The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Gender equality at RNAS Culdrose
Yes we can! Equal Opportunities for Women in the Navy
In partnership with:
Overview
This film charts one episode in the turning tide of fortune for gender equality UK’s Royal Navy. Commandant Vonla McBride, Director of the Women’s branch of the Royal Naval Service from 1976 to 1979 helped pave the way for equal opportunities in the Royal Navy. Under new jurisdiction, the WRNS are brought under the Naval Discipline Act in 1977 meaning WRNS are not only to be treated equally but also to be reprimanded just as their male colleagues.
By 1993 women begin to serve in every branch of the navy. It is not until 2013 that women may serve on submarines. Women take on jobs alongside their male counterparts such as wireless telegraphists, radar plotters, weapons analysts and mechanics. The Women’s Royal Naval Service or WRNS used to be known as Wrens and was formed in 1917 during WWI. By 1918 there were some 450 officers and 5,000 in service before being disbanded in 1919. The WRNS was revived in 1939 at the start of WWII and remained active until 1993 when they became integrated into the Royal Navy and are no longer known by their gender.
Related
Watch for free
A Day in the Life of the Brewers of Helston A Day in the Life of the Brewers of Helston
Current affairs 1982 26 mins Location: Helston
The artisanal craft of beer-making reaches its climax inside one of Britain's most famous Brewpubs.
Watch for free
Helston Cricket Club Helston Cricket Club
News 1976 0 mins Silent Location: Helston
Helston Cricket Club play a match in the Cornish League
Watch for free
Helston Furry Day Helston Furry Day
Amateur film 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Helston
The Floral Dance at Helston Furry Day
Watch for free
On with the Furry Dance On with the Furry Dance
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Helston
Lively revelry in an ancient tradition from Helston, Cornwall
Watch for free
This England - Cornwall: Helston Furry Dance and Villages This England - Cornwall: Helston Furry Dance and Villages
Amateur film 1934 6 mins Silent Location: Helston
The town of Helston comes out dancing in this charming amateur film of a unique springtime custom.
Watch for free
market town of Helston, Cornwall market town of Helston, Cornwall
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Helston
Heading to Helston? A look at the market town
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.