ARCHIVE footage of bygone Gloucester never fails to grab the attention.

Whenever old films are shown you can rely upon the audience to add vital information; remembering landmarks, recalling much- loved shops and businesses or putting names to the black and white faces flickering on the screen.

The Gloucester Film Makers (formerly the Gloucester Cine and Video Club) has two main roles. One is for like-minded people to get together and make films. The other is to provide film shows for local groups. So it's with great pride that we're bringing some items from our archives to the BBC History Festival in the city on Saturday. We'll be showing Gloucester in the 1950s and '60s and a marvellous colour film from 1955 called The Visit of Queen Elizabeth II.

Both screenings are at The Guildhall Cinema, which is highly fitting because the building was one of the locations which Her Majesty visited during her day in Gloucester 55 years ago.

The shots of the royal visit have already been seen by people who were school pupils in Gloucester Park that day, by a bandsman who can be heard playing on the soundtrack and by the children of the then mayor who accompanied the Queen around the city.

You can only imagine the sheer wonder these people feel at seeing an episode of their family history captured in moving pictures.

It's thanks to the cine enthusiasts of the past that we know Her Majesty was very nearly upstaged that day. Just before the Queen arrived at the Wagon Works in Bristol Road, a stray dog walked across the red carpet. It's there for all to see on film.

The various scenes in the 1950s and 60s compilation reveal a world that's almost unimaginable now. There are squealing piglets being offered as prizes at an exhibition, circus elephants parading through the city streets, a guest appearance by actor Melvyn Hayes at the1963 carnival procession and the Miss Gloucester competition being staged at the Guildhall.

Many old films have been donated to the club over the years and they are a real treasure trove. I edit the film shows and I have been putting on various archive screenings for around 15 years. It is always with a sense of excitement that I view old reels for the first time, waiting to see what nostalgic scenes are to be found.

Film times: Gloucester in the 1950s and 60s is showing at 10am and The Visit of Queen Elizabeth II is showing at 1.45pm in The Gloucester Guildhall Cinema. Admission is free.

Gloucester Film Makers meet fortnightly on Mondays at St George's Church Centre, Brockworth. Contact Mike Morris 01452 617 713.