Dear all
In recent months the SoA newsletter has carried several pieces on the
use of original archival documents in TV programmes ('Timewatch',
'Meet the Ancestors' etc.), the rights and wrongs, good case studies
and bad. I have just had a meeting with two people (Producer and
Researcher) from Channel 4 who are making a programme on a couple who
want to have a traditional Victorian wedding. The programme will
show the wedding, but also by way of context will include the couple
researching traditional wedding customs of that time. This is where
the Centre's Blakeborough Collection comes in, containing as it does
notebooks recording wedding customs of the mid-nineteenth century.
The viewing of, and making copies of, selected sheets presented me
with no problems. It was when they asked if the couple, as part of
the programme, could be seen looking (and possibly handling) the
documents in a farmhouse in North Yorkshire that my heartbeat
increased. Letting any of the collection go from beyond the Centre
does worry me. I'd be interested to hear how other list members
would react. I have suggested the use of copies (Producer not too
keen), while part of me is attracted to the programme containing the
originals, with clear reference made to the importance of archives
and the proper care and handling of original documents (conspicuous
glove wearing, use of polyester sleeves etc.). In that sense good
publicity for our profession(?)
As a not-quite-qualified archivist suddenly feeling the weight of
responsibility on his shoulders, I'd appreciate your thoughts on this
matter. Thanks.
Robin Wiltshire
Archives Assistant
National Centre for English Cultural Tradition
University of Sheffield
Sheffield S10 2TN
Phone: 0114 2220195
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