Frome Family History Group welcomed Alan Campbell from Frome Film and Video Club to their October meeting.
The group said, “Alan showed us six films of Frome and Somerset. We started with the removal of Charlie Robbins statue from outside Tyco in Handlemaker Road where it had been for many years, to the present position outside the Memorial Theatre.
“Charlie Robbins was a World War One soldier from Frome who modelled for several statues made by JW Singer to represent soldiers of the Great War. The next film was about the restoration of Rook Lane Chapel followed by a short pre-war film by Humphry Barnes’ family on the Frome Carnival.
“The bridges and tunnels walks undertaken by the Frome Society for Local History each year for the Frome Festival were filmed by Alan and included a fascinating view of the tunnels under the bridges which date back to the fifteenth century. An old film of a fashion show from 1938 followed and finally a humorous little film about gladding in Watchet. Dating from 1969, this film showed the tradition of catching conger eels with dogs, now no longer practised.
“Alan was thanked for a most interesting evening.
“Our regular family history advice session continues on the first Saturday in the month in the library. Please book a place with the library staff as these sessions are very popular.
“Our next event is on Tuesday November 26th where family historians will be invited to bring along an heirloom and describe it to the audience.”
