THE DORSET Archives Trust (DAT) is set to showcase a collection of archived material featuring Dorset from past times.

The films have been collected during the last 30 years and have now been put together for the long term preservation of the county’s history.

The collection itself has recently moved from its regular home in Bourton, North Dorset to the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester, where it will be kept in the centre’s strongrooms.

DAT was set up in 2009 as a charity to support the work of Dorset History Centre.

The history centre building is the archive service for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole and holds 1,000 years of the county’s written history, which is held within thousands of collections.

The history centre will also be working with Windrose Rural Media Trust to bring the collection to the attention of local people.

Trevor Bailey who has worked for the Windrose charity for 28 years will be presenting a special event on Thursday.

There will be a large selection of archived material that has been shot around various areas of Dorset by individuals for a range of celebrations and daily activities.

Films that have been chosen for the event include the only known animation by Heath Robinson, which was found on Portland.

There are also scenes from Blandford Coronation celebrations in1937 and the streets of Dorchester in 1962.

Some of the collection will be shown in raw form while others have been composed alongside music and poetry.

Sam Johnston, county archivist at the history centre said that the films offered people an alternative way to view the history of Dorset other than through reading about it.

He said: “This is part of a much bigger thing that we do.

“Things change so quickly, towns and buildings and people will see new buildings put in their place.

“I think most people can sit down and be entertained by films.”

Mr Bailey added: “Over the years our shows in village halls, theatres, arts centres etc. have attracted tens of thousands of people.

“It’s very important for people watch because it gives people a long perspective of local life. So many people have come recently to live in the area and they don’t have any connection with its past.”

“It’s very important to have memories before you start making plans for the future.”

To book tickets visit dorsetarchivestrust.org/events