Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Lecturer searching for old amateur films of the district
An academic compiling a library of amateur footage of the district is appealing for help with his project.
Tim Jones, of Canterbury Christ Church University, is especially interested in the work of the Canterbury Amateur Cine Society, which made films in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
It operated out of the basement of what is now the Ebury Hotel in New Dover Road.
The group made a number of amateur films throughout the 1950s, and members included retired local filmmakers John Mccallum and Peter Mills.
They have been helping Tim search for any old footage the society may still have.
Tony Fields, another filmmaker who shot footage, died in 2001 and Tim is asking for anyone who might have films he made to come forward.
Tim is using the society’s footage of Canterbury, Barham, Herne Bay and Whitstable, to explore how the district used to be.
“Peter and John have been incredibly helpful in providing me with films that they have stored for over 50 years,” said Tim, a senior lecturer in film at Christ Church.
“I am now looking for a documentary about Canterbury, made in approximately 1947, which could have been kept by Tony Fields.
“I found the off-cuts to this film which are a fascinating glimpse of the ruined landscape of Canterbury and it would be truly fantastic to find the full version.
“If anyone has information about the documentary, please do get in touch. It would be a great pleasure to speak to people that knew Tony and his family members about the work he did.
“I have a number of photos of him making his films that I would love to share with his family too.”
Tim’s project is ongoing and he welcomes any amateur footage produced in Kent. He can be contacted via email at tim.jones@ canterbury.ac.uk or by calling 01227 782350.