The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Solihull Receives its Charter of Incorporation
A red letter day for students of local government in Solihull as the area celebrates its change from urban district council to municipal borough.
From the collection of:
Overview
In the long and complex history of local government in Solihull, 11 March 1954 is a landmark day with Princess Margaret visiting to bestow a Charter of Incorporation on the town (the Odeon Cinema in Shirley was pressed into use for the occasion). Solihull could now elect its first mayor but, as this civic film shows, the main interest was the visiting princess; then a press darling thanks to her on-off romance with divorcee Peter Townsend.
Related
Watch for free
Invalid Carriage Protest Invalid Carriage Protest
News 1977 2 mins Location: Solihull
Disabled motorists take on the Government and corner a Minister in the process.
Watch for free
Adult Training Centre Adult Training Centre
News 1974 4 mins Location: Solihull
The Solihull centre that offered training for an eager workforce traditionally rejected by the world of work.
Watch for free
A Midlands News Day A Midlands News Day
Promotional 1963 18 mins Location: Solihull
With major stories cropping up right across the Midlands can ATV's news team get the programme out on time?
Watch for free
The Solihull Rat Club The Solihull Rat Club
Amateur film 1938 8 mins Silent Location: Solihull
The bodies soon pile up when the lads of the Solihull Rat Club let their dogs loose on the town's infestation.
Watch for free
Solihull in Wartime Solihull in Wartime
Amateur film 1943 23 mins Silent Location: Solihull
Preparation and readiness is the order of the day as the different branches of the home front services in Solihull do their bit in the fight for the future of the nation.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Watch for free
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.