FENLAND history is featured in new DVDs which see Cambridgeshire come back to life as a series of offerings from the East Anglian Film Archive. The DVDs tell the story of life in Cambridgeshire through a half century of change, including archive footage o

FENLAND history is featured in new DVDs which see Cambridgeshire come back to life as a series of offerings from the East Anglian Film Archive.

The DVDs tell the story of life in Cambridgeshire through a half century of change, including archive footage of street scenes in Cambridge, Ely and Wisbech through the years, the life of the Fenland marshmen in the 1940s and Papworth Hospital in the 1930s.

The series of DVD titles, made using rare footage from the East Anglian Film Archive, were released due to demand from the public - and are launched in Cambridgeshire with two brand new titles, Memories of Cambridgeshire and the Fens: Part 1 and Part 2. The films take us on a journey through bygone days in the county from 1916 through to the 1960s

Andrew Gray, Managing Director of Independent Studios said: "These DVDs are a first for Cambridgeshire. Until now, people have only been able to see the county's past in photographs. Now we can all watch, on film, previous generations before us going about their daily lives in the places we know.

"The DVDs are the nearest we will get to time travel - a chance to look back at a chapter of East Anglian life that has gone forever."

The other titles in the range include The Home Front: East Anglia at War; Floods of East Anglia 1912-1953; Working the Land: Farm Life in East Anglia, Ghosts of East Anglia and for railway enthusiasts, Railways of East Anglia, The Lost Railways of East Anglia and East Anglia's Steam Years.

The story of how womens' lives have changed in the region in the 20th century is shown in Women in East Anglia: Wartime Lives and its' follow up, Women in East Anglia: Working Lives.

Memories of Cambridgeshire and the Fens: Part 1 and Part 2 includes rarely seen footage of towns and villages all across the county including a look at university life in 1950s Cambridge, and workers at the Chivers jam factory in Histon. The earliest piece of film shown is now approaching 100 years old and this, like the other footage, would have been lost without careful preservation from film archivists.

"Over time, film will deteriorate, unless it is kept under very carefully controlled conditions" says Director of the East Anglian Film Archive, Richard Taylor. "Our archive has the equipment and expertise to preserve this film for generations to come.

"The public don't often get to see the gems from decades past stored here, so we are delighted to be able to share our local history on film with the wider community. These DVDs mean everyone has the chance to see what life was like through the years, by watching film shot by professionals and amateurs from all over the East of England."

"These unique DVDs make a lovely gift for friends and family, the range includes something to suit everyone's interests."

The East Anglian Film Archive DVDs cost £9.99 each from HMV and other selected retailers across Cambridgeshire or online at www.archivefilmshop.co.uk.