At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
Southsea's Roller Rink and Seaside fun
Join in the post-war rollerskating craze down at Southsea Rink in this nicely made film from Archibald Peskett
From the collection of:
Overview
Archie Peskett's remarkable film starts with skaters whizzing round the rink on Southsea Common – later joined by star skaters, Jean Phethean and Ken Byrne who give an exhibition performance. We see holidaymakers packed onto the beach while the family walks about the decorative Rock Gardens and look at a miniature steam train. The entrance to Southsea Pier is also filmed from a passing car. After filming picnickers and speedboats on the Solent we end with Downland views.
Archibald Peskett, better known as Archie, was a tailor at Gieves and Hawkes Naval Outfitters in Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Portsmouth Film Society and many aspects of this film display Archie's considerable skills at using light, pattern and rhythm – particularly in the skating sequences. He and his fellow club members also used the self-conscious technique of 'filming the filming' - and several sequences show such filming in progress.
Related
Watch for free
Skateboarding in Portsmouth Skateboarding in Portsmouth
Amateur film 1978 4 mins Location: Southsea Common
Enjoy a nostalgic look back at the 70s with this film made by George Sloane featuring Southsea's newly opened skateboard park
Watch for free
A Day Out in Portsmouth A Day Out in Portsmouth
Amateur film 1958 15 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Travel back to the Portsmouth of open markets, period shops, bomb sites, congested car parks, workers on bicycles and holiday crowds - all in glorious black & white
Watch for free
Various views of Southsea Various views of Southsea
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent Location: Southsea Common
Enjoy a 60s summer with the promenaders on Southsea Common, the rowers on Southsea's Boating Pond and the wild, wild jumpers and divers at the Old Sally Port
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.