This film is part of Free
East of the Malverns
Scenic route through the Vale of Evesham, Worcester and Great Malvern, with a detour to a lost masterpiece of outsider art.
Overview
Hop in, belt up and take the filmic equivalent of a leisurely Sunday drive. Worcestershire seemingly has more than its fair share of pretty villages, historic towns and curious backwaters, but the highlight of the trip is the astonishing Harveydene Gardens. This monumental piece of outsider art was created in a mosaic of shells and broken ceramics by retired engineer Sidney Dowdeswell. Such time capsule footage is all we have left, as the gardens were sadly demolished after his death.
Time has also not been kind to the original colours of this film. Like many other films produced in Eastmancolour, the blues in the surviving prints have faded to leave everything looking strangely pink, with the result that the film looks as if taken on an overcast, foggy day. This nonetheless charming film takes a scenic route through a beautiful corner of the country - so swap the rose-tinted specs for some blue ones and head out on a sunny scenic tour.
Related
Beer: VJ Day Beer: VJ Day
Home movie 1945 2 mins Silent Location: Worcester
Spontaneous celebrations on the streets of Worcester as the end of the Second World War is declared.
Elgar and Shaw 1929-32 Elgar and Shaw 1929-32
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Steyning
Wonderfully candid vignettes of Edward Elgar in this amateur film from George Bernard Shaw's collection
Worcester CC v West Indies at Worcester Worcester CC v West Indies at Worcester
Amateur film 1957 4 mins Silent Location: Worcester
A big day at New Road as the 1957 West Indies cricket team prepare to play home side Worcester.
Cricket Bats Cricket Bats
News 1974 5 mins Location: Worcester
A master craftsman in willow: Duncan Fearnley explains the intricacies of making his championship winning cricket bats.
Cricket: Worcestershire v Yorkshire Cricket: Worcestershire v Yorkshire
Amateur film 1955 6 mins Silent Location: Worcester
Cricket in the sunshine as Worcestershire take on Yorkshire at New Road.
New Zealand Cricket Team New Zealand Cricket Team
News 1965 4 mins Location: Worcester
Worcester, riding high as England's cricket county champions, prepare to face the 'unfashionable' Kiwis.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.