Chesterfield Film Makers, which started out as a cine section of the Chesterfield Photographic Club in 1957, celebrates its golden anniversary this year.

Life President Cliff Paulson has been behind the camera since the beginning, capturing the town's history and major events.

Derbyshire Times reporter Jennifer Ivers put the film-enthusiast in the frame for a look back at the club's movie-making highlights and technological advances...

Chesterfield's long-serving hot shots have been on the scene, camera in hand, to record the town's major events over the last half-century.

The film makers have covered royal visits, civic engagements and community events as well as making movies about the town itself.

Life President Cliff Paulson, who has been involved since day one, said: "If anything happened in the town, we were there to cover it.

"We're recording things for posterity – capturing a little bit of time that will never be repeated. When people see old films about Chesterfield, they are ecstatic."

In 1963 Chesterfield Film Makers charted the life of a fictional family.

Mr Paulson explained: "It was a typical weekend in Chesterfield with a typical family in the 1960s.

"You see people going to work, shopping, the young woman is going off to a dance, and then we bring them together at teatime around the table."

The movie was used this summer by Central Television as part of its The Way We Were series.

For the millennium, the film makers embarked on an ambitious project to tell the story of Chesterfield's history from Roman times to present day. It took two years – but a mere £500 – to make 'The Inspiring Tale'.

Mr Paulson said: "Without doubt, the successful completion of this film was a highlight of the club's recent history. It certainly made people sit up and take notice that our club exists and is capable of work of the highest standard."

'The Inspiring Tale' is a three-part piece, which includes sections about Chesterfield's industry, transport and social scene. Over 300 copies of the film were bought by members of the public.

Mr Paulson said members were honoured to be asked to record the visits of Princess Margaret in 1963 and Prince Edward in 2005, who was in town to open the newly refurbished Queen's Park.

He added "To be allowed to do a royal visit is quite something – very prestigious occasions."

Other highlights included filming a visit to Chesterfield by a delegation from twin town Darmstadt, Germany, in 1960; the last Derbyshire County Show in 1959; and the freedom of the borough parade of the Sherwood Forresters in 2002.

Copies of Chesterfield Film Makers movies can be obtained at Chesterfield Library.

The club meets at Walton Village Centre on Tuesdays at 7.45pm and is keen to meet budding film-makers. For more information email david.odale@btinternet.com.