Future Uncertain [Silent Version]

Amateur film maker Chib Thorp takes a train journey from King's Lynn to Hunstanton in Norfolk.

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 added later. Sometimes Chib Thorp added commentary and sound separately, but on this film the commentary is spoken over the music which is probably still in copyright. For this reason, this is an edited version in EAFA website without music and commentary. The film starts with trees in early summer flower. Exterior of King’s Lynn railway station. Posters for Julie Andrews in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the ABC Majestic Cinema, Great Yarmouth races August 1968, Doctor Dolittle at The Pilot Cinema and Reparata and the Delrons appearing at Heacham. A yellow Rail Freight lorry is seen reversing. Film of the journey and landscape from the moving train as it leaves King’s Lynn passing signal boxes, level crossings and bridges, and flowering chestnut trees. Brief glimpse of the train guard in the carriage. Scenes of the stations at North Wootton, Wolferton and Dersingham. Chib Thorp’s wife Edna and their dog Micky. Stop sign – “Press plunger. Wait for white light. Whistle before proceeding”. Views across flowering gorse. Snettisham station with train guard and passengers. Views of caravan sites. Heacham station, then more caravans on the approach to Hunstanton station. Train driver holding the single line key at the end of the line, Views of pier and promenade. Railwaymen talking on the platform. "The End" on purchased animation with revolving colours and stars. In his commentary, Chib Thorp mentions that the future of the King’s Lynn to Hunstanton line was uncertain in 1968. He says the line was served by “conductor / guards” and comments briefly on the lavish appearance of Wolferton Station, the empty signal box at Dersingham, a Monday washing line, the new automatic gates at level crossings, the caravans which he thinks spoil the landscape, the remains of the bend for the line to Norwich from Heacham, poor takings for the ticket collector, and Chib's own feeling that Hunstanton is a bleak place, which he says is fortunately not shared by everybody.

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”. C.V.P. Colne Valley Pictures present Future Uncertain copyright C.V.P. 1968 Produced by Chib Thorp

Additional Description

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.

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

Places: King’s Lynn, Norfolk; North Wootton, Norfolk; Wolferton. Norfolk; Dersingham, Norfolk; Snettisham, Norfolk; Heacham, Norfolk; Hunstanton, Norfolk