The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
The Cornish Pyramids
The camera takes a dusty look into Cornwall's china clay industry.
In partnership with:
Overview
Harry Waldon's film The Cornish Pyramids looks at the English China Clays PLC or ECC works near St Austell and shows the clay being extracted and the processes it goes through before being used to produce fine white porcelain to make a teacup or to be added to women's face powder. It is filmed at Goonvean and Rostowrack Clay Pits near St Dennis and is part of a collection from the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.
Kaolin, better known as China Clay takes its name from the Chinese Kao-Ling, a village near Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province. William Cookworthy (1705-1780) a Plymouthian apothecary born in Kingsbridge used china clay and china stone from Cornwall to manufacture and achieve the hardened fine porcelain preferred by the Chinese. The French company Imetal bought the ECC in 1999 for an estimated seven and a half million pounds and started work at Higher Moor Pit in 2012 where four million tons of raw material is to be extracted for use.
Related
Watch for free
Training Centre for the Disabled in St Austell Training Centre for the Disabled in St Austell
Current affairs 1963 1 mins Silent Location: St Austell
Visitors look around a new training centre for the disabled in St Austell.
Watch for free
China Clay Heyday China Clay Heyday
Current affairs 1960 13 mins Silent Location: St Austell
This film gives a powdery insight into the china clay works of Cornwall
Watch for free
Who Knew Retew? Who Knew Retew?
Current affairs 1967 4 mins Location: St Austell
Community spirit is not lost on the residents of soon-to-be demolished Retew.
Watch for free
Solarflares Burn for You Solarflares Burn for You
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 8 mins Location: St Austell
Come on a psychedelic journey to Cornwall in this stunning, sensual film.
Watch for free
Formula Two Grand Prix Stock Car Racing in St Austell Formula Two Grand Prix Stock Car Racing in St Austell
Current affairs 1976 5 mins Location: St Austell
BriSCA F2 Stock Car race at the Par Stadium
Watch for free
Footabller Geoff Hurst signs on the line Footabller Geoff Hurst signs on the line
Non-Fiction 1970 1 mins Silent Location: St Austell
Footballer Geoffrey Hurst signs on the line for fans
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.