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
Seascape
Filmmaking that is both educational and fun with this highly accomplished amateur film of the Devon coast, and its inhabitants, before it became overloaded with holidaymakers.
From the collection of:
Overview
This is an example of one of the high quality films made by husband and wife team Betty and Cyril Ramsden of Leeds. This film of a holiday on the Exmouth Estuary in 1951 is typical of how they transfer their natural interest in places and the occupations they foster – here fishing and boat building – into an informative and whimsical film. In this case one gets a real feel of the love of the sea, and of boating, characteristic of this island people.
Betty and Cyril Ramsden, prominent members of Leeds Cine Club, began making their large collection of films in 1945 and continued into the mid-1960s. Their film collection was made the subject of a BBC/Open University television programme, Nation on Film (2006). Cyril had a dental practice in Headingley, with his wife Betty as the secretary. They usually filmed their holidays, often with Betty providing the cinematic eye behind the camera. Here Betty sets sail in a yellow headscarf, while Cyril shows off his sea fishing skills. In this year they also managed to film a trip to the East Coast of Yorkshire, Coxwold Gymkhana and Leeds Children’s Day in Roundhay Park.
Related
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Drama 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Exmouth Players Exmouth Players
Current affairs 1962 4 mins Location: Exmouth
The Exmouth Players open to a full house.
Exmouth Carnival Exmouth Carnival
News 1978 2 mins Silent Location: Exmouth
Floats of fancy as the townspeople of Exmouth parade for the annual carnival.
Friend of the Little Tortoises Friend of the Little Tortoises
News 1961 5 mins Location: Exmouth
Kay Gray of Exmouth is interviewed about her campaign to stop the transportation of tortoises.
The Way to the West The Way to the West
Travelogue 1947 17 mins Silent Location: Cheddar Gorge
Hitchcock went the wrong way! Head south by southwest with this travelogue from Bath to Cornwall.
Exmouth Lifeboat Launch Exmouth Lifeboat Launch
News 1961 0 mins Silent Location: Exmouth
RNLI crew launches its lifeboat in the Exe estuary.
Australian Women’s Cricket Team at Exmouth Australian Women’s Cricket Team at Exmouth
Sport 1976 4 mins Location: Exmouth
The Australian Women’s Team tour England in the hot summer of 1976
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.