This film is part of Free

Rollicking Revels at Rochdale
Fine threads are on display at Lancashire's premier cotton town.
Overview
Fine threads are on display at Lancashire's premier cotton town. The autumn carnival was clearly a source of local pride, with spectators lining the streets to glimpse the procession. Among all the brass and pom poms you'll spot some rather zany costumes, as well as a float done up as a cruise ship. Watch out too, for the hunch-backed character loping along at the rear.
Processions - especially those involving floats and costumes - were a favourite of newsreel companies like Topical Budget, which relied on fun and photogenic events that were planned well in advance.
Related

Cotton Come Back Cotton Come Back
Industry sponsored film 1946 26 mins Location: Shaw
A passionate post-war plea for workers to return to the cotton industry after decades of decline, framed as an argument between father and daughters.

Workpeople Leaving For Dinner, Robinson's Iron Foundry, Rochdale (1901) Workpeople Leaving For Dinner, Robinson's Iron Foundry, Rochdale (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
Employees exit a Lancashire works on a drizzly day.

Rochdale Tram Ride (1905) Rochdale Tram Ride (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 5 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
Splendid views of Edwardian Rochdale from the front of a tram after a recent dusting of snow.

Turn Out of the Rochdale Fire Brigade (1901) Turn Out of the Rochdale Fire Brigade (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Rochdale
A fire drill for the benefit of residents of Edwardian Rochdale - and the camera.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.

All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.