Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
Prospect of Skelmersdale
Putting people at the forefront of planning.
Documentary 1971 24 mins
From the collection of:
Overview
New towns such as Skelmersdale provoke mixed reactions. But Skem, as the locals call it, built in the clean air twelve miles from the coast to house people from overcrowded Merseyside, was the result of much thorough planning. Housing and transport, schools and shops, playgrounds, pubs, and of course industries, are all carefully considered in this promotional film for the Lancashire new town.
Director
John Gresty
Genres
Documentary
Released
1971
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Skelmersdale
Language
English
Subjects
Related
Garden Cities & New Towns
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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!
Watch for free
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!
Watch for free
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
Skelmersdale
Watch for free
Royal Visit to Skelmersdale Royal Visit to Skelmersdale
Non-Fiction 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Skelmersdale
A royal welcome for a royal visitor - the Duchess of Kent in Skelmersdale.
New
Watch for free
Playground Express Playground Express
1955 17 mins Location: Brighton
Kids face the closure of their Brighton playground but fight back to reclaim it, with a little help from the iconic Volks Railway
Watch for free
Adventure in the Hopfields Adventure in the Hopfields
Children's 1954 59 mins Location: Goudhurst
Child actor Mandy Miller shines in this children's adventure set in the traditional hop picking season in Kent.
Watch for free
Northern Ballers Northern Ballers
Short documentary 2020 19 mins
All Andy and Ben want to do is play basketball. When they join the under 16s league the boys and their new teammates take on opponents from around Yorkshire, and the challenges of growing up in inner city Leeds.
Watch for free
The Conversation The Conversation
Musical 2019 13 mins
Exploring the conversation black people face when communicating their racial experience to white partners through a dynamic fusion of dance and dialogue.
Watch for free
The Photograph The Photograph
Drama 2021 9 mins
Penny is experiencing post-millennium angst in Manchester. She is on the verge of a mental breakdown. Overweight and on the edge, an ordinary visit to the doctor becomes extraordinary.
Watch for free
Say Something Then Say Something Then
Drama 2020 10 mins
A short but poignant piece on what it feels like to lose faith and trust in a friend.