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
Video Player is loading.
Punky Night at Hinton St George
Some punky goings on at dusk
In partnership with:
Overview
Children parade through the streets of Hinton St George in Somerset on the last Thursday of October. Children have hollowed out pumpkins or mangelwurzels, a type of animal fodder turnip to make lanterns following a tradition in this part of West Somerset that coincides with Halloween. Punky or Punkie Night is thought to date from the turn of the 20th century or perhaps medieval times chanting rhymes and following a Punkie King and Queen.
The villagers and children march dressed as witches and warlocks in homemade masks. The first lanterns were made by village wives who went out in search of their husbands to bring them home from the local Chiselborough Fair. They needed the lights to see where they were going on a stormy night and hollowed out the mangelwurzels and placed a lit candle inside.
Related
Watch for free
Going Self-sufficient Going Self-sufficient
Current affairs 1980 4 mins Location: Somerset
The Buxtons decide to live the good life in Somerset.
Watch for free
Just the Job Just the Job
Current affairs 1980 29 mins Location: Devon
If you weren’t a yuppy you were a yoppy on the government Youth Opportunities Programme aimed at placing sixteen to eighteen year-olds in the workplace.
Watch for free
The Last Load from Kilmersdon The Last Load from Kilmersdon
Amateur film 1973 9 mins Silent Location: Somerset
The last working day at the coalface of Kilmersdon Colliery endures a quiet ending.
Watch for free
The Wicker Men of Somerset The Wicker Men of Somerset
Current affairs 1962 6 mins Location: Somerset
The process from harvest to basket is highlighted in this report about the willow growers of the Somerset Levels.
Watch for free
Weddings and Holidays Weddings and Holidays
Amateur film 1955 12 mins Silent Location: Devon
There are blizzards of confetti in this wedding montage which also features holidays in the West Country and the Empress Queen
Watch for free
Old England XI Old England XI
Sport 1966 3 mins Location: Somerset
An England team takes on an invitational XI
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.
Watch for free
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Watch for free
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.
Watch for free
Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.
Watch for free
Olivier Assayas (Masterclass) Olivier Assayas (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2010 41 mins
Irma Vep writer/director Assayas moved from film journalism to filmmaking – a fascinating journey told with disarming honesty to Jonathan Romney.
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland
Inside Film 2012 27 mins
L.A. Confidential's screenwriter explains why he thinks writer's block is a myth, and reveals Clint Eastwood's unique powers of persuasion.