Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free

Dyson and Horsfall Xmas Orders
Christmas planning on a grand scale in a Lancashire workplace.
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent
From the collection of:

Overview
Christmas is a busy time for the Preston mail order catalogue firm of Dyson and Horsfall. Begun by Cyril Buckley Dyson and his wife Clarissa as a Christmas Club venture, its success led to Cyril working with his brother-in-law Herbert Horsfall on the company that bears their names. In this film shot by Cyril, we see the work that goes into ensuring that customers receive their orders on time.
Subjects
Related
Christmas Crackers

Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.

A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.

Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.

The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.

Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party

Santa Claus Santa Claus
Trick film 1898 1 mins Silent
These Victorian children's Christmas wishes come true in a very special early British film
Preston

Football Match at Preston C.1900 Football Match at Preston C.1900
Sport 1900 2 mins Location: Preston
Relentless pressure from the Lilywhites leads to some cracking action but no goal for the camera

The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Winston S. Churchill visits Fulwood and Preston, 27th June 1945 The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Winston S. Churchill visits Fulwood and Preston, 27th June 1945
Non-Fiction 1945 3 mins Silent Location: Fulwood
Winston Churchill visits Lancashire, in the closing days of his premiership and the last months of the Second World War.

Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Preston
Playing the beautiful game - the ladies from Lancashire demonstrate their skills.

Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952 Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952
Non-Fiction 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.

Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory
1913 3 mins Location: Preston
Red letter day in Preston

Cotton Industry, Preston Cotton Industry, Preston
Non-Fiction 1920 7 mins Silent Location: Preston
Admire the nimble-fingered cotton workers at the monumental Horrockses, Crewdson & Co cotton factory in Preston
New

Wig Wig
Drama 2019 26 mins
Arkita believes herself to be be modern, liberal and independent. An unprecedented encounter with a transgender sex worker questions her beliefs.

National Blood Service: Chief Executive's up-date, November 2001 National Blood Service: Chief Executive's up-date, November 2001
Sponsored film 2001 19 mins
Martin Gorham presents a video update to his staff, outlining some of his department's past achievements and upcoming challenges.

Meow or Never Meow or Never
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2020 10 mins
In a madcap musical, a 'cat'-stronaut travels the galaxy looking for the meaning of life and encounters a space pup eager to help.

Anti-smoking Campaign: Artery Anti-smoking Campaign: Artery
2003 1 mins
A longer version of the famously icky anti-smoking promo in which cigarettes ooze fat.

Scottish Elections: Statement for Scotland Scottish Elections: Statement for Scotland
Public Information Filler 2003 1 mins
“If you care, show it” - is the message to encourage voting in the Scottish elections, long before the galvanising independence referendum of 2014.

#WeAreHere #WeAreHere
Short documentary 2021 4 mins
A South Asian gaze on representation, inequality and discrimination in UK film and TV, set against the backdrop of the casting room.