The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Traditional Shop
The Cheltenham grocers where time stood still.
From the collection of:
Overview
Val Lewis visits A. Whittern & Sons, a traditional grocers' shop on Suffolk Parade in Cheltenham. The rise of self-service shopping and the unstoppable march of the supermarket had put many traditional high street shops out of business, so the personal service and wood panelled calm on offer here was a newsworthy novelty. There's slight confusion when both Mr Whitterns try to serve Val but once the senior grocer is sent off to his bacon slicer things run much more smoothly.
In the years since this news item a few shops that hark back to the pre-supermarket way of doing things have returned to the high street, although they tend to be in more affluent parts of the country. A modern 'artisan' shop would probably have more to offer Val Lewis than two jars of instant coffee. Whittern's shop in Cheltenham lasted until 1991 but a portrait of Mr Whittern senior that had been painted on a door at the shop in the 1960s has survived. You can find it at the Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham.
Related
Tanatside Pony Club - Cheltenham and Maesmawr Hall - 1966 Tanatside Pony Club - Cheltenham and Maesmawr Hall - 1966
School programme and Educational film 1966 11 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
The Tanatside Pony Club’s mounted games team practise in b&w at the Trant farm Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool, and compete in colour at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Ladies' College Cheltenham Ladies' College
Documentary 1953 38 mins Location: Cheltenham
A typical term at the Cheltenham Ladies' College, as filmed by members of staff.
Flower Power Interview Flower Power Interview
News 1967 2 mins Location: Cheltenham
Psychedelic freakouts in Cheltenham?
Cheltenham Mods and Rockers Cheltenham Mods and Rockers
Non-Fiction 1965 10 mins Location: Cheltenham
Is Cheltenham really "a place to pass the time before you pass out?" Is a lack of facilities causing tensions between mods and rockers who should be out enjoying the countryside?
Westland Glimpses Westland Glimpses
Travelogue 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Cheddar Gorge
A stencil-coloured journey through gorgeous gorges, picturesque villages and spa town pomp in this West Country travelogue made circa 1930.
Wheel in Britain Wheel in Britain
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.