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
A School visit to Margate Beach
Enjoy a day out on Margate Sands with these maidens in uniform from a nearby school for deaf children - as they play, swim, ride on donkeys and enjoy a bracing outdoor tea
From the collection of:
Overview
This engaging film from 1938 shows girls from a local school for deaf children on a day out to Margate Sands. Still in uniform, they play boisterous ball-games on the beach while the teachers relax in deck-chairs. Some girls in swimwear play leap-frog after which they and their teachers pose for the camera. Leaving the beach, the girls head for an outdoor cafe where tea and sandwiches are served. Back on the beach they go on donkey rides before posing for a large group photo.
With origins going back to 1792, Margate's Royal School for Deaf Children began in London as a result of campaigning by a Bermondsey priest called John Townsend. The school opened a branch in Margate in 1876 to enable children to enjoy fresh sea air and a cleaner environment than that found in Victorian London. By the early 20th century all the school's activities were transferred to Margate where there was now an imposing building designed in a Gothic style to house the school. The school was closed in December 2015. The ex-mayor seen in the film was Frederick Lewis Pettman, who was served as Margate's mayor from 1932 to 1934.
Related
Watch for free
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Watch for free
A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Margate
Margate's seafront is the venue for this short film from Bertram Doughty - showing visitors enjoying the attractions of Kent's famous resort.
Watch for free
Margate's Plaza Cinema Margate's Plaza Cinema
Amateur film 1988 2 mins Location: Margate
Margate's former Plaza Cinema looks a bit forlorn as it waits for yet another transformation in this short film from Alan Stingemore
Watch for free
50 Years On 50 Years On
Amateur film 1990 12 mins Location: Hawkinge
Surviving Battle of Britain veterans celebrate half a century since their finest hour at various locations in Kent - Britain's front line county during the Second World War
Watch for free
Visit to Margate 1950 Visit to Margate 1950
Amateur film 1950 5 mins Silent Location: Margate
Holidaymakers flock to the beach to enjoy traditional coastal entertainments in this dazzling, colourful snapshot of Margate in its heyday.
Watch for free
It All Goes to Show It All Goes to Show
Comedy 1970 27 mins Location: Margate
Arthur Lowe is hilarious as a hen-pecked husband in this cheeky seaside-set comedy, shot in Margate.
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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 Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
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.