Sutton Coldfield The Way We were

Using old cine-film of Sutton, combined with local news reports from the archives of the Sutton Coldfield News, this superb DVD paints a unique picture of life in the town in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

It shows a variety of events in Sutton Park, the foundation of Good Hope Hospital and many scenes from around the town. Some of the views have changed almost beyond recognition in the decades since the films were made and some are still familiar today, but all are equally fascinating.

The old shops, the fashions of the day and the mixture of vehicles on the road are all reminiscent of a bygone age. Much of Suttons extraordinary film archive focuses on the town during the second world war and the DVD includes a special feature on Sutton Coldfield at war. We see evacuation scenes when many children arrived from at risk areas, local civil defence volunteers dealing with an air raid, the Home Guard on manoeuvres in Sutton Park, the local WV’s doing their bit for the war effort, fund raising events in the town centre and the joyful VE day celebrations.

These old films make compelling viewing in themselves but we have also delved into the archives of the Sutton Coldfield News to provide first hand accounts of the events as they happened to present an absolutely fascinating record of life in Sutton in a remarkable period in its past. This film will bring memories flooding back for those who remember those times and intrigue those who don’t.

Running time 60 mins approx.