Published: February 23, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea film maker's 1930s footage gives a blast from the past

An incredible new film which provides a rare glimpse of Burnham-On-Sea in the 1930s is to get a special screening at the town's Ritz Cinema next month.

The unveiling of 'Norman Gobey - Burnham's Movie Maker' is to be held on Sunday 11th March at 11am. It will also mark the launch of a new DVD featuring the film.

Eighteen months ago, the Engine Room, a community media centre based in Bridgwater, made an appeal for local people who remembered local bank clerk Norman Gobey (pictured above) or the scenes in his films to come forward.

Now, family, friends and members of the community have added their memories of him, the town and life in the 1930s to a special 40-minute documentary film.

Filmed entirely on 9.5mm using a hand-held Pathé camera, Norman crafted his footage into mini-movies, which he narrated or accompanied with music for the entertainment of others.

His daughter, Anne Gobey, donated his films of Burnham to the North Sedgemoor Local History Group and in 2005 these were entrusted to Somerset Film and Video, a local media charity that runs the Engine Room.

This material and other Gobey films donated to the charity were transferred to digital format and brought to life once more.

Contributors to the documentary include locals Tom Bennett, Doreen Hauser and Edna Lockren who all appear in the original films. As well as their narration, all of the information gathered during the making of film is included in an 'additional information' version on the DVD.

The appeal also unearthed footage of the Great Western Railway at Edithmead, a 'lost' film documenting the building and opening of the Ritz Cinema (picture), and Cobham's Air Circus at Weston-super-Mare.

"All of the film's contributors were so generous with their time and knowledge, I really want to thank them for their kindness and patience. It was particularly wonderful to meet Norman's daughter, Anne. She has been so supportive to me," said Deborah Richardson, who is the producer of the DVD and a first-time filmmaker.

"I live locally so it was very much a personal project and I'm grateful to the Engine Room for giving me the opportunity to work with such amazing footage."

The DVD will be on sale at The Engine Room in The High Street, Bridgwater and Burnham Tourist Information Centre or by telephone on 01278 433187 priced £10 (+P&P).

Proceeds from the sale of the DVD will benefit registered charity Somerset Film and Video Ltd and the North Sedgemoor Local History Group.

The photos above show (from top to bottom) Norman Gobey with his projector; Marine Lake and in the background the Enid and the Crowpill, which belonged to the Colliers, coal merchants in Bridgwater 1934; An unusual looking 'gyroscope' vehicle being filmed on Brean sands in 1934; The Building of the Ritz Cinema, which was owned by Mr Trueman Dicken, who also owned The Majestic in the High Street. It was opened in 1936 by screen star Binnie Hale, accompanied by Ben Travers and Major Sutherland; and Burnham-On-Sea Home Guard seen rehearsing an attack in front of Holt's Brewery.