The County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “At a time when many are staying at home, Wessex Film and Sound Archive has curated a fantastic, free collection of local film footage, revealing how residents lived their lives across the last century.

“Among these are clips made available to help those living with dementia, as we know that interaction with film, photographs, treasured objects and favourite songs can all help stimulate fond thoughts of the past, and allow individuals to recall their own histories. Now everyone can enjoy them from the comfort of their own home through their computers, tablets and smart phones.”

Starting from 2 April 2020, film clips will shared at 9am daily via the Archive’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/WessexFilmArchive and also on the Hampshire Record Office Facebook page and @HantsArchives Twitter feed. Clips, many of which have not been seen publicly before, include:

1920s beach outings to Milford-On-Sea, complete with cloche hats and drop waisted dresses

New Forest scenes in the 1920s – Bolton’s Bench and Rufus Stone

Saints playing at the Dell in colour back in the 1930s

Aldershot Military Show in the 1960s

Councillor Woodward continued: “While Hampshire Record Office is currently closed during the coronavirus outbreak, we are striving to make sure that residents and visitors can still access the brilliant material we have on Hampshire’s heritage and history. I would encourage everyone to follow ‘100 Days of Film’ – it’s a remarkable project which, even though many of us are physically apart, connects all of us online in an exciting new way.”

Wessex Film and Sound Archive is keen to add to its cataloguing – so if people notice something that is not captured in the description, please leave a comment on the post itself and records will be updated.