Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Taste for Honey
Beryl Armstrong's father makes bee-keeping look so easy in this wonderful award-winning film - but he does know what he's doing!
From the collection of:
Overview
Beryl Armstrong's award-winning colour film about bee-keeping shows, her father, demonstrating, in sequence, how he constructs the frames and wax sheets for that year's production. Tending the hive, without a protective veil, he removes emerging rival queens and drones, thus increasing honey production. At summer's end, he removes the frames and combs, now filled with honey, and using an centrifugal extractor, spins the honey out into a collecting pot.
New Zealand born Beryl Armstrong received a Certificate of Merit for this particular film from the Sussex Film Festival, which showcased regional amateur films. Her considerable output of films captured many aspects of rural life in Sussex and Hampshire, from the 1960s to the 1990s. Beryl began making films while she was living in India and over the years entered many of her films into local amateur festivals and competitions. She also taught her sons Richard and Anthony, who often appeared in her films, the art of filmmaking. Both went on to create their own collections of amateur short documentaries, comedies and animations. Beryl is also the successful author of twelve published novels.
Related
Watch for free
Union Castle liner and seaside scenes Union Castle liner and seaside scenes
Amateur film 1930 6 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
All aboard the Warwick Castle as she departs from Southampton in this jolly film from Mr Light which also features beach goers playing leapfrog
Watch for free
Rural Reconditioning Rural Reconditioning
Amateur film 1938 8 mins Silent Location: Lanark
Grand Designs of the 1930s: rural slums turned into country cottages with the help of government money.
Watch for free
All in the Day's Work All in the Day's Work
Amateur film 1930 10 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
This inventive comedy double-bill is more than your average home movie - with its tale of two young pranksters getting their just deserts
Watch for free
Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton
Amateur film 1930 8 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
Marjorie Glasspool's home movie captures a variety of events and occasions experienced by a Hampshire family
Watch for free
Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends
Amateur film 1931 11 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
William Craven-Ellis records the antics of family and friends in his garden, on the beach and in and around Southampton
Watch for free
Farewell to Steam Farewell to Steam
Amateur film 1966 3 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
A film maker's attempt to record the last steam-hauled passenger and freight trains running along the West of England mainline from Waterloo
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.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.