Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
Dyson and Horsfall Xmas Orders
Christmas planning on a grand scale in a Lancashire workplace.
From the collection of:
Overview
Christmas is a busy time for the Preston mail order catalogue firm of Dyson and Horsfall. Begun by Cyril Buckley Dyson and his wife Clarissa as a Christmas Club venture, its success led to Cyril working with his brother-in-law Herbert Horsfall on the company that bears their names. In this film shot by Cyril, we see the work that goes into ensuring that customers receive their orders on time.
Related
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party
Santa Claus Santa Claus
Fantasy 1898 1 mins Silent
These Victorian children's Christmas wishes come true in a very special early British film
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
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.
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.
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.
Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory
1913 3 mins Silent Location: Preston
Red letter day in Preston
Cotton Industry, Preston Cotton Industry, Preston
Non-Fiction 1920 7 mins Silent Location: Preston
Admire the nimble-fingered cotton workers at the monumental Horrockses, Crewdson & Co cotton factory in Preston
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.
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.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.