The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
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The Honicknowle Carnival Week
Party like you’ve never partied before at Honicknowle Carnival Week
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Overview
Party like you’ve never partied before at Honicknowle Week because Britain is on the brink of war. Carnival Queen Joyce Chapman raises a smile during her reign in 1939. References to war abound with a child dressed as a ‘ruffled dove’ while others advocate war and peace and one has 'Air Raid Precautions' in place. Competitions are the order of the week with one judge closely checking women's legs for the straightest line drawn with an eye-pencil under their nylon stockings.
The Honicknowle Carnival first started in 1933 organised by Edgar Lewis. This film opens with a Sunday Service in August 1939 and the week includes dancing, fancy dress competitions, juvenile talent contests and a parade as well as a funfair. War is declared on Germany on Sunday 3 September 1939, the day after the carnival ends. The carnival is no longer however Honicknowle’s Recreation Hall featured in this film may have been built as a temporary community structure as early as 1911 and still stands on Butt Park Road with a sign 'Established 1927'.
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