Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/e9f00f0d91a606b38640cdcb49dd7b91.jpg?itok=CSFfUVLh)
Canterbury 1939 to 1940
As the last months of peace pass quickly by, Canterbury's firemen gear up for the war to come.
From the collection of:
![Logo for Screen Archive South East](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/Screen_Archive_South_East_logo_black_1.jpg?itok=88yixjXN)
Overview
This colour film starts with riverside scenes of Maidstone's wharves and the old castle. Moving to Canterbury, we see the mayor inspect mobile special units after which members of Canterbury's Royal Air Force Association march towards the cathedral. After an open-air gym display we see the city's AFS practise with the Tangye Pump forming fountains with their hoses. Finally, we see a school open-day with the children performing dances while their elders have tea.
Sydney Bligh ran a wireless and electronics shop called S.W.Bligh, which was on North Lane in Canterbury. A pioneer of early radio, Bligh began his experiments in 1913 using the call-sign BXA. By the early 1920s Bligh was broadcasting his own shows - before becoming one of the founder members of the British Broadcasting Company. During the course of his side-line career as an amateur filmmaker, Bligh filmed many of Canterbury's civic personalities. In the case of Alderman Lefevre, who is seen in this film and who became mayor in 1940, Bligh filmed not only him going about his official duties but also his funeral in 1945.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/c82dbf9e80ed6d81474e1f2c70b11616.jpg?itok=EpLmcXYV)
Activities Pictured at Littleover First Aid Post Activities Pictured at Littleover First Aid Post
Amateur film 1939 16 mins Silent Location: Littleover
An air raid could come at any moment and Derby had to be ready to deal with the casualties. The people of Littleover were so well prepapred they filmed one of their exercises.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/2dc1ecd43f47cd1cb8cbc0b77e49de88.jpg?itok=W4kfYEJ1)
Kingsbury: ARP in Sandiacre Kingsbury: ARP in Sandiacre
Home movie 1940 9 mins Silent Location: Sandiacre
From their sandbagged headquarters, the Sandiacre ARP and Red Cross await their call to action.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo260038879.jpg?itok=BosYympk)
London Can Take It! London Can Take It!
Documentary 1940 9 mins Location: London
Humphrey Jennings and Harry Watt’s famous GPO film is an enduring example of British self-mythology; a hymn to London’s resilience that helped persuade America to join the war.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo242664043.jpg?itok=maT4bkxE)
Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Happy Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Happy
Charity appeal 1939 2 mins Silent Location: Norwich
Sweet and touching wartime cinema appeal for 300,000 London children spending Christmas far from home.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/0084ef1d325d63d63de252acac2ab8e3.jpg?itok=-OaftdmM)
Bombed Out Bombed Out
Amateur film 1945 9 mins Silent Location: Southwark
Step into the aftermath of a WWII bombing raid in south London in this startling amateur film.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/dd39a7405616498ce7a08e444d1f6986.jpg?itok=H_uqsZiY)
How to Fit a Gas Mask How to Fit a Gas Mask
Public Information Filler 1939 2 mins
Matter-of-fact wartime instruction in how to fit your gas mask efficiently - leaving no margin for error.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214656_01of01.jpg?itok=eTGrT55p)
The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle
Amateur film 1962 7 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Canterbury's newest department store opens to a colourful fanfare as this film from Peter Mills shows - along with an historical pageant, a Marine band and a trip to Dover Castle.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214631_01of01.jpg?itok=YzDgR3aW)
Canterbury and Dover Canterbury and Dover
Amateur film 1960 8 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Peter Mills' film provides a glimpse of Canterbury and Dover in the early 1960s - where buildings, ancient and modern, sit side by side and Dover's castle is a backdrop to the port
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_215209_01of01.jpg?itok=EzdSnx20)
The Studios at Elstree The Studios at Elstree
Amateur film 1985 3 mins Location: Borehamwood
One of the UK's oldest film studios braces itself for redevelopment in this film from Alan Stingemore
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_215017_01of01.jpg?itok=tfSyld5e)
50 Years On 50 Years On
Amateur film 1990 12 mins Location: Hawkinge
Surviving Battle of Britain veterans celebrate half a century since their finest hour at various locations in Kent - Britain's front line county during the Second World War
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_215353_01of01.jpg?itok=b_nIBQUp)
Alexandra Palace and Canterbury's Longmarket Alexandra Palace and Canterbury's Longmarket
Amateur film 1986 3 mins Location: Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is the venue for this short film from Alan Stingemore which also includes a look at Canterbury's LongMarket shopping centre
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214848_01of01.jpg?itok=0wO7mWOC)
Canterbury 1935: Murder in the Cathedral Canterbury 1935: Murder in the Cathedral
Amateur film 1935 3 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
T S Eliot stars in this remarkable film from Sydney Bligh - attending a performance of his famous play 'Murder in the Cathedral' in the story's actual location
![](/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.