The Chronicles of Strangford

Retired ferryman John Murray shares home‑movie footage with his grandson Tom, capturing the 1969 opening of the Strangford car ferry. Shot on an 8 mm camera, the clip shows the inaugural ceremony and the first vehicles boarding, and was recorded by John himself.

Autumn Short 16 is a short‑form programme presented as an episode within a larger series. It falls under the genre of a brief, self‑contained segment that offers a snapshot of a specific moment or story. In this particular installment, the retired ferryman John Murray sits down with his grandson Tom and pulls out a reel of old home‑movie footage. The film shows the inaugural ceremony of the Strangford car ferry, an event that took place in 1969. As John plays the clip, he points out details of the day, giving Tom a personal glimpse of the ferry’s launch and the community atmosphere surrounding it. The footage itself is a modest, grainy record of the historic opening, captured by a family member rather than a professional crew. By sharing this private archive, John not only revisits a significant local milestone but also creates a bridge between his own past and Tom’s present, highlighting how personal memories can preserve wider historical moments. The episode therefore serves as a brief but intimate look at a bygone era, conveyed through the simple act of a grandfather showing his grandson a piece of family history.