DVDs of newsreels show county in war and peace
Two newly created DVDs chart the history of our county using original newsreel footage. Kent at War starts with the preparations before the war began and includes footage of the opening of the extensive underground tunnels at Ramsgate designed to hold 20,000 people during air raid attacks.
There is a carnival atmosphere as hundreds of citizens take a first tour of the tunnels, which contrasts greatly with later footage of the tunnels actually in use during a raid.
Bombs falling on Maidstone and the heavy losses at Detling Airfield also feature among newsreels showing civilians coping with rationing, the Battle of Britain which took place in the skies over Kent and troops training for D-Day. There are also shocking images of the devastation caused by the V1 and V2 rockets.
The film includes a visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Dover to celebrate the Allied victory and Gravesend’s victory parade the day after Germany surrendered.
It also includes some early colour sequences.
Kent Past is a similarly collection of old newsreels, ranging from the First World War and the establishment of VAD hospitals and Zeppelin raids on Sitttingbourne to the 1960s and the closures of Kent’s coalfields.
Along the way, we see the crowds on Margate beach, heavyweight boxing contender Phil Scott at Herne Bay, the Arctic winter of 1948, the terrible floods of 1953, the arrival of nuclear shelters and the restoration of the Union Mill in Cranbrook. There’s also a visit by Laurel and Hardy to the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and images of Dungeness before the power station was built. Naturally hoppicking and Kent’s fruit farms also feature prominently. Both DVDs are produced by Timereel Studios and each lasts just over an hour. The DVDs are £10.99 each or the two for £20, plus postage and packaging. They are available from Angels Media and Craft Studios. Visit www. amcs12sales.co.uk or call 01394 470112.