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
Easter Holiday Activities
Out and about across the Midlands to see what people do with their Easter Monday holiday. Spring is in the air with time for swimming, funfairs and a good honest pint.
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Overview
Easter 1957 brings good weather and crowds flocking to attractions across the West Midlands. It was even warm enough for bathers to brave Droitwich Lido. The busiest places visited by the Midlands News cameras in this silent report are Dudley Zoo and the Lickey Hills, where crowds have flocked to escape the gloom of the city for a spot of rambling, the fun of the fair or a pint (spot the Teddy Boys) at the Hare and Hounds at Rednal.
The groups of women arriving at Archbishop Benson Hall in Handsworth were turning out for a personal appearance by the local tenor David Hughes. Hughes-mania appears to be even eclipsing the appearance of Count Basie who is seen prior to a concert at Birmingham Town Hall. The bearded man riding on the merry go round is the journalist Douglas Warth, then known to ATV Midlands viewers as the presenter of the controversial interview programme Paper Talk.
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