This film is part of Free
Mining Review 15th Year No. 5
A visit to Peterlee, Co. Durham, plus news from Britain's coalfields.
Overview
A cheerful report from Durham new town Peterlee kicks off this coal industry newsreel. The tone is typically upbeat (though a shot of an old mining village adds a nostalgic note). Similar thrusting optimism fuels the final item, looking back at 'Year of the Miner' 1961 (this issue was released January 1962). The star of the show being the Coal Board's new head honcho Lord Robens - no wallflower, he!
Under Robens' chairmanship, the industry would significantly downsize through the 1960s, yet it still sought new blood as another item in this issue, covering recruitment efforts, demonstrates. A story reporting on a day out for disabled and orphaned children on the Bluebell steam railway, paid for by a Kent colliery, rounds out this typical issue of Mining Review.
Related
Letchworth - Where it all started in 1903 Letchworth - Where it all started in 1903
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.
New Towns in Britain New Towns in Britain
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.
Milton Keynes - A Village City Milton Keynes - A Village City
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.
New Towns Act New Towns Act
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!
Welwyn Garden City and Surrounding District Welwyn Garden City and Surrounding District
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!
Charley in New Town Charley in New Town
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 8 mins
Charley says (no, not that one) that Britain’s new towns are great
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.