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
May is Out
A skilled sheep shearer demonstrates that a sheep can be hand sheared very quickly, keeping the coat in one piece, and, hopefully, without causing too much distress to the sheep.
From the collection of:
Overview
This is one of many examples of Leedsβ couple Betty and Cyril Ramsden in the 1950s filming an ancient skill β in this case hand sheep shearing β displaying their filmmaking skills and enthusiasm for local customs. It is noteworthy for showing that, despite claims to the contrary, the entire fleece can be removed in one piece using hand blade shears.
Betty and Cyril Ramsden, prominent members of Leeds Cine Club, began making their large collection of films in 1945 and continued into the mid-1960s. Cyril had a dental practice in Headingley. Their film collection was made the subject of a BBC/Open University television programme, Nation on Film (2006). Although mechanical and electrical shearers had been available for decades before this film, hand shearers are still used today, especially where the climate still requires a small covering of wool. Although the shearing looks quite benign in this film, animal rights campaigners are critical of the treatment of farmed sheep and the practice of shearing.
Related
The Story of Sheep The Story of Sheep
Non-Fiction 1956 23 mins Silent Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
Each year the cycle is renewed, beginning and ending with spring lambs basking in the sun, and in between sheep get transformed from animals into woolly jumpers and Sunday lunch.
Our Feathered Friends Our Feathered Friends
Non-Fiction 1950 17 mins Silent Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
The expertise and passion of a typical post-war working class hobby is seen in all its grainy glory in this film of northern pigeon fanciers racing their pigeons, and on to the pub.
A Romany Summer A Romany Summer
Documentary 1977 43 mins Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
With their battered vardo, scruffy kids and assorted horses in tow, Cocker and Ellie are on an βendless odysseyβ, visiting Appleby Fair, trying to eke out their own chosen life.
Farming and Flowers in the 1930s Farming and Flowers in the 1930s
Non-Fiction 1939 12 mins Silent Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
A wonderful example of farming in the days before mechanisation, showing horse drawn ploughs and harvesters, and the labour intensive activity of building giant haystacks.
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.
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.
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 Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
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.
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.
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.