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Film-making friends rewind years to put village on map
Three pals who wanted to delve into the history of north Derbyshirevillages got behind the camera to put their findings on the small screen.
Paul Burdett, Geoff Wheatley and Robert Hantke teamed up to make The Derbyshire Diaries – a series of dvds about Eckington and Renishaw.
They hope the films will put the area on the map with copies already having been sold as far afield as Canada and the USA.
Derbyshire Times reporter Jennifer Ivers sat back for a viewing and spoke to the film-makers about their plans for future
projects...
An ex-miner who found his "dream job" as a film-maker teamed up with two pals – an engineer and a painter and decorator – to make a series of dvds about their village.
Paul Burdett (43) turned professional around five years ago having practised photography and film-making as a hobby for 20 years.
He started off covering weddings and other family occasions before joining forces with fellow Eckington residents Geoff Wheatley (31) and Robert Hantke (27) to form their own production company, Compress Media.
The trio set to work on a series of dvds about Eckington and Renishaw, The Derbyshire Diaries.
Paul, who lives on Southgate, said: "I'd been thinking of delving into the history of Eckington, where I was born and raised, and other people I mentioned it to thought it was a good idea."
The crew gathered material on the village's history from Eckington Library and Eckington Historical Society, and obtained archive images from residents.
They gained permission from Eckington Church, Eckington Parish Council and the Sitwells, who own Renishaw Hall, to film key areas of the village.
First film
And with Robert, the painter and decorator, behind the camera, engineer Geoff producing the story boards and narrating the scripts, and Paul in charge of directing and editing, the first film was made.
A Picture of Eckington, which charts the history of the village, went on to sell around 700 copies with orders coming in from as far afield as Canada and America.
And its success encouraged the film-makers to produce a second dvd, Aspects of Eckington, which was released just before Christmas – and has already hit the 500 sales mark.
Geoff, who also lives on Southgate and helps to make the films in his spare time, said: "We were very surprised by how they were received. The feedback was phenomenal."
Paul added: "We couldn't have made the films without the support of local people. The best thing for me is when they say to you that they really enjoyed it and ask if you're making any more."
And indeed they did. The third Derbyshire Diaries film, Navvies, Bucket Bangers and Miners: The Story of Renishaw is about the industrial heritage of Eckington's neighbouring village which has so far sold 600 copies.
Each of the films combine still archive images dating back to the 1800s with recent footage, and provide information and stories through commentary and interviews.
For A Picture of Eckington the talents of local amateur dramatics company, Eckington City Players, were enlisted to re-enact the sad tale of a local hero who died trying to save three children who had fallen through an iced-over lake in 1895.
Geoff said: "There's a lot of stories out there in north east Derbyshire to tell. It's a nice opportunity to put Eckington and Renishaw on the map, and we'd like to do the same for Chesterfield in the future.
"Without meeting Paul I would never have had this opportunity to look into the history of where I'm living. It's very interesting."
The next projects in the pipeline are commemorative dvds to mark the 25th anniversary of the miners' strike and the centenary of Renishaw Golf Course.
Paul, who worked at Renishaw Park Colliery for seven years before it closed, said: "A lot of youngsters today will not remember the mines and the film will give them a bit of an insight about the collieries where their dads and grandads worked, and show how things have changed in the past 25 years."
Compress Media are appealing for pictures and stories from former miners. Contact Paul on 07787 877635 or by email paul@compressmedia.com.SPOTLIGHT ON TRIUMPHS, TRAGEDIES AND CURIOSITIES
A Picture of Eckington tells the story of the village's history from settlement in around 800AD through to recent events including the summer floods of 2007.
The building of the church and development of Renishaw Hall are explained through a mixture of still archive images, modern footage, commentary and interviews.
Geoff Wheatley said: ''It shows Eckington's journey from medieval manor to modern town,'' adding "A Picture of Eckington sets out to shine a light on the town's great history and put Eckington firmly on the map."
Amateur dramatics group Eckington City Players bring to life the story – from 1895 – of local hero Alfred Williamson. The 24-year-old colliery enginemen tried in vain to save three children who fell into an iced-over lake, which broke while they were playing on it. Sadly, all four drowned.
A Picture of Eckington also features footage from the village's Remembrance Parade and scenes of the war memorial from 2007.
Aspects of Eckington is a pictorial look at how the village has changed over the centuries, and features a few spooky tales from its history.
Among them is the legend of when the devil came to town in the 1590s. A church parish booklet carried a report of when the minister arrived at a service behaving very erractically and after calling for the assistance of two wardens, struck them both down.
One member of the congregation passed out in shock and it was widely believed the minister had been possessed by the devil.
Geoff said: "The story of Eckington is rich in history, tragedy and curiosity. Even people who have lived in the town for 60 years probably don't know all the stories and strange goings- on."
Old black and white images of Eckington's major landmarks and streets merge into present-day colour pictures of the same scenes, illustrating the changing face of the village. And aerial shots fit the pieces together.
Navvies, Bucket Bangers and Miners: The Story of Renishaw Village
As the title suggests, this film about Eckington's neighbour Renishaw focuses on its industrial heritage.
Scenes of the iron works, Renishaw Park Colliery, the extension of Chesterfield Canal and development of the Midland Railway and Great Central Railway highlight the village's contribution to the Industrial Revolution.
Geoff said: "The film is an overview of Renishaw's successful past, starting with the first iron works around 1,000 years ago.
"Today, with industry lost, the film looks at what Renishaw has to be proud of and what the future may hold."
Navvies, Bucket Bangers and Miners also showcases Renishaw Hall and owners the Sitwell family as well as images of the 2007 floods at Renishaw Golf Course.
*The dvds are available for 9.99 from local Morrisons stores and online at www.compressmedia.com
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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