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
Video Player is loading.
Future Uncertain
A whistle-stop venture from Kings Lynn to Hunstanton via rail, in the company of Chib Thorp, amateur filmmaker and rail enthusiast from Leigh on Sea.
From the collection of:
Overview
Edward Thorp, known as ‘Chib’, an undertaker from Leigh on Sea, spent his weekends throughout the year visiting the rural railway lines in East Anglia with wife Edna and their dog Micky. Chib always took along his 8mm camera, a good supply of Kodachrome film, and a tape recorder, to document their trips. Chib would edit the film himself at home, have a magnetic stripe added to the film, and on his Kodak projector, which had a recording facility, he would record a commentary.
The train journey starts outside Kings Lynn station, passing through the first station North Wootton, then to the lovely Wolferton - the station that once served the Sandringham Estate, stopping at Dersingham then Snettisham Station and Heacham, before hitting Hunstanton, the end of the line. Presumably the film's title "Future Uncertain" refers to the spate of line and station closures and therefore withdrawal of passenger services by British Rail following the Beeching Report.
Related
Watch for free
The Pioneers of Nudism The Pioneers of Nudism
Amateur film 1938 27 mins Silent Location: Bricket Wood
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise...
Watch for free
Watch for free
A Romany Summer A Romany Summer
Documentary 1977 43 mins Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
With their battered vardo, scruffy kids and assorted horses in tow, Cocker and Ellie are on an “endless odyssey”, visiting Appleby Fair, trying to eke out their own chosen life.
Watch for free
Apaches Apaches
Documentary 1977 27 mins
One of the most disturbing public safety films depicts six children being picked off one-by-one by deadly farming machinery.
Watch for free
Wires over the Border Wires over the Border
Industry sponsored film 1974 18 mins
An account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow
Watch for free
Life Apart: Anxieties in a Trawling Community Life Apart: Anxieties in a Trawling Community
Documentary 1973 62 mins Location: Fleetwood
Unforgettably superb documentary on the work and life, onshore and off, of the trawlermen of Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Watch for free
Flood Scenes Flood Scenes
News 1978 4 mins Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
On the night of 11th January 1978, a storm surge caused significant damage and coastal flooding from the Humber Estuary to Romney Marsh in Kent.
Watch for free
Focus on Progress Focus on Progress
Industry sponsored film 1975 14 mins Location: King's Lynn
Certainly "of its time", this film, optimistic in tone, shows the progress being made in the rapidly expanding town of King's Lynn in Norfolk.
Watch for free
Kings Lynn - Gateway to Opportunity Kings Lynn - Gateway to Opportunity
Industry sponsored film 1971 31 mins Location: King's Lynn
A professional documentary about seaport and market town, King's Lynn intended for prospective industrialists and tourists.
Watch for free
Ingoldisthorpe Village Fete Ingoldisthorpe Village Fete
Amateur film 1938 4 mins Silent Location: Ingoldisthorpe
At a Norfolk country house Ingoldisthorpe villagers enjoy a fancy dress costumed garden party and tea dance at the annual Summer Fete, in 1938.
Watch for free
North Norfolk Holiday Towns Lose Train Service North Norfolk Holiday Towns Lose Train Service
News 1983 11 mins Location: Hunstanton
“I wouldn’t travel by bus. I’d go to bed instead I think!” Local News TV speak to Mrs Smith and Mrs Stebbens, passengers who find the Norwich to Sheringham train service essential.
Watch for free
Mayor opens Mart Fair Mayor opens Mart Fair
News 1978 3 mins Location: King's Lynn
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress keep the Mart-opening tradition alive with a circuit on the dodg'ems at Tuesday Market Place in King's Lynn.
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.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.