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
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
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.
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.