The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
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Changing Face of Skidby
As John Betjeman mourned the changing face of the suburbs, here we have a record of similar changes to a village that is also transforming itself to accommodate the city commuter.
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Overview
The decades following the end of the war possibly saw the biggest changes to the traditional country village, as the car allowed the middle classes to live in a rural setting while having a city job. This film shows the consequences for one East Yorkshire village, Skidby, situated within easy driving distance of Hull and Beverley, as old houses are pulled down and new bungalows go up in their place.
This film was made by Skidby resident and member of Hull Cine Club, Albert Smith. Albert had his own business, East Riding Livestock Supplies, buying and selling livestock from the farms in the East Riding at markets in Beverley, Driffield and Hull. Skidby was typical of many villages within commuting distance of cities that rapidly expanded after the war. Nevertheless, the spacious bungalows that are seen built in the film, along with the landmark Grade II windmill, allows Skidby to retain its country feel.
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