1. Don McQuade remembers ...
I joined the Club very much a novice with no idea of filmmaking or editing. All beginners need some encouragement otherwise it could put them off the hobby for life. One of my earliest memories of Marc was at a Holiday competition. My film of our holiday in Ibiza was my first attempt at a holiday film. While it was being shown, after one particular sequence, Marc, who was sitting behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘That’s the winner!’ Not surprisingly, Marc’s film won but mine came second out of about 11 entries. His positive remarks encouraged me to carry on and make more films. One lesson I learned from Marc and it is something I try to apply to all my films is that a film should tell a story, otherwise it is just a random series of images. Marc’s life has had a beginning, middle and end, just like one of his films. He has led a full life and enriched so many people’s lives. If it were a film it would be a contender for Film of the Year!
Don McQuade
Don McQuade
2. Frank Paling writes about Marc Seccombe
I arrived at DMM in 1998 as a result of an advert in a local paper offering help with making videos because I was desperate to know how to get rid of wind noise. Marc and Edwin Calow were the established members who seemed to be doing so much for the Club - and one or other of them seemed to win every competition. They were far ahead in their film making knowledge and ability of the other twenty odd members; these were the complicated days of VHS and linear editing using 2 video recorders. The person who welcomed me at the door was Shrivatsa, (sporting a moustache and a very smart black silk suit).
Meetings were held in the Community Hut on Evelyn Avenue, Marc opened up and had a hand, along with the other experts in setting up the bewildering arrangement to show member’s films; he regularly delivered impromptu informative chats without any notes and generally seemed to be everywhere doing everything. His dedication to film making and the Club was so obvious. At that time he was also the vicar at Rossington.
My film making progress was painfully slow but Marc was the one member who had a quiet private word of encouragement after a showing, always with a constructive suggestion for some improvement.
His sharp sense of humour was evident in his Butlin’s holiday film, inter cut with Prison Camp clips. Then there was the Black Comedy of the vicar who visited the man in his sick bed who eventually left him all his money - with unexpected results. I also remember his sharp caricature of a headmaster at a Public School Speech Day, who delivered his oration in the exaggerated sing song tones of a religious ceremony. I never knew if he enjoyed his Public School days or if that short film was a sort of personal protest.
Then came his ‘Elgar’ era and he moved up to another level and away from all the competition, with a number of brilliant pieces that won acclaim from film makers everywhere. My personal choice for Marc’s best film is his documentary on Stanley Spencer the artist.
What I did learn from Marc’s films was to move away from eye level shots and get down low whenever the opportunity presented , especially with plants and flowers. He was also one of the few who had the courage and skill to present a piece to camera in his films, something I still spend a lot of time trying to get right.
Marc Seccombe will be greatly missed but his precious legacy will continue, both in our archives and in our personal memories.
3. Pete Bonsall writes:
I first got to know Marc when I was a leader with the 23rd Doncaster (Owston) Scout group and when Marc was the vicar of Owston Church, he was young and dynamic and apart from his own hobbies he was very keen on the local activities particularly the youth groups. I lived in the rural half of Carcroft, the boundary being the middle of our road so we voted in the village of Owston
When our children attended Adwick school they were friendly with Tim and Jane, Marc and Pips children.
I know that Marc had a busy life and whatever he was involved in he put real effort into it. He was a good organiser and had a special quality about him. His filmmaking was top class and being at the time when there was not the technology as there is today, everyone seems able to be a film maker now, but you could say Marc was a pioneer in this field. We had something in common, he liked the same kind of music as I and this music he applied to his films expertly.
Credit, were it is due, Marc was a real gentleman and he will be remembered with affection.
4.Mike Heath writes:
We were all very sorry to hear of Marc’s death. We knew his condition was becoming serious but one can never be prepared for the emptiness such sad news brings.
I had the privilege of working with Marc on quite a few projects. I remember being both flattered and somewhat nervous when in 2013 he asked me to video Robin’s wedding. I had only been a member of Doncaster Movie Makers for quite a short time, long enough however to know of Marc’s abilities as a film maker and of his high standards. My nervous system took a further jolt when I realized that he wanted me to edit the wedding service and the reception.
