Bristol's industries filmed from the water

Film-makers took to the water to capture images of Bristol for a new DVD about the working life of the city and surrounding area.

Based on a best-selling book by local historian John Penny, Bristol At Work covers industries from shipbuilding, chocolate making, printing and packaging to tobacco, cars, aircraft and brewing.

Those involved with the coal, pottery, soap making and metalworking industries are also featured.

The DVD is being made by Yate-based 1st Take and is due to be released next month.

It includes interviews with workers and a selection of rare archive footage, as well as photographs and advertisements.

Mr Penny also joined Dave Rogers and Andy Warren from 1st Take and former BBC producer Paul Smith on board one of the Bristol Ferry Boat Company's vessels to film what can be seen today from the Avon and Floating Harbour.

Andy said: "We've covered as many places of work as possible, including filming in the last days at the Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory in Greenbank in the days before it closed.

"We decided to do some of the filming from the boat because so many goods produced used to be moved by water. It's sad that a lot of the companies featured aren't there any more."

Dave said: "Fortunately for Bristol's economic development, its favourable geographical position ensured that a diverse range of trades and industries became established in the city.

"Over the years skilled and industrious workers have manufactured products of various types which came to be held in high esteem throughout the world.

"Few Bristol businesses have survived from the time of the industrial revolution. Others have reinvented themselves or been replaced by those more suited to the times. Yet all have played their part in ensuring Bristol's continued economic prosperity."

In his book, John records many of the industries that were well known for the smell of their processing as well as the products themselves.

Soapworks, the tallow factory, mothballs, bitumen, spice and timber from the docks and acrid fumes from engineering workshops, as well as the brewing of beer.

Bristol also prided itself on its lead, tin and zinc, its coal mines, boots and railway works.

The DVD will be on sale at £14.95 at a range of outlets in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.