BRIDGWATER 1985

About this film... I decided that I wanted film around Bridgwater town centre as I had lived here all my life. So in the summer of 1985 my friend, Andrew Legg and I took the whole day out and filmed around town. The camera was a Haliena auto focus super8 mm and was silent so no sound at all was captured. We shot 2 50ft reels, for those who are not in the know it equals to aprox 7 minutes running time and was about £5 a film then!
This was the first telecine that I did with the system I have built It is flickery in parts as I didn’t have the capture trigger synced to the shutter correctly. It was captured frame by frame which gave me a running speed of 25 fps. I then converted it to the correct running speed 18fps as originally shot in camera by my software known as cinecap.
What you see here is a posting heavily compressed and watermarked. All the sound work is post production and to be honest with you thrown together. This is my private home movie but you are welcome to view it and comment.

[@lesbrewer3105]

Bridgwater was once a very busy active town of which I was born and grew up in. Sadly now due to people either buying online or using the outer stores shops like the ones we see in this film has closed. I glad that this chap went out in the summer of 1985 to capture these wonderful moments of time for us all to treasure for many years to come.

[@super8sooty]

I agree. I wish I had filmed a lot more things like this, such as family and friends. When loved ones are gone, they are gone all but memories.

[@vauxhallvictor]

Hi Robin, Great scenes from a bygone Bridgwater back in 1985, I can't believe how many shops have disappeared in those past few years. I too am a fan of the cine era. I now have two Tobin Tele-cine machines myself, they are excellent for transferring 8mm and super 8 films.Thanks for sharing some great memories. Julian Bishop

[@daveelliott5855]

Doesn't seem that long ago 35 years, the year I finished school at Blake, loved the senses at the train station, much has changed and much had not. Wonderful to watch. Thank you

[@camillaw9033]

The fact that that school is still a thing loll

[@stringstrummer25]

Fantastic to see the town as it was when i was 4 years old. Looks so bustling and friendly :-). Excellent film, thanks for uploading.

[@eastvillepark6037]

Halina very underated but very good quality out performing a lot of other cameras

[@super8sooty]

You can pick up the particular camera on ebay for about a fiver these days, it was very simple model. Back then, super 8mm was about £5 a film, now it's closer to £50 for the negative Vision stock, which can not be projected any way. For this film, we used 2 50ft reels, each only lasting just over 3 minutes. Filming wasn't cheap back then like it is now with phones etc.

[@alexluckes6563]

fantastic forward thinking great post

[@peterkearle7773]

Brought back many happy memories, Thank you for posting this.on here.

[@jackbridges_]

Great video

[@emergencyresponsemaintenan4339]

very nice film, shows that Bridgwater has changed, but retained key elements recognisable over time. Sound edit a nice touch too

[@theresastrange6388]

Robin, I am friend's with Andrew's sister, Sarah and I can remember you both making films. Lovely to see their Dad, Les, on his bike in this!

[@super8sooty]

Yes thank you, we made quite a few and you were in some of them. Yes that was Less on the bike and also if you look at the station... Andrew’s granddad is seen as the station master on his last day before retainment. Im afraid that Andy and I fell out so I am not speaking to him but can you tell Brenda that I lost my dad last Tuesday. Give my love to Sarah. In the mean time watch my film; Hate Thy Neighbor.. Sarah, Tiger the cat and Brenda have star billing. X

[@swifttelevision3]

What a great film brought back many happy memories, thank you for posting this.

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

It is very enjoyable to be able to look back in time like this! Glad you made the film!

[@davidskeeterskeeter1835]

Pure gold ,! 👍👍

[@stylisticchic]

wonderful memories xx

[@BuKay_]

I’m just so surprised at how clean it is compared to now lol.

[@TheCaffeineRacer]

That's really interesting what a change

[@mickydowse1081]

love the video.

[@eastvillepark6037]

Was it shot with the halina that took 4 batteries ? They have better lenses then the later 2 batteries models

[@TheMacabreGamer]

Damn, it used to be so busy. Now it's so dead.

[@e575fho]

Nice one Robin !

[@ravidch]

Great film. Shame about the watermark!

[@lynnoyebo4407]

brilliant film

[@kerry1754]

I am sure that homeless and addict people were about but we dont see them on the streets , where were they ?

[@michaelsandford1015]

like the views of bridgwater 1985,I have subcribed to your channel

[@Endurorodzndubz]

Back when Bridgwater was English.

[@enjoyextracold]

jaysus man. only change is the cop shop has gone..nice vid. I was 20 at the time lol

[@jackhorsey1]

Got anymore

[@camillaw9033]

How klong have you lived in Bridgwater since you were born ? If so what year lol

[@super8sooty]

All my life

[@super8sooty]

1967 my fb is Robin Haggett

[@richardmulcahy9919]

I am guessing this was a Sunday in 1985

[@super8sooty]

No. If memory serves me correctly we filmed from very early, 5am till through the whole day. It was filmed in one day. It was a Saturday.

[@jordonCTS]

Did you film thease

[@super8sooty]

Yes I did

[@super8sooty]

My name is Robin Haggett, Ian on fb

[@TheHypernaught]

why put the water mark across the whole screen grrrr. great video apart from that

[@super8sooty]

I don’t know if you know about copyright but it can be a big issue these days in the internet world of copy and paste!

[@williamtomlinson994]

can't hardly see a difference !

[@GoonaTVhi]

Bridgewater has gotten worse lol

[@Impuritex]

Most of these people are probably dead

[@ajs41]

If you're talking about the pensioners on the video you're probably right.