This film is part of Free

May-Day

A May Day parade down Cockermouth’s Main Street, filmed by a local draper

Amateur film 1899 1 mins Silent

Overview

There is something strangely funereal about this May Day parade down Cockermouth’s Main Street, with its distinctive clock tower. Perhaps it was the weather on the day it was filmed, or the patina that time has brought to the images, but for a celebration of spring the events look a little dour. It was filmed by William Henry Youdale, a local draper with an interest in cinematography.