The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Bradford Laundry, Meat, and Coal Adverts
Meeting the everyday basic needs of the locals: keeping the family clean, warm and well fed.
From the collection of:
Overview
What do advertisements tell us about the lifestyle of their times? Well, here is evidence of the importance of the local laundry and coal merchant, and of the family butcher, in between the world wars. These animated ads from Bradford also tell us something about life at home, with the gender division in roles, and the labour-saving appeal of a communal laundry providing freedom from domestic drudgery.
This film originated with Mr Spink who owned a cinema in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. It isnβt known who made this film, very possibly Youngers Shoppers Gazette who made similar advertisements in Bradford during this period. Information on historic local shops and services is usually hard to find, but it seems as if the Holme Top Laundry lasted at least 50 years, from 1913 to 1963 (and even had a Victorian age incarnation). Rhodes Family Butcher appears to have disappeared in the mists of time; while, according to the London Gazette, Mark Fletcher & Sons Coal Merchants was dissolved on 7th November 1929 by the two sons, Albert and Abraham Fletcher β and so the date for the advert is problematic.
Related
Bradford Adverts Reel 1 Bradford Adverts Reel 1
Advert 1925 3 mins Silent Location: Bradford
Juno-Junipah, for girls, who βwant to be bright, vivacious, attractive and slimβ, and Carters Little Liver Pills to rejuvenate the elderly.
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Bradford Adverts Reel 3 Bradford Adverts Reel 3
Advert 4 mins Silent Location: Bradford
No wearisome overblown advertising for cinema-goers back in 1931, just straightforward advice: donβt risk accidents and βDonβt buy a dud!β
Bradford Adverts Reel 2 Bradford Adverts Reel 2
Advert 1 mins Silent Location: Bradford
Without trying to be too clever, these advertisements demonstrate the virtue of the uncomplicated: short, sweet and memorable.
The Official Opening of the First Building for the University of Bradford The Official Opening of the First Building for the University of Bradford
Promotional 1965 13 mins Location: Bradford
Prime Minister Harold Wilson opens the University's first building in this celebratory film that acknowledges decades of effort.
Bradford City: A Year of Healing Bradford City: A Year of Healing
Factual TV 1986 28 mins Location: Bradford
Numerous victims of the horrendous 1985 fire at Valley Parade manage to find positive outcomes to their suffering in this poignant film.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.