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
Your New Cathedral
There might be a war on but funds are still needed to complete Guildford's People's Cathedral - that's the message from the Provost in this fund-raising film from 1939
From the collection of:
Overview
At a time of national crisis comes this appeal for funds to build Guildford’s new cathedral. It shows the Provost, Eric Southam, asking local cinema audiences for donations. After a sequence of shots showing Guildford, both old and new, the laying of the Foundation Stone and Queen Mary starting a pile-driver, we see bricks being made by hand for use in the construction. The Provost says he will personally collect contributions and each donor’s name will go into a Golden Book.
Despite Provost Eric Southam's appeal in 1939, construction work on Guildford Cathedral was halted due to wartime restrictions on building and material shortages. Once these restrictions were lifted at the end of the war fresh impetus was given to fund-raising projects. An innovative scheme launched in 1952, by Eleanor Iredale, was the 'Buy-a-Brick' campaign. A single brick could be 'bought' for 2 shillings and sixpence [12.5p] and the name of the purchaser would be inscribed on the brick. Bricks were 'sold' not only to locals but to people and groups from all over the country - including the Royal Family. Thanks to the generosity of donors the Cathedral was finally completed and consecrated in May 1961.
Related
Watch for free
Aspects of Guildford Aspects of Guildford
Amateur film 1983 9 mins Location: Guildford
Enjoy John Cant's sardonic visual essay about the historic town of Guildford - where dereliction is contrasted with richly historical vignettes and a pancake race
Watch for free
Captain Birdseye in Guildford Captain Birdseye in Guildford
Amateur film 1985 2 mins Location: Guildford
Join Captain Birdseye in Guildford as he appears at a fun run through the town - and guess what's showing at the Odeon
Watch for free
Winter Tour Winter Tour
Documentary 1949 10 mins Silent Location: Barnes Common
A grand coach tour makes its way to Hampshire, Dorset and Devon, leaving London far behind
Watch for free
Fanciful Wheels Fanciful Wheels
Amateur film 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Guildford
Classic car fans will love this amusing comedy featuring garages, showrooms, crazy sunglasses, serving hatches and a bizarre dream sequence
Watch for free
The National Fire Service in Woking and a Pump Relay competition in Guildford The National Fire Service in Woking and a Pump Relay competition in Guildford
Amateur film 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Woking
Men of the NFS demonstrate their fire fighting equipment skills before an audience in this splendid colour film from 1942. And the best crews get the best prizes.
Watch for free
Double Thread Double Thread
Documentary 1943 33 mins Location: Guildford
The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds (1940s-style) at a nursery in Guildford.
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.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.