David Ellery
# David Ellery

David Ellery is a documentary film-maker, director and writer, author and ship historian based in Hampshire. He has written and produced/ directed a variety of stand-alone documentaries and five series' for television and is credited with more than 150 published magazine articles and several books. A new edition of RMS Queen Mary 101 Questions & Answers was launched by Bloomsbury in 2022. He also appears as part of the on-screen team for The Great British Home Movie Roadshow, first broadcast in August and September 2010. In 2011 he received his second Royal Television Society Award. Recent work includes the documentary: P&O Cruises - Celebrating 175 Years of Heritage, which he wrote, edited and directed, a short film with actors Sarah Parish and husband James Murray about the Murray Parish Trust [2015], The Ultimate Challenge - a 6-part travel/ roadshow series for television [2016] and Wattisham Both Sides of the Fence, the story of an airfield with a unique place in British aviation history [2017], which Ellery wrote, narrated, filmed and edited, and for which he received his third RTS Award [2018]. In 2019 David Ellery wrote, narrated and directed Britain's Last Paddle Steamers, followed by Cold War East Anglia - the front line, a broadcast quality documentary [2020]. Ellery's background is in writing. As a freelance feature writer he produced articles for a variety of regional and national magazines and papers, including Women's Realm, Woman & Home, Homes & Gardens and the Express newspaper group. They include celebrity interviews with stars like Stefanie Powers, Heather Lockyear, Peter Davison and Sir Norman Wisdom, and articles on travel, art, and motoring. In September 1992 he became the Motoring Correspondent for regional radio station Spire FM in Salisbury, reporting on motoring matters from events like the London Motorshow and presenting a weekly slot. He then moved into television production, scripting and voice-over work. David Ellery has also been commissioned by EMTAS (Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service) to produce several educational films, including programmes to introduce and support the award-winning Young Interpreters Scheme and New Arrivals Ambassadors, for schools across the UK.

## Works

### Television

* The Ultimate Challenge (2016). A 6-part travel/ roadshow documentary series: written, narrated and edited by David Ellery.
* The Great British Home Movie Roadshow (since 2010). Broadcast on BBC2, this 5-part series featuring amateur cine footage spans 100 years of the nation's history. David Ellery is one of the programme's presenters and on-screen 'experts'.
* Beechings Tracks (2008) part of the BBC's recent Railway Season. This programme explores the impact of Dr Richard Beeching's infamous railway cuts of the 1960s on the south of England, known as the Beeching Axe. Shown on BBC1 in October 2008.
* Regal & Retired (2006) a documentary for Viewpoint Productions. Made for the BBC, this programme marked the 70th anniversary of RMS Queen Mary, the last 1930s 'superliner'. Shown on BBC1 in May 2006 and BBC Scotland July 2006. Narrated by Julie Peasgood.
* In The Past (Series 1): written, produced, directed and narrated by David Ellery, the series features archive film footage from the 1920s-1960s. First broadcast in 2000 on ITV1.
* In the Past (Series 2): Further programmes in a similar vein to the first series. First broadcast in 2001 on ITV1.
* In The Past (Series 3): A 15-part series featuring archive film sequences from as early as 1896 to approximately 1969, covering a wide range of themes from the development of air travel and family motoring to life during World War II and employment. First broadcast in 2003 on ITV1.
* Classic Liners: A six-part series depicting classic ocean liners and liner travel using archive film from the 1960s and 70s and contemporary footage. First broadcast 2002.

### On Demand & DVDs

Programmes for TV that David Ellery is associated with have in a number of cases become available On Demand and/ or on DVD. The In The Past series' were re-edited so programmes focus on geographical regions rather than theme and Classic Liners has also been released via three individual disks More recently, P&O Cruises - Celebrating 175 Years of Heritage [2012] was released, along with Kingswear Castle - A Voyage through her Life (the history of Britain's last coal-fired paddle steamer in operation - released by CPA Ltd) [2015] The Ultimate Challenge - 6-part roadtrip series [2016] and Wattisham, Both Sides of the Fence - the story of an airfield with a unique place in British aviation history [2017]. Britain's Last Paddle Steamers [2019] and Cold War East Anglia - the frontline, [2020].

### Books

* RMS Queen Mary, 101 Questions & Answers New Edition (Bloomsbury, Adlard Coles ISBN 978-1-4729-9311-3, November 2021)
* RMS Queen Mary, 101 Questions & Answers (Conway, Anova Books, June 2006)
* RMS Queen Mary - The World's Favourite Liner (Waterfront Publications, 1994)
* QE2 - The Last Great Liner (Waterfront Publications, September 1993)
* Real Howard's Way (Ellery was responsible for photo illustrations only) (Milestone, September 1988)

### Radio

In September 1992 Ellery became the Motoring Correspondent for regional radio station Spire FM in Salisbury, when the station first went on air. In this role he reported on a wide range of motoring topics from events like the London Motorshow and presented a weekly slot, which included test-drives, reviews and motoring advice.

### Awards

* Royal Television Society Awards

(2018) Won Best Non Broadcast Programme (View-on-Demand Programme) for Wattisham: Both Sides of the Fence

(2013) Nominated for Best Director

(2012) Nominated for Best in Category for P&O Cruises - Celebrating 175 Years of Heritage.

(2011) Won - "Best Non News Multi-Skills Award" (For abilities in TV Directing, Producing, Editing, Scripting and Narration/Presenting).

(2007) Won - "Best Popular Factual Programme" for Regal & Retired - the Story of RMS Queen Mary

* ↑ Special passengers wanted for voyage
* ↑ Viewpoint Productions - Broadcast TV
* ↑ Viewpoint Productions - Available Titles
* ↑ Viewpoint Productions - RTS Award
