A group of hobbyists who have spent decades documenting the history of their area through film began digitising their archive, and want you to join them.
Harrow Film Makers – previously known as Harrow Cine and Video Society – voted to change its name and its last annual general meeting.
Founded in 1951, going by the name The Pinner Cine Society, president Ken Mills, 87, joined a few years later in 1956.
The retired laboratory manager, of St Mary’s Avenue, Northwood, said: “We felt that a change was needed with the name. It has been more difficult to attract new members to the group, but there is something special about what we have done over the decades and we want it to endure.
“We filmed the granting of borough status ceremony in 1954 in 16mm film, for example, and have covered many major events over the years.”
Times have changed, however. Famously, Orson Welles said that while a writer needs just a pen, a film maker needs an army, but that’s no longer true.
Capturing events and sharing them can be done easily by one person using their phone, and uploading the content onto YouTube.
But the lure for many of the film makers is the collaborative process which comes with a more traditional approach.
Mr Mills said: “One of the productions we worked on recently had someone monitoring continuity, we had a production manager, people operating cameras. It’s group efforts which really characterise what we do, which makes it a great social activity alongside being very stimulating.
“We have hobbyists, professionals, people who just want to try something new – and from all the surrounding areas.”
The group will have Autumn Movie Show in Pinner Village Hall from 7.30pm. Admission is £6 including refreshments.
If you wish to get involved, they meet each Monday, and can be contacted via email on harrowfilmmakers@outlook.com.
