River Ride [Edited Version]

The railway line between Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea, Essex explored by amateur film maker Chib Thorp.

An amateur “Home Exhibitors Certificate” opens the film, signed by E.B. Thorp, declaring that “the film is considered by us to be suitable for exhibition to all types of audiences”. The film has a commentary, but in this edited version, the music which is copyright has been omitted. The film opens with scenes at Wivenhoe station and the junction for the Brightlingsea line. Men working on the tracks stand aside for the Clacton to Liverpool Street train and a quick cigarette. Chib Thorp explains that the service from Brightlingsea to Wivenhoe is here extended to Colchester. A train departs. Bob Smith is seen repainting the white lines on the platform edges. Waterside scenes of Wivenhoe. Exterior views of the station and the Station Hotel. A notice announces the proposed withdrawal of railway passenger services between Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea, with objections to be made before 6 September 1963, More exteriors of station and waterside as Chib Thorp’s collie dog Micky runs around. Posters for the Norfolk Broads and West Highland line. Large sign Wivenhoe Junction for Brightlingsea. On the train we are introduced to Driver Churcher in the cab. Scenes of gardens alongside the railway line and passing trains. Scenes of the changing landscape from the train including a ballast quay, small sailing boats on the River Colne and distant view of Alresford Grange. Guard / conductor Charlie Proctor collects fares. Scenes of the railway bridge at Alresford Creek and sand and ballast works. A group enjoying a picnic beside the line. Micky the dog explores. Shots of the force of water around the bridge supports. Views from a train crossing the bridge and continuing the journey along the river estuary. We are introduced to guard Ferdinando who says he is English in spite of his name. Beach huts and caravans are seen on the approach to Brightlingsea where the train arrives at the station. Scenes of guard Charlie Proctor and porter Shute who gives a slow smile. Chib’s wife Edna and their dog wait in the car. Another train arrives, and a man in a white coat dons the white bag containing copies of the Evening Standard to sell. Posters advertise Southend-on-Sea, Felixstowe and the Curry-India restaurant at Colchester. More shots of driver Churcher, guard Charlie Proctor and porter George Gould, and playful scenes with Edna and Micky the dog. The camera provides a tour of the station surroundings looking rather dilapidated and neglected, including old trucks and waggons loaded with sacks. Driver Kettle is seen as the train departs.

Additional Description

Keywords: Railway tracks; Railway workers; Railway journeys; Railway stations; Train services; Beeching Plan

Places: Wivenhoe, Essex; Brightlingsea, Essex

Edward Thorp (E.B. Thorp known as ‘Chib’) an undertaker from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex spent his weekends throughout the year visiting the rural railway lines in East Anglia and beyond with wife Edna and their dog Micky. Chib always took along his 8mm camera, a good supply of Kodachrome film, and a tape recorder, to document their trips. Chib would edit the film himself at home, have a magnetic stripe added to the film, and on his Kodak projector, which had a recording facility, he would record a commentary. Music was also added to the sound track, and has been removed from this edited version of the film for copyright reasons.

Intertitles

An amateur “Home Exhibitors Certificate” opens the film, signed by E.B. Thorp, declaring that “the film is considered by us to be suitable for exhibition to all types of audiences”. Colne Valley Pictures present River Ride Copyright 1963