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
Holiday at West Mersea
Home movie of the Harrison family on holiday on the beach and sailing at West Mersea in Essex, with intertitles.
From the collection of:
Overview
This movie shows the preparation of and escapades on a family holiday to West Mersea in Essex in July 1930. The Harrison family are on the beach, and with friends they spend plenty of time on the water in their family boat – ‘Elver’, particularly encouraging the sailing skills of the younger generation. However, despite the lovely shots, the filmmaker's parting intertitle states "the rain spoilt the holiday and the photography". Oh dear!
This is just one of a series of films recording the travels of the schooner Elver, her owner V.B. Harrison, crew and guests. Victor Harrison is well known in the model railway world. The Harrison family owned Harrison and Sons Limited, a print works in High Wycombe, that has since become De La Rue. EAFA acquired a huge collection of 16mm film (60 odd rolls) from John, Victor Harrison’s son, who features along with sister Susan, in many of the films.
Related
Watch for free
Blackwater Estuary Blackwater Estuary
Amateur film 1972 14 mins Silent Location: River Blackwater
An amateur film, in colour and beautifully crafted, of the environment around the Blackwater Estuary near West Mersea, Essex, circa 1972.
Watch for free
A Last Day on Board the Yacht 'Elver' with Nan A Last Day on Board the Yacht 'Elver' with Nan
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: West Mersea
The Harrison family spend a day on their yacht, travelling from Mersea to Lowestoft, which turns out to be Nan's last trip. Filmed circa 1929.
Watch for free
The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two The Yacht 'Elver' 1939 Part Two
Amateur film 1939 18 mins Silent Location: Harwich Harbour
The escapades of the Harrison family, crew and guests on their yacht Elver in 1939 before the outbreak of World War Two.
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.