The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Honiton Hot Pennies Ceremony
Annual Ceremony of hot pennies from Honiton
In partnership with:
Overview
The ceremony starts with the Mayor and Town Crier lifting a garland pole with a glove on top, they proclaim ‘no man may be arrested so long as this glove is up’. This was to encourage all locals and neighbours to attend without fear of being arrested over bad debts. Hot pennies are thrown from rooms above the Old Pannier Market. The Custom for hot pennies stems back to the local gentry enjoying the view as the peasants burnt themselves trying to pick up the pennies.
Honiton was a Roman stopping point along the Fosse Way an ancient road linking Exeter to Lincoln, the town is known for its lace, pottery and its Hot Pennies celebration. The celebration is held on the first Tuesday after the 19 July, started in the 13th Century when the town was given a Royal Charter to hold a market, the tradition also has roots as far back as King Stephen who reigned 1135-1154.
Related
Watch for free
Ugandan Asians at Heathfield Camp Ugandan Asians at Heathfield Camp
Current affairs 1972 12 mins Location: Honiton
Refugees explain expulsion from Uganda and look at future prospects.
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.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.