The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Radio Mast for Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, Durham
A beautiful Brutalist sculpture in concrete rises at Durham County Police Headquarters in the 1960s.
From the collection of:
Overview
A slender Modernist icon on the Durham City skyline, the elegant concrete County Police Communication Tower was designed by Ove Arup, one of the great twentieth century structural engineers and a bit of a dreamer. This technical film, aimed at planners and architects, records the radio masts construction between 1965 and 1968, built in the spirit of Harold Wilsons white heat of technology speech when a bright techno future was imagined for Britain.
Ove Nyquist Arup was born in Jesmond, Newcastle, in 1895. He pioneered the use of new materials in the built environment, the liquid stone of concrete his favourite. Ove Arup worked on many ground-breaking projects, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Barbican Centre in London, and the sweeping Byker Metro Bridge in Newcastle. In 2003 the Communication Tower at Aykley Heads in Durham was granted Grade II listed status by English Heritage. On his death in 1988, Ove Arups ashes were scattered from Durhams Kingsgate Bridge, which he considered to be his finest architectural achievement.
Related
Watch for free
Extracts from the Year of Office of the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Durham, Councillor Norman Richardson J.P. and the Mayoress Mrs Penny Richardson Commencing May 1963 Extracts from the Year of Office of the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Durham, Councillor Norman Richardson J.P. and the Mayoress Mrs Penny Richardson Commencing May 1963
Amateur film 1963 25 mins Silent Location: Durham
The pomp of local public life gets a good airing here as a sprightly Prince Philip visits Durham, the customary formalities on show along with a wonderful display of ladies hats.
Watch for free
Police Cadet Police Cadet
Amateur film 1973 33 mins Location: Durham
A young police recruit arrives in his platform shoes to become a police officer having climbed cliffs, learnt judo, driven a tractor, used a theodolite and done an assault course.
Watch for free
Durham Constabulary Open Day Durham Constabulary Open Day
Promotional 1973 31 mins Location: Aykley Heads
70s crowds see CCTV for the first time at the Durham Police Open Day.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
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.