Our next project together was the documentary introducing Dean Lomax and Doncaster Museum’s ichthyosaur fossil. We had arranged to meet on Saturday morning at the museum but only Pip arrived and explained that Marc had broken a tooth and was at the dentist. My instructions were to get filming and he would be there albeit a little late. I set up my camera and we began. Dean was soon in full flow describing the specimen. Marc duly arrived and we eventually moved our activities to Dean’s office. This was the size of a broom cupboard. It seemed quite claustrophobic with two cameras with tripods Dean, Marc, Pip and myself. We were to record an interview about Dean’s first book that had just been released. Pip would ask the questions and Dean would answer. Straight-forward enough I would film such that Pip and Dean were in shot. Dean fully facing me and Pip to one side. Marc was able to get an angle such that he had a good shot of Pip. The first question was put to Dean. Before he could answer Marc wanted me to move the camera to get a different angle. This I did with some difficulty. This is going to take a fair bit of time I thought. You can see the video here: https://yyoutu.be/N2Laln9zT4s
A similar project involved local retired family butcher, Bill Elliott . Marc was in his element directing operations and calling the shots with Pip asking the questions. This made a beautiful film recounting Bill’s life and also a very interesting social history of life in a colliery village.
I use the same editing programme as Marc and had a bit more experience in its use. It is a professional grade programme and has features that we amateurs will never use. Marc was quite conversant with it until Apple released the latest revision and this called for a relearning of the system. We would get together and puzzle through the film he was editing and somehow produce the film he had planned.
His last film in which I was involved concerned a visit to the Tower of London to see the poppies. This is a powerful film called “With Proud Thanksgiving” in which his beloved Elgar’s choral piece of the same name provides the musical background to his visit to London. Binyon’s words are not always clear and so I placed the words on screen. I amended another Elgar film to remove a volunteer who appears in the film. He had sadly died and since the film is shown daily at the Elgar museum it was thought prudent to make the alterations. I have reworked several films carrying out his very precise instructions to meet his exacting requirements.
It is his attention to detail that makes his films so special. He knew what he wanted to achieve and how to get it. He was also blessed with a lovely warm clear speaking voice and the ability to choose his words to convey the required meaning.
I enjoyed his company. He was a quiet man with a lovely sense of humour; evident in his earlier films. We had several days out, travelling to Scarborough and Harrogate to film competitions. He was always warmly greeted by fellow film makers who clearly knew and respected his films.
We will miss his friendship, his practical suggestions and his wit. May he rest in peace.
Mike Heath 17-4-2020
5.Derek Cooper-Keeble writes:
It is with great sadness that we learn of Marc's passing. Personally he was a great mentor In sharing with us all his knowledge of the amateur world of film and video production. His passion and energy in this great creative hobby was unbounding and he was a great servant to our club, he will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.
Both Pip and Marc were great comfort to me when I lost my wife and Marc kindly conducted the service at her funeral, that act of love will remain with me forever.
On the first night when I joined the club in 1998, Marc personally made me welcome and continued to encourage me through those early years.
There many ways in which Marc served the club he was chairman and as publicity secretary was instrumental in producing a club magazine encouraging all to submit items.
Apart from our club Marc was respected by many other clubs that shared the same interest.
Thanks Marc, for all you did in making our club such a success. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
Derek Cooper-Keeble
6.David Juden, a past vice chairman recalls:
My first contact with Marc was from an advert in a local newspaper delivered to every house in Doncaster free of charge, called The Weekender, I spotted a tiny advert for 'the Doncaster Cine and Video club', ring Marc Seccomb tel no **********. I was delighted to see the add so I rang him, he was the publicity secretary at the time and we had a good chat, he was very pleased when I arrived at the club in Evelyn Avenue and became a member on my first visit. We got on very well and it wasn't long before I was invited to the Vicarage in Rossington. I also got on very well with Pip, his wife. I also had lived and worked in the same areas where they both had lived in the South of England and Greater London, also my interest and experiences with nature and Horticulture/ Agriculture Animals etc, interested her.
We also discussed Marc's voice and diction and his training etc, which always impressed me, well spoken English and other accents was another interest of mine, and he very happily recorded various voiceovers for me over several years.
And of course, they were both pleased I had the same interests in Classical music, and that I was Videoing many music concerts at that time. So when there was a big performance planned by leading members of the Elgar Society arranged to be held in Oakham, Rutland, Marc asked me, if I would record the sound with my equipment, as well as be a second camera. I was of course very happy to be involved. Marc drove us to the rehearsals at the Oakham community centre. It was a 2 hour journey on the hottest day of the year and luckily he had air conditioning, something I had not experienced before. I remember as we got out of his car we both winced with the extreme heat outside. On the day of the performance Pip needed the car, so I drove us to the venue which was Oakham Church. It was quite big, plenty of space was needed as there was a large Orchestra several Singers and the Music director who conducted from the Grand Piano most of the time, there were members and enthusiasts from all over the UK, and a few from abroad. Marc, of course, was in his element meeting people in person that he had only been in contact with through letters and the internet over many years.
