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Farnham Walkabout or Farnham Layabouts

Watch wags from the Hedgehogs as they present a comical critique of life in well-to-do Farnham - with bearded beatniks, wartime pre-fabs and a day at the donkey races

Amateur film 1959 17 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for Screen Archive South East

Overview

We follow several characters through Farnham including; an 'American' tourist, protestors outside the council offices, a courting couple, 'Winston Churchill' reviewing a parade of the Boys Brigade, a 'dirty old man' with a false beard, a slovenly stockbroker's wife getting logs for the fire, wartime prefabs, a match on a ploughed-up bowling green, a Donkey Race with Honest Pete, the bookie, teenagers dancing at a youth club and trendy beatnik couples boozing in a pub.

This unusual 1959 film was made by members of a Farnham youth club who, having reached drinking age, frequented the Marlborough Head pub in East Street. Calling themselves 'The Hedgehogs', their purpose was to help local citizens less fortunate than themselves. The 'Ancient and Most Honorable Order of the Hedgehogs' held its first meeting on the 23rd of June 1959 and a constitution was agreed which survives today. The association became a registered charity in 2001. At first, financial and practical help was given to those who needed it in the community but gradually the 'Hedgehogs' organised fund-raising events to support their work. The Marlborough Head pub closed in 2016 but the 'Hedgehogs' live on.