The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Rhubarb
Yorkshire’s long and proud history of rhubarb cultivation is rejuvenated and protected in this insightful news piece.
From the collection of:
Overview
This illuminating film examines Selby’s impassioned defence and preservation of Yorkshire rhubarb cultivation. In the first half of the film, we are shown and informed of the many ways that Selby is modernising their cultivation of the vegetable to appeal to shopkeepers and families. Following this, a senior staff member at the station delivers a heartfelt call-to-arms to protect UK rhubarb.
Despite rhubarb being native to Siberia, West Yorkshire is well-known for its production of rhubarb. The ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ encompasses Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell. During the peak of the county’s rhubarb cultivation, Yorkshire produced 90% of the world’s winter forced rhubarb. In 2010 the European Commission protected the cultivation of rhubarb in Yorkshire to ensure that the practice continues in the area well into the future.
Related
Selby Gala '81 Selby Gala '81
Amateur film 1981 17 mins Location: Selby
Outdated gender stereotypes aside, this detailed and well-made film captures the profound competitiveness of locals at the Selby Gala.
The Cass Family, Selby, One The Cass Family, Selby, One
1936 16 mins Silent Location: Selby
Evidence of a time when people commonly kept budgies in cages, did card tricks, went to Sunday school, raced motorcycles on Scarborough beach and were transported by A4 Gresleys.
Review 27th Year No. 12 Review 27th Year No. 12
Cinemagazine 1974 10 mins Location: Selby
Fascinatingly wrong 1970s predictions of how UK energy needs will be met in the future.
March against Starvation March against Starvation
Campaigning film 1936 31 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
Poverty and hunger compels angry, jobless workers - including Jarrow's crusaders - to make a historic march to London to petition government.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.