Marc was always happy to be an additional Camera for me on my various shoots, including Weddings. It was novel him knowing the Vicars at most of the Churches, it made videoing easier as some Vicars are very narrow minded and difficult in that respect, Marc would agree. They like to be in full control of their services and are not keen on invasion. But I can honestly tell you that all of them bar one, thanked me personally for my conduct and said they didn't notice me my crew or equipment during the service, there was one that I had problems with, even Marc couldn't persuade him. Marc had already told me he was a difficult one to get on with, and often caused bad feelings within the Church. Luckily Marc could laugh about how silly it all was.
When Marc retired he invited me to see his new home and I often joined him in his studio upstairs, looking enviously at all his Apple equipment, etc.
I quite frequently had a phone call or text message on a Wednesday saying 'Pip needs the Car can you pick me up on way to Club?' That went on for quite a while until Mike Heath had joined the club and reunited with Pip after many years, and he took over taking Marc to Club, sadly Marc soon developed his health problems after then, and I found it extremely difficult to see his mobility failing as it did.
As you (Shrivatsa) said, we have all learnt something from Marc. For me he was part of the structure of DMM (Doncaster Movie Makers, as it had changed its name in later years) and it can never be the same as it was with his presence. I personally loved his discipline and attention to detail. Particularly when he was Chairman, meetings started on time, his voice cutting through the noise and chatter he would instruct the meeting to start whether all were seated or not. His years as editor of 'Edit' (club magazine) were admirable. As you commented he was always asking for material, the only one who regularly contributed was of course, the other main part of the structure, Edwin Calow.
I was Edwin's Vice Chairman for 7 years, sharing some of John Seils tasks with him then. When Edwin stepped down and Marc took over he asked me if I would remain as his Vice Chair which I did until Marc stepped down.
Well, Shrivatsa, I hope you are happy with my offerings, I will in due course look through my old Video tapes and see what I can retrieve, and make some sort of record of Marc in action, for my own personal memories as well as to show at Club, You may remember my Club entry' Forgotten Tapes' when I said "get your old tapes digitised before you lose those memories for good." I must listen to my advice.
Best wishes David.
7.Shrivatsa Desai writes:
It is with heavy heart that we bid farewell to Marc Seccombe and through these pages celebrate his life as we saw it and what we gained from it. I personally have admired him as a person and learnt a lot from his skills and from his teachings at the club. Where do I start? I'll start at the beginning.
A healing touch:
I came to Doncaster in 1982 to join the NHS and have lived here ever since, the longest I have lived anywhere in my life. It was either in 1983 or 1984. In the middle of one morning I got the news that the nurse who was to assist me in the operating theatre that day had suddenly died at home. She was in her forties and had been a key member of our team. The loss made me and all the nursing staff very sad and unsettled. Along with her family the hospital staff too needed the support from the vicar. In response to my call the person who offered to come and see me was Marc Seccombe! I didn't know at that time how close our association was going to be later. At our very first meeting itself I could feel how humane he was and how kind and understanding and he, in addition to that family, supported me psychologically and I am grateful for that. He used to visited many sick people at DRI in his role as the vicar. Being a medic, it wasn't me but he showed the healing touch at that episode!
I join the moviemakers' club:
It was much later that I spotted the advert for a series of video-editing classes organised by "The Doncaster Moviemakers camcorder Club", as it was called then, in Intake in Doncaster, and went along to the first of three nights and after the third became a member as everyone was so friendly and helpful, which has been the strength of the club to this day. The camcorders were relatively new then and all editing was linear (with analogue footage). I had just then bought my first camcorder. I was a total novice and I needed a lot of help and advice which was readily available at the club. Edwin Calow, the then chairman and Marc Seccombe who took over the office from him were very experienced and enthusiastic film makers, having learnt their craft from cine film days. It was a steep learning curve for me and I made my early films using my footage (what I could salvage, having made every mistake in the book) shot in India. Marc often gave talks on essentials of film making. His acronym IMPACT always sticks in one's mind. Marc's enthusiasm was infectious; the range of subjects of his films vast; his voice over exemplary and editing a model of perfection.
A teacher is born, not taught!
