The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
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Safe Way
Invaluable safety advice for miners working underground in the anhydrite mines of ICI Billingham.
From the collection of:
Overview
A sure foothold is the secret of success. The ICI Film Unit offers beautifully lit and choreographed health and safety advice for anhydrite miners grafting underground at Billingham. Workers act out the scenarios while the BBC newscaster Lionel Marson, known for his momentous World War Two announcements, provides charmingly plummy narration.
The cavernous anhydrite mines, stretching for 3 kilometres north to south and located on the north bank of the River Tees beneath the ICI Casebourne cement works, were operated from 1927. Production ceased in 1971 and the mines were decommissioned in 1978. Anhydrite was an essential raw material for the production of synthetic fertiliser, one of the main products at ICI Billingham.
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