30 years ago, Merlin and I made a short film at Nuneaton library where an event, the “George Eliot Victorian Festival” was taking place. We arranged with the then curator of Nuneaton museum, Ann Robson, to make a short video of the George Eliot - related objects on display at the library.
But if you think back to those days, try to remember the camera gear available to amateurs of the time - a bit primitive to say the least compared to that currently available. Anyway, we made the short, although I can’t remember whether it was shown at the club or ever put into any competition. Very sadly, Ann Robson, who did the narration for the film, died from cancer shortly after the film was made. Recently, I came across the film, gave it a brief clean-up regarding spelling and picture stability, and contacted John Burton, chairman of the George Eliot Fellowship to ask if he was interested in viewing it.
Indeed he was, so much so, that it’s now on the GEF (George Eliot Fellowship) website. I’ve stated that as soon as conditions allow, I’d be prepared to remake the film using modern equipment. He’s all for that, so watch this space.
You can view the film as it is now below.
The film has now been uploaded to the George Eliot Fellowship website, and this is its accompanying info...
“We are very grateful to Gerry Bishop and his group of amateur film makers in Nuneaton for this item. The film shows an exhibition held in Nuneaton Library and Museum in 1990.
The film shows the quality of video before the digital age. Gerry would like to repeat the exhibition but retain the commentary. It remains to be seen whether that might be possible. For local Nuneaton people, however, the interest lies in the commentary. It was spoken by the then curator of Nuneaton Museum, Ann Robson. There is a lovely sculpture of Ann in the Museum. She died of cancer only a few weeks after recording the commentary for this film, at the tragically young age of 32. She was much loved and is still remembered with affection 30 years later. Time has made some of the items seem out of place, and several of them are now back at the Herbert in Coventry.
That same year Nuneaton and Bedworth set up an ambitious Christmas lights event based on a Victorian theme, and featuring George Eliot wherever possible. It was a huge success, widely advertised and probably breaking all Health and Safety advice with the numbers packed into all the town centre streets!
Angie adds:
I remember seeing this film at Nuneaton Moviemakers, although perhaps it wasn't 30 years ago!