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
Video Player is loading.
Dancing in Preston
A party atmosphere as villagers in the East Riding continue the wartime sense of community, arm-in-arm dancing in celebratory spirit.
From the collection of:
Overview
The war is over, and celebrations are underway in the village of Preston a few miles east of Hull. Several have gone for fancy dress, as the villagers demonstrate how country dance become a favourite at parties, with the hokey cokey being the prime example. With the restraint typical of the time, the revellers troupe around the dance hall, arms over each other’s shoulder – very useful for being held up for those a little worse for drink.
This is one of a small collection of films made by William Vaughan who ran a business supplying loudspeakers for outside events in the Holderness area of the East Riding just after the end of the war. As well as Preston, he filmed events, such as agricultural shows and village fairs, in Welwick, Hedon, Thorngumbald, Ottringham and Ryehill, including celebrations of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. He would then publicly show the films in the villages. Around that time he also filmed sports days at St Philomena’s Convent School for Girls in Rise Hall, in East Yorkshire, where his daughter, Maureen, was a pupil (now owned by property guru and TV personality, Sara Beeny).
Related
Watch for free
Football Match at Preston C.1900 Football Match at Preston C.1900
Sport 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Preston
Relentless pressure from the Lilywhites leads to some cracking action but no goal for the camera
Watch for free
Dyson and Horsfall Xmas Orders Dyson and Horsfall Xmas Orders
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Preston
Christmas planning on a grand scale in a Lancashire workplace.
Watch for free
The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Winston S. Churchill visits Fulwood and Preston, 27th June 1945 The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Winston S. Churchill visits Fulwood and Preston, 27th June 1945
Non-Fiction 1945 3 mins Silent Location: Fulwood
Winston Churchill visits Lancashire, in the closing days of his premiership and the last months of the Second World War.
Watch for free
Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952 Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952
Non-Fiction 1952 12 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.
Watch for free
Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Preston
Playing the beautiful game - the ladies from Lancashire demonstrate their skills.
Watch for free
Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory
1913 3 mins Silent Location: Preston
Red letter day in Preston
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.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.