Having come from a family of teachers myself and mentored by a couple of great ones in my early life, I can spot a good teacher one when I see one. Marc would give handouts sometimes after his talk.. I wish I had kept them safe. But like other members who have recorded here, I adopted many of of his tips, though not to the same final impact! For years he acted as the publicity secretary, trying to spread the word and attract new members, always an arduous task, even today. He would request local Jessops to display notices advertising the club, put it on car windows, work notice boards, write articles in local papers, it goes on. For many years he edited our club newsletter/magazine called EDIT filling it with articles and bits about camcorders, film making and techniques etc to which members would contribute after repeated request by Marc, whenever possible! Some of us still have old copies of them.
A competitor to emulate (as you cannot beat him!)
In the four decades he was an active member in the club, he had entered practically every competition the club held, I am told reliably by a member. That shows his commitment and 'competitive' spirit . It also must have kept him in good stead as the roll of honour list is there to prove. With Edwin and Marc in the club and a few other experts, it was very rare for minions like me to get a winner's place in the competitions. I remember him telling how an occasional critical remark of the judges in inter-club competitions would stick in his mind and push him to improve. He had humility to admit it.
With all this he was a quiet, soft spoken man, I found. He would make an effort to attend every meeting possible even in his later years as his health was failing, thanks to the helping hand offered by friends in the club as already alluded to above. He was a family man. I got to meet some of his children and of course Pip, his wife, whose voice was always heard in his films and outside. Once I even persuaded to appear in one of the club films I was involved in.
Like many in the club, I will cherish his friendship, admire his skills, and learn from his humanity. I will always remember the last time I visited him in the hospital and fed him that tub of ice cream as there was no staff around. It was a precious and special moment for me to see him relish his pudding!
3 in 1!
A Polish patient once told me, while giving her some instructions, of a saying in her country: "you must always listen to your teacher, your doctor and your priest!" This doctor listened to Marc and that is two of them, or perhaps all three!
Shrivatsa Desai
8. Ann Morgan reminisces:
I have known Marc for over 25 years, as have been a member of DMMC for that length of time. I've greatly enjoyed the films he has presented. He was always ready to give advice and encouragement. Marc's films will not date, in general, for example both the Elgar and Stanley Spencer documentaries.
He has certainly left his 'mark' at DMMC. He was a good, wise person and greatly respected. Reminiscences will be plentiful and viewing his films again, nostalgic.
I also talked to Marc about the regular DAMS concerts, held at Museum & Art Gallery. We discussed various musician's performances. He had a great understanding of music.
Ann Morgan
9. Cherryl Stewart writes:
With Deepest Sympathy
TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT warmest THOUGHTS
ARE WITH YOU ALL
AT THIS sad TIME.
THINKING OF YOU ALL
Cherryl
10. Michael Yarnell writes:
I was sorry to hear from Ann Morgan that Marc Seccombe had passed away, who was a retired vicar.
Thank you also Shrivatsa for your update text and doing our website for Doncaster Movie Makers without this we cannot express our thoughts & feelings to Pip & Family.
I would have sent a card to Pip & Family with sincerity, but i would have been in the shop too long.
Marc made a variety of films where you are taken to Scotland to see a Pinemartin, what's down your plug hole. He made a film of Edward Elgar & was really proud of this. There is one of a famous painter. Marc would have an idea, and then you would see on screen one of our members Derek pushing an old pram and acting the part!
Marc filmed for the NATS with Pip, also together at Doncaster Museum on a Wednesday afternoon listening to all sorts of music.
Our cinema is Flintwood Methodist Church. I would help lower Marc down on to his seat, when clubs came from far away. I would bring a small table to him, I then went for his coffee & biscuits, while he had a talk to his visitors.
When it was members night, Marc would like to join us at the large tables, once again I would lower him to his seat, with the words “Don’t worry Marc, I won't drop you.”
Kind regards
Michael Yarnell
11.Ian Bell writes:
Just a few words to explain how I dropped in on Marc Seccombe.
When we were moving into our present address, my wife was out shopping and I was busy insulating the loft.
I accidentally slipped and fell through the loft hatch on to the concrete hall floor. Whilst surveying the damage to myself, there was a knock on the door.
After a while I managed to heave myself up from the floor to open it.
Standing there was a smart looking stranger complete with dog collar - I didn't know if I was in heaven or earth!
He introduced himself as Marc Seccombe, Vicar of St Michael's Church, Rossington. He wanted to welcome my wife to the church.
My wife joined the church and soon learned that Vicar Marc and wife Pip were very much liked and respected.
Each time there was a function I was press-ganged into attending, so I saw quite a lot of Marc.
During one of our conversations he mentioned he was a keen movie maker, resulting in me showing him pathetic efforts of my own. Without actually saying he wasn't impressed, he invited me to come along to the Club, and like many more, I have benefited from his expertise and encouragement.
