The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Brian Palfrey, Cooper
Making a traditional wooden beer barrel, demonstrated by a Suffolk brewery cooper
From the collection of:
Overview
Master cooper Brian Palfrey shows how he turns fresh timber into the familiar beer barrel known as a 'pin'. He names a succession of specialist tools and devices from the rich vocabulary of the cooper's craft - 'rounding adze', 'jigger', 'inside shave', 'chiv'. He works by eye and by touch, using fire and sharp blades, with confident ease built on years of experience.
Brian Palfrey was apprenticed aged 15 to his father, also a cooper for Greene King brewery at Bury St Edmunds. In 1974 the brewery replaced the wooden barrels with aluminium kegs which could be filled under pressure to deliver the fashionable 'sparkling' beer. Brian Palfrey moved into warehouse supervision, but continued to practise the cooper's craft for museums and history societies. This demonstration was filmed by the East Anglian Film Archive in the Boby Building at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Suffolk, established to collect, preserve and display the long-established but disappearing skills, equipment and buildings of East Anglia's rural past.
Related
Watch for free
The Mill On The Move The Mill On The Move
Factual TV 1975 25 mins Location: Alton Water (Reservoir)
Before compulsory safety helmets , workers carefully dismantle a historic watermill and move it to a new museum location
Watch for free
The Boys' Brigade The Boys' Brigade
Amateur film 1950 3 mins Silent Location: Stowmarket
Marching band leads Stowmarket Boys' Brigade parade
Watch for free
John Wright Basketmaker John Wright Basketmaker
Instructional film/TV programme 1985 7 mins Location: Stowmarket
A traditional basketmaker shows how he makes a potato picker basket
Watch for free
Stowmarket Boys Brigade at Summer Camp in Norfolk Stowmarket Boys Brigade at Summer Camp in Norfolk
Amateur film 1950 8 mins Silent Location: West Runton
A charming record of the Stowmarket Boys Brigade enjoying the fresh sea air and clifftop views at their summer camp in Norfolk in 1950.
Watch for free
Stowmarket's Grand Carnival Week Stowmarket's Grand Carnival Week
Amateur film 1948 7 mins Silent Location: Stowmarket
Back in 1948, Stowmarket Carnival took place over 9 days at the end of June with a wonderful mix of events for all ages. This year also saw the first Carnival Queen competition.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.