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It was a wet and stormy night in December when Surrey Border Film & Video Makers met for their annual competition. All ten entries were of an excellent standard making life difficult for the visiting judges who were from the nearby Sutton Video Makers. This year, as always, tapes of the competition entries had been sent some three weeks in advance for the judges to view.
A surprise non-winner was an excellent film by Dixie Dean giving the story of his father’s time during the first World War. This included some spectacular archival war film showing his father’s tank with its name clearly visible as it churned across the battle field.
An award for first-time winner was presented to Jack Pook who showed a fantastic record from a holiday which included time in the rain forests of Australia and a spectacular walkway up in the treetops.
Next was a winning entry by Sir Paul Holden called “Up the Junction”, a record of the club’s summer social. This had been held in the garden of a model train enthusiast who had designed and built his garden round a model railway. Trains, both steam and electric, with and without sound effects, ran around the garden as members spent the day relaxing. This video intertwined the themes of railways and partying to provide a unique and fascinating record of both. For this marvellous film Sir Paul gained a trophy for the best documentary as well as a cup for the best use of sound.
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Gillian Gatland, Jack Pook & Sir Paul Holden |
Last, but not least, was the entry by member Gillian Gatland. On holiday in Thailand she had been forced to stay indoors by monsoon rain. While most would have reached for a magazine to wile away the time, she reached for her camcorder and made a remarkable masterpiece. Her film was significantly enhanced by music written specially for her by a friend. She went away with five cups and trophies, a record for any club member in such a competition.
The club welcomes visitors when it meets in St. Martins Church Hall, Dene Lane, Lower Bourne, Farnham at 7.30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. The next meeting is on 5th January for a talk “Life in the background” by Norman Holden who has appeared in many films.
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