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 currently unavailable
Oliver's Orchard Farm
Women workers were in the majority at Oliver's Orchard during the war but a couple of young men here were some unexpected guests as two German prisoners-of-war joined the force.
From the collection of:
Overview
It was all hands to the deck in wartime Colchester to gather the fruit and box it up ready for dispatch. But apple farming was a year round job with 9 permanent staff working all year round pruning and spraying some 7,000 stand alone trees. By all accounts, it was a happy workforce and films of the harvest and other events were shown to entertain the staff at special parties
Farmer and cine enthusiast, Dennis Knowles was poised with his camera to bring smiles to their faces, whatever their nationality! It was all hands to the deck in wartime to gather the fruit and box it up ready for dispatch. But apple farming was a year round job with 9 permanent staff working all year round pruning and spraying some 7,000 stand alone trees. By all accounts, it was a happy workforce and films of the harvest and other events were shown to the staff at special parties.
Related
Start a Land Club Start a Land Club
Government sponsored film 1942 8 mins
The wartime potato shortage is addressed in this marvellous film from 1942 - exhorting workers and school children to lend a hand on local farms by joining Land Clubs.
Wartime harvesting Wartime harvesting
Amateur film 1944 5 mins Silent Location: Otford
World War II's Food Front is seen here in the fields of Kent as farmers labour to get the harvest in on time. By way of entertainment, a barrage balloon sinks majestically to earth.
Heronsdale Manor Harvest Heronsdale Manor Harvest
Amateur film 1942 3 mins Silent Location: Waldron
The war seems far away in this pastoral film but suddenly there's a reminder when a flight of Hurricanes pass overhead. Then it's back to the work of feeding the nation.
Devonian Farm Life in Wartime Heanton Devonian Farm Life in Wartime Heanton
Amateur film 1940 12 mins Silent Location: Heanton Punchardon
Wartime Farmers aim for self-sufficiency in North Devon's Heanton
Cotswold Club Cotswold Club
Documentary 1944 11 mins Location: Somerton
How Somerton, Oxfordshire benefits from membership of the Village Produce Association during WWII.
Salute to Farmers Salute to Farmers
Documentary 1941 14 mins
With feeding the nation a wartime priority, agricultural workers are heralded as soldiers of the plough.
Care in the Community - 'A Very New Idea' Care in the Community - 'A Very New Idea'
News 1964 11 mins Location: Colchester
Five elderly ladies, having received treatment for mental illness but with nowhere to go, now live together in an old house at Brightlingsea.
Village and Country Scenes 1934-1938 Village and Country Scenes 1934-1938
Amateur film 1934 6 mins Silent Location: Colchester
Pretty 1930s scenes of Essex and Suffolk villages and countryside
Double Dose Double Dose
Amateur film 1970 6 mins Location: Colchester
Colchester Cine Club pay homage to Louis Lumiére's comedy silent film L'Arroseur Arrosé producing their own quirky version.
Car-Chars Car-Chars
Amateur film 1967 10 mins Location: Colchester
Colchester Cine Club ensemble comedy featuring a pair of inept odd-jobbers and a mischievous lad.
Keep off the Grass Keep off the Grass
Amateur film 1965 8 mins Location: Colchester
There's nothing but mischief, misunderstandings, and mayhem in this Amateur Cine Club comedy set in Colchester's Westwood Park.
A Thing About Hair A Thing About Hair
Amateur film 1965 8 mins Location: Colchester
A clueless and rather clumsy apprentice barber features in this amateur cine club comedy set in a Colchester Gentlemen's Saloon.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.