This film is part of Free
Chesterfield May Day 1978
Politics, partying, and a penalty shoot-out at the Derbyshire town's inaugural May Day bank holiday funfair
Overview
Chesterfield's first ever early May bank holiday might have been a soggy one, but punters and political activists alike don't seem to care here. Members of the labour movement march through the town, before this amateur film turns its attention to the funfair on Stand Road Park. Look out for the master of ceremonies sheltering from the elements in his van - as well as a magnificently muddy football match.
The Government's granting of an early May bank holiday was thought likely to stir up passionate left-wing sentiment given its proximity to (and occasional overlap with) International Workers' Day on the first of the month. The Chesterfield celebrations were especially renowned for a strong socialist presence, and the intertitles here claim thousands of attendees on the day. The "jobs crisis" banners now have an extra poignancy given that many of the Derbyshire collieries - seen in the background of several shots - would close over the next decade.
Related
Great Central Railway Great Central Railway
News 1962 5 mins Location: Chesterfield
Doctor Beeching sounds the death knell for the Great Central main line.
Heywood, Lancs. and Chesterfield Celebrations Heywood, Lancs. and Chesterfield Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1948 1 mins Location: Heywood
A centenary commemoration of George Stephenson - the father of the railway.
Evidence Evidence
Government sponsored film 1935 14 mins Silent Location: Chesterfield
The earliest known police surveillance film to be used as evidence captures some illicit activities - and circus animals - in Chesterfield marketplace.
Standing in a By-election Standing in a By-election
Current affairs 1984 7 mins Location: Chesterfield
Ј150 and ten signatures is all you need to stand in a British election. Can it really be that simple?
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.