The North East - OUT OF THE PAST

Series

Series Name
Mining Review 20th Year

Issue

Issue No.
10
Date Released
Jun 1967
Stories in this Issue:
  1. 1Scotland - NOVA SCOTIA
  2. 2Surrey - CONVERSION
  3. 3The North East - OUT OF THE PAST
  4. 4Track Rod

Story

Story No. within this Issue
3 / 4
Summary
BFI synopsis: The Bowes Museum in County Durham, and its collection of local industrial antiquities.
NCB Commentary - John Barton is a lamp-room attendant at Eccles Mine in Backworth, Northumberland.
Ever since he can remember, John has been interested in the machinery, the buildings and tools which fashioned the rich history of North East England. John Barton records them on film, and rescues them when he can.
Gradually, these often beautiful objects are disappearing. When they can be rescued, they become collectors pieces.
But John Barton is not alone in his concern for the past of his part of England.
In the south-west corner of County Durham near Barnard Castle, stands the Bowes Museum. It was founded in the last century by John Bowes and his wife Josephine. The familly fortune was founded on coal, and the Bowes family built the Museum to house the treasures they amassed in their travels.
The mansion was built by a French architect, and there is strong French emphasis in much of the furnishings. The fireplace is of white porcelain. This desk belonged to Marie-Antoinette.
Frank Atkinson is Director of the Museum today - Durham County Council administer it. Atkinson’s great interest is in local industrial history. And side by side with the Goya and the El Greco he has created an unparalleled collection of local antiquities.
Here are preserved a 15th century oak truss from a hall in Yorkshire and a wooden horse drawn plough. Mining history is well documented, from a wooden shovel to the complete winding engine of 1800 from a disused mine, donated by the Coal Board.
There’s nothing new under the sun, as this 1880 spin dryer proves. The cheese press is rather earlier.
Frank Atkinson believes in preserving from the past what is typical - be it good or bad - and he has a veritable jackdaw’s collection of stuff, some of it donated by John Barton.
With John Barton is 83-year old Mrs. Bella Davidson, whose late husband was a winding-man at the same mine Barton works at.
Mrs. Davidson recognises the long disused Hartley mine, from where John Barton has rescued this old miner’s pick.
Some of John Barton’s favourite pieces have been given modern uses in their new lease of life. A Victorian commode doubles today as, a cocktail cabinet. That’s one piece that’s not going to the Bowes Museum, says John. It goes without saying that the Museum won’t get Mrs. Barton - nor Mrs. Davidson either.
Keywords
Buildings and structures; History and archaeology
Locations
England; County Durham
Written sources
British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Viewing Copy - bfi screenonline
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963
BFI Screenonline synopsis   ID No.1233419
Credits:
Sponsor
National Coal Board
Production Co.
National Coal Board Film Unit

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