/her house have been consigned to the flames or sent off for salvage. This decision was often taken by visiting close relatives from London or somewhere else out of our area.

A lot of historical material has, over the years, ended up as salvage. When it comes to photographs, they can end up in a local charity shop. If they were originally stuck in an album, then they can often be historically valuable. But I have noticed that all too often, many of these photos have been pulled out of their bound volumes and arranged in shoeboxes - or just randomly scattered in a container.

A plea here! If you ever want to dispose of old photos, take them to your local museum, archives or library. You only throw historical records away once – and then they are totally destroyed – as though they had never been!

Were you a keen exponent of physical education? Did you perhaps take part in a film, in colour, which was made in 1956 by Miss K Sutton, then county organiser of girls’ physical education, which featured the efforts of youngsters from nursery to secondary school level? It was made to illustrate modern developments in the field.

Maryport children “featured quite prominently in the film.” It was shown in March 1957 to parents in the Camp Road School Hall. It must have been a primitive production. The accompanying sound track was produced by using a tape recorder.

So where is this film? I’m sure that some Maryport lasses might be interested in viewing the efforts of their young selves.

And some of them might have been interested in another film shown that night which was made by Mr Norman of Uldale. It dealt with a visit made to the Farne Islands by the children of Maryport Junior School in the Whitsuntide of 1956.

A marvellous opportunity to relive early years – if, of course, these films still exist.

Here’s hoping!

Films again, only this time back in Workington in 1934. I don’t know if jungle films were popular back then, but if you wanted to catch the latest of these films, which involved scenes of wild animals, if you lived in Workington you would not have been able to do so. The Workington Town Council had decided that no jungle films would be allowed to be shown in Workington cinemas.

They banned them and told the proprietors of local cinemas of their decision no to approve of their exhibition. It seems that many people had disapproved of the perceived cruelty shown on screen in some of these films.

I had forgotten that the local council had the power to censor films which were to be shown in local cinemas. So do the local authorities of today still have this power?

Anyone know?

As I have indicated before, in my earlier years I used to go to the pictures quite a lot. For a few years I used to record in a notebook all the films I’d seen and in which cinema I’d seen them. I don’t really know quite why I did this. You could think it to be quite sad - but I do have a few acquaintances who take themselves off to railway stations, often on wet weekends, to log train numbers in their notebooks. Quite what they do with these numbers, I haven’t a clue. I suppose I could ask them – but to be honest, I couldn’t care less.

As to my chronological record of films viewed, I destroyed it. I know it was a logical move, but it was one which I regret.

One film which I’ve never seen is “Owd Bob” which came out in 1938 – a film with strong local connections. JB Williams wrote the screenplay.

It was, according to the blurb, about Cumberland sheep farmers. It had a strong cast: featuring Will Fyffe, Margaret Lockwood, John Loder.

I must try and find a copy!