The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
It's Not all Coal
A magical travelogue of Northumberland proves it’s not all grim up North.
From the collection of:
Overview
It is often suggested that JB Priestley’s book English Journey was responsible for creating the “grim up north” stereotype, but this amateur filmmaker has broadcasters in his sights in the 1950s. His tribute to the rural beauty, history and craft of Northumberland is a colourful response to the media focus on coal mines and shipyards, at its most memorable in a portrait of farmer and master stick dresser George Snaith, posing with his elaborately carved shepherd crooks.
This travelogue was produced by George Cummin, a former 1930s dance band musician and reserve fireman in Manchester during World War Two. He had been making films since 1933 as a member of the Newcastle and District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association, founded in 1927. Cummin worked on documentaries and fiction films into the 60s, including Silver Plaque winner at Amateur Cine World in 1952, ‘PC Grubb’s Last Case’. A well-known character in the Cheviot Hills, George Snaith was a founder member and president of the Border Stick Dressers’ Association, set up by a group of shepherds in the College Valley, with the Duke of Northumberland as patron.
Related
Watch for free
Ardboe Wishing Tree Ardboe Wishing Tree
News 1965 4 mins Location: Ardboe
Graveyards tell strange stories and this one is no exception. From magic cows to wishing trees discover what lies in the Ardboe graveyard.
Watch for free
The Sash My Father Wore The Sash My Father Wore
Amateur film 1971 6 mins Location: Lisburn
Is mythology stronger than history? Listen to children’s takes on why they commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.
Watch for free
Sodom and Begorrah Sodom and Begorrah
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Holywood
Amusing fantasy of the adventures of a priest who finds his new parish in the grip of the most blatant depravity
Watch for free
At Mountstewart At Mountstewart
Non-Fiction 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Newtownards
A grand day out at Mount Stewart, where crowds of children jostle for the camera and form a very orderly queue.
Watch for free
By Tradition By Tradition
Documentary 1966 14 mins Silent Location: Cultra
See the tools in action that helped our farmers win back the soil from the weed and wilderness over generations.
Watch for free
County Antrim County Antrim
Amateur film 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Larne
Enjoy the early signs of spring from the lambs gambolling in the fields to the rally cars tearing round the Circuit of Ireland.
Watch for free
Any Man's Kingdom Any Man's Kingdom
Travelogue 1956 21 mins Location: Alnwick
An attempt to capture the variety of life in Northumberland, and in particular something of the county's heart-warming atmosphere.
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.