The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/promo259435382.jpg?itok=NEZcnnMA)
Yorkshire Sketchbook
A leisurely tour of Castleford with a declining industrial landscape and a family enjoying the surrounding countryside in the mid-1950s, all in beautiful Kodochrome colour.
From the collection of:
![Logo for Yorkshire Film Archive](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/YorkshireFilmArchive.jpg?itok=50J3nXbP)
Overview
A chance to see both sides of Castleford, the ugly and the pleasant in the mid-1950s, before the devastating pit closures and the Castleford Project. Local ironmonger John Parkin captures the factories and pits, already in the throes of decay, as well the parks and gardens in spring. Then out into the countryside, his family frolics in meadows and by streams, and the wildlife looks resplendent in Kodochrome colour, enhanced by the appearance of a Henry Moore statue.
This is one of many films of family outings and local activities made in the 1950s by John Parkin, who ran an ironmongers shop in Castleford. Castleford at the time was a thriving town with full employment, but the 1980s saw that change as pits like Fryston, Glasshoughton and Wheldale all closed (none are left). Henry Moore was born in Castleford, the son of a miner, and some of his works can be seen in the nearby Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214311_01of01.jpg?itok=cU0iKOOm)
Castleford Advert 4 Castleford Advert 4
1941 1 mins Silent Location: Castleford
Never mind that the country is at war with a powerful and vicious foe, that’s no reason to stop going to greyhound racing, with a bet on the side.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214287_01of01.jpg?itok=P5FD0Itc)
Castleford Advert 3 Castleford Advert 3
1939 0 mins Silent Location: Castleford
No attempt to sell an idyllic lifestyle here in these two cinema ads for local shops, just a simple warning on the irreplaceability of eyesight.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214239_01of01.jpg?itok=aY7bofJj)
Castleford Advert 1 Castleford Advert 1
1939 0 mins Silent Location: Castleford
Adverts not to get punters to buy anything, but just to enjoy sports and preserve memories of seaside holidays, in “real” photographs.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_214263_01of01.jpg?itok=y1D1JOn4)
Castleford Advert 2 Castleford Advert 2
1941 0 mins Silent Location: Castleford
Advertisements for tripe, cow heels, trotters and milk – those were the days! It was a time of food rationing, but going to the cinema wasn’t.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_213955_01of01.jpg?itok=q9dV2M80)
Annual Pram Race 1962 Annual Pram Race 1962
Amateur film 1962 20 mins Location: Castleford
‘Carry On Castleford’ – crowds take to the streets in fancy dress for the Annual Pram Race.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_213667_01of01.jpg?itok=wrGZuyK8)
Wheel of Fortune Wheel of Fortune
Amateur film 1958 6 mins Location: Castleford
Rich man vs. Poor man - what goes around comes around in this unexpected gambling tale
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/5abf952c-e2ec-432d-a9a2-12fdd5bd2d9b.jpg?itok=qwVoBsNn)
Baltimore Q&A Baltimore Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/image_0.jpg?itok=kuLgDrxs)
Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 51 mins
Actor and writer Joanna Scanlan talks to Mia Bays, director of the BFI's Filmmaking Fund, about her career in film and television.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/baldwins_nigger_1920.jpg?itok=mdVknguo)
Baldwin's N***** Baldwin's N*****
Documentary 1969 44 mins
Horace Ové's striking portrait of the American writer James Baldwin at his sharp-witted best addressing a group of radical West Indian students in 1960s London.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.