Back in the early 80s in Minehead a friend of mine invested in a video camera. Video cameras at that time were very far and few between. The camera was the size of a small suitcase and had to shoulder mounted. Worse still was the recorder and battery pack (which was the size of another small suitcase but weighted like it was packed by my wife going on holiday). Now it’s all HD, and on your phone.
A few of us banded together to make our own sketch show as we had no idea what we were going to film. One bleak day we thought we would just drive around Minehead, not knowing what was best to film but just let it role for half an hour or so. I’m not sure of the year but we guessed it was about 1984 but since people have said to was a few year earlier.
Some of the big changes you’ll see is the old gasometers by the lifeboat station, that are now gone. There is also the bus station (where the coop now stands) and loads of those landmark shops. Enjoy a blast from the past and enjoy the video!
By Clive Smith
With Christopher Veale & Dave Crisp
