The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
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Du Garde Peach: Derbyshire Under Snow
Great Hucklow, cut off by snow, relies on the old methods of clearing a way through.
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Overview
This piece of silent 16mm film was shot by the author and playwright L. Du Garde Peach near his home at Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. The snow is piled deep in the drifts and work is underway to clear the roads aided by a very impressive horse drawn snow plough. The local postman also completes his rounds thanks to a pony and trap. The twentieth century barely creeps into this reel as the worst of the winter brings out the horse power for transport and human power for shovelling.
Lawrence Du Garde Peach was writing for both stage and screen at the time of this film as well as a regular on BBC radio and author of children's literature. He was a great supporter of local theatre, running a group at Great Hucklow. In the mid 1930s the Great Hucklow players were known for performing their plays at full moon because it was known to light the audience across the moors.
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