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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/promo259435189.jpg?itok=Ash04XRA)
My World: At the Sweet Factory
No Willy Wonka secretiveness here, as we are taken inside Rowntree’s giant factory in York to reveal the making of their most colourful product.
From the collection of:
![Logo for Yorkshire Film Archive](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/YorkshireFilmArchive.jpg?itok=50J3nXbP)
Overview
At last the secret is out, of how Smarties manage not to melt in the hand. A chance to see inside York’s most famous factory, Rowntree’s Victorian Cocoa Works on Haxby Road, before the introduction of more modern manufacturing processes. Remarkably, even in 1976, the millions of Smarties made each day still have their familiar colours coated by hand.
This is a typical example of a local interest documentary made by Yorkshire Television in the 1970s. YTV started up in 1968, and lasted until 2007 when ITV took them over. Rowntrees were also taken over, by Swiss giants Nestle in 1988. They have subsequently made several changes to the brand that has lasted since 1937, including making the tubes hexagonal in 2004. Two years later, when 16,000 Smarties were consumed every minute in this country, they moved production to Hamburg –– with the loss of 645 jobs at their York works. Their most noteworthy advertising tagline was the 1961 “Buy some for Lulu” – perhaps a riposte to Dorothy Provine’s cover of "Don't Bring Lulu" which hit the charts that same year.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/this-is-york1_0.jpg?itok=q714wxKW)
This Is York This Is York
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_213959_01of01.jpg?itok=Q-Q6BgI4)
Alarm Call Alarm Call
Advert 1955 2 mins Location: York
A drink for all occasions, but especially to relieve the stress of those brave souls battling fires, floods and well-behaved children.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214055_01of01.jpg?itok=Yyeb8n78)
Kit Kat: Meccano Kit Kat: Meccano
1969 0 mins Location: York
Any boy struggling to construct Meccano will deserve a chocolate break, though perhaps this won’t be as satisfying as completing the Meccano.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214103_01of01.jpg?itok=GcgMCMlj)
Rowntrees Aero: Train Rowntrees Aero: Train
Advert 1980 1 mins Location: York
The bar with unique bubbly texture, using a secret bubbly formula, giving rise to the bubbly banter of bubbly flirting.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_213983_01of01.jpg?itok=3fJxWhKq)
Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar Dairy Box: Skiffle Cellar
Advert 1958 1 mins Location: York
Out goes the romantic gesture and in comes the hip as Una Stubbs and her fellow cats break open the chocolates in a groovy scene in a groovy club.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214007_01of01.jpg?itok=FNYq0EX_)
Polo Mint: Just Enjoy Them Polo Mint: Just Enjoy Them
Advert 1971 1 mins Location: York
“If I’m in a vicious mood I crunch them . . . if I’m in a good mood I suck them slowly.”
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.