The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
A Century of Transport: From Horse Tram to Atlantean
The history of horse drawn and electric trams, trolley buses and motor buses carrying passengers around Ipswich.
From the collection of:
Overview
In 1980, Ipswich celebrated a hundred years of public transport and David Cleveland made this film looking back at the various vehicles which once served the town through archive film and photographs. We're shown in succession the horse-drawn trams, electric trams, trolley buses and motor buses, culminating in the familiar Atlantean front-entrance double decker bus which enabled one-person operation and ended the role of the bus conductor.
Each new transport system required upheaval of the streets and left a legacy of specialist buildings and equipment for the industrial archaeologist to discover. In Ipswich the horse-drawn trams began in 1880, the electric trams in 1903, trolley buses known as trackless trams in 1923 with the final run on 23rd August 1963, and the diesel motor buses in 1950. Leyland introduced the Atlantean double decker in 1958. It was a matter of local pride that the trolley buses were manufactured in Ipswich at Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies and in nearby Leiston at Richard Garrett and Sons.
Related
Watch for free
Jubilee Jubilee
Amateur film 1977 11 mins Silent Location: Pulham Market
Pancake tossing around the village green, slow bicycle races, five-a-side football, obstacle courses, relay races, and British Bulldogs.
Watch for free
It's Quicker by Bus It's Quicker by Bus
Amateur film 1965 3 mins Silent Location: Ipswich
Hold on to your seat for this dizzying ride from Ipswich to Felixstowe, and mistreatment of a fare-dodger – clearly not company policy!
Watch for free
Years of Achievement Years of Achievement
Industry sponsored film 1961 25 mins Location: Ipswich
Company history of Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, agricultural machinery manufacturers of Ipswich
Watch for free
Project Six Project Six
School programme and Educational film 1981 15 mins Location: Trimley St Martin
A Suffolk school class adventure into Ipswich turns out to be a road safety lesson in this light-hearted film with a Green Cross Code message.
Watch for free
Long Live the King & Queen Long Live the King & Queen
Non-Fiction 1937 7 mins Location: Ipswich
It’s celebration time in Ipswich on the day of the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Watch for free
The Suffolk Show from a woman's angle The Suffolk Show from a woman's angle
Lifestyle show 1973 6 mins Location: Ipswich
What attracts women to visit a County Show? A “guess the weight of the pig” competition? Or a “Woman’s Weekly” fashion parade?
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.