The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
The Long Tradition
A Northumbrian soul: the language and history of a landscape in the music of Kathryn Tickell.
From the collection of:
Overview
How does music come to belong to a landscape? Once a child prodigy at the Rothbury Music Festival, Kathryn Tickell has since coaxed Borders folk out of its ghetto. She plays the Northumbrian pipes with classical ensembles, jazz trios – and rock star Sting. But this 80s TV portrait of a young Tickell roots her music at home: the North Tyne country, wilful, remote, rich with Reivers history, and the tunes and ballads of shepherd musicians from whom she learns her craft.
This TV documentary was broadcast on Channel 4 in December 1987, the year after Kathryn Tickell turned professional. It’s especially rewarding for the insight into older Northumbrian musical and oral traditions. Tickell’s sessions with fiddler Willie Taylor, Will Atkinson on harmonica and Joe Hutton on pipes, collectively known as The Shepherds, and her grandfather Joe Tickell’s performance on violin, are superb. Tickell herself reveals a deep connection to the Northumbrian landscape: the ruins of old hill farms are ‘like cairns for a people and a life passed away’.
Related
This Is Derby This Is Derby
Amateur film 1966 18 mins Silent Location: Derby
Nostalgic snapshot of the town of Derby in the mid 1960s.
The Nudists The Nudists
Current affairs 1971 9 mins Location: Devon
Country House offers naturists a way to air all.
Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June) Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June)
Amateur film 1964 12 mins Location: Pontarddulais
“It would be difficult to find a more lovely train journey”, declares Swansea’s Librarian, the film-maker and narrator. Prepare to be beguiled, station by station.
Elland Road Football Control Elland Road Football Control
Non-Fiction 1976 23 mins Silent Location: Leeds
Back to the bad old days of skinners, as worn by these Man. United troublemakers, being escorted by police dogs along that perilous walk from Elland Road to Leeds railway station.
Kingston in Decay? Kingston in Decay?
Amateur film 1976 9 mins Location: Kingston Upon Thames
An amatuer filmmaker takes a critical and somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at the changing face of Kingston upon Thames
We Do What We Can We Do What We Can
Drama 2019 9 mins
We Do What We Can is a film that looks at one of the miracles in the journey of diaspora Africans.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2024 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2024 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.