December 1986
A new video film documenting much of Warminster’s history from bronze-age times to the present day goes on general sale to the public this weekend.
The film, which is titled A Video Profile on Warminster has been produced by Video Pictures, who are based in the town, and marks their biggest venture to date into making specialist feature films.
The completed video has a running time of approximately 55 minutes and represents only a fraction of the thousands of feet of film the company shot on location in Warminster and elsewhere during the summer months.
It is narrated by Jane White and the script was researched and written by Warminster historian Danny Howell. Lighting was masterminded by Amanda Chaunt and the film was directed by Bridget Penny who runs Video Pictures with her husband Eric.
Bridget and Eric established the company in 1982 and have been involved with recording private functions such as weddings and making promotional films for industry. Earlier this year they produced successful video films of the Warminster Fire Brigade Centenary Celebrations, and the Warminster and District Community Play “Imber”.
Although they will still be concentrating on filming private functions and events, they now hope to follow up the “Warminster Profile’ with similar films on other towns in Wiltshire and Somerset.
“A Video Profile on Warminster’ commences by taking a look at some of the hills and earthworks around Warminster where early man once lived, before taking viewers on a guided tour of many of the town’s curiosities and buildings, beginning with the Parish Church of St. Denys, The Minster. It was probably at a spot near where the Church now stands that the first urban settlement of Warminster, or Worgemynster as it was recorded at the end of the 9th century, began in mid Saxon times.
En route, narrator Jane White meets the Curator of Warminster’s Dewey Museum, who explains the role of the Museum and describes some of the displays therein; and Mr. Mayhew at Devizes Museum, who takes great delight in showing one of Warminster’s more gruesome relics – the mummified arm of George Carpenter, who was hung for murder at Warminster in 1813.
On a lighter note, viewers are also told and demonstrated by Mr. Roderick McAdams and Mr. Stuart Monard how the game of “Fives’ has been played at Warminster School since the late 18th century.
The film also incorporates many old pictures of the town, blended in with today’s modern scenes to give a “then and now’ look at many of Warminster’s buildings and streets. The film also highlights much of Warminster’s past prosperity as a corn market, for which it achieved great fame for several centuries; as well as the cloth trade and malting industries. It also includes a few glimpses of some of the town’s former residents who contributed much to the community’s way of life.
The film received its premier at the December meeting of the Warminster History Society, earlier this month, when it was thoroughly enjoyed by those who saw it. It certainly is worthwhile to own a copy of your own, as it is ideal for entertaining family and friends. And of course, the joy with video is that you can stop it and watch your favourite scenes over and over again, whenever you wish.