December 12, 2011 12.23 pm This story is over 147 months old

Media archive moves from Leicester to Lincoln

Double opening: Public screening and visit from top broadcaster to celebrate university’s revamped TV studios and new media archive.
MACE Head of Access & Learning, Richard Shenton, operating the rolling racks in the archive store

A public screening with footage of historic Lincoln and a visit from top broadcaster Professor Roger Laughton CBE will mark the official opening of the University of Lincoln’s revamped TV studios and the new home of the Media Archive for Central England (MACE).

More than 70,000 films, videotapes and digital moving images documenting life in the midlands since 1896 have moved with the MACE team to a purpose-built, climate-controlled archive in the university’s Media Building.

The archive’s cinema, television and amateur film footage records everything from the region’s concerts, working life in traditional industry to Christmas shopping.

MACE’s move from Leicester to the University of Lincoln is hoped to lead to new degrees and short courses developed by the two organisations.

The launch event on December 15 will also mark the opening of the refurbished Lincoln School of Media TV studios, after a cash injection totalling £0.5 million.

The studios now boast high-definition cameras, LED lighting, and top-of-the-range monitoring, vision mixing and recording systems for students.

The screening of a selection of films showing historic Lincoln, including footage of Steep Hill and Brayford Pool prior to its development, will take place at 6pm (free registration from 5.30pm) in the university’s EMMTEC building.

Dr Sarah Barrow, Head of the Lincoln School of Media, said: “We’re extremely excited about these new developments and we’re delighted Roger will be with us to celebrate the launch of this fantastic new television environment.”

Roger Laughton made his name with the major BBC documentary Brass Tacks and has had a long and distinguished career in broadcasting. He was the TV executive who brought Australian soap Neighbours to British screens and is a fellow of the Royal Television Society and is a government advisor on broadcasting.

Source: University of Lincoln | Secondary Photo: Phil Crow