London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
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Life in Our Homes, Chislehurst
An informative and sometimes moving film meeting the residents of a Masonic retirement home in Chislehurst.
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Overview
The film offers a tour of one of the dozen or so Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution’s homes for elderly and retired Masons. We meet several residents of Prince George Duke of Kent Court in Chislehurst – built in 1968 – including a spirited man born in 1880 who attends a local adult education college. We also meet a very frail, almost completely incapacitated, lady. The film emphasises the care they receive, the facilities and the benefits of being with fellow Masons.
This film probably dates from the late 1970s, and is interesting, informative and moving as well as a little dated. We see the residents at leisure – dancing, playing the piano, painting – and at one point are shown a group of women residents knitting, polishing silver and exchanging “that latest piece of feminine gossip… the gentlemen of course take life more seriously”. Of course! The film is designed to raise funds, so viewers, presumably younger Masons, are told “the masonic feeling is portrayed all over, it’s imbued in their spirit” before reminding them that all this has to be paid for. After all, the unspoken message suggests, one day they may be residents here themselves.
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