Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Focus on Hoddesdon
Ray Young is your guide in this candid film about Hoddesdon - showing shopping precincts, historic buildings, garden centres, outdoor markets and flared trousers
From the collection of:
Overview
Ray Young's film begins with an historic clock tower surrounded by a modern shopping precinct and flats. More housing is seen and, in the distance, Haileybury College. We see a large garden centre, several churches and many old coaching inns, while at an outdoor market shoppers search for bargains. In a park we see an historic Jacobean gate-house as well as anglers by the River Lee. After visiting the town’s bypass and an industrial estate we end up by Ray Young's photo shop.
The many ancient pubs and inns that feature in Ray Young's film hark back to the time when Hoddesdon was an important coaching stop on the route from London to Cambridge - with around 35 coaches passing through the town every day during the 18th century. The Grade I listed Jacobean gate-house seen in the film is all that remains of Rye House which was said to be the headquarters, in 1683, of a conspiracy to assassinate Charles II while he was enroute to London from Newmarket races. However, because of a terrible fire which destroyed half of Newmarket, the races were cancelled and the King returned early, and safely, to London. The attack, planned for the 1st April 1683, never took place.
Related
Watch for free
This Is Derby This Is Derby
Amateur film 1966 18 mins Silent Location: Derby
Nostalgic snapshot of the town of Derby in the mid 1960s.
Watch for free
The Nudists The Nudists
Current affairs 1971 9 mins Location: Devon
Country House offers naturists a way to air all.
Watch for free
Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June) Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June)
Amateur film 1964 12 mins Location: Pontarddulais
“It would be difficult to find a more lovely train journey”, declares Swansea’s Librarian, the film-maker and narrator. Prepare to be beguiled, station by station.
Watch for free
Elland Road Football Control Elland Road Football Control
Non-Fiction 1976 23 mins Silent Location: Leeds
Back to the bad old days of skinners, as worn by these Man. United troublemakers, being escorted by police dogs along that perilous walk from Elland Road to Leeds railway station.
Watch for free
Kingston in Decay? Kingston in Decay?
Amateur film 1976 9 mins Location: Kingston Upon Thames
An amatuer filmmaker takes a critical and somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at the changing face of Kingston upon Thames
Watch for free
We Do What We Can We Do What We Can
Drama 2019 9 mins
We Do What We Can is a film that looks at one of the miracles in the journey of diaspora Africans.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.