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
Video Player is loading.
Settle Warships Week
This is a fine example of an amateur filmmaker giving a real feel of their local town; here pulling together to raise money for a warship, and providing a glimpse into wartime life.
From the collection of:
Overview
Made by a local filmmaker, William Greenall, this film wonderfully captures the atmosphere of this market town at the height of the war. It shows the people of Settle, not only raising funds, gathered in the market square where the fundraising board proudly stands, and with accompanying parades of wartime services, but also out shopping, at work and enjoying some leisure time. For the enthusiast, it also features a motorcycle convoy making its way along a winding road.
This film is one of two made in Settle during the Second World War by William Greenall, of whom, unfortunately, nothing is known. This one is of the Warship Week from 21st to 28th February 1942. He also filmed the War Weapons Week in Settle, in March 1941, which raised Ј206,350, an average of Ј13 per head of the population (about Ј516 per head at today's values). Throughout the war towns and cities across the country organised events to raise money for battle ships, airplanes and other weapons. In order to help with this the Government set up the National Savings scheme in 1941, which it pushed for into the middle of 1942 with campaigns during the special ‘war savings weeks’.
Related
Watch for free
Yesterday Is over Your Shoulder Yesterday Is over Your Shoulder
Industry sponsored film 1940 8 mins
An enticing government call for men to retrain as skilled engineers to help with the war effort.
Watch for free
Warwork News No 11 Warwork News No 11
Cinemagazine 1942 12 mins
Wartime news magazine for factory workers, sponsored by the Ministry of Supply. News items often stressed the value of the 'factory front'.
Watch for free
Worker and War Front No. 3 Worker and War Front No. 3
Cinemagazine 1942 11 mins Location: Liverpool
A wartime magazine made to motivate and inform war workers, commissioned by the Ministry of Information in 1942 and exclusively screened in factories.
Watch for free
Behind the Guns Behind the Guns
Documentary 1940 20 mins Silent
A Second World War propaganda film, looking at the industrial might behind Great Britain’s armed forces.
Watch for free
Shipbuilders Shipbuilders
Government sponsored film 1940 10 mins
Shipwrights, plate-fitters and riveters support the war effort as their ships take majestic shape in this tour of British shipyards.
Watch for free
The Port of Cardiff 2 The Port of Cardiff 2
Promotional 1943 25 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
Meat and wheat, oranges and eggs (dried), salmon and peaches (tinned) arrive in Cardiff from Brazil, America, Canada and New Zealand to keep war-time’s wolf from the allied door.
Watch for free
Settle Wings for Victory Settle Wings for Victory
Amateur film 1943 12 mins Silent Location: Settle
The people of Settle fly past their governmental financial target in this endearing record of community spirit during the Second World War.
Watch for free
Village of Wray After the Floods 1967 Village of Wray After the Floods 1967
Amateur film 1967 9 mins Silent Location: Wray
The freak flash flooding in the village of Wray wreaks havoc.
Watch for free
End of the Line? End of the Line?
Documentary 1985 26 mins Location: Dent Sta
The battle lines are drawn up for and against closing a historic railway line, with the latter proving the more determined and persuasive.
Watch for free
Where and What to See in the Yorkshire Dales Where and What to See in the Yorkshire Dales
Travelogue 1972 24 mins Location: Butter Tubs
A magical mystery tour through the rich history of abbeys, cathedrals and druid temples nestled among the even more ancient Yorkshire landscape of scars, crags and caverns.
Watch for free
The Long Drag The Long Drag
Documentary 1963 51 mins Location: Settle
Not just a chance to see locomotives steaming over viaducts, with the axe hanging over both, here we have the full glory of the Settle to Carlisle line, and its place in rural life.
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.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.