The Tre Project - Rediscovering Cornwall and Isles of Scilly through Archive Film

‘Tre’ is a Cornish word for ‘home/homestead’. Using archive film as its inspiration and ‘home’ as its theme, Tre has transferred old cine footage, created new digital content and produced a programme of new films since 2009.

We have brought our unique contemporary events to venues across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly — from village halls to museums, galleries and festivals, from silent films with live musical accompaniments to Q&A’s with special guests — we’ve even screened films in a vintage mobile cinema!

Tre DVD is the culmination of 13 beautiful films spanning 110 years of local history! New films and some fascinating historical footage held by South West Film and TV Archive as well as locally donated material.

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Films on DVD

Scenes in the Cornish Riviera (c 1904)
B&W film | silent
An intriguing travelogue through Cornwall starting from Plymouth and stopping at various locations to Lands End. The promotional film, sponsored by GWR, was originally made to encourage people to use the new train link and visit Cornwall as the latest holiday destination.
© Courtesy of SWFTA

From the Dell to the Ocean (2011)
Digital & Super 8 film | sound 
by Barbara Santi and Joseph Chapple
A film about family, fishing and following your heart. From the Dell to the Ocean delicately interweaves new interviews with re-discovered personal archive showing sustainable fishing methods of the 1960's and crab pot making from willow at a small West Cornish cove, Penberth. The short film reveals the family ties that bind Joseph, an 18-year old boy, to his family history and the place he calls 'home'.
© awen productions cic

Cornish Nets (1938)
B&W film | silent
Beautifully shot film following the working lives of St Ives fishermen. Showing them mending their nets, making lobster pots and other traditional fishing methods.
© John and William Barnes courtesy of SWFTA

Falmouth Memories – Number 2 (2013)
Super 8 film | sound
by Barbara Santi
Number 2 uses previously unseen archive footage of the construction of Number 2 dry dock at Falmouth Docks in 1956. Fourth generation dock worker Frank Eva tells the story of the biggest civil engineering project the port had ever known and the anticipated beginning of the super tanker era.
© awen productions cic | A&P Falmouth

Doorways / Ghosts of Godolphin (2012)
Digital film | sound
by Barbara Santi and Shallal 
Inspired by archive photos, film and history, Shallal Dance Theatre’s performance at Godolphin House near Helston produced these short films which capture the spirit and mystery of an unforgettable doorway. 'Ghosts of Godolphin' was inspired by an 18th century true story about the ‘White Lady’, the wife of the 1st Earl, who haunts Godolphin House.
© awen productions cic

Cornish Crafts and Trades (c 1930s)
B&W | colour archive film | silent
A selection of Cornish crafts and trades from the Major Gill collection circa 1930s including thatching, China Clay industry, daffodil industry, mining and butter making.
© Royal Institution of Cornwall courtesy of SWFTA

Pen sans (2012)
Digital film | archive film | sound
by Barbara Santi
An ancient harbour in need of change.

Penzance's Holy Headland.

A divided community... 
© awen productions cic
Archive extract from GWR courtesy of SWFTA and Forrest Collection from Royal Institution of Cornwall courtesy of SWFTA

Festivals & Traditions (1920s/30s)
B&W film | silent
A selection of Cornish festivals and traditions from Major Gill and Yates colleciton including Padstow’s Obby Oss, Helston’s Flora Day, St. Columb game of ‘Hurling’, Haymaking, Harvest & ‘Croust’.
© Royal Institution of Cornwall courtesy of SWFTA and extract from Yates collection courtesy of SWFTA

Horn of Plenty (2012)
6 minutes Digital film | sound
by Denzil Monk
Brave storyteller Will Coleman strides, pipes, drinks and rows his way across Kernow, welcoming Spring, celebrating Summer, from Helston Flora to Padstow May Day, St Just Lafrowda to Saltash Regatta, telling Cornish creation tale the Horn Of Plenty.
© awen productions cic / Caliban cic

A World of Our Own (2014)
Digital film | archive film | sound
by Barbara Santi
Locally sourced archive material from the Isles of Scilly culminate in this unique short film made with young people of Five Islands School, St. Mary’s. A World of Our Own explores life on the islands and the ebb and flow of the sea connecting past and present.
© awen productions cic

Old Town Isles of Scilly (2014)
Archive film | digital film | sound
by Barbara Santi
Locally donated material by Reg Phillips of Isles of Scilly, has inspired making this film which shares a glimpse of living on St. Mary’s in the 1950s.
© awen productions cic

Come to Good (2014)
Digital film | archive film | sound
by Barbara Santi
The mysterious Quaker Meeting House, Come to Good, stands in an isolated spot near Feock – you wouldn’t even know it was there if you passed it. This short film celebrates in its beauty. With thanks to the Come to Good community.
Archive from Collins Collection courtesy of SWFTA
© awen productions cic                                                                                                                               

DVD supported by
Heritage Lottery Fund www.hlf.org.uk
Feast www.feastcornwall.org
Cornwall Community Foundation www.cornwallfoundation.com
South West Film and TV Archive www.swfta.co.uk