The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Barnstaple Fair
Carnival Procession sees whole town celebrate
In partnership with:
Overview
Barnstaple Fair may have the reputation of the oldest in the country with its origins believing to date from 930. Carnival Queens are chosen at village dances in and around the Barnstaple area for example Miss Atherington or Miss Chittlehampton before going on to compete for the overall title of Queen at the Carnival. The Fair is held in September after a civic ceremony where a white glove, signifying the hand of friendship, is suspended from the Town Hall and trading begins.
In 1950 trading in cattle, sheep and horses is followed by celebrations at the North Walk Showground now the site of the Civic Centre. The procession sees the town turn out in community celebration and travelling shows come to entertain the crowds. Under King Athelstan of the Anglo Saxons (924-939) and of the English (927-939) the town is granted a charter and thereby the right to hold markets and a fair.
Related
Watch for free
Milk Round Milk Round
Current affairs 1968 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Dairy woman set to retire after fifty years of milk deliveries in and around Torrington.
Watch for free
Torrington Vikings Torrington Vikings
Current affairs 1974 8 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Ceremony ablaze with Viking custom
Watch for free
Great Torrington May Fair Great Torrington May Fair
Amateur film 1953 10 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Great Torrington’s children lead a May Day procession
Watch for free
Falconry Demonstration at Great Torrington School Falconry Demonstration at Great Torrington School
Amateur film 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Falcon flies for Great Torrington School
Watch for free
Dartington Glassblowers Dartington Glassblowers
Current affairs 1978 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
The successful clink of Handmade Dartington Crystal Glass in Torrington
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.