The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free

Making Our Own Beds
Lessons have been learned and mistakes rectified. With hindsight and enthusiasm in spades, Beds County prepare for the future conservation of its countryside and inhabitants.
From the collection of:

Overview
In 1970, a campaign launched in the hope of alerting Europe to the importance of protecting and conserving the environment. The so-called 'European Conservation Year' campaign flooded a great enthusiasm by the Beds County Planning and Countryside Committee who, in this film, face a considerable conundrum: how best to meet growing demands for industry and housing whilst protecting land and smaller settlements, wildlife, and controlling pollution.
The film reflects the larger realisation of the damaging effects of intense population and industrial growth in the nation after the Second World War. An awareness of human impact on the environment had been growing in Britain since the 1960s. Besides being the European Conservation Year, 1970 was the first year that ‘Earth Day’ was held across the pond, galvanising more than 20 million Americans to rally for the environmentalism cause. This period saw the emergence of environmental groups such as Greenpeace and the Nature Conservancy Council.
Related

The Shape of Beds to come The Shape of Beds to come
Government sponsored film 1976 22 mins Location: Bedford
Featuring the people and places, industry and activities from all corners of Beds County as Local Goverment Planners mull over the issue of population growth.

No Less Precious No Less Precious
Promotional 1963 25 mins Silent Location: Bromham
A sobering but fascinating insight into the work of Bromham Hospital, Bedford and the changing attitudes to the "mentally subnormal children" and care of the disabled.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.

China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.