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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Merry Makers at Mitcham
Evocative shots of a pre-war fairground, complete with carousel, giant slide and flying saucers – all packed out by thrilled fairgoers of all ages.
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Overview
This film captures some of the excitement vast travelling funfairs used to bring to an area, with every seat on every ride filled by boys and girls, young and old. Shown is the carousel, big slide and flying saucers – other rides included the Big Lizzie, a gigantic swing named after Elizabeth I.
A fair had been held on Mitcham Common since at least 1811 – folklore says it dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I – and is still held today, despite occasional attempts to shut it down.
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