‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrows these gave their today.’
‘Tell them of us’
To mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War next year, we hope to make a film about a single war memorial, that of Thimbleby in Lincolnshire.
It was our aim to choose a small memorial to men that were unknown to us as every one of the men lost had a story worth telling. We were not looking for famous people or stories, for officers or decorated men; we wanted to tell the story of everyman. What we have found on our memorial was farm labourers, wagoners and gardeners, all with stories worth telling, and the genesis of a beautiful and moving film. We also discovered, through surviving letters and memoirs, the moving story of two brothers. We plan to tell the story from the home front and through the people left behind.
All profits from the sale of our DVDs will go towards the making of this film. We are also looking into other funding options.
We now have a Facebook page for the film – please head there and ‘Like’ for us – thank you! http://www.facebook.com/TellThemOfUs
Thimbleby Church, which houses the war memorial and beautiful stained glass window below, is in need of support too - click here for the Save Thimbleby Church web site.
Such a shame that the HLF is so short sighted.
I wonder whether it could worth raising funds through a kick starter project? – http://www.kickstarter.com/
Maybe also talk to the groups which support old soldiers, historical groups interested in the Great War etc.
Would be so sad to lose those voices.
7 February 2013 at 9:57 am
Yes, absolutely Bess – I am concerned that the HLF is being unclear about its change of policy to include Digital Media, or not applying it, so I have written a letter to Ed Vasey MP for clarification. We are community heritage-filmmakers putting in 50 to 100% of our time free in order to make a difference. Heritage is nothing without community and community is diminished without its heritage. I think that the HLF are short-sighted and misguided not to include digital video in their heritage funding.
And yes, we haven’t given up – the story is too important not to tell and Kickstarter is probably the way forward.
7 February 2013 at 10:17 am
This is a superb idea. Can we run a short feature about this on our blog and next Friends newsletter?
26 February 2013 at 1:16 pm
We would be delighted if you would and we are happy to supply some more information if you need it!
26 February 2013 at 2:25 pm
I reacently read in the raf coningsby bulliten magazine
That your looking for local people to be involved and was
Wondring if you could provide more info on this! Thank you x
8 May 2013 at 11:54 am
Hello Vicki, thanks for getting in touch. As you are aware we a hoping to make a film to mark the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 next year. We will tell the story from the home front and most of the filming will be done on location in and around Thimbleby. We are a community group consisting of a small committee and film crew and we build the community team we need for each new project. We are currently raising the money it will take to make the film and to run the associated workshops etc. We have opportunities for volunteers as film crew or extras (or even as key actors), we can offer work experience opportunities and even training. We hope to run period costume workshops for anyone who wants to learn a new skill, contribute to the film costume or even create their own costume to appear as an extra. There are opportunities for children too (though each under 18 must have their own chaperon). There will be photographic workshops and a chance to shadow professionals on set. We are also looking for a volunteer designer to do posters, DVD covers etc., set dresser, runners and costume assistant Does that cover your question?
8 May 2013 at 2:49 pm