The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
S.W. Wright - Wheelwright
Mr Wright the Lowestoft wheelwright and his vintage Morris car, filmed with affection by his son-in-law
From the collection of:
Overview
Mr Austin Mobbs filmed his father-in-law Mr Sydney Wright, describing it as 'a portrait of Dad, one of the old craftsmen', In Lowestoft, Suffolk, Mr Wright arrives at his workship in his treasured 1930s Morris car. Near retirement in his 80s, he shows how he would build a wooden wheel then fits an iron tyre. This traditional craft required skilled judgement by eye, and fast work as the metal softens and expands in the fire, then contracts around the wooden frame as it cools.
When the forge was in its heyday, 10 tyre rims would be heating in the fire together. After Mr Wright died, in 1979 the forge on Granville Road, Lowestoft was scheduled for demolition, and the Lowerstoft Archaeological and Local History Society had it described for their journal. Mr Wright had owned the site since 1942 or earlier, having been bombed out of his previous premises. The upper part of the building had previously been a sail-maker's loft. Equipment from the site was given to Lowestoft Museum including the forge, electric and hand bellows, anvil, mandril, wheel horse, painting horse, felloes and patterns, hand tools, two incomplete wheels and a leather apron.
Related
Here and There in East Anglia Here and There in East Anglia
Documentary 1970 11 mins Location: Great Yarmouth
Three local history stories about boats – a racing yacht built 1827, locks giving boats access along the River Stour, and the herring drifters fishing from Great Yarmouth.
Sea Harvest Sea Harvest
Documentary 1938 17 mins Location: Lowestoft
Finely photographed documentary about the Lowestoft herring industry.
Survivors of Sole Bay Survivors of Sole Bay
Documentary 1985 25 mins Location: Dunwich
Anglia TV report on the ways of the fishermen at Dunwich in Suffolk, who keep a good weather-eye out for the right conditions to fish.
A Record of a Holiday in Norfolk A Record of a Holiday in Norfolk
Amateur film 1946 19 mins Silent Location: Hopton on Sea
Home movie record of a holiday on the Norfolk coast, with a train journey, Lowestoft, the Norfolk Broads, Norwich, and to the seaside.
Trawling North Sea: Dicketa, 1974 Trawling North Sea: Dicketa, 1974
Amateur film 1974 18 mins Silent Location: Lowestoft
Rare Super 8 colour film offering a unique and personal view of fishermens' lives, filmed on board the North sea Trawler, Dicketa in 1974.
Racing on the Sea Wall Racing on the Sea Wall
Amateur film 1926 6 mins Silent Location: Lowestoft
Amateur record of Lowestoft in the 1920s; the town centre, port and harbour, including motorcycle and car racing along the sea wall.
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.