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.
Empire Youth Sunday 1944
Standing smartly to attention and marching in time: Nottingham's cadet forces mark Empire Youth Sunday in 1944 with parades on the Forest.
From the collection of:
Overview
The Forest Recreation Ground, to give it its full name, has been home of the city's famous Goose Fair since the 1920s. But on 21 May 1944 there were colours and sights of a different kind as Empire Youth Sunday was marked with parades by the city's cadet forces. This film was made for the local Air Training Corps and the titles are keen to stress how membership of this particular group is the 'Royal Road to the RAF'.
Empire Youth Sunday began in Coronation year 1937 as the Empire Youth Movement. In 1957 it was renamed Commonwealth Youth Sunday and continued with church services and parades, in not just Britain but many countries in the 'colonies', until the early 1960s. The filmmaker was Cyril Ball, the younger brother of Albert Ball VC, a famous First World War air ace from Nottingham killed in action in 1917. Cyril Ball was also a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps and later in 1938 founded and was appointed Officer Commanding the Nottingham wing of the Air Defence Cadet Corps.
Related
Watch for free
Alternative Press Alternative Press
Current affairs 1978 11 mins Location: Harborne
By local folks, for local folks' - printing the local news where you live.
Watch for free
High Jinks at Nottingham High Jinks at Nottingham
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
Visitors to Nottingham Carnival enjoy themselves on land and water
Watch for free
Jack Dunnett MP for Nottingham Central Jack Dunnett MP for Nottingham Central
News 1971 9 mins Location: Nottingham
Nottingham MP Jack Dunnett: a true man of the people who puts his constituents first but still finds time to support his local football team.
Watch for free
University of Nottingham: Carnival Revue 1951 University of Nottingham: Carnival Revue 1951
Home movie 1951 22 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
Students from the University of Nottingham take to the streets with fund raising, fancy dress and frippery as their annual carnival lights up Festival of Britain year.
Watch for free
Nottingham Goose Fair Nottingham Goose Fair
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
It's the time of the Nottingham Goose Fair and the crowds are out to enjoy the rides, stalls and other amusements
Watch for free
St Ann's St Ann's
Documentary 1969 45 mins Location: Nottingham
Stephen Frears' documentary about two hard-working families living in unsanitary houses in St Ann's, Nottingham
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Bell 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.
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.