The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Braunton Bulb Farm
Horticulturalists rear fine blooms
From the collection of:
Overview
The filmmaker is George Thompson of Woolacombe and the Braunton Bulb Farm is situated at Sandy Lane and owned by Seymour Cobley Ltd. The man at the beginning of the film wearing a Braunton cap and cycle clips is the man in charge of the greenhouses John Ackland, dipping the bulbs is Bill Baglole, the man loading the boxes is Alan Lamphrey, tractor driver Fred Hussell, lorry driver Harold Allen and another tractor driver Jim'Jazzy' Patterson. All feature in this charming film.
The farm grew a variety of flowers from bulbs for the cut flower market. Daffodils, tulips, iris and gladioli made their way to markets all over the world, including Covent Garden in London. The firm employed up to 140 men, women and boys, who helped pack 30,000 flowers per week into boxes that were then loaded onto trains at Braunton station. The Bulb Farm ceased trading in 1969.
Related
Watch for free
Our Holiday at Woolacombe Our Holiday at Woolacombe
Amateur film 1954 5 mins Silent Location: Woolacombe
This lovely colourful film embodies a fifties seaside holiday.
Watch for free
Miss North Devon Surf Queen Miss North Devon Surf Queen
News 1963 1 mins Silent Location: Woolacombe
The girls line up in the pre-lycra era to be elected this year's Miss Surf Queen.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.