AS THEY SAY - THE REST IS HISTORY.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Ian Bell
12. CharLee writes:
I had a high regard for Marc. He was a tremendous club member and often shared his brilliant films with us. As a filmmaker I learnt so much watching his films and learning from his artistic shots and the meticulous way he put things together.
Above all else I have lost a friend.
Charlee Lee
13. Jean Elliott writes:
How can I ever forget Marc?
Each time Elgar’s music was played on the media I always tried to contact him. Marc also preached at various churches around the town and was a former Minister for the Church in Rossington. A true gentleman passed by and I shall miss him.
Jean Elliott
Meetings were held in the Community Hut on Evelyn Avenue, Marc opened up and had a hand, along with the other experts in setting up the bewildering arrangement to show member’s films; he regularly delivered impromptu informative chats without any notes and generally seemed to be everywhere doing everything. His dedication to film making and the Club was so obvious. At that time he was also the vicar at Rossington.
My film making progress was painfully slow but Marc was the one member who had a quiet private word of encouragement after a showing, always with a constructive suggestion for some improvement.
His sharp sense of humour was evident in his Butlin’s holiday film, inter cut with Prison Camp clips. Then there was the Black Comedy of the vicar who visited the man in his sick bed who eventually left him all his money - with unexpected results. I also remember his sharp caricature of a headmaster at a Public School Speech Day, who delivered his oration in the exaggerated sing song tones of a religious ceremony. I never knew if he enjoyed his Public School days or if that short film was a sort of personal protest.
Then came his ‘Elgar’ era and he moved up to another level and away from all the competition, with a number of brilliant pieces that won acclaim from film makers everywhere. My personal choice for Marc’s best film is his documentary on Stanley Spencer the artist.
What I did learn from Marc’s films was to move away from eye level shots and get down low whenever the opportunity presented , especially with plants and flowers. He was also one of the few who had the courage and skill to present a piece to camera in his films, something I still spend a lot of time trying to get right.
Marc Seccombe will be greatly missed but his precious legacy will continue, both in our archives and in our personal memories.
3. Pete Bonsall writes:
I first got to know Marc when I was a leader with the 23rd Doncaster (Owston) Scout group and when Marc was the vicar of Owston Church, he was young and dynamic and apart from his own hobbies he was very keen on the local activities particularly the youth groups. I lived in the rural half of Carcroft, the boundary being the middle of our road so we voted in the village of Owston
When our children attended Adwick school they were friendly with Tim and Jane, Marc and Pips children.
I know that Marc had a busy life and whatever he was involved in he put real effort into it. He was a good organiser and had a special quality about him. His filmmaking was top class and being at the time when there was not the technology as there is today, everyone seems able to be a film maker now, but you could say Marc was a pioneer in this field. We had something in common, he liked the same kind of music as I and this music he applied to his films expertly.
Credit, were it is due, Marc was a real gentleman and he will be remembered with affection.
4.Mike Heath writes:
We were all very sorry to hear of Marc’s death. We knew his condition was becoming serious but one can never be prepared for the emptiness such sad news brings.
I had the privilege of working with Marc on quite a few projects. I remember being both flattered and somewhat nervous when in 2013 he asked me to video Robin’s wedding. I had only been a member of Doncaster Movie Makers for quite a short time, long enough however to know of Marc’s abilities as a film maker and of his high standards. My nervous system took a further jolt when I realized that he wanted me to edit the wedding service and the reception.
Our next project together was the documentary introducing Dean Lomax and Doncaster Museum’s ichthyosaur fossil. We had arranged to meet on Saturday morning at the museum but only Pip arrived and explained that Marc had broken a tooth and was at the dentist. My instructions were to get filming and he would be there albeit a little late. I set up my camera and we began. Dean was soon in full flow describing the specimen. Marc duly arrived and we eventually moved our activities to Dean’s office. This was the size of a broom cupboard. It seemed quite claustrophobic with two cameras with tripods Dean, Marc, Pip and myself. We were to record an interview about Dean’s first book that had just been released. Pip would ask the questions and Dean would answer. Straight-forward enough I would film such that Pip and Dean were in shot. Dean fully facing me and Pip to one side. Marc was able to get an angle such that he had a good shot of Pip. The first question was put to Dean. Before he could answer Marc wanted me to move the camera to get a different angle. This I did with some difficulty. This is going to take a fair bit of time I thought. You can see the video here: https://yyoutu.be/N2Laln9zT4s
A similar project involved local retired family butcher, Bill Elliott . Marc was in his element directing operations and calling the shots with Pip asking the questions. This made a beautiful film recounting Bill’s life and also a very interesting social history of life in a colliery village.
