Portraits of the Working People of Somerset now on display at Glastonbury Abbey

"Portraits of the Working People of Somerset" is an exhibition with a difference that is running at Glastonburuy Abbey from now until the 22nd January 2012.

For the exhibition Somerset cinematographer Terry Flaxton has photographed local craftspeople practising Somerset's traditional rural skills, many of which date back to medieval times, and has produced portraits of people working in such crafts as stone carving, paper and rope making, beekeeping, sheep shearing, cheese making, coal mining and mud-horse fishing.

Terry's larger than life portraits appear at first to be posed still images, but on closer inspection the portraits which were filmed in ultra high resolution and projected onto a screen, are actually moving.

The portraits were filmed in the Glastonbury Abbey barn at the Rural LIfe Museum for a project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and recognise the importance of Somerset's rural industries.  Terry came up with the concept after meeting 83 year old Hubert Watts who has been farming on Queen's Sedge Moor all his life.

Glastonbury Abbey staff worked with  school children at St. Benedict's in Glastonbury, Baltonsborough and West Pennard primary schools to research medieval crafts, and their work formed the basis of the exhibition.

Terry says: 'We wish to send the message of the rich vibrant Somerset culture to the rest of the country – as well as abroad. 'Portraits of the Working People of Somerset' is intended to sustain and enhance the identity of our region.'

Part of Terry's research at the University of Bristol involves investigating the effect of images filmed in the higher resolutions. He adds: 'As yet, most people haven't seen the effects of what is now possible in high definition. Our portraits project aims to show what we can accomplish at the higher end of technology.'

Charlotte Humpston, a producer and theatre designer who worked on the project with Terry says: 'The larger-than-life portraits of craftspeople standing still for one minute are completely fascinating for audiences. As our 21st century lives are so busy and full of disturbing news items, we wanted to celebrate what we have here in Somerset.  This is very much about appreciating and celebrating our heritage and traditions.'

The point of the size of representation is to raise the idea of the traditional craft worker in the public's perception.  Oral histories of the 'portraitees' have also been recorded by volunteers, who received professional training from the Engine Room in Bridgwater, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund award. These fascinating interviews form part of the exhibition.

Explaining the reasons for the award, Nerys Watts, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the South West, says: 'We recognise the crucial importance of traditional skills in ensuring the future of so many aspects of our varied heritage, from historic buildings to unique landscapes and biodiversity; our recent 'Skills for the Future' initiative is helping to ensure that these skills can be passed on to a new generation of craftspeople.

'By recording the memories and way of life of today's traditional workers, this project will help to ensure that their skills can be understood and appreciated by future generations.'

If you wish to visit the exhibition, it is on show in the main Abbey building, and normal admission charges apply.