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.
This film is part of Free
The Lynmouth Flood Disaster
The devastation of the Lynmouth flood hits home as the clean up operation begins.
In partnership with:
Overview
Torrential downpours on the on 15 and 16 August 1952 caused nine inches or twenty-three centimetres of rain to fall in twenty-four hours on saturated ground around Exmoor. The swollen rivers broke banks, debris blocked culverts and the water gushed uncontrollably towards the sea at Lynmouth sweeping away houses and causing widespread devastation to the town. In all thirty-four lives were lost. A memorial garden at Middleham was created between Lynmouth and Watersmeet.
The local photographer R.L. Knight took up a moving image camera from his photography shop in Barnstaple and filmed the immediate aftermath of this devastating flash flood over three days. The Rhenish Tower on Lynmouth quay was rebuilt in 1954 and a Flood Memorial Hall stands at the site of the old lifeboat station that was washed away. At the time there was no compelling satellite data to predict such freakish weather. The UK is prone to tropical storms coming off the Atlantic and improved meteorological forecast modelling, new flood warning and prevention schemes and hydrology modelling have helped mitigate some of the risk associated with natural disasters.
Related
Watch for free
Trip to Lynmouth Trip to Lynmouth
Amateur film 1938 1 mins Silent Location: Lynmouth
The seaside resort of Lynmouth is the destination for this car trip.
Watch for free
Lynton and Lynmouth Holiday Lynton and Lynmouth Holiday
Home movie 1935 10 mins Silent Location: Lynton
Political uncertainty at home and abroad roots holidays at home.
Watch for free
John Doyle in Lynton and Lynmouth John Doyle in Lynton and Lynmouth
News 1971 5 mins Location: Lynton
John Doyle is in this special report on the summer season and arrives in Lynton and Lynmouth.
Watch for free
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Valley Railway The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Valley Railway
News 1966 5 mins Location: Lynton
Victorian lift offers water-powered ups and downs.
Watch for free
Lynton and Lynmouth Lynton and Lynmouth
1921 12 mins Silent Location: Lynton
Could these holidaymakers have imagined the violent potential of an idyllic Devon landscape?
Watch for free
Lynmouth - A One Time Beauty Spot: Wetton Personal Film Lynmouth - A One Time Beauty Spot: Wetton Personal Film
Home movie 1952 9 mins Silent Location: Lynmouth
A holidaying family captures the picturesque Devon coastal village of Lynmouth, both before and after a tragic flood event.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.