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
Annual Sports Storthes Hall Athletes
Despite mental health problems, these patients enjoy themselves as they tackle an obstacle race and have pillow fights sat on a greasy pole.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film provides a fascinating insight into the workings of a mental institute between the wars, as residents at Storthes Hall Mental Hospital, near Huddersfield, have their annual games in the summer of 1930. The self-contained hospital – with its own fire engine, ballroom, shop and pub – gives a free rein to the patients who clearly have a fun time with skipping and sack races, as well as a tug of war, dancing and even felling trees. They then make bonnets for the winners.
It isn’t known who took this film. It was donated after the Hospital closure in 2003 by Dr John Bruce who had been its Director from the 1960s. Storthes Hall Asylum was opened in 1904, the 4th West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum. In 1927 it had 1,652 patients of whom all but 73 were rate aided. 771 were men, 881 women, and 268 "private" patients, all men. Only 23% of admissions recovered. It changed names in 1929 to Storthes Hall Mental Hospital, in 1939 to West Riding Mental Hospital, and in 1948 to Storthes Hall Hospital. It is now part converted to Halls of Residence for Huddersfield University. Some patients had Down’s Syndrome, while some elderly women spent decades there simply for having a child out of wedlock.
Related
Watch for free
Plans for Living Plans for Living
Amateur film 1966 22 mins
The Pinner Cine Society looks at the work of Northwood's welfare services.
Watch for free
Rehabilitation at Roffey Park Rehabilitation at Roffey Park
Government sponsored film 1946 29 mins Location: Roffey Park (College)
Looking after the mental health of workers post-World War II – filmed in astonishing full colour.
Watch for free
Something to Offer Something to Offer
Documentary 1969 22 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
Watch for free
His Fighting Chance His Fighting Chance
Government sponsored film 1949 10 mins
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michael Redgrave narrate this optimistic post-war film on the rehabilitation of disabled people with polio.
Watch for free
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Watch for free
Faith Healer Faith Healer
News 1976 6 mins Location: Erdington
Does Danny Gallagher really have healing hands?
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
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
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
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.