SRA Annual Report 2021-22: Down by the River film
A new Somerset film called Down by the River premiered in Glastonbury in February 2022, with nine free screenings following countywide.
Down by the River is a documentary about the inspiring ways that communities across Somerset have responded to flooding. It was commissioned by Somerset Rivers Authority from the Bridgwater-based charity Somerset Film.
Down by the River celebrates local volunteers, and highlights some of the extraordinary work they do to help reduce the risks of flooding. Places featured include Moorland, Martock and Ham on the Somerset Levels & Moors, Croscombe in Mendip and West Somerset.
After its launch in Glastonbury Town Hall, Down by the River was shown in Bridgwater, Burrowbridge, Cheddar, Croscombe, Drayton, Martock, Minehead, Taunton and Yeovil.
Entertaining and thought-provoking Somerset archive films also featured. Subjects included historic Somerset floods, local groups like the Home Guard in World War Two, and fundraising carnivals. The exact mix varied from place to place, to allow for items of very local interest, but all of the films showed what Somerset people can do when they put their minds to it.
That theme served to prompt discussions with audiences about challenges such as flooding and climate change, and what people locally could do to respond, for example by setting up or joining a flood wardens group or devising plans for greater community resilience. Preparing for an incident could ultimately save lives.
Down by the River is now online: https://youtu.be/3M3G52lvNlo