This film is part of Free

Opening of the Civic Centre, Guildhall and Art Gallery

Southampton's civic leaders are on display in this pre-war film, starting with the homecoming of the Royal Family from Canada.

Amateur film 1937 21 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for Wessex Film and Sound Archive

Overview

This interesting compilation of films made in the 1930s starts with scenes showing the people of Southampton lining the Bargate to witness the homecoming of the Royal Family after their visit to North America. In other scenes we see various civic leaders at a number of events and locations in Southampton including a new hospital, at the naming of a fire-engine, at a cricket club reception, at Southampton's airport and at the official opening of the city's new Civic Centre.

The area around Southampton's Bargate has been extensively redeveloped since this film was made.