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Historical Pageant Procession, Beverley through the Ages; July 10th 1

An elaborate vision of Beverley, in Yorkshire's East Riding, from ancient times through to the 1930s.

Documentary 1937 24 mins Silent

Overview

A re-enactor's delight, this elaborate procession sees the townsfolk of Beverley, in Yorkshire's East Riding, celebrate key moments in the town's history - with the aid of some fantastic costumes! Look out for Danes, Romans and ancient Britons in the early scenes, complete with a stuffed bear swinging from a pole... Later, 1930s Beverley is illustrated with boy scouts, hockey players, WWI stretcher-bearers and girls sporting 'Miss Beverley' banners.

The film was made by a professional local outfit, Debenham and Company, under the direction of EF Symmons. The second half features two dramatised re-enactments, including a Victorian melodrama featuring a penny farthing bicycle. Apparently, the events documented here were only the dress rehearsal - the full pageant took place the following year, in 1938.

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