I use the same editing programme as Marc and had a bit more experience in its use. It is a professional grade programme and has features that we amateurs will never use. Marc was quite conversant with it until Apple released the latest revision and this called for a relearning of the system. We would get together and puzzle through the film he was editing and somehow produce the film he had planned.
His last film in which I was involved concerned a visit to the Tower of London to see the poppies. This is a powerful film called “With Proud Thanksgiving” in which his beloved Elgar’s choral piece of the same name provides the musical background to his visit to London. Binyon’s words are not always clear and so I placed the words on screen. I amended another Elgar film to remove a volunteer who appears in the film. He had sadly died and since the film is shown daily at the Elgar museum it was thought prudent to make the alterations. I have reworked several films carrying out his very precise instructions to meet his exacting requirements.
It is his attention to detail that makes his films so special. He knew what he wanted to achieve and how to get it. He was also blessed with a lovely warm clear speaking voice and the ability to choose his words to convey the required meaning.
I enjoyed his company. He was a quiet man with a lovely sense of humour; evident in his earlier films. We had several days out, travelling to Scarborough and Harrogate to film competitions. He was always warmly greeted by fellow film makers who clearly knew and respected his films.
We will miss his friendship, his practical suggestions and his wit. May he rest in peace.
Mike Heath 17-4-2020
5.Derek Cooper-Keeble writes:
It is with great sadness that we learn of Marc's passing. Personally he was a great mentor In sharing with us all his knowledge of the amateur world of film and video production. His passion and energy in this great creative hobby was unbounding and he was a great servant to our club, he will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.
Both Pip and Marc were great comfort to me when I lost my wife and Marc kindly conducted the service at her funeral, that act of love will remain with me forever.
On the first night when I joined the club in 1998, Marc personally made me welcome and continued to encourage me through those early years.
There many ways in which Marc served the club he was chairman and as publicity secretary was instrumental in producing a club magazine encouraging all to submit items.
Apart from our club Marc was respected by many other clubs that shared the same interest.
Thanks Marc, for all you did in making our club such a success. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
Derek Cooper-Keeble
6.David Juden, a past vice chairman recalls:
My first contact with Marc was from an advert in a local newspaper delivered to every house in Doncaster free of charge, called The Weekender, I spotted a tiny advert for 'the Doncaster Cine and Video club', ring Marc Seccomb tel no **********. I was delighted to see the add so I rang him, he was the publicity secretary at the time and we had a good chat, he was very pleased when I arrived at the club in Evelyn Avenue and became a member on my first visit. We got on very well and it wasn't long before I was invited to the Vicarage in Rossington. I also got on very well with Pip, his wife. I also had lived and worked in the same areas where they both had lived in the South of England and Greater London, also my interest and experiences with nature and Horticulture/ Agriculture Animals etc, interested her.
We also discussed Marc's voice and diction and his training etc, which always impressed me, well spoken English and other accents was another interest of mine, and he very happily recorded various voiceovers for me over several years.
And of course, they were both pleased I had the same interests in Classical music, and that I was Videoing many music concerts at that time. So when there was a big performance planned by leading members of the Elgar Society arranged to be held in Oakham, Rutland, Marc asked me, if I would record the sound with my equipment, as well as be a second camera. I was of course very happy to be involved. Marc drove us to the rehearsals at the Oakham community centre. It was a 2 hour journey on the hottest day of the year and luckily he had air conditioning, something I had not experienced before. I remember as we got out of his car we both winced with the extreme heat outside. On the day of the performance Pip needed the car, so I drove us to the venue which was Oakham Church. It was quite big, plenty of space was needed as there was a large Orchestra several Singers and the Music director who conducted from the Grand Piano most of the time, there were members and enthusiasts from all over the UK, and a few from abroad. Marc, of course, was in his element meeting people in person that he had only been in contact with through letters and the internet over many years.
Marc was always happy to be an additional Camera for me on my various shoots, including Weddings. It was novel him knowing the Vicars at most of the Churches, it made videoing easier as some Vicars are very narrow minded and difficult in that respect, Marc would agree. They like to be in full control of their services and are not keen on invasion. But I can honestly tell you that all of them bar one, thanked me personally for my conduct and said they didn't notice me my crew or equipment during the service, there was one that I had problems with, even Marc couldn't persuade him. Marc had already told me he was a difficult one to get on with, and often caused bad feelings within the Church. Luckily Marc could laugh about how silly it all was.
