The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Joe Smith: Bilston, Ten Pin Bowling and Dudley Canal
Time for one final parade and celebration of civic pride as Bilston loses its borough status and is swallowed by larger neighbour Wolverhampton.
From the collection of:
Overview
This compilation film shot by Joe Smith records the final civic Sunday parade in Bilston in 1965 before the borough disappeared within its larger neighbour Wolverhampton. Times are also changing with the arrival of flashy ten-pin bowling in Wolverhampton at the Ambassador, but in contrast we see the birth of a new interest in industrial heritage with scenes showing efforts to save the historic Dudley canal tunnel.
The Inland Waterways Association had organised protest trips through the Dudley canal tunnel since 1960 but were unable to stop its closure to regular traffic in 1962. It did however re-open to canal traffic in 1973.
Related
Watch for free
Sad Day for Bilston Sad Day for Bilston
Documentary 1979 24 mins Location: Bilston
A steelworks and a workforce under the shadow of closure. Bilston faces a cold winter as it loses its traditional heavy industry.
Watch for free
Bilston Blast Furnace Bilston Blast Furnace
Non-Fiction 1977 6 mins Location: Bilston
The Midlands' last blast furnace makes a car production line look like an hospital operating theatre. 'Elisabeth' of Bilston is the pride of the Black Country.
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.