Local history

The unique insight is courtesy of Bristol film historian Bryan Haynes who holds the 16mm footage in private archives at his home.

The factory, now owned by Cadbury's, is set to close in the next few years with a loss of 500 jobs. You can find out more about that by clicking the links below.

The black and white film with commentary and music is an example of the heritage items which Cosmo Fry, a direct descendant of the founding fathers of the Fry's chocolate empire, would like displayed in a museum alongside his own personal collection of memorabilia.

Click the links below to watch the footage.

The Somerdale site in about 1936, the laboratories where the raw materials were tested, and then the manufacture, from beans to powder,  of the popular cocoa drink.

Complicated machinery and the  making of the famous chocolate bars - as the "girls" work alongside the conveyor belts you can spot the famous Fry's favourite, the chocolate creme.

The workforce in the dining hall and relaxing on the verandah and playing fields plus the despatch of products in the private rail siding.

If you have any memories of the factory or Fry's memorabilia, please email the Inside Out team: