The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Traditional Shop
The Cheltenham grocers where time stood still.
From the collection of:
Overview
Val Lewis visits A. Whittern & Sons, a traditional grocers' shop on Suffolk Parade in Cheltenham. The rise of self-service shopping and the unstoppable march of the supermarket had put many traditional high street shops out of business, so the personal service and wood panelled calm on offer here was a newsworthy novelty. There's slight confusion when both Mr Whitterns try to serve Val but once the senior grocer is sent off to his bacon slicer things run much more smoothly.
In the years since this news item a few shops that hark back to the pre-supermarket way of doing things have returned to the high street, although they tend to be in more affluent parts of the country. A modern 'artisan' shop would probably have more to offer Val Lewis than two jars of instant coffee. Whittern's shop in Cheltenham lasted until 1991 but a portrait of Mr Whittern senior that had been painted on a door at the shop in the 1960s has survived. You can find it at the Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham.
Related
Watch for free
Tanatside Pony Club - Cheltenham and Maesmawr Hall - 1966 Tanatside Pony Club - Cheltenham and Maesmawr Hall - 1966
School programme and Educational film 1966 11 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
The Tanatside Pony Club’s mounted games team practise in b&w at the Trant farm Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool, and compete in colour at Cheltenham.
Watch for free
Cheltenham Ladies' College Cheltenham Ladies' College
Amateur film 1953 38 mins Location: Cheltenham
A typical term at the Cheltenham Ladies' College, as filmed by members of staff.
Watch for free
Flower Power Interview Flower Power Interview
News 1967 2 mins Location: Cheltenham
Psychedelic freakouts in Cheltenham?
Watch for free
Cheltenham Mods and Rockers Cheltenham Mods and Rockers
News 1965 10 mins Location: Cheltenham
Is Cheltenham really "a place to pass the time before you pass out?" Is a lack of facilities causing tensions between mods and rockers who should be out enjoying the countryside?
Watch for free
Westland Glimpses Westland Glimpses
Travelogue 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Cheddar Gorge
A stencil-coloured journey through gorgeous gorges, picturesque villages and spa town pomp in this West Country travelogue made circa 1930.
Watch for free
Wheel in Britain Wheel in Britain
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.