The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/4acd54a34a9f82b699f0b8505b426cdf.jpg?itok=E-yrztDQ)
Barnstaple Fair
Carnival Procession sees whole town celebrate
In partnership with:
![Logo for The Box](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/The%20Box%20logo%20black.png?itok=gG7mR2_h)
Overview
Barnstaple Fair may have the reputation of the oldest in the country with its origins believing to date from 930. Carnival Queens are chosen at village dances in and around the Barnstaple area for example Miss Atherington or Miss Chittlehampton before going on to compete for the overall title of Queen at the Carnival. The Fair is held in September after a civic ceremony where a white glove, signifying the hand of friendship, is suspended from the Town Hall and trading begins.
In 1950 trading in cattle, sheep and horses is followed by celebrations at the North Walk Showground now the site of the Civic Centre. The procession sees the town turn out in community celebration and travelling shows come to entertain the crowds. Under King Athelstan of the Anglo Saxons (924-939) and of the English (927-939) the town is granted a charter and thereby the right to hold markets and a fair.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_446731_01of01.jpg?itok=w-ceCBsc)
Milk Round Milk Round
Current affairs 1968 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Dairy woman set to retire after fifty years of milk deliveries in and around Torrington.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/95fd1e8be1f5d3929d4683a3e3b16ebb.jpg?itok=v6V6uKJB)
Torrington Vikings Torrington Vikings
Current affairs 1974 8 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Ceremony ablaze with Viking custom
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/0f3e7866c1795d52ab6bfbfcca1a836c.jpg?itok=S7wkdUtP)
Great Torrington May Fair Great Torrington May Fair
Amateur film 1953 10 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Great Torrington’s children lead a May Day procession
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/858640c646f34921b8c613359b0f6b22.jpg?itok=p6yIfmKr)
Falconry Demonstration at Great Torrington School Falconry Demonstration at Great Torrington School
Amateur film 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
Falcon flies for Great Torrington School
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259955779.jpg?itok=eUBuJQvp)
Dartington Glassblowers Dartington Glassblowers
Current affairs 1978 1 mins Silent Location: Great Torrington
The successful clink of Handmade Dartington Crystal Glass in Torrington
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.