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
Winchester Laundry
Observe these Winchester women working in a local laundry - it's a glimpse into how things were before the Clean Air Act
From the collection of:
Overview
William John Prall's short but historically interesting film starts at the entrance to a laundry in Winchester. We see large laundry vans waiting. Next we see a trio of young women chatting in a sunlit garden before entering the murky gloom of the laundry. In the shadows, we can see large numbers of women wearing white overalls laundering and ironing clothes using steam presses.
This film captures everyday scenes in what were once known as the 'dirty industries' – a term which described those industries that either created smoke pollution or dealt with its consequences. Laundries, as a cleaning industry, fell into the latter category. William John Prall, who made the film, was a watchmaker and jeweller who set up a business in Winchester. He had access to various locations throughout the city in order to wind and repair clocks, including the Guildhall, the Police Station and the Winchester Laundry seen here. Despite losing an eye in the Great War, he was a keen photographer and filmmaker and would show his films to village audiences in the locale.
Related
Watch for free
A Royal Visit to the Hants & Isle of Wight Constabulary A Royal Visit to the Hants & Isle of Wight Constabulary
Non-Fiction 1966 2 mins Silent Location: Winchester
It's a special day for the Hampshire Constabulary when Princess Margaret arrives to officially open their new Winchester HQ
Watch for free
This is Bournemouth This is Bournemouth
Promotional 1969 17 mins Location: Bournemouth
Bournemouth. A holiday resort that’s got the lot. Sunshine, sandy beaches, gardens, shops, fine dining and entertainment - with sports stars and a few beauty queens thrown in
Watch for free
Old Contemptibles' March Old Contemptibles' March
Amateur film 1947 3 mins Silent Location: Winchester
War veterans from the Old Contemptibles Association march through the streets of Winchester in this poignant 1947 film from W J Prall
Watch for free
Winchester on Film by F B Heathcote-Wride Winchester on Film by F B Heathcote-Wride
Amateur film 1935 14 mins Silent Location: Winchester
Winchester puts on its finery for a feast of celebrations, parades and civic ceremonies in this nostalgic film from 1936 - which also includes the lucky winner of a motor car
Watch for free
The British Way of Health The British Way of Health
Documentary 1973 27 mins Location: London
A portrayal of the NHS which shows off the “marvellous” system to audiences around the world.
Watch for free
Winchester Cattle and Sheep Fair Winchester Cattle and Sheep Fair
Non-Fiction 1912 1 mins Silent Location: Winchester
There are some mightily handsome beasts on show on a chilly day at this traditional Hampshire livestock fair
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.