Wednesday night is film night with Rusland Horizons! On Wednesday 22nd February we will be holding our first film night at Outback Hall (Backbarrow) showing three fabulous films:
- Old English Crafts; Charcoal Burning
- Coppice management and charcoal making with the late Bill Hogarth
- Woodland Pioneers, a film by BHMAT (Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust)
Here’s a quick overview of the films:
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Swallows and Amazons, the film made mostly in Cumbria. The ever popular book and film both reference charcoal burners. The burn for the film was carried out by local residents of the Rusland Valley, Jack and Bill Allonby.
The 30 minute film, Old English Crafts, featuring Jack Allonby was made at a similar time by Mike Dow. The film, which has thankfully been kept safe by North West Film Archive, shows Jack performing another charcoal earth-burn at the same location in Glass Knott Wood.
21 years after the making of this charcoal film in 1994, Channel 4 showed a series called The Spirit of the Trees, featuring Bill Hogarth and Walter Lloyd, which talks about coppicing in the Rusland Valley.
Fast-forward another 22 years to 2016, when the Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust (BHMAT) commissioned a film of its Woodland Pioneers week which takes place at Chapel House Wood in Staveley-in-Cartmel. This short film looks at how the apprenticeship scheme has helped with the resurgence of interest in coppicing and the greenwood crafts.
Join us for a fascinating evening of films of the Rusland Valley, everyone is welcome.
Suitable for children aged 10 years and over if accompanied by an adult.
Doors will open at 6.45pm, films start at 7pm.
Don’t forget to bring your own drink and snacks to enjoy at our film night.
Booking is essential so please click below to reserve your place.
There will be a charge of £5 per person, payable on the night. This small charge is to cover costs, with any additional proceeds going directly to support Rusland Horizons Trust and future activities.