Dennis Hitchings, 86, the ploughing champion featured in the Gazette last autumn, had a huge surprise last week when he found himself the unexpected star of a film from 1942, which forms part of the 'Rewind' Project.

'Rewind' is a community film archive project from Flicks in the Sticks in collaboration with the Huntley Film Archive and is the result of a year-long research bringing unseen documentary film from the 20th century to new audiences and connect these rural audiences through history. The film features footage from Ross town centre in the 1930s and 40s and the famous Herefordian Albert Watkins relaxing at Symonds Yat. In the segment titled, 'Rites of Spring', a very young Dennis can be seen ploughing fields at the Rudge's farm in Baynsham, the very same fields on which he was to win ploughing competitions nearly 70 years later.

Dennis was unsuspecting when his wife, Ionwen, suggested they go along to Fownhope Village Hall to see 'a film' and was completely surprised when he appeared on the screen. "I didn't know I was being filmed that day," Dennis told the Gazette, "so it was a bit of a shock when I saw myself up there after all these years."

The audience of over 200 people at Fownhope Village hall were also in for a surprise when Amanda Huntley, of the Huntley Film Archive, asked after the film if 'Dennis Hitichings was in the room?' and were delighted when Dennis stood up. A lovely piece of local history alive and well.

There is still one more chance to see the film. It will be playing at Moccas Village Hall on Saturday 26th March at 7.30pm. Further information available from http://www.rewindarchive.org.uk">www.rewindarchive.org.uk.