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A secret collection of films which has been hidden away for decades has been unexpectedly revealed as part of an art project in Maryport.

The reels were discovered after Cumbrian filmmaker John Hamlett was commissioned by Allerdale Borough Council to produce an oral history film capturing memories of Maryport’s town centre and shops in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. It is part of the Maryport Heritage Action Zone project, a £1.2 million scheme funded by Historic England to reinvigorate the town’s high street.

It was while John was interviewing local residents that one suddenly suggested he might like to take a look at some old family cine films, shot in the 1930s. At first glance, John realised he had discovered a glorious journey into West Cumbria’s past.

Showing the drama of Maryport’s coastline and the carnivals, shopping and family fun of the past, the films are a fabulous trip back in time. There are also films capturing the thrills and spills of a day out at Workington Speedway and the adrenaline-fuelled races at Braithwaite sports.

Working with the digital footage, John has now edited eight different short films that have been shared online on the council’s YouTube channel.

In addition, an hour-long edited oral-history heritage film will paint a vivid picture of Maryport’s past, illustrated with photographs, maps and old film. This will be available to view in the coming months.

Watch the films

Maryport Town Hall is part of the Heritage Action Zone programme whose aim is to revive and preserve buildings of key significance. The project's goal is to 

• Make visual improvements
• Improve accessibility 
• Improve internal functionality
• Create multi-user space
• Improve amenities
• Provide flexible workspaces and hot desks

Work is ongoing at the site and we hope to reopen it soon. The image shows a sketch of what the new entrance lobby will look like.

Maryport is welcoming back its second Taste Cumbria festival on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August 2022.

We brought a Taste of the Sea festival to the town for the first time last year and it was fantastic to see the streets packed with visitors. The harbourside also made the perfect location for a picnic area and festival bar.

Here’s a sample of the festival line-up – all of this is FREE to attend and ticketed events will be revealed closer to the time.

• Producers’ Market on Senhouse Street
• Outdoor picnic area with live music all weekend
• Cookery demonstrations with some great local chefs
• Hot food stalls
• Festival bar
• Fairground rides 
• Children’s activities with Rainbow Wishes Foundation

Trader pitches are still available for the Producers’ Market and hot food court. For more information, email ellie.jones@allerdale.gov.uk. Priority will be given to Allerdale and other Cumbrian producers but we welcome enquiries from other areas. To submit your application for this event, please click on the booking form here.

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Joanne Spencer | Project Manager

Joanne has a plethora of experience and has spent fifteen plus years mainly in the voluntary and community sector where she managed large scale, often complex development and regeneration projects.

Joanne now manages a number of projects in the Maryport Regeneration programme including the capital development works to restore Christ Church which will become the new home of Maryport Maritime Museum. She also works with the Maryport Arts and Heritage Partnership who are responsible for designing and delivering a programme of cultural activity celebrating the local character and heritage of Maryport’s Senhouse Street.

Joe Broomfield Senior Specialist – Capital Projects Manager

Joe is no stranger to Maryport as he previously managed Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative (MTHI). The scheme brought several empty buildings back into use including the Golden Lion Hotel

He now manages the following projects in the Regeneration Programme:

• Maryport Town Hall. Reconfiguration of the ground floor and external improvement works to the whole of the building.
• Maryport Residential Conversion grant Scheme (MRCS) – working with property owners to bring vacant first-floor or above properties back into use for residential purposes.
• Working in partnership with Cumbria County Council to oversee £1 million public realm enhancement scheme across various sites in Maryport.
• 1 Senhouse Street capital works – the Maritime Museum will move to Christ Church with 1 Senhouse Street being turned into an art gallery (this is in partnership with Joanne)
• Boardwalk project. Creating a formal, off-road pedestrian link between North Quay and Maryport promenade.

Jeremy Hewitson - Strategic Advisor Projects Maryport

Jeremy has previously worked in Housing Development & Enabling with Carlisle City Council & Eden District Council since 2004. He has initiated a number of successful Housing projects by delivering approximately 100 affordable homes and 60 Extra Care properties, including facilitating practical onsite training opportunities for local construction students. Jeremy has a wealth of extensive experience of managing countywide multi-agency strategic partnerships.

For the Maryport Regeneration project he will be playing a key role in monitoring and overseeing the overall programme, including directly managing the Empire Yard market project.