Southampton commemorated its 100th anniversary with a special project that brought together humanities scholars, the BBC, the City Council, and the Harbour Lights Picture House.
The Parkes Institute, English, History, and material departments collaborated to prepare an afternoon screening of archive material featuring Southampton from the entirety of the 20th century. This was a BBC initiative to support A Reel History of Britain, Melvyn Bragg’s new television series.
Film of the floating bridge, trams trundling under the Bargate, the camp for child refugees from the Spanish civil war, the docks, the cruise ships, and the week-long celebrations for Elizabeth II’s coronation, among many other events and locations, evoked memories and emotions in nearly 100 members of the public.
In addition to archivist Sue Woolgar from Southampton City Council, a panel of Humanities experts James Jordan, Alicia Pozo-Gutierrez, Linda Williams, and Mike Hammond offered insightful commentary. The audience was invited to contribute their own memories to the video; one former docker recognised the faces of his coworkers. Mike and James selected and edited the film with the help of the archivists. Mike and a few audience members were also interviewed by Radio Solent.
Professor Ros King states, “It’s evident that the afternoon was a huge success because so many audience members left their contact details for follow-up events.” “We would also like to thank David Lee from Wessex Film and Sound Archives, Louise Scutts from Harbour Lights Picture House, who provided the ideal location, and Claire Reynolds and Roger Hammett from the BBC.”
Prof. Anne Curry, dean of the humanities, continues, “Cheers and appreciation to everyone who took part in the Reel History event. It was a superb illustration of outreach.
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