Dope, Rope & Hope at Bridport Arts Centre

Dope, Rope and Hope: A Cine Film Celebration | 90 years of Bridport art, culture and community

ARCHIVE FILM SHOW by WINDROSE RURAL MEDIA TRUST

Specially curated for Bridport24 Town of Culture ‘Dope, Rope and Hope: A Cine Film Celebration’ illustrates how the town has long been a hotspot for art and culture.

Offering the audience a rare glimpse of filmic treasures spanning 90 years, the changes across the area and previously unseen footage Windrose founder Trevor Bailey commented, ‘The selected films show how Bridport has always had a strong focus on people, place and culture.’ He will be presenting the show alongside local writer Margery Hookings, a former editor of The Bridport News who now works for Windrose as a freelance project leader.

‘There is some terrific footage, including the Bridport Pageant of 1953, the town’s pram derby and the 1930s melodrama, Dope Under Thorncombe, by amateur filmmaker Frank Trevett, along with more modern films made by Windrose capturing the people and scenes from this special corner of Dorset. ‘It will chime with people who have lived here all their lives, as well appealing to newer residents who have chosen to make their home here. Bridport and West Dorset may have changed over the years but that spirit of creativity remains the same.

Dope Under Thorncombe included members of the Trevett family, including the late Rex Trevett, who, as head of music at Colfox School and leader of the Bridport Big Band, was such an inspiration to young people and played such a big part in forging the town’s musical legacy.