The tin belonged to his mother Iris and in 2016 he decided to use his professional skills to capture precious family memories, as he filmed his mother talking about the people in the photos and her memories.
The documentary-style footage captured Iris talking about various events from her past and her childhood, in previously untold – or forgotten – stories.
Alan Howard of Video and TV Ltd has launched a new product where he makes videos of people’s families called Talking Family Album. Pictured in his studio in Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240821-01)
After Iris died, in 2020, the whole family realised how important Alan’s pet project was, as Iris and her stories now live on forever and her great grandchildren can hear them exactly as she told them.
Alan, from Southsea, said: ‘It started as a personal project. Like many families we had a tin of black and white photos under the bed. Nobody except my mum knew who they were or why they were photos of them.
‘My two daughters were teenagers so they had no interest in our family history then, but I thought that if I filmed these memories, then if and when they ever did want to know, then they could see them.
‘When I turned the camera on, it was fantastic. My mum came up with all these brilliant stories about growing up in Brixton and going to school, where they caretaker would bring in buckets of coal for the roaring open fire and they would drink their milk through actual pieces of straw. It was magical, she really came alive.’
As well as childhood memories, Iris spoke her time being evacuated during the war, as well as other life events like meeting her husband.
Alan, 56, said: ‘It is a lovely thing to have for me and my brothers and sisters. It is so personal. It is wonderful that my great great great children will get to know my mum.’
Alan, who has run production company Video & TV Ltd for 20 years after he left a long career working in television, was so moved by the project, he has created a free tutorial to help people capture these memories.
‘I thought it was such a nice service to offer people but some people were saying that they didn’t have the budget,’ he said.
‘So I set up a free tutorial that anyone can follow, you just need a smart phone, and it helps capture some really personal memories.’
We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.
The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.
As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.
Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.
- How much does it cost?
75 per cent off normal rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract
- What do you get?
A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk
- How does it work?
Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.
Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.
Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.
Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.
Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.
- What could happen after appearing in The News?
Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.
It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.
Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.
If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.
As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.
The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.
Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.
- What else do I get?
As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.
You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.
You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.
Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.
- How do I sign up?
Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on liz.wiffin@jp imedia.co.uk to get signed up
For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489
