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.
This film is part of Free
Clarion Ramblers
When ramblers had to fight for the right to walk on the land, used public transport, held mass rallies, helped dig sheep out of the snow and women rambled wearing skirts.
From the collection of:
Overview
This is an extremely rare film of Sheffield Clarion Ramblers and their famous founders, G.H.B (Bert) Ward and John Jordan, starting in 1946 and ending in 1954. Sheep are rescued from under deep snow in the infamous winter of 1947, walkers set off from Sheffield to ramble around Derbyshire, from Win Hill and Lose Hill to Dovedale, and the World Gliding Championships take place at Hucklow. There is even the Labour Chancellor Hugh Dalton speaking at Cave Dale Rally in 1946.
This film was taken by an unaccredited member of the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers. The Ramblers, recognised as the first working class rambling club, were formed in 1900 by Jack Ward and 13 other men and women when walking around Kinder Scout. They were named after the Clarion socialist newspaper, as were many other clubs and societies. At the time Ward was a 24 year old engineering fitter from Sheffield. He remained a tireless campaigner for the rights of ramblers, along with other Sheffield ramblers Tom Stephenson, Stephen Morton and Phil Barnes. The rally of 1954 may be connected to the decision by the 11th Duke of Devonshire in Easter of that year to allow the public to roam over his part of Kinder Scout.
Related
Watch for free
The Queen at Sheffield The Queen at Sheffield
Documentary 1897 1 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Sheffield gives the capital a run for its money with an impressive parade celebrating the monarch, a month before the Diamond Jubilee.
Watch for free
Special Olympics Special Olympics
Factual TV 1988 5 mins Location: Sheffield
Sheffield professional sportsmen train determined disabled adults to compete at the Special Olympics in this heart-warming short film. (
Watch for free
Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield
Amateur film 1940 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Highly-skilled women defy 1940s gender prejudices and produce munitions in one of Sheffield’s many wartime factories.
Watch for free
Wartime Events in Sheffield Wartime Events in Sheffield
Amateur film 1942 19 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Military men and women from Sheffield put on a show from 1942-1947 in this patriotic compilation film.
Watch for free
Bus Strike Traffic Bus Strike Traffic
Sponsored film 1959 9 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
A Sheffield bus strike causes traffic congestion in this film that shows the significant local impact that a workplace dispute can have.
Watch for free
Sheffield Peace March Sheffield Peace March
Non-Fiction 1936 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
As the rise of fascism casts a shadow over Europe, the people of Sheffield take to the streets to deliver a powerful message.
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.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.