The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Babysham's Shepton Mallet Theatre
A gift from Babysham founder Francis Showering, the Amulet theatre opens in Shepton Mallet
From the collection of:
Overview
A gift from Babysham founder Francis Showering, the Amulet theatre is at the heart of Shepton Mallet. The theatre complex originally called ‘The Centre’ was built in the early 70s. The town was extensively remodelled in a scheme financed entirely by the Showering family. Due to an allegedly Roman Chi Rho amulet found in the Fosse Lane excavations in the 1990s the theatre was renamed the Amulet in honour of the find.
The sparkling perry derived from cider and with its trademark fawn was a 20th century marketing phenomenon. “I’d love a Babysham” and “There’s a world of magic in a Babysham” enhanced the Showering brand and it is still popular. The theatre features in the BBC’s ‘Turn back time’ in 2010.
Related
Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music
News 1970 2 mins Silent Location: Shepton Mallet
Progressive gathering of festival goers hits the blues.
The Royal Bath and West Show The Royal Bath and West Show
News 1969 15 mins Location: Shepton Mallet
The show that celebrates the best of farming and rural life
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.