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The 'Hole In The Road' Tinsley Viaduct in the early 60's

Constructing the Tinsley Viaduct in the early 60's, destined to be an extremely busy stretch of the M1 motorway.

The 'Hole In The Road' in Sheffield in 1971.  Now the former shopping arcade has been filled in and the Supertrams ride over the top of it.

At Nova, we're deeply interested in preserving the history of the UK and the world.

Now we're in the new Millennium, it is very important that as much of our history that has been filmed is saved and stored.  Although there are many film and video archives with professionally-produced footage in them, little is stored of amateur film and video.

That's why we're constantly on the look out for old cine film.

In Doncaster, we set-up The Doncaster Film and Video Archive, with the specific aim to seek out old film and preserve it for future generations.  We had such a good response that last year we decided to collect as much material as possible on a variety of topics.

DF&VA logo

Speaking about the archive, the Head of Nova Productions, Andrew White said:

"There must be thousands of people throughout the UK and the world with loads of old cine films just lying around in a cupboard or in the loft.  We're asking people to have a search around at home and if they find anything at all to give us a call.  It doesn't matter whether they think it is useful, as it could well be the footage we were after.  Anyone contributes footage will get a professional copy of their films on videotape and a free copy of the video."

We're particularly interesting in...

  • Footage of Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and all towns in South Yorkshire.
  • Film of Doncaster Independent bus operators from the late 50's up to the 80's - including Felix, Leon, Blue Line, Reliance, Premier, Sevens, Blue Ensign and Rossie Motors
  • Any footage of towns and cities in the UK.
  • UK steam trains from the 40's onwards.
  • UK diesel/electric trains from the 50's onwards.
  • UK bus/trolleybus/trams from the 40's onwards.
  • UK cars throughout the years.
  • Footage of the UK shot by people visiting from abroad.
  • Any footage of transport in general - and particularly trains - across the world.

If you think you have any footage to contribute to our archive,
please E-mail with details, or phone us on (0870) 765 1094.

The Film and Videotape Library forms a large part of The Doncaster Film and Video Archive, run in conjunction with Doncaster's Library Service.  Nova's local archive holds footage of the Mayor of Doncaster's significant events since June 1995, including VJ Days and Remembrance Sundays.
Places that have significantly changed in the borough are documented BEFORE the change, and Nova has been careful to film places today that will soon be disappearing.
It also has a growing section of old cine film footage of Doncaster plus interviews with important local people.

Parts of The Doncaster Film and Video Archive and the Nova Film and Videotape Library are available to members of the public to view free of charge.  It is also available to broadcasters and programme makers to use in productions, for commercial and non-commercial applications.