A FILM capturing an historic snapshot of Chard life in lockdown is set to be launched next week on Youtube.

The project is the brainchild of local filmmaker Jonathan Warner and Angela Sunnick, a volunteer for the Covid-19 Support Group.

Footage was shot while socially distanced between March and July of this year, and follows the town's residents and services from total lockdown to the process of shops reopening again.

Jonathan Warner, from Warner Vision, said: “Lockdown created feelings of uncertainty and it was a worrying time. But there was still lots going on: gardening, exercise, helping the vulnerable by available means - I wanted to capture Chard’s determined energy and optimism.

“It is also a privilege to use my skills to find a way to celebrate the key workers and volunteers, supermarkets, food delivery volunteers, emergency services, council services and NHS staff. They kept us all safe.”

The six-minute video features:

  • Chard Covid19 Support group helping residents who are self-isolating
  • Emergency & Healthcare Services including the police, retained fire service, hospital
  • Large High Street names and small local businesses,
  • School & Nursery,
  • Local Council Services
  • Ferne Animal Sanctuary
  • Allotment holders
  • People exercising
  • The Town Crier
  • The community participating in the Thursday NHS clap

The short film will premiere on September 30, at 7pm, and be available to watch on Warner Vision's Youtube channel after that.

Angela Sunnick was a Covid-19 volunteer coordinator based at the Guildhall for the four and a half months of lockdown.

She said: “The volunteer response was incredible and I was so proud of being part of it. It will likely have to come back again albeit in a different way.

"Whilst our neighbours, family and friends were stuck at home it was difficult to visualise all the coordination and hard work going on behind the scenes.

"With Jonathan, I wanted to show everyone how we pulled together as a community.”

The film also gives thanks to the 323 volunteers who supported 1,475 people across Chard and the surrounding area.

They delivered 5,163 prescriptions, 813 meals, and 176 food bank deliveries.

The Guildhall-based support team also handled 190 phone buddy requests.

For more information, visit www.warnervision.tv or you can watch the film youtube.com/c/WarnerVision.