Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust moves to Chester House Estate with call for volunteers and county-based movie reels

NFAT has moved into a unit in the courtyard at Chester House with space for both a museum, currently open most Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a separate maintenance workshop area.

Trustee Pete Austin, son-in-law of founder John Earl of Wellingborough, said: “It has come a long way from its humble beginning in John’s garden shed. It is a shame he is not here to see it as this was his dream - to have his collection on show to the public.”

The collection has grown considerably since the foundation of the trust in 1985, though Mr Earl had been interested in filming for many years.

He started the Northamptonshire 9.5 Group (the original name) after rescuing a film – amateur cine film footage – from going to the tip. He realised if this had been lost, all the social history it contained would be gone forever.

The collection now has around 5,000 reels of film and possibly the largest collection of home movie projectors and cameras on display in England.

Mr Austin said: “We are now looking for more people to join us and keep the trust running. This building has given us the room to invite people in to join us in maintaining our equipment, cataloguing the films and other essential processes.

"We are offering the opportunity for anyone looking for work experience and we can run tailored courses for those who wish to gain certification for work purposes.”

The two-hour volunteer sessions, starting on January 29, will take place on the last Thursday of the month and run from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Volunteers can help maintain equipment, catalogue films and other essential processes.

Praising the initiative, Cllr Greg Wilcox, executive member for communities at North Northants Council, said: “This is a fantastic example of how working together can bring our shared history to life.

"The move to The Chester House Estate gives the Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust the space and visibility it deserves, while opening the door for more people to get involved.

"Volunteering here is not only about protecting our unique cine film heritage for future generations, but also about the benefits it brings to people themselves – from learning new skills and gaining experience, to making friendships and feeling part of something meaningful.

"Through opportunities like this, here at Chester House and at other sites across the area such as Corby Heritage Centre, we are helping more residents discover and connect with Northamptonshire’s story, both past and present.”

In addition to still collecting cine film, the trust wants to create a Northamptonshire on Film archive of the future.

Fellow trustee Toni Ellison said: “People go round shooting film on their mobile phones all the time and post it on social media platforms where it is seen for a short time and then it gets lost.

"We would like people to send us clips, no longer than two minutes, of unusual events, special occasions and even major changes on the High Street so we can compile an annual account of life in the county. We are only too aware that what we see today is tomorrow’s history.”

Visit the Northamptonshire Film Archive Trust at Chester House Estate. Volunteers should email [email protected].

For further information about the NFAT or to submit a film clip, contact [email protected].