The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Coopering Ceremony
Calling time on a tradition at Ansells Brewery in Birmingham: witness the last time the 'trussing the cooper' ceremony is performed.
From the collection of:
Overview
Apprentice brewery coopers had traditionally undergone an initiation ceremony on completing their training. Involving much beer and saw dust, 'trussing the cooper' is said to date back to the 14th century but had no place in a world of metal casks. Here we see the last of these events at the Ansells Brewery in Birmingham in 1967. As the apprentice's parents look on we see the young man follow in a proud tradition that he could well have done without!
Ansell's was founded in 1857. In 1961 the firm became part of Allied Breweries. The brewery at Aston in Birmingham was closed in 1981 after a long running industrial dispute and production was transferred to an Allied brewery at Burton upon Trent, much to the displeasure of Birmingham drinkers.
Related
Watch for free
A Midlands News Day A Midlands News Day
Promotional 1963 18 mins Location: Solihull
With major stories cropping up right across the Midlands can ATV's news team get the programme out on time?
Watch for free
Birmingham Centenary Pageant 1938 Birmingham Centenary Pageant 1938
Non-Fiction 1938 7 mins Silent Location: Aston
Local news coverage of the wonderful (and very weird) parades and performances staged in Brum to celebrate 100 years since incorporation.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.