Cine Film Memories

Spending precious time with friends and family has meant so much this year. If you were lucky, a simple Christmas at home was a sense of relief and wonder in equal measures. Even so, after spending an eternity agreeing on a film to watch, there is a moment when you survey the room and everyone is looking at their phone.

A far cry from the 1980's when the family telephone perched on a table, usually located far too close to the front door. Keeping in touch was a drafty business, we got a colour TV long before central heating in our council house. For a few years I was living alone in Swindon and calls home were a lifeline, that didn't stop my late Dad complaining about the bloody cold conversations.

Growing up Dad loved making cine films. It was a bit part of my childhood. Instead of selfies we had cine. Family outings and antics in the garden were all shown on the mounted plastic screen. I remember leaving the cinema after a Beatles film, visits to my Nan, and accidentally treading on kittens. There was always cats at home and music too. Sadly my family separated when I was eleven and eventually the old cine film was stored away.

As years pass, you start to question if your fond memories of growing up were real or maybe just a comfort you have created through time. A few months ago my brother sent me a DVD of cine film. And it took my breath away. There was our family; happy and enjoying time together. A visit to an Aunts brand new high rise flat, pets in the garden, swimming in the local outdoor pool. A holiday to Margate. My favourite, was us three children playing toy instruments as a little band. There was even my dear Dad stepping out from behind the camera and having fun.

This year has shown that family and friends are what will get us through. Memories of happier more innocent times are more important that ever before. Keep them all close.