close
close

Bristol Archives marks centenary with film

Bristol Archives marks centenary with film

Bristol Archives. Black and white photo of Bristol Docks with a large container ship unloading large boxes onto trolleys, with several men wearing caps in the foregroundBristol Archives

The Bristol Archives collection contains film footage and photographs from the last 100 years

Footage from one of Britain’s oldest archives will be shown publicly for the first time to mark its centenary.

Around 100 minutes of film were selected from the Bristol Archive, which was established in 1924.

On Sunday, Bristol Beacon will screen footage of the city at work and leisure, accompanied by 100 musicians from the Bristol Youth Orchestra.

Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer said it was “a fitting way to mark such a monumental milestone for Bristol Archives”.

“Bristol has a rich and storied history that deserves to be told,” he said.

“Over the past 100 years, our city has witnessed enormous changes; it has grown and evolved from a bustling seaside town into the diverse, progressive and exciting Bristol we all know and love today.”

Bristol Archives. Black and white photo of two small children in a nursery playing with washing dishes in two large bowlsBristol Archives

The footage contains footage of everyday life in Bristol in the 1930s

Filmmakers David Parker and Bob Pitt worked with Bristol Archives to select footage from the collection held at B Bond Warehouse for an event called Bristol – 100 Years in Music and Film.

“A stunning film about the Bristol docks in their pre-war heyday, a wonderful film about everyday life in the 1930s, the people of Bristol at war and a fascinating film about the rebuilding of a city devastated by that war are just some of the highlights that will be shown on the main Bristol’s concert venue,” said Mr Parker.

Photo by Rian Pullen. Close-up of young musicians playing the violin in an orchestra Photo by Ryan Pullen

Bristol Youth Orchestra will perform music by Holst, Vaughn Williams and Florence Price

The Bristol Youth Orchestra will perform music by Holst, Vaughan Williams and Florence Price, while Bristol pianist Sandy Middleton will premiere a new composition during a piece that shows Bristol bombed during the Second World War.

Tim Harrison, director of Bristol Youth Orchestra, said: “Performing at the Bristol Beacon is a dream for many young musicians and coordinating live music with a film is a huge challenge.

“We are now in rehearsals to bring this spectacular audiovisual event to Bristol audiences.”