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
Oh Hull
A whole posse of jovial amateