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
Video Player is loading.
Blackwater Estuary
An amateur film, in colour and beautifully crafted, of the environment around the Blackwater Estuary near West Mersea, Essex, circa 1972.
From the collection of:
Overview
Footage captured on board the boat Tellina by Geoffrey Fox, a research scientist working with the Department of Oceanography, whose job it was to survey the waters of the Blackwater Estuary, in light of concerns about pollution of the oyster fisheries. Oysters have been harvested from the estuary for more than a thousand years. Mr Fox’s job was to collect data to determine if there was a problem with effluent discharged into the waters from the nearby Bradwell Power Station.
The Blackwater Estuary is the estuary of the River Blackwater between Maldon and West Mersea in Essex. Mr Fox's film is a personal record, not an official record for his employer. He enjoyed documenting his work excursions as well as making home movies.
Related
Watch for free
East Coast Old Gaffers' Race East Coast Old Gaffers' Race
Sponsored film 1987 12 mins Location: Ramsey Island
Sailing craft with the distinctive 'gaff' rigs feature in this record of the race held on the Blackwater Estuary, the largest estuary in Essex.
Watch for free
Holiday at West Mersea Holiday at West Mersea
Amateur film 1930 11 mins Silent Location: West Mersea
Home movie of the Harrison family on holiday on the beach and sailing at West Mersea in Essex, with intertitles.
Watch for free
Pageant of Sail, Wivenhoe, Essex Pageant of Sail, Wivenhoe, Essex
Sponsored film 1968 11 mins Location: Wivenhoe
A beautifully crafted film - much like the boats that feature, sailing on the River Blackwater in Essex, and the East Coast Old Gaffers' Race.
Watch for free
The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two
Amateur film 1939 18 mins Silent Location: Harwich Harbour
The escapades of the Harrison family, crew and guests on their yacht Elver in 1939 before the outbreak of World War Two.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.