London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
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Call Me Early, Mother Dear
Sweet-faced white-clad children march in procession to muddy Hayes Common, where the latest May Queen is crowned in a popular annual ceremony.
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Overview
The crowning of the May Queen was a popular choice for the Topical Budget camera, who film dozens of children – all dressed in white, covered in flowers and some carrying banners (May Queen Of Bellingham one reads) – marching in a procession to Hayes Common where the ceremony takes place. Adults look on – and cars follow behind – while the a dais is prepared and then the new May Queen takes her place on the throne, crown perched precariously in place.
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