When Marc retired he invited me to see his new home and I often joined him in his studio upstairs, looking enviously at all his Apple equipment, etc.
I quite frequently had a phone call or text message on a Wednesday saying 'Pip needs the Car can you pick me up on way to Club?' That went on for quite a while until Mike Heath had joined the club and reunited with Pip after many years, and he took over taking Marc to Club, sadly Marc soon developed his health problems after then, and I found it extremely difficult to see his mobility failing as it did.
As you (Shrivatsa) said, we have all learnt something from Marc. For me he was part of the structure of DMM (Doncaster Movie Makers, as it had changed its name in later years) and it can never be the same as it was with his presence. I personally loved his discipline and attention to detail. Particularly when he was Chairman, meetings started on time, his voice cutting through the noise and chatter he would instruct the meeting to start whether all were seated or not. His years as editor of 'Edit' (club magazine) were admirable. As you commented he was always asking for material, the only one who regularly contributed was of course, the other main part of the structure, Edwin Calow.
I was Edwin's Vice Chairman for 7 years, sharing some of John Seils tasks with him then. When Edwin stepped down and Marc took over he asked me if I would remain as his Vice Chair which I did until Marc stepped down.
Well, Shrivatsa, I hope you are happy with my offerings, I will in due course look through my old Video tapes and see what I can retrieve, and make some sort of record of Marc in action, for my own personal memories as well as to show at Club, You may remember my Club entry' Forgotten Tapes' when I said "get your old tapes digitised before you lose those memories for good." I must listen to my advice.
Best wishes David.
7.Shrivatsa Desai writes:
It is with heavy heart that we bid farewell to Marc Seccombe and through these pages celebrate his life as we saw it and what we gained from it. I personally have admired him as a person and learnt a lot from his skills and from his teachings at the club. Where do I start? I'll start at the beginning.
A healing touch:
I came to Doncaster in 1982 to join the NHS and have lived here ever since, the longest I have lived anywhere in my life. It was either in 1983 or 1984. In the middle of one morning I got the news that the nurse who was to assist me in the operating theatre that day had suddenly died at home. She was in her forties and had been a key member of our team. The loss made me and all the nursing staff very sad and unsettled. Along with her family the hospital staff too needed the support from the vicar. In response to my call the person who offered to come and see me was Marc Seccombe! I didn't know at that time how close our association was going to be later. At our very first meeting itself I could feel how humane he was and how kind and understanding and he, in addition to that family, supported me psychologically and I am grateful for that. He used to visited many sick people at DRI in his role as the vicar. Being a medic, it wasn't me but he showed the healing touch at that episode!
I join the moviemakers' club:
It was much later that I spotted the advert for a series of video-editing classes organised by "The Doncaster Moviemakers camcorder Club", as it was called then, in Intake in Doncaster, and went along to the first of three nights and after the third became a member as everyone was so friendly and helpful, which has been the strength of the club to this day. The camcorders were relatively new then and all editing was linear (with analogue footage). I had just then bought my first camcorder. I was a total novice and I needed a lot of help and advice which was readily available at the club. Edwin Calow, the then chairman and Marc Seccombe who took over the office from him were very experienced and enthusiastic film makers, having learnt their craft from cine film days. It was a steep learning curve for me and I made my early films using my footage (what I could salvage, having made every mistake in the book) shot in India. Marc often gave talks on essentials of film making. His acronym IMPACT always sticks in one's mind. Marc's enthusiasm was infectious; the range of subjects of his films vast; his voice over exemplary and editing a model of perfection.
A teacher is born, not taught!
Having come from a family of teachers myself and mentored by a couple of great ones in my early life, I can spot a good teacher one when I see one. Marc would give handouts sometimes after his talk.. I wish I had kept them safe. But like other members who have recorded here, I adopted many of of his tips, though not to the same final impact! For years he acted as the publicity secretary, trying to spread the word and attract new members, always an arduous task, even today. He would request local Jessops to display notices advertising the club, put it on car windows, work notice boards, write articles in local papers, it goes on. For many years he edited our club newsletter/magazine called EDIT filling it with articles and bits about camcorders, film making and techniques etc to which members would contribute after repeated request by Marc, whenever possible! Some of us still have old copies of them.
A competitor to emulate (as you cannot beat him!)
