The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Wells Carnivals and Community Gatherings
Community gatherings in Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, captured by amateur filmmaker Cyril Claxton of Claxton's Mineral Water Works.
From the collection of:
Overview
An amateur film made by Cyril Claxton, donated to the East Anglian Film Archive by his daughter, Caroline Ajose. Mr Claxton received a beloved gift for Christmas in 1950; a Standard 8mm camera and Bolex M8 projector. Over the next eight years the camera was put to good use capturing local events, providing a wonderful record of community activities. This film is a record of carnival time in Wells-next-the-Sea in 1956; a day of fun and games and dressing up.
Mr and Mrs Claxton and their four children lived on Wells’ picturesque East Quay, opposite the slipway. They were the owner of Claxton’s Mineral Water Works in Wells.
Related
Watch for free
Flood Scenes Flood Scenes
News 1978 4 mins Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
On the night of 11th January 1978, a storm surge caused significant damage and coastal flooding from the Humber Estuary to Romney Marsh in Kent.
Watch for free
Wells-next-the-sea Coronation Revels Wells-next-the-sea Coronation Revels
Amateur film 1953 4 mins Silent Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
Amateur footage of community festivities for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, including fancy dress costume. Wells, 1953.
Watch for free
Cockling at Wells-next-the-sea Cockling at Wells-next-the-sea
Amateur film 1951 4 mins Silent Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
Amateur record of the Alpington villagers' annual visit to Wells for cockling in the 1950s, organised by the 'Wheel of Fortune' pub landlady.
Watch for free
Wells Salt Marshes Wells Salt Marshes
Nature and Science programme 1976 15 mins Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
Educational film with interesting time-lapse sequences, on the salt marshes at Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk.
Watch for free
Norfolk Farming Norfolk Farming
Home movie 1953 14 mins Silent Location: Wells-Next-The-Sea
North Norfolk farmer, David Maufe, captures working life on his farm, Branthill Farms at Holkham in this home movie from 1953.
Watch for free
Showgirls is a Western Showgirls is a Western
Short documentary 2025 2 mins
In this mini video essay, BFI contributor Maha Al-Badrawi explains why Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls is a rhinestoned, stilettoed Western.
Watch for free
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Watch for free
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
Watch for free
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Watch for free
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Watch for free
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.