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Victorian County Durham celebrates the construction of Seaham Pier in a formal ceremony.
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent
This film of the laying of the foundation stone of Seaham Pier perfectly captures the formality and ceremony of Victorian Britain. Top-hatted dignitaries, including Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Michael Hicks Beach, contrast with the flat-capped men doing the donkey work; elegantly-dressed ladies observe from a safe distance. The film was shot by showman and cinema pioneer George Henderson.
Seaham Harbour's original foundation stone had been laid 71 years earlier, when the town and port were constructed as a means for Lord Londonderry, owner of the Seaham estate, to better manage his coal industry.
Sport 1896 0 mins Silent
A pioneering example of filmed news: from Epsom to the screen in record time
Interest film 1899 1 mins Silent
A big cat has to perform for its supper in this early actuality film
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Take a good look at one of the era's largest warships - the hefty H.M.S. Powerful, back from the Boer War
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
A charming image of children paddling on a pebbly beach on a hot summer's day
Amateur film 1898 2 mins Silent
A pack of beagles are assembled for a hunt by their trainers and a huntsman
Amateur film 1963 4 mins Silent Location: Seaham
Making a splash with the breakfast club regulars of the Seaham Harbour Amateur Swimming Club.
Documentary 1971 27 mins Location: Seaham
Mad, bad' poet Lord Byron and a lobster thermidor feature in a melancholy tour of Seaham with popular TV presenter Johnny Morris.
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Weston Park
A stroll in the park for civilised city-dwellers in Edwardian South Yorkshire.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
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