ABOUT US
History
In the latter part of 1949 a group of cine photographic enthusiasts met in their homes and decided to form a society, On 12 October 1950, the Preston & District Cine Society held its first meeting at Moor Lane School. It was led by enthusiast and Ribbleton Librarian, Jack Dempsey who was the scriptwriter of a number of 8mm story films including "The Three Suitors" and "Lot 16" that were made by fellow members and friends including Basil Brook. Sadly Jack became ill and died and by 1955 the Club folded.
In 1957, Mrs. Barrett was head of the photographic department at the Friargate Co-op and she fell out with the manager and decided to open her own shop - the PhotoCentre in Glovers Court. Assisted by Walter Hunnisett, Mrs. Barrett received so many cine queries that they decided to form a group that met in a room above the shop, and it was primarily for those inexperienced in cine photography that purchased equipment at her shop. However, membership was eventually opened up to anyone interested in the hobby and Preston Cine Club was formed on 11 January 1961. Due to demolition of the site (which is now the Avenham Car Park), the PhotoCentre moved to the Miller Arcade and a larger basement meeting room was used. Sadly Mrs. Barrett became ill and died and the business continued both there and at its final destination in Cannon Street where it closed in 1998. The Barrett Trophy Competition is held annually in her memory.
The Club found a temporary home at St. Teresa’s Church Hall, Queensway, Penwortham for a couple of years before moving to Sacred Heart School Hall, Poulton Street, Ashton in the early 1970’s. The Club had free rent due to Father Sowerby’s generosity as he was a keen cine enthusiast. But the hall had a poor heating system and it was necessary to move again.
It moved in 1980 to Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood where it remains into the 21st Century. As cine became replaced by video, the Club’s name changed to Preston Cine & Video Club in 1989, and to avoid confusion with video hire shops, changed its name three years’ later to Preston Cine & Camcorder Club. It was felt that cine was becoming outdated and unknown to any future members and so in 1996 the name changed to Preston Movie Makers.
EVENTSIn the early Seventies, the Club started to present the Ten Best Amateur Films of the Year which was organised by Amateur Cine World and its successor Movie Maker magazine. One year member Tony Brindle won with his “Mermaid’s Treasure” a tribute to ‘shadow’ animation. Large audiences were seen at presentations in the Public Hall’s Assembly Rooms, Booth’s Café in Fishergate, and at The Playhouse in Market Street West.
Then the Club decided to hold large equipment events. The first “Film 79 Norwest” brought camera and projector equipment suppliers together at a Preston hotel. It was repeated in 1991 and introduced video equipment to a new audience. Film screenings and competitions with trophies were held. Both were very successful events and hundreds from all over the north-west region attended.
Also in the 1970’s, national amateur filmmakers were brought together in Preston at The Playhouse. In October 1975, Bill Townley who made an 8mm Cinemascope epic “Baskeyfield VC” doubled up with Bill Davison who showed “Once Upon a Sunday”, “Eclipse” and many others. Tony Rose and Ron Miller followed two years later, and the final ‘Double Bill’ was in March 1980 with Action Incorporated who entertained with live stunts on stage and Keith Overend presented his films.
Since then the Club has hosted five regional film competitions for the IAC – Film & Video Institute. Called the Mersey 10 Competition, as it was originally for those Clubs in that region only, one of the judges was our patron, Nick Park, in 2002.
Since 2000, the Club has hosted its own competition called the Millenium Competition when six invited regional Clubs submit a programme of two films with a total running time of no more than 15 minutes. BBC Radio Lancashire supports the competition and a representative presents the trophy for the best use of sound.
Preston Movie Makers welcomes prospective new members, and meets every Thursday night between September and May at The William Wilding Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood, Preston, Lancs. Click here to view map.
Preston Movie Makers is 60 years old
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