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A steam navvy made in 1909

The Ruston in the Blue Lagoon

Our DVD, “The Ruston in the Blue Lagoon”, tells the incredible story of the world’s oldest working excavator and its rescue from a watery grave.

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Historic Films & Images

Archive Film Shows

On Zoom or in Person

Broadcast Video Camera

Explain Your Business

Video Production

Helping You To Communicate

VHS & Other Tapes, Cine, Audio

Media Transfer Service

Slides & Photos Also

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About Us

Blow by Blow Productions, begun in 1989 when Andrew Blow left ITV Yorkshire, is part of a multi-skilled group of media associates.

We are filmmakers who tackle a lot of other tasks – for instance digitising old tapes and reels for families.

We’ve worked for many famous companies, and with many famous people. Once we were called audio-visual people. Now digital media is a better description.

We operate at the point where digital media and business meet and the place where digital media and education meet. Lots of our output goes into schools and colleges.

We can work single-handed -- or call in the associates for help on more complex projects.

We give film shows, in person or on Zoom, based on our nostalgia programmes which are available online and on DVD. Andrew is a Master Member of the Institute of Videography.

The Story of Lincoln's Water....

This unveiling in Lincoln recalls the city's killer typhoid epidemic of 1905. Get our "Highly Commended" documentary about the typhoid crisis on this DVD. Or stream “A City with Typhoid”

Nitty-Gritty - but Witty

“Bring some spanners and give me a hand as I take you round the 22, 38 and 54 RB erecting shops!" Interested in British manufacturing...

Apr 25

Tank Tour Two – sponsored by the White Hart Hotel, Lincoln

Only a few days to go and Tank Tour Two begins - resuming after a six year gap since TT1. What is the Tank Tour? It’s a double act...

Oct 31, 2024

Keith Toule remembered

Retired farmer Keith Toule, one of the last locals to remember wartime RAF Skellingthorpe, has died in a care home aged 89. Keith was...

Dec 18, 2023

The Ruston in the Blue Lagoon

00:49

The Ruston in the Blue Lagoon

The amazing story of the world's oldest working excavator. Learn about a conservation miracle brought about by the dogged determination of engineering historian Ray Hooley, who rescued Ruston Steam Navvy No 306 from a watery grave. See the navvy operated by the Vintage Excavator Trust at their quarry in Cumbria. And learn about the early history of British excavators over archive film and images.

The Lincoln Trams

00:53

The Lincoln Trams

A thoroughly enjoyable ride with the Lincoln trams which ran from their depot in Bracebridge to the city centre and back between 1882 and 1929. Utilising a unique private collection of images, and other compelling archive stills, we travel from the horse-drawn days through to the overhead wire era with the help of narration and period music.

The Steepest Climb trailer

03:16

The Steepest Climb trailer

The International Bomber Command Centre at Lincoln represents a new dimension to remembrance and recognition…..a focal point with national and international appeal. A place in Bomber County where all of the Command can be remembered - and where the names of all of its fallen can be seen for the first time. And, crucially, where a vital third theme is amplified, the reconciliation of former enemies. Meet many WW2 veterans in this official DVD of the IBCC.

Water frieze unveiled

02:51

Water frieze unveiled

The stone frieze from the 1911 waterworks at Elkesley, Notts, that replaced Lincoln's inadequate water supply, is now on public display in the city for the first time. The frieze depicts the quest for new water after the killer typhoid epidemic - and the salvation that followed. Its been in storage for nearly 50 years since the demolition of the 1911 works and their replacement with a modern pumping station. For the story of the typhoid epidemic, which includes letters and cards written at the time, see Bygone Lincoln DVD Two.

White Hart Unveiling

04:27

White Hart Unveiling

The unveiling of a Red Wheel plaque of the National Transport Trust by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire to commemorate the role of the White Hart Hotel, Lincoln, as the venue for the creation of the world’s first fighting tanks in 1915. See our “Birth of the Tanks” DVD, presented by Richard Pullen, Chairman of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank, who appears in this clip. See also “Lincoln Tank Weekend” DVD, filmed when WW1 experts gathered at the unveiling of the Lincoln Tank Memorial.

Got a question?

Call us: 01522 754901

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