FORGOTTEN films from West Dorset’s past will be shown in Bridport later this month.

Historian Trevor Bailey has put together a special show, which includes old footage of Bridport’s past rope and net industry, Bridport railway just before it closed in the 1960s and the Bridport Pageant of 1953 when Princess Margaret came to town for the opening performance.

Bridport Through the Ages had eight episodes, 1,300 performers and six performances – even though Bridport was only a small town of about 6,200 residents at the time.

In 1953 the Bridport News reported that Princess Margaret’s final words when she left the mayor were: "Please thank everybody for the wonderful welcome given to me.

"I congratulate all who took part in the pageant.”

These thoughts were reinforced in a letter sent by the Princess’ lady-in-waiting to the mayor after the pageant.

Mr Bailey, from Windrose Rural Media Trust, believes it is important to preserve old footage of local life.

He said: “This is people’s history come to life.

“We are showing a wide variety of films from the Bridport area and other parts of Dorset.

“One of Windrose’s enduring missions is to save and copy old cine film of local life, so that we can see the past of our own villages, towns and countryside in the most vivid way possible.

“Our archive is now very large, including films dating from 1903 onwards, and our shows have attracted audiences of many thousands.”

The film show at Bridport Electric Palace will also feature Symondsbury in the 1930s, old footage of West Bay, Palmers Brewery’s sign writer George Biles and old favourites Charlie Wills, the 93-year-old traditional singer from Morcombelake, and the cider makers from Shave Cross.

Windrose is a registered charity that uses the media, through television, video, radio and archive film to showcase footage to rural communities in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

In its 31-year history, Windrose has created a huge range of projects, from media training bringing young and old together to an online radio station for family farms and commissions for new music and poetry to accompany films.

The performance will take place on Friday, November 20 at 7.30pm. For details visit electricpalace.org.uk