Omani secures rare videos from 1970s from Bristol Archives

MUSCAT, JAN 18
Abdulwahab al Busaidy, board member of the Oman Astronomical Society (OAS) and a passionate stargazer, has secured rights to a rare collection of videos from the Bristol Archives, donated by Sir Donald Hawley, who was the first British ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman between 1971 and 1975.
Al Busaidy says he was so enthralled after hearing about the collection and travelled all the way to the Bristol Museum to take a look at them.
“I was so excited about the collections and wanted to see the videos shot during our childhood days, and I decided to travel to the UK just to see them. I was then granted permission to use them,” Abdulwahab told the Observer. “I am in talks with the authorities to give these collections a better public view,' he added.
Sir Donald Hawley’s collection, kept at the Bristol Museum, consists of 47 rolls of film of various lengths, reflecting his extensive career and travels as a colonial diplomat and lawyer. The earlier films show his time in the United Arab Emirates (the then Trucial States) and include visits around the area, both official and unofficial. There are shots of ceremonies including the celebration of Eid, ceremonial dances and the recognition of Shaikh Rashid Bin Said as Ruler of Dubai.
The films show similar scenes in Muscat and Oman generally, where Hawley held office as British Ambassador. These films include footage of Oman National Day celebrations, visits and parades, and tours around the country.
Remaining films cover Hawley's time in Egypt and Iraq, with footage of visits to many archaeological sites. There are also a number of reels showing scenes in Malaysia, recording Hawley's last posting overseas.
The footage is interspersed with family and domestic scenes, such as the marriage of Donald Hawley to Ruth Howes, and shots of their children in various countries and settings. Several holidays also feature, such as trips to Tuscany and Cyprus. 19 of the 47 films have been digitised.