Filmmaker shining spotlight on 'living heritage'

3 days ago

Tom MacDougallNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Allendale's New Year tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels will feature in a new independent film

Dave Brewis A group of people, illuminated in the night by a golden glow, are walking in a group formation. Many wear long, elaborate robes and hats with brightly coloured patterns on them. One has slipped through wearing a pair of jeans and a graphic T-shirt. Above their heads, they carry what look like wooden pans, rising high with bright white flames. They are tar barrels which have been sawn down to be shallow - and presumably easier to carry - then filled with flammable materials - we see sticks poking from the top - and set alight. — Allendale's New Year tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels will feature in a new independent film

A filmmaker says he wants people to appreciate a region's "living heritage" involving people as much as its historic sites and artefacts.

Filmmaker Dave Brewis has been capturing traditional celebrations across Northumberland for his upcoming independent film "Gatherings", which he expects to first show at Tyne Valley Film Festival in March.

The unnarrated documentary style film began filming at the start of the year, with Brewis planning on attending different events until the end of the year.

He said: "Most of these are hugely loved, adored, and celebrated - and bring communities together in special ways."

He did not want people to see the celebrations as just "weird, offbeat, and eccentric," he said.

"Northumberland is very known for its historic relics and landmarks, but living heritage is much more interesting to me," Brewis said.

One village which features in the film is Allendale during its New Year celebrations, when residents carry flaming tar barrels above their heads whilst wearing elaborate dress robes.

Why? Brewis said it is hard to know, because many traditions pre-date recorded history, which he said generally came about through church wardens starting to write down their accounts.

"The vast majority of enduring folk traditions, nobody is very sure as to the origins," he said.

Dave Brewis A group of men wearing bowler hats, white masks which cover their eyes, and gowns made from what looks like blue, grey and white scraps of fabric. They seem to be waving sticks in the air. — Whalton was recorded during its traditional Midsummer's Eve celebrations

Over in Whalton - last counted as having a population of less than 500 - Davis recorded the village's traditional approach to Midsummer's Eve, including residents dancing around a bonfire.

The event, which celebrates the longest day of summer and featured superstitious rituals, was popular during the middle ages.

It was cracked down against during the 16th and 17th Centuries, with some rulers fearing it could spark disorder.

After the industrial revolution and a shift to city life, as well as a shift away from folklore, the celebration mostly faded away.

However, Brewis believes Whalton is the last village to celebrate it on 4 July rather than our actual summer solstice on 20 or 21 June - which changed after Britain moved from the Julian to Gregorian calendar.

Dave Brewis Brewis, an man with long, blonde-brown hair, is shooting a scene with his camera. The scene itself is a man being squeezed into a huge goose costume by two women. There is a hole in the front of its neck for his amused face to peek through. — Director Dave Brewis said he thought "living heritage" was as important as landmarks and artefacts

Brewis said he hopes to first tour the film across independent cinemas in Northumberland, before showing it across the UK.

He hoped the budget for the final phase of creating the film and distributing it would be supported by a fundraiser he was launching later this month.

"I'm trying to create an authentic mirror and reduce the barriers between the events themselves and the audience," he said.

"I think there's a lot more story to tell about our region and it's not often told."

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