At the BFI, watching Rookery Nook (20-04-2013)
On Monday 20th April 2013, three Project members visited the British Film Institute (BFI) to view some old black and white films made around 100 years ago! They were searching for the films for some scenes using Smallford Station as a background. Their source of information was the definitive book, “The Hatfield and St Albans Branch of the Great Northern Railway” (published in 1988 by Oakwood Press, ISBN 9780853613732) written by Roger Taylor and Brian Anderson.
Around 5 minutes into Reel 5 of a film called ‘Rookery Nook’ they were absolutely thrilled to see a train arriving at a station. The next shot included a sign with ‘for Colney Heath‘- presumably ‘Stop here for Colney Heath’. BINGO – evidence that this definitely was our very own Smallford Station.
Project Members will shortly have an opportunity to see the whole clip plus another one showing a passenger train travelling along the old branch line.
A Passenger Train arriving at Smallford Station
This is wonderful stuff ! Trust we made enquiries as to a copy of actual film of Smallford Station and chucha – puffa, so that when the station is refurbished,restored to its original state in situ or on Smallford round about, we will be able to show it as part of our visual, moving heritage.