Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Focus on Hoddesdon
Ray Young is your guide in this candid film about Hoddesdon - showing shopping precincts, historic buildings, garden centres, outdoor markets and flared trousers
From the collection of:
Overview
Ray Young's film begins with an historic clock tower surrounded by a modern shopping precinct and flats. More housing is seen and, in the distance, Haileybury College. We see a large garden centre, several churches and many old coaching inns, while at an outdoor market shoppers search for bargains. In a park we see an historic Jacobean gate-house as well as anglers by the River Lee. After visiting the town’s bypass and an industrial estate we end up by Ray Young's photo shop.
The many ancient pubs and inns that feature in Ray Young's film hark back to the time when Hoddesdon was an important coaching stop on the route from London to Cambridge - with around 35 coaches passing through the town every day during the 18th century. The Grade I listed Jacobean gate-house seen in the film is all that remains of Rye House which was said to be the headquarters, in 1683, of a conspiracy to assassinate Charles II while he was enroute to London from Newmarket races. However, because of a terrible fire which destroyed half of Newmarket, the races were cancelled and the King returned early, and safely, to London. The attack, planned for the 1st April 1683, never took place.
Related
Spelga Dam Spelga Dam
Industry sponsored film 1960 17 mins Silent
A concrete reason to give a dam about water supplies in Northern Ireland, in the heart of the picturesque Mourne Mountains
Credo Credo
1978 23 mins
Blood on the Streets. Bengali youth fight back against racism and the National Front after the death of Altab Ali.
H Block Hunger Strike H Block Hunger Strike
Documentary 1980 33 mins Location: Belfast
An unflinching look at the experience of the 1980 H Block hunger strikers and the potentially stark consequences of their actions.
Jamaica Street Glasgow (1901) Jamaica Street Glasgow (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
A flood of pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic in Edwardian Glasgow.
Connah's Quay Carnival and Fete 1965 Connah's Quay Carnival and Fete 1965
Amateur film 1965 14 mins Silent Location: Connah's Quay
The Connah's Quay Old People's Association demonstrates that it's not just the young that are embued with carnival spirit.
It's No Joke Living in Barnsley It's No Joke Living in Barnsley
Lifestyle show 1976 26 mins Location: Barnsley
Barnsley-born actor Brian Glover returns to his Yorkshire hometown in this RTS-winning portrait of 1970s working-class northern life.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.