BETWEEN 1977 and 1980, journalist Robert Godfrey, founder of the Hayling Islander newspaper in Hampshire, produced four newsreels recording island events including the popular and much-missed summer carnival.

The films were shot on 16mm cine cameras and screened at the time to local organisations as a community service. The giant film reels, in storage since 1980, were digitised in 2024 before being re-edited and titled.

The newsreels, which are in colour apart from a sequence depicting the 1979 floods, were premiered to full houses at Hayling Island’s Station Theatre in the summer of 2025. With a total running time of 100 minutes and featuring a huge cast of happy islanders, they are available to buy on DVD and Blu-ray.

The 1977 newsreel, made in Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee year, covers the garden party at the Manor House, the Mill Rythe School fete, the pram race and the carnival with its many colourful and elaborate floats. The Sponsored Jog, Sandcastle Contest and Children’s Gold Rush feature a sea of faces in the 1978 newsreel, with Dad’s Army’s Captain Mainwaring, Arthur Lowe, as special guest on carnival day.

In 1979, you’ll see the heavy snowfall and floods at the beginning of the year and relive the poignant departure of an island landmark: the Hayling Billy steam locomotive. The 1980 newsreel includes footage of Hayling’s glorious sandy beaches, the Radio 1 Roadshow at Beachlands and, of course, the carnival in August.

Below is a selection of frames from the four newsreels. The films were recorded without sound, so background music and sound effects have been added.

You can order a DVD or Blu-ray of Hayling Island Newsreels 1977-1980, both PAL and region-free, with all four films on a single disc. The DVD comes in a standard case with printed artwork and disc (see below). A Blu-ray is also available, offering the full resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Both versions include a special four-page souvenir booklet. The DVD costs £10, including UK p&p. The Blu-ray costs just £12, including UK p&p. PLEASE NOTE: these prices are for shipping to UK addresses only. For mainland Europe, Australia/New Zealand or the United States, please select from the pull-down list below. For other destinations, please enquire by email.

To order your DVD or Blu-ray securely via PayPal or with a debit or credit card, please use the Buy Now button. You do not need to have a PayPal account.

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• When ordering a DVD or Blu-ray, please bear in mind that the footage it contains was shot on cine film in the 1970s and in 1980. No sound was recorded with the images at the time, but background music and sound effects have been added for the DVD and Blu-ray. If you are interested in using this footage commercially, please enquire by email.

WAYNE MOODY, of the popular Facebook page Hayling Island Then and Now, writes:

‘This incredible footage shows Hayling as I remember it from my childhood. It’s great to see such community spirit captured in all the events – with so many recognisable faces.’

NIGEL CASSIDY, of Fremantle, Western Australia, writes:

‘This is such a great DVD for anyone interested in Hayling’s heyday, or who grew up here in the 1970s and 1980s.

‘It is so nostalgic, entertaining and at times sad – so many friends and those no longer with us.

‘Absolutely superb. I would recommend everyone getting a copy for themselves, or as a present for a friend.’

Picture: CAZ CASSIDY