This film was made by John Scorer who was born in 1931 in the Willington Quay area and spent most of his life in the parish of Cullercoats on the North East coast where he lived with his mother. A scholarly gentleman who was well-loved by those who knew him, John taught RE at Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay but had many hobbies and interests, film making included. John had a passion for historical costume which he enjoyed sharing with others by staging exhibitions in unlikely...

This film was made by John Scorer who was born in 1931 in the Willington Quay area and spent most of his life in the parish of Cullercoats on the North East coast where he lived with his mother. A scholarly gentleman who was well-loved by those who knew him, John taught RE at Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay but had many hobbies and interests, film making included. John had a passion for historical costume which he enjoyed sharing with others by staging exhibitions in unlikely venues such as Killhope lead mining museum and at his local Womens Institute. As well as collecting costume, John was also an avid sewer and often took apart the costumes in order that he could recreate them for local dramatics groups. John had a love of the outdoors and along with his mother would spend the entire summer holidays in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, taking a taxi there and back each year. John was a very modest filmmaker and did not seek recognition for the films he made, but they provide a fascinating insight into one man’s personal interests and work. This film captures one of his many trips to Reeth in Swaledale. John passed away on 11 January 2018 aged 87 years. (1)

The introduction of 16mm film in 1923 opened up the world of filmmaking for the first time to non-professionals and was popular for non-theatrical productions (for instance, industrial and educational films). Eastman Kodak first developed this film format and pioneered accessible and affordable film technology during the early 20th century. Kodak had vastly improved the safety of its products too, with new-fire resistant acetate rolls of film meaning that amateur filmmakers could enjoy a cigarette whilst projecting their home movies without fear of causing an inferno.

By the mid-1930s, a German observer estimated that the British amateur cine scene had around 250,000 hobby filmmakers and about 3000 to 4000 of those people was a member of an amateur cine club; the home movie craze had taken hold of Britain. By 1965, amateur film equipment had become increasingly smaller, lighter, cheaper and easier to use, leading to increased popularity of home movie making and screening.

Built on a dolerite outcrop on the north eastern coastline, Bamburgh Castle spans 9 acres and its high position makes it a strong defensive point. During the Anglo-Saxon period, Bamburgh was cited as being probably the most important place in England. Today, Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country, attracting visitors from all over the world. The area of Bamburgh grew in size and importance during the early medieval period (411-1066), but it was the arrival of the Normans which sparked the construction of the Castle which is the core of the present remains. Following the War of the Roses, the ruins were gifted to the Foster family by James I and the Castle was then acquired first by Lord Crewe, then finally the First Lord Armstrong. Armstrong completed all restoration during the 19th century and is responsible for the longevity of the Castle. Bamburgh Castle became the Armstrong family home and it is still owned by the Armstrong family today. They opened it up to visitors in the mid-1900s.

In the distance the children are seen observing the Farne Islands, a group of 15-20 islands off the Northumberland coastline, depending on the tide. The earliest recorded inhabitants of the Farne Islands were various Culdees, some having connections to Lindisfarne or ‘Holy Island.’ These settlers followed the Celtic Christian tradition of island hermitages and they were used this way intermittently from the seventh century. The Islands were first recorded in 651 when they were inhabited by Saint Aidan, then by Saint Cuthbert. The last hermit to live on the Islands was Thomas De Melsonby, who died there in 1246. In 1894 the islands were bought by Armstrong, but are currently owned by the National Trust.

The Farne Islands are heavily associated with the story of local lass Grace Darling, daughter of the Longstone lighthouse-keeper, one of the islands' lighthouses. On 7 September 1838, at the age of 22 years, Grace and her father William rescued 9 people from the wreckage of the 'Forfarshire' in poor weather conditions. The rescue story attracted attention across Britain making Grace a heroine who has gone down in British folklore. The film captures a shepherd leading a small flock of sheep past the Grace Darling Museum down Radcliffe Road in Bamburgh village. The Museum commemorates the life of Grace and guides you through her upbringing and life in the lighthouse and the events of the rescue.

Elsewhere in the village, the school children visit St Aidan’s Church. Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne was an Irish monk who restored Christianity to Northumbria. He founded a monastic cathedral on Lindisfarne, now known as Lindisfarne Priory, and served as its first bishop. Aidan, known for his strict asceticism, travelled across Northumbria, spreading the gospel to both nobility and the disenfranchised. According to Bede, Aidan built a wooden church outside Bamburgh castle walls in 635, and it is here he reportedly died in 651. The present day church dates from the late 12th century, however a wooden beam preserved inside the church is said to be where Aidan rested as he died. Aidan was buried in the Priory grounds at Lindisfarne where a statue commemorates him. In the grounds of St Aidan’s Church, a memorial to Grace Darling sits, placed in such a way so that it can be seen by passing ships.