London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Unveiling Katie and May Day at Headstone Manor
How not to unveil a statue – Harrow’s Mayor uncovers the ‘Katie’ sculpture in celebration of the town centre’s redevelopment
From the collection of:
Overview
Watch this amateur newsfilm closely and spot familiar sights of the 1980s high street from once popular brands to phonecard booths and shoulder pads aplenty. It captures the not entirely smooth unveiling of the ‘Katie’ statue erected in St Anns Rd to mark the pedestrianisation of the town centre and traditional May Day festivities at Headstone Park with a quirky elephant ride and obligatory Punch and Judy show.
Councillor Christine Bednell was Mayor of Harrow in 1987. Here, she tells the crowd that ‘Katie’, inspired by the daughter of sculptor James Butler, is the first statue erected in Harrow in living memory. A struggle with a sheet ensues as she and her French counterpart Jacques Vernier, from the twinned town of Douai, try to uncover the statue. The film ends with packed May Day celebrations at Harrow Museum and scenes of folk dancing and competitors going to great lengths to impress in a costume competition. The film was made by the Pinner Cine Society; set up in 1951 it is now the Harrow Film Makers.
Related
Watch for free
Protest March to Ruislip via Harrow Protest March to Ruislip via Harrow
Amateur film 1964 1 mins Location: Harrow
A spirited march and large, bombastic banners mark this political protest against the positioning of nuclear arms in Ruislip's USAF base.
Watch for free
Schools in Harrow Schools in Harrow
School programme and Educational film 1947 20 mins Silent Location: Harrow
State schools in the London borough
Watch for free
Newsreel 1966 Newsreel 1966
Amateur film 1966 14 mins Location: Harrow
Steam trains large and small and summer time fetes and fairs feature in this amateur newsreel from 1966.
Watch for free
Jubilee Newsreel Jubilee Newsreel
Amateur film 1977 6 mins Location: Harrow
Pomp and pageantry reign and St George is resurrected for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in this colourful newsreel from 1977
Watch for free
Newsreel 1971 Newsreel 1971
Amateur film 1971 16 mins Location: Harrow
There's stardust in the air in Harrow and not all is at it seems at a house fire in Northwood – watch to find out why.
Watch for free
Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow
Amateur film 1982 4 mins Location: Harrow
Everyone's home in Harrow to witness Lady Di's debut as a Royal and a record-breaking winter causes chaos in 1981.
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.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.