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The club’s film archive totals in excess of over 100 films, spanning a period of over sixty years. During this time, the world has undergone numerous social changes, matched equally by huge leaps forward in technology. Brian Robinson, celebrating 40 years as a club member, has witnessed the technologies that have come and go over this period used by to produce club films at first hand. These technologies range from the pre-digital days of 8mm film based cameras, through to the current generation of high definition machines. He can also bear testament to the role amateur films play in tracking the constant change within our society.

Over the last couple of years, Brian, in his then role as club librarian, began the task of producing digital copies of the club’s productions. July this year saw the first phase of this project completed. Following support from the lottery commission, the club now has a central digital archive of all its productions.

These productions cover a wide range of subjects and genres, from documentary, through local interest and travel to its award winning comedy and dramas. Copies of a number of the club’s films are also held win the North West Film Archive. Some of our material has been shown used in the production of public service broadcasts, such as rare footage chronicling the construction of the M62.

The archive is a genuine asset, which is widely used to provide varied shows, to audiences across all sections of the local community, as well as the wider amateur film community.