The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Fakenham Races
Fakenham’s racecourse is almost square, left-handed and with a full racing distance of around a mile. The first race was held in 1905.
From the collection of:
Overview
The Prince of Wales is patron to Fakenham Racecourse and the Queen Mother visited the course in 2000, her 100th year. As the popularity of steeplechasing declined, hurdle racing was introduced in 1926 and continues today. After an enforced break during the war when Newmarket’s July course was the only operational course in Britain, racing resumed in 1947 at Fakenham, which is one of only two courses where owners are not required to pay a fee to enter their horse in a race.
Fakenham racecourse lies to the south of the Norfolk market town of Fakenham, separated from the town by the River Wensum on its way to Norwich and the east coast. In 1965, land on the racecourse site was leased for the development of a Sports centre with a golf course, tennis and squash courts for the local community and visitors to the racing fixtures.
Related
Watch for free
River - A Living Thing River - A Living Thing
Documentary 1983 26 mins Location: Syderstone
Dick Joice introduces this documentary charting the course and the history of the river starting at Horningtoft and finishing in Norwich.
Watch for free
Hempton Sheep Fair Hempton Sheep Fair
Amateur film 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Hempton
Many a flock of curly-horned rams and golden-fleeced ewes, of various breeds and colour, at the last Hempton Sheep Fair, in September 1969.
Watch for free
Fakenham Races Fakenham Races
Home movie 1948 6 mins Silent Location: Fakenham
Highlights from a day at Fakenham Races filmed circa 1948, after the resuming of the annual meeting here following a break during World War Two.
Watch for free
A Year on a Mechanised Farm in Norfolk A Year on a Mechanised Farm in Norfolk
Amateur film 1940 43 mins Silent Location: Sedgeford
Ploughing and sowing, baling and hoeing. Norfolk farmers produce food for a nation at war, aided by the latest farm machinery, but not altogether replacing the horse or labourer.
Watch for free
Royal Norfolk Show , Sandringham 1950 Royal Norfolk Show , Sandringham 1950
Amateur film 1950 13 mins Silent Location: Fakenham
Buses arrive in Alpington, Norfolk at the start of a red-letter day for the villagers. Children and adults board the buses to head cross county for the Royal Norfolk Show .
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.