Thurs June 25 Sat June 27

A real oddity, this: a professional promo for a 1950s East Finchley church fete is one thing, but that it should be so quirky and (in its modest way) innovative is a real surprise. The commentary is wry and self-referential, and the presenter teasingly holds up a reel of film of last year's medieval-themed event. Not that we see the dancing bear or other treats. What we do get is a series of nicely-composed shots of languid suburban idyll (possibly Twyford Avenue) and promises of 'bargains for everyone'. Finally, we're handed over to projectionist 'Mr Hoar' for the newsreel.

The organisers of the All Saints church fete seem to have been able to draw on some pedigree filmmaking talent. Director John Purchese made promotional films in the 1950s, then worked as a sound operator in docs and features. Cameraman Len Harris, meanwhile, had already served with Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Reed, and would soon join Hammer alongside master cinematographer Jack Asher. Made in association with East Finchley's venerable Rex cinema (now the Phoenix), the film is one of at least three known to have been made about the fete between 1952 and 1953 - including, presumably the one the presenter briefly waves at us.