At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
Carnival time on Hayling Island
Enjoy a nostalgic trip back to 1970s Hayling Island - complete with beauty queens, a giant Postman accompanied by walking pillar boxes and a guest appearance by Thunderbird 4
From the collection of:
Overview
This short film opens with participants of Hayling Island's carnival assembling prior to the commencement of the procession. Last minute adjustments are made to the various floats and costumes and the march begins. We see some highly coloured 'news hounds' and a guest appearance by Thunderbird 4 followed by a variety of Post Office themed floats as well as a range of GPO vehicles before ending with trucks covered in floral displays.
Hayling Island's Carnival, in the form seen in this film, started in 1953, the year of the Coronation of HRH Elizabeth II. It remained an annual fixture in the Hayling Island social calendar for the next 58 years. The local Lions Club took over the production and running of the Carnival in 1998.
Related
Watch for free
Brickmaking at Pycroft Brickworks Brickmaking at Pycroft Brickworks
Amateur film 1974 11 mins Location: Hayling Island
You'll be up to your knees in clay when you meet the Pyecrofts in this delightful film about a family brick making business on Hayling Island -
Watch for free
A New dinghy for the Mary Rose expedition A New dinghy for the Mary Rose expedition
Amateur film 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth Harbour
It's high tide at Portsmouth Harbour as members of the Mary Rose expedition examine their latest acquisitions in this short film from Ilse McKee
Watch for free
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.