The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Parrett Eels
Elvers are cooked for a special tasting
In partnership with:
Overview
Reporter Mike Whitmarsh talks to fishermen catching eels on the River Parrett in Somerset. The eels are caught for export to continental Europe. TV chef Frances Kitchin is on hand to test their popularity with members of the public. Elvers, juvenile eels are the UK’s most expensive menu item and arrive in spring after migrating from the Sargasso Sea. River eels grown to full size are a delicacy many cultures whether smoked, fried or jellied. Stocks are in decline.
The British public have fallen out of love with the eel. Eel, pie and mash houses use to be a common phenomenon. Jellied eels are a traditional English dish synonymous with the cockneys of London’s East End. Eels are boiled in a spiced stock, then cool and set forming a jelly that is eaten cold with pie and mash. In the 18th century eels were considered poor man’s food but they remain popular in the rest of Europe, the dish eels in green herb sauce replicates eels in mud and the firm white flesh and texture sits in a thick dense earthy green sauce. Eel farming is an important fishery and eels have not quite been expunged into culinary oblivion. I'll give you a great jelly on it means a good deal in cockney rhyming slang.
Related
Watch for free
Herrings Herrings
Public Information Filler 1940 7 mins
This informative herring aid from WWII makes no bones about the need to make the most of every fish
Watch for free
Black Country Food Black Country Food
News 1972 5 mins Location: Wednesbury
Tasting the plain, good 'fittle' of the Black Country - just remember to pull the hairs out of those pork scratchings.
Watch for free
Indian Sweets Indian Sweets
News 1979 4 mins Location: Moseley
A new type of shop appears on the high street: Indian sweets have arrived in Birmingham.
Watch for free
Chinese Restaurants Chinese Restaurants
Non-Fiction 1965 7 mins Location: Birmingham
From the House of Liang Nam to the Kam Ling Bamboo Rooms: the pioneers who made the long journey from Hong Kong to bring Chinese food to Birmingham.
Watch for free
A Party Dish by X. Marcel Boulestin A Party Dish by X. Marcel Boulestin
1936 9 mins Silent
Guests to impress? Celebrity chef Marcel Boulestin out a quick veal escalope with the aid of a shiny new gas cooker.
Watch for free
Cheese Making at Home Cheese Making at Home
Non-Fiction 1918 4 mins Silent
Handy hints for would-be fromagers
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Watch for free
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Watch for free
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Watch for free
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Watch for free
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.