This film is part of Free
The Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital
Join in the fun at a garden party at the Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.
Overview
There's a languid, carefree feel to these images, probably shot just months before WWI around Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. After a peaceful visit to the Arthur Webster Memorial Hospital, where we meet the nursing staff and one lucky patient with his own garden room, we're whisked off to a lively garden fete at nearby Upper Chine. The occasion is likely May Day, judging by the maypole, but the atmosphere is high summer, with the ladies' white dresses glowing in the bright sun (with a little help from the slightly solarised film).
The fete's attractions include a brief but polished comic performance, led by an unidentified actor (perhaps a local star?), plus an engaging display of maypole dancing by the village girls. The Arthur Webster Memorial Hwospital was previously known as the Children's Surgical Home and is used today as an outpatient clinic.
Related
May Day Ponies May Day Ponies
Non-Fiction 1974 4 mins Location: Upper Gornal
Sam Jeavons is a Black Country horse man through and through and May Day is a time to decorate his wagon and bring some colour to Upper Gornal's streets.
Springtime in an English Village Springtime in an English Village
Documentary 1944 7 mins Location: Stanion
An extraordinary and unexpected snapshot of rural life in wartime in which a young black girl is crowned Queen of the May.
The Legend of the Good Beasts The Legend of the Good Beasts
Puppet (live-action) 1956 24 mins
Fabergé animals in a Russian influenced Easter tale narrated by Peter Ustinov
Welcome Spring Welcome Spring
Amateur film 1952 9 mins Silent
Spring comes to Scotland in the 1950s: feed playful lambs, pick a host of glorious daffodils, and harness your faithful horse to the plough in this lovely amateur colour film.
Avalanche of Lambs Avalanche of Lambs
Non-Fiction 1923 1 mins
A fluffy white blizzard - of hundreds of newborn lambs - hits a Reading farm, keeping the shepherd's hands full.
Easter Parade, Hyde Park Easter Parade, Hyde Park
1958 4 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
Easter Parade in Hyde Park, April 1958.
Ryde Police Outing on the Isle of Wight Ryde Police Outing on the Isle of Wight
Amateur film 1930 12 mins Silent Location: Isle of Wight
Join these jolly off-duty funsters as they lark about both on and off the Isle of Wight - with plenty of drinking, splashing about and tickling
Homeland Holidays Homeland Holidays
Documentary 1937 11 mins Location: Lyme Regis
Affordable holidays for the working classes around the UK.
Welcome to Croydon Welcome to Croydon
Amateur film 1935 14 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join these jolly funsters on their travels by car around Sussex and the Isle of Wight, starting off in Croydon as it used to be before the invasion of the office blocks.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.