The Charles Roebuck Cup

awarded annually for individual contribution to the film society movement.

The members of BFFS are film societies and so most of the annual awards are for societies. This one, however, is for those remarkable people who start film societies, keep the federation going and support the movement in all sorts of ways. It was donated by Charles Roebuck, a life-long cinema enthusiast.

As a teenager Charles found work with Alexander Korda's film unit and worked as one of the camera assistants on Sanders of the River (1935). He even managed to date the rising young star Merle Oberon.  His family, however, put pressure on him to take a safer career path. He became a Chartered Surveyor and channelled his love of cinema into work for the film society movement. First in the Western and then the Welsh Group of the Federation he encouraged societies, organised events and kept the group running. With various helpers - notably his wife, Nancy, and Harry Carter - he ran weekend events in all parts of Wales.  He also worked for the Federation's governing body travelling to meetings all over Britain.  For many years he was national treasurer and even attended weekday evening sub-committee meetings in London, travelling to and from his home in South Wales. He only retired when failing health forced him to do so.

Dave Watterson remembers:

I was BFFS General Secretary and Charles had just retired. He rang me up out of the blue and told me he wanted to donate a trophy in his name. Did I have any idea how it might be used?  I suggested it be for people not societies. Even as I outlined the idea I realised there could be no better marriage between sponsor and award.  If he had not given the cup, he would have been its first recipient.

As Charles and I batted around names of possible candidates I realised they were all extremely modest about their work for us.  So when his cheque arrived I ordered this huge, rather ugly cup. (It is 18" high and 12" across, 45cm x 30cm.) My notion was that with that trophy in the house, people would ask questions ... and thus those close to the winners would learn how much they did for film societies and how much it was appreciated.

The first recipient - and the only person to be awarded it twice - was Ronald Shields. Ronald had long worked for the Federation including a spell as its voluntary secretary. Using his contacts in the hotel trade he arranged beneficial rates for BFFS events. He also devoted himself to the International Federation travelling widely round the world. He was, like most winners, very much a hands-on person. For more on Ronald Shields - click here.

Usually the cup is not awarded for work the winner was employed to do.  Thus awards to Peter Cargin and Dave Watterson came long after their periods of employment by the Federation and in respect of their volunteer efforts before and after that period. An exception was made in the posthumous award to Mike Wessen, much-loved former manager of the National Film Theatre, whose final years had been spent as BFFS Field Officer.

The award may go to people outside the movement - as in the notable case of Peter Matthews, whose long service in the film distribution business earned him friends throughout the movement.  It goes to people who serve the national Federation and people who serve their own region.  The award having started relatively late in the life of the organisation there are many great pioneers not included, but the list of winners is a remarkable hall of fame.

Recipients:

1979	W.R. (Ronald) Shields		1988	W.R. (Ronald) Shields		1997	Paul Schilling
1980	Heini Przibram		1989	Brian Clay		1998	Ian Kerr
1981	Alan Howden		1990	Harry Carter		1999	Peter Matthews
1982	Roger Townsend		1991	John Donachy		2001	Alan Payne
1983	David & Joan Mills		1992	John Halas		2002	Phill Walkley
1984	Tom Ainsworth		1993	Ray Carter		2003	Bob Henderson
1985	Edith Cobbett		1994	Dilwyn Davies		2004	Peter Cargin
1986	Sid Brooks		1995	John Robson		2005	Dave Watterson
1987	Mike Wessen		1996	Anthony (Tony) Davison		2006	John Chittock