The community film Dorchester at Christmas 2020 has been a huge success.
Over 550 DVDs of the film were given out in Dorchester and surrounding villages to those most needing a Christmas boost: those in hospital, the hospice, care homes, sheltered accommodation and others who are struggling. It has been viewed on You Tube over 2,500 times.
And all to critical acclaim! Just listen to some of the comments from viewers:
- “Beautiful and uplifting”,
- “Thank you for bringing the spirit of Christmas to us all”.
- “Thank you for the excellent DVD donated to [us}. We are residents and much appreciate the pleasure that you have given us this season”.
- “Lovely to see the community pulling together after a very difficult year”.
Chair of Dorchester Choral Society, Jane Howard, commented, “Hundreds of adults and children had a part to play and almost all of the film was recorded in lockdown and so was technically challenging for everyone. The end result is amazing and so we are very grateful to all our contributors and to Pageant Productions for the fantastic effort that they have made.”
Listen to this interview with Jane Howard on the success of the film
The project has had some really generous sponsors as well. Magnox Ltd gave a grant from their socio-economic scheme and help in cash and in kind has come from local organisations and businesses: The Town Council, Dorchester Choral Society, Dorchester BID, Brewery Square, Casterbridge Chiropractic, Grassby Funeral Service and Alacrify Digital Marketing.
Alongside the free distribution of films, local shops (the Post Office, Goulds and the Poundbury Garden Centre) stocked the DVDs for the general public with a suggested minimum donation going to local charities. Just over £3,375.00 has been raised – way in excess of the project’s £2,000.00 target figure – which means that the five charities being supported: Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester Family Support, Dorchester Poverty Action, Home-Start West Dorset and Weldmar Hospicecare will all receive some £675.00. The Town Council’s Community Development Officer, Emma Scott, is delighted at the outcome, “We know from the arithmetic that a lot of people gave more than the £5.00 minimum we suggested. Thank you for being so generous and for showing a real spirit of giving at Christmas to our charities whose work will continue to be vital as we move into 2021.”
