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
Coronation Year - Festival of Hobbies
A fascinating glimpse into the world of post-war Britain with its extraordinary range of hobbies, before the TV set in the corner took over so much of working class leisure time.
From the collection of:
Overview
In the days before watching television could be listed as a hobby, here in the Leeds of 1953 we get a flavour of the rich variety of hobbies that involved rather more activity and creativity. We see the impressive working class skills of model making and embroidery on display. And among the numerous stalls there is one for the Philatelic Society, as well as one for basic stamp collecting; one for amateur movie making, as well as for the Leeds Camera Club, who made this film.
The Cine Circle of the Leeds Camera Club here reflect on themselves as hobbyists, when roughly a half of the population in Britain in the 1950s had at least one hobby. The sociologist of the period, Ferdynand Zweig, wrote at time that, “Hobbies give a man something to love and something to in which to find freedom . . . [when] a working man has very little freedom and must do what he dislikes.” Leeds Philatelic Society is still going strong, and the zoetrope itself remains a hobby for a few, though William Horner, who invented the first one called it "daedaleum" (after the mythical Greek craftsman), which had its slits in between the images, unlike the zoetrope seen here, devised by the American William Lincoln.
Related
Hitchin Coronation Celebrations Hitchin Coronation Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1936 8 mins Silent Location: Hitchin
By George! (and Mary)... Patriotic crowds pack the streets of Hitchin for exuberant coronation celebrations.
Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1 Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1
Amateur film 1937 4 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A proud expression of Jewish identity and heroism at a Coronation parade to the Eldon Square World War One memorial in Newcastle.
Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953 Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953
Amateur film 1953 8 mins Silent Location: Ruthin
Right royal revels in Parc-Y-Dre Road involving a decorated donkey, a mystery man and a pile of greenery and cardboard that will provide a community beacon at dusk.
Coronation of Edward VII (1902) Coronation of Edward VII (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 0 mins Silent Location: Westminster Abbey
A short glimpse of the new King's delayed coronation procession through London.
Woodford Celebrates the Coronation Woodford Celebrates the Coronation
Documentary 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Woodford
A great parade in celebration of the day of Elizabeth II's coronation, complete with a guest appearance from the Prime Minister!
Coronation Scenes Coronation Scenes
Amateur film 1937 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The streets of Westminster and Camberwell are festooned with bunting and banners in preparation for the Coronation of George VI in this remarkable colour film from A E Ford.
Spy Ring Spy Ring
1965 1 mins Location: Leeds
There is never a dull moment in this International Spy Game of foreign spies competing to trick their way into sixteen different embassies.
Yorkshire Post: Sports Fan Yorkshire Post: Sports Fan
1973 1 mins Location: Leeds
An Olympic Games hopeful bundles into a Leeds newsagents, only to be met by a new shopkeeper from The Smoke, bemused by the Yorkshire Post.
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Moorhouse Lemon Cheese Moorhouse Lemon Cheese
1966 1 mins Location: Leeds
Butter, eggs, and lemons, what else could better evoke the healthiness of the countryside than this delicious traditional desert topping?
Railroader Railroader
1964 1 mins Location: Leeds
The great Western way of dog eat dog as opponents try to dynamite each other in their pursuit of what really matters in life, railways and money.
Yorkshire Post Advert Yorkshire Post Advert
1970 0 mins Location: Leeds
Headlining with the expulsion of South Africa from the Olympics in 1970, the Yorkshire Post sells itself as much more than a local paper.
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 Archive’s 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.