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
Five Minutes By The Sea At Clacton
The essence of a relaxed family holiday at Clacton, Essex in September 1950
From the collection of:
Overview
Five (actually, nine) minutes capture the key moments of a family holiday in this amateur film. Clacton Pier amusements, speedboats seen through a telescope, bathing on the beach then ambling round town and gardens. Entertainments include roller skating, novelty cycles, the Rambla concert party, and the Carnival parade as well as Butlin's camp. There's a rainy day with rough sea, a visit to Brightlingsea Harbour and a drive around the picturesque bungalows of Jaywick.
After World War I, the pier at Clacton was developed by Ernest Kingsman to be the biggest pleasure pier in the country, known as 'No. 1 North Sea', with a range of attractions including theatres, dance hall, casino, open-air swimming pool and the 'Steel Stella' roller coaster. The Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp at Clacton opened in 1938, closed during World War II, but re-opened for holidaymakers in 1946.
Related
Easter Holiday Troubles Easter Holiday Troubles
Non-Fiction 1968 3 mins Silent Location: Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, Cleethorpes, Skegness and Clacton all feature sunbathing, donkey rides, bank holiday traffic queues and rowdy youths.
Dolphins at Clacton Pier Dolphins at Clacton Pier
Home movie 1974 7 mins Silent Location: Dovercourt
A charming film by amateur filmmaker, Paul Amos recording the visit of a group of children from the Wagtail Club to the Aquarium at Clacton Pier.
Picnic and Pleasure Purstuits Picnic and Pleasure Purstuits
Home movie 1933 4 mins Silent Location: Clacton-On-Sea
Picnicking on the beach, followed by swimming in the sea, donkey rides, more swimming at the lido and finally, horse riding.
Frinton Flyer Frinton Flyer
Amateur film 1970 2 mins Location: Clacton-On-Sea
Ted Hammond, an amateur filmmaker from Essex filmed this travelogue, but it’s not clear whether the car or the driver is the Frinton Flyer!
Nine Men and a Boat Nine Men and a Boat
Amateur film 1964 20 mins Location: Clacton-On-Sea
Drama made by members of Clacton Cine Club. Daily life is interrupted by an emergency sea rescue.
Sailing A'hoy Sailing A'hoy
Amateur film 1975 8 mins Silent Location: Clacton-On-Sea
A Clacton Cine Club joint production that documents activity at the Clacton-on-Sea Sailing Club in Essex in the 1970s.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.