London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Vital Years, Bushey
Neal Arden – actor and host of “Housewives’ Choice” – narrates this informative, thoughtful look at the Masonic boys’ school in Bushey.
From the collection of:
Overview
Bushey’s Royal Masonic School for Boys was built in 1903. This film explores the school, eavesdropping on lessons, lunches and boys’ dorms, as well as attending a Masonic Boys Institution board meeting near the Grand Lodge in Great Queen Street. The school is for boys whose fathers are “deceased or distressed” and much is placed on the fact the boys receive strong guidance and continual support as well as a good education. Narration is from actor and old boy Neal Arden.
The school closed in 1977 and is now luxury housing, but in 1966 it educated around 450 boys. The film explains that boys are of mixed ability, having arrived through need rather than educational ability, and shows lessons, lunch time and sporting activities. It’s an interesting look at a school that presents itself with the formality of the public school while accepting not all the pupils are academically gifted. Also includes visits to a board meeting in central London and amusingly stilted conversations between pupils and old boys – including Neal Arden – as the boys discuss their post-school plans.
Related
Watch for free
Railway Traffic on the L.N.W.R. Railway Traffic on the L.N.W.R.
1897 2 mins Silent Location: Bushey
A wonderfully clear view of Bushey Station in Victorian times
Watch for free
Gypsies Gypsies
1972 5 mins Location: Bushey
Hertfordshire blazes a trail in providing for travellers.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.