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
School Sports at Walthamstow Stadium
At now-demolished Walthamstow Stadium, an amateur filmmaker captures the thrills of a sports day as well as the arena's famed Art Deco facade
From the collection of:
Overview
A lingering shot of Walthamstow Stadium's famous facade opens this lovely amateur film of a 1965 sports day, in which Larkswood Primary schoolchildren file out of Routemaster buses before filling up the vast stands. Cue epic obstacle races, thrilling sprints and a jolly line dance on the pitch. Parents' race is equally fun, with the champion leaving her rivals in the dust. After collecting their trophies, exhausted winners join the other athletes resting on the grass.
The Walthamstow Stadium on Chingford Road was opened in 1933 with Amy Johnson in attendance. Throughout its existence, the stadium served primarily as a dog racing track, but also played host to stock car racing, speedway and, as shown in the film, athletics. Closed in 2012, the stadium was later demolished to make way for nearly 300 new homes; however, the Grade II-listed front facade remains. This film is from the collection of Vestry House Museum
Related
Watch for free
Chingford Carnival Procession 1964 Chingford Carnival Procession 1964
Amateur film 1964 2 mins Silent Location: Chingford
Children and adults alike soak up the festive atmosphere as they wave ribbon wands, horse around and make merry at a north-east London carnival
Watch for free
Tests from Aeroplanes Tests from Aeroplanes
Non-Fiction 1916 13 mins Silent Location: Chingford
Developing the lifebelt of the air - or "how the stranglehold demon was exorcised"
Watch for free
Opening of Chingford Odeon Opening of Chingford Odeon
Non-Fiction 1935 1 mins Location: Chingford
Short newsreel item on the construction of the art deco Chingford Odeon, produced for showing in the cinema on its opening day.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.