London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
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Easter Parade
All things bright and beautiful: flowers, floats, fire engines and the football World Cup burst into colour at the Easter festivities.
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Overview
Peer through the crowds at the annual Easter Parade in Battersea Park and watch the floats go by. In the procession are the Royal Life Saving Society who brave the early spring weather in swimming costumes while London beer company Watney's marks the 1966 World Cup with their World Cup Ale, the official beer of the tournament. Look closely and spot the Cup's first ever mascot, World Cup Willie.
Easter Parades are held throughout Britain but the pageant held at Battersea Park was one of the largest. The procession was usually sponsored by the London Tourist Board and the theme linked to the city's past, its attractions and traditions. For example, featured in this amateur film are the Pearly King and Queen who have been part of London's working-class culture since the nineteenth century. Also seen is the Easter Princess with her two ladies-in-waiting and an amazing flower arrangement of the BT Tower. This film is from the collection of Redbridge Museum, Local Studies and Archives, a member of the London's Screen Archives Network.
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