Cinematic history

ST JAMES' Church youth club was no ordinary youth centre.
It became the birth place for an organisation that turned the film culture of Southport upside down.
Ashby Ball said it all began in 1949.
"I suggested that we make a short film, set in the youth centre and everyone agreed to give it ago."
The film, entitled St. James' Junior Jumbles, was a success with the church youth club, and it was from there that the organisation grew.
For its first 30 years it was known as the St. James' Film Society.
Fame came early when the group were asked to make a recruiting film for blood donors, which was judged to be one of the top 10 amateur films of 1951.
The society also made films about the flower show, viewed by horticultural societies all over the country.
It went onto to receive national interest and BBC wartime newsreader, Alvar lidell, even did the commentary for a publicity film for Southport Corporation which was made by the group.
Interest in the society started coming from outside the church as more and more members joined.
Ashby said: "It started off with just members from the church youth club, but then we started getting members joining from all over."

The society changed its name to Southport Cine & Video Society, later becoming Southport MovieMakers.
In the 1980s and 1990s the group made eight short films highlighting places of interest in Southport thanks to funding support from Sefton Cultural Fund.
The society recently celebrated its 60th birthday with an anniversary dinner.
Last autumn an Open Evening brought an influx of new members.

The Society continues to welcome anyone who is interested in any aspect of filmmaking, whether or not they are camcorder owners.
All are invited to contact Ashby Ball on 01704 567778 or call in at the weekly Thursday evening meetings at St. James' Church Hall, Lulworth Road, Birkdale.