This film is part of Free
Wainwright Conservative Club, Blackpool (c.1906)
A lively crowd greets Blackpool's Conservative MP - possibly on election day.
Overview
This is one of just a few politically-themed films in the Mitchell and Kenyon collection - the filmmakers generally preferred more ordinary (and possibly less divisive) subjects. The politician on the balcony of Blackpool's Wainwright Conservative Club appears to be Wilfred Ashley, perhaps celebrating his 1906 election as the town's MP, who greets a lively crowd before leaving in a carriage.
A former army Colonel, Ashley sat as MP for Blackpool from 1906, making this film some years later than 1902 as originally believed. In 1918 he jumped constituency to neighbouring Fylde and from there to New Forest in Hampshire, and served as Minister of Transport in Stanley Baldwin's 1924-29 administration. He moved to the House of Lords in 1932 as Baron Mount Temple. The well-connected Ashley counted Prince Albert Edward - soon to be crowned King Edward II - among the guests at his 1901 wedding. Thanks to the keen-eyed Gwyn Lishman and Kathryn Rix for identifying the location and the politician.
Related
Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901) Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
The crowds stand silent as the nation says goodbye to Queen Victoria in February 1901.
Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902) Joseph Chamberlain at Home (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Birmingham
A political giant at his magnificent Highbury estate in Birmingham.
Return of Kitchener (1902) Return of Kitchener (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 mins Silent
Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, returns from South Africa to cheering crowds.
Princess Louise at Liverpool (1906) Princess Louise at Liverpool (1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 1 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
A bagpipe band marches in honour of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, on her visit to Liverpool.
Prince of Siam in Liverpool (1901) Prince of Siam in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The future King of Siam takes a trip across the Mersey.
The King's Ride in the Isle of Man (1902) The King's Ride in the Isle of Man (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 1 mins Silent Location: Isle of Man
Crowds clamour for a view of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (on tour) in the Isle of Man.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Blackpool StoryTrails: The People's Map Blackpool
Documentary 2022 15 mins Location: Blackpool
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Blackpool.
First Film of Blackpool First Film of Blackpool
Non-Fiction 1899 3 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Blackpool Tower is hard to miss in this local version of a 'phantom ride'
Windsor Safari Park and a visit to Blackpool Windsor Safari Park and a visit to Blackpool
Amateur film 1971 5 mins Silent Location: Windsor
Join the Lee family as they tour Windsor Safari Park and its famous Dolphinarium in this film from 1971. Then follow them to Blackpool Beach for pony trekking and donkey rides.
Big Dipper Big Dipper
Promotional 1973 1 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Hold on tight! We're off, riding the wooden rollercoaster at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach.
The Lancashire Way The Lancashire Way
Advert 1948 4 mins Location: Nelson
A tribute to Lancashire, land of industry, leisure, sublime landscape - and laundry detergent
Easter Holiday Scenes Easter Holiday Scenes
Non-Fiction 1929 8 mins Location: Blackpool
It’s Easter and men, women and children all over England enjoy a day out, be it on the beach, at the races or at the zoo
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.
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.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.