Circle Eight’s Premier Night Features Film On The Building Of The Hindhead Tunnel

Published on: 8 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 11 Jul, 2018

Guildford film maker Circle Eight premiers three of its latest works at the Electric Theatre on Saturday, July 21.

Breakthrough digging the Hindhead Tunnel.

Top of the bill will be Tunnel Under Hindhead, a local interest documentary about the construction of the mile-long road tunnel, which opened in July 2011 to solve traffic congestion in the area and preserve beauty spots Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punchbowl.

In September 2010 Circle Eight’s camera crew was given access to the tunnel by contractors Balfour Beatty to film progress on the project – a year before it was opened by the then Minister of Transport, Philip Hammond.

Work constructing the embankments at the southern end of the Hindhead Tunnel.

Using archive film and specially shot interviews, Circle Eight traces the history of the £371 million project with coverage of the clearing of the route through wooded terrain in 2008, the dramatic breakthrough when the tunnelling machines met deep underground in February 2009, the tunnel walkthrough by local residents in May 2011, the official opening in July 2011 and the rejuvenation of the wildlife in the Devil’s Punchbowl now that the old A3 Portsmouth Road has disappeared from the landscape.

Opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011 by then then Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

The film also takes a look back at the history of Hindhead village, some of its famous residents such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George Bernard Shaw.

Circle Eight will also be premiering The Dream, a drama that features two sisters, who are busily clearing out their mother’s house when they come across a box, which may contain the answer to the mystery of their father’s disappearance.

Also receiving its first showing will be Out of the Blue, about a Surrey based couple, Hazel and Peter Banting ,that tells the story of Hazel’s love of dancing, Peter’s love of aircraft and their lives together. It is an entertaining, funny and touching film with many heart-warming clips of memories involving them both.

The award-winning cartoon The Vacuum Cleaner, which tells a moral tale about being extremely careful when buying a present for your wife or partner. will also be shown.

Circle Eight’s film Guildford In The Great War will also be shown.

Completing the programme will be a repeat screening of Circle Eight’s much acclaimed documentary Guildford In The Great War.  

Tickets are £10 and can be obtained from the Electric Theatre box office on 01483 501200, or booking online.

The performance starts at 7.30pm with an interval for drinks and refreshments at about 9pm.

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