Corespondence

Dear Mr Mills
My name is James Taylor and I am an Upper Sixth student at Winstanley College in Wigan. One of my courses is a media course and as part of the curriculum I have to make a documentary. I have chosen to make it about heritage railways and the people involved with preservation. If it would be possible I would like to use the Ribble Railway as my location for the documentary as it is local and you have a rich variety of locomotives and rolling stock. If you would permit me to film on the railway it would be this Sunday during the gala event as there will be more locomotives in service. Furthermore for part of the film I'd like to do some interviews with the general public and if possible some of the railway staff and or volunteers to get real life case studies and stories of working on a heritage line. I have with me a small film crew with me as the presenter a sound man and a cameraman. Equipment we would be bringing includes a basic HD camera tripod and mobile sound system. This is a student film and we have no budget; the finished product will be a five minute film which will be presented before Winstanley College staff for evaluation only via the website "eblogger". The film will not be sold on or any commercial profit made from it whatsoever. I appreciate this is short notice and yourself and the railway are busy especially with the lead up to the gala but I would appreciate your help in this matter.
Many thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

James Robert Taylor



Hello James,



I see no problem in agreeing to your request, other than to insist that the filming only takes place in areas that are open to the public. It will not be possible to provide staff/volunteers to escort you into areas not normally accessible to the public. In particular, the lineside, other than from the platform and public footpaths elsewhere, is strictly out of bounds. I would emphasise that this is not us being pedantic; it is a basic safety and security requirement on a working railway line.
I would ask you to report to shop/ticket desk on arrival – they will almost certainly want you to buy a ticket – so that they are aware that you are on site. While you are filming, again I would ask that you make sure you are not impeding visitors or our volunteers in their duties, and to obey any instructions given to you on the day. You are welcome to film on the train journey, again as long as you don’t obstruct passengers and staff, but please remember that not everybody wants to be on camera.
Having done all the formal bit, I am sure that you will have no problem in encouraging our volunteers to play to the camera. Some of them can tell very interesting stories, as, I am sure, can many of our visitors.

Robin Green

Curator

Ribble Steam Railway Museum

Chain Caul Road

Ashton-on-Ribble

Preston

PR2 2PD

email Robin@ribblesteam.org.uk

website www.ribblesteam.org.uk

Phone: 01772 728800

Mobile: 07967 972581

Charity No. 507266

Company No. 01112380

Due to me taking expensive and porfesinal equipment to the shooting location I felt it important to e-mil the railway and ask thier permission to film. They kindly obliged providing myself and my crew compliede with the safety procedures which I was only too pleased to do.