THE PROJECTED PICTURE TRUST
By Alan E. Lott, FACI
On the 23rd of September last
year accompanied by Don Currie, FACI(M), President of the Reading Film
& Video Makers, I visited the Projected Picture Trust at the National
Museum of Cinema Technology, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, easily accessible
from the M1 and the A1.
Bletchley Park of wartime fame as 'Station X', is now
a charitable trust; in addition to the Projected Picture Trust it houses
extensive Churchill Memorabilia, a Toy Museum and the Post Office for
it's first day covers. It is also the home of the ENIGMA Coding Machine.
Originally the Projected Picture Trust was housed in Faulkner House,
the old B.T. training centre. But it has now been relocated in its own
separate building with storage facilities elsewhere in the grounds.
The objects of the Trust are:
"To locate, preserve, and exhibit the equipment & data past
and present, of still and moving images".
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The new 45-seat cinema has projection facilities to show 8mm,
9.5mm, 35mm and 70mm films. It is complete with Dolby CP100 sound.
It is called "ENIGMA" and was opened on 20th April,
2002 by the President of the Projected Picture Trust, Sir Sydney
Samuelson CBE Hon. FBKS.
For all lovers of real cinema, a visit is a must. Don and I were
treated to a 35mm colour demonstration reel and experienced sheer
delight with the brilliant colour of the print and the clarity
of the sound of 35mm film professionally projected by the Trust's
Coordinator, Ken Draper.
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In addition to the projection equipment, there are professional
projectors on static display; also several wall cabinets housing
displays of a wide range of narrow gauge amateur equipment.
The Trust publishes the 'Rewind Magazine', professionally produced
and very interesting reading. It is issued to members only. The
Trust also has it's own website: http://www.ppttrust.org
For a brochure and further details, contact:
The Membership Secretary
The ENIGMA Cinema
Bletchley Park
Bletchley
Bucks
MK1 6EB
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The Bletchley Park Trust has an information line 01908 640404.
The Trust issues it's own separate leaflet giving details of opening
times and a local map to guide you in.
Thanks are due to Brian Phillips for arranging our visit to include
"behind the scenes" in the projection box.
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