Kidderminster film from 1950s

11:26am Tuesday 15th July 2008

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CAN readers help a Kidderminster man identify Kidderminster footage on a 1950s film of the town?

We have posted the film on this website and would like anyone with information to get in touch with Dale Minaker by email at the address below.

Mr Minaker takes up the story of how the lost film came to light.

He says: “After the Second World War my Aunt Minnie married a radio operator from the US Army and moved from Kidderminster to Washington State.

“She came back to the UK many times to visit and on one occasion in approximately 1957 she brought her cine camera with her and shot some home movies. Parts of them was filmed in Kidderminster.

“Many years later she found these old films and had them transferred to VHS. She then sent a copy to her sister who still lived in Kidderminster (my Grandma Winifred Minaker who also married an American soldier!) “The footage at the beginning is of her and her brood on the boat nearing Southampton after four or five days at sea (no Easyjet then!).

“Obviously there is footage of her and family members now sadly long gone but there is also footage of interest to nostalgic Shuttle/Times & News readers, namely Gheluvelt Avenue (in particular No 8 Gheluvelt Avenue) and its junction with Hurcott Road.

“Of greater interest is an unknown town parade starting at St Mary’s Church well in advance of the ring road being built.

“Does anyone know the nature of this parade? I believe it may have been the “Whitsun Parade” but I am unsure.”

The footage, which is understandably a little cratchy, lasts for about four minutes and the Kidderminster part comes at the end.

If anyone can help, they can contact Mr Minaker by email at daleywhaley@tiscali.co.uk

He adds that if the footage is of any interest to Kidderminster Civic Society or the town’s forthcoming museum, he would also welcome contact by email.

Click here to watch the film.