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Maintaining, evolving and revolutionising the landscape on an industrial scale with one of Britain's biggest builders.
Industry sponsored film 1954 28 mins
The landscape of Britain is constantly changing. The job of the civil engineer is sometimes to arrest that change - as in the remedial work on medieval churches near Carlisle seen here - and sometimes to accelerate it. Whether it was factory building in Hertfordshire, or epic flood prevention schemes in Bala, John Laing & Son were often behind the job, and celebrating their achievements on film courtesy of their own film production unit.
Promotional 1952 10 mins Silent Location: Letchworth Garden City
1903 saw the launch of "First Garden City Ltd." and the purchase of development land near Hitchin. 50 years on, in Coronation year, Letchworth was worthy of another celebration.
1956 14 mins Location: Harlow
An insider's guide to 1950s Harlow made for US audiences, with architect Frederick Gibberd interviewed from the top of the Lawn tower block.
Cinemagazine 1973 8 mins Location: Milton Keynes
"The most exciting thing going on in Europe, if not the world": welcome to Milton Keynes circa 1973.
News 1966 3 mins Location: Stevenage
Stevenage is town planning utopia, for it boasts at least 50 - yes 50! - underpasses. Like a pro, the reporter’s enthusiasm enlivens the dry subject matter. Journeying is but a joy!
Amateur film 1957 15 mins Silent Location: Welwyn Garden City
Picturesque tour of Welwyn, England's second Garden City. A rural-urban idyll of spacious residential areas and green community spaces. A marvel of town planning design!
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 8 mins
Charley says (no, not that one) that Britain’s new towns are great
Factual TV 1974 52 mins Location: Wallsend
Acclaimed author Hunter Davies travels the length of a magnificent Roman wall that stretches from industrial Tyneside to the Solway Firth.
Documentary 1937 10 mins Location: Pendragon Castle
"Men may pause, but rivers never" - a journey along the course of the Cumbrian river Eden.
Documentary 1963 51 mins Location: Settle
Not just a chance to see locomotives steaming over viaducts, with the axe hanging over both, here we have the full glory of the Settle to Carlisle line, and its place in rural life.
Industry sponsored film 1971 27 mins Location: Carlisle
Bringing the motorway to Cumbria's Lune Valley, whether it likes it or not.
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Carlisle
Royal Warrant biscuit-makers released after their shift.
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Weston Park
A stroll in the park for civilised city-dwellers in Edwardian South Yorkshire.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
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