In the four decades he was an active member in the club, he had entered practically every competition the club held, I am told reliably by a member. That shows his commitment and 'competitive' spirit . It also must have kept him in good stead as the roll of honour list is there to prove. With Edwin and Marc in the club and a few other experts, it was very rare for minions like me to get a winner's place in the competitions. I remember him telling how an occasional critical remark of the judges in inter-club competitions would stick in his mind and push him to improve. He had humility to admit it.
With all this he was a quiet, soft spoken man, I found. He would make an effort to attend every meeting possible even in his later years as his health was failing, thanks to the helping hand offered by friends in the club as already alluded to above. He was a family man. I got to meet some of his children and of course Pip, his wife, whose voice was always heard in his films and outside. Once I even persuaded to appear in one of the club films I was involved in.
Like many in the club, I will cherish his friendship, admire his skills, and learn from his humanity. I will always remember the last time I visited him in the hospital and fed him that tub of ice cream as there was no staff around. It was a precious and special moment for me to see him relish his pudding!
3 in 1!
A Polish patient once told me, while giving her some instructions, of a saying in her country: "you must always listen to your teacher, your doctor and your priest!" This doctor listened to Marc and that is two of them, or perhaps all three!
Shrivatsa Desai
8. Ann Morgan reminisces:
I have known Marc for over 25 years, as have been a member of DMMC for that length of time. I've greatly enjoyed the films he has presented. He was always ready to give advice and encouragement. Marc's films will not date, in general, for example both the Elgar and Stanley Spencer documentaries.
He has certainly left his 'mark' at DMMC. He was a good, wise person and greatly respected. Reminiscences will be plentiful and viewing his films again, nostalgic.
I also talked to Marc about the regular DAMS concerts, held at Museum & Art Gallery. We discussed various musician's performances. He had a great understanding of music.
Ann Morgan
9. Cherryl Stewart writes:
With Deepest Sympathy
TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT warmest THOUGHTS
ARE WITH YOU ALL
AT THIS sad TIME.
THINKING OF YOU ALL
Cherryl
10. Michael Yarnell writes:
I was sorry to hear from Ann Morgan that Marc Seccombe had passed away, who was a retired vicar.
Thank you also Shrivatsa for your update text and doing our website for Doncaster Movie Makers without this we cannot express our thoughts & feelings to Pip & Family.
I would have sent a card to Pip & Family with sincerity, but i would have been in the shop too long.
Marc made a variety of films where you are taken to Scotland to see a Pinemartin, what's down your plug hole. He made a film of Edward Elgar & was really proud of this. There is one of a famous painter. Marc would have an idea, and then you would see on screen one of our members Derek pushing an old pram and acting the part!
Marc filmed for the NATS with Pip, also together at Doncaster Museum on a Wednesday afternoon listening to all sorts of music.
Our cinema is Flintwood Methodist Church. I would help lower Marc down on to his seat, when clubs came from far away. I would bring a small table to him, I then went for his coffee & biscuits, while he had a talk to his visitors.
When it was members night, Marc would like to join us at the large tables, once again I would lower him to his seat, with the words “Don’t worry Marc, I won't drop you.”
Kind regards
Michael Yarnell
11.Ian Bell writes:
Just a few words to explain how I dropped in on Marc Seccombe.
When we were moving into our present address, my wife was out shopping and I was busy insulating the loft.
I accidentally slipped and fell through the loft hatch on to the concrete hall floor. Whilst surveying the damage to myself, there was a knock on the door.
After a while I managed to heave myself up from the floor to open it.
Standing there was a smart looking stranger complete with dog collar - I didn't know if I was in heaven or earth!
He introduced himself as Marc Seccombe, Vicar of St Michael's Church, Rossington. He wanted to welcome my wife to the church.
My wife joined the church and soon learned that Vicar Marc and wife Pip were very much liked and respected.
Each time there was a function I was press-ganged into attending, so I saw quite a lot of Marc.
During one of our conversations he mentioned he was a keen movie maker, resulting in me showing him pathetic efforts of my own. Without actually saying he wasn't impressed, he invited me to come along to the Club, and like many more, I have benefited from his expertise and encouragement.
AS THEY SAY - THE REST IS HISTORY.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Ian Bell
12. CharLee writes:
I had a high regard for Marc. He was a tremendous club member and often shared his brilliant films with us. As a filmmaker I learnt so much watching his films and learning from his artistic shots and the meticulous way he put things together.
Above all else I have lost a friend.
Charlee Lee
13. Jean Elliott writes:
How can I ever forget Marc?
Each time Elgar’s music was played on the media I always tried to contact him. Marc also preached at various churches around the town and was a former Minister for the Church in Rossington. A true gentleman passed by and I shall miss him.
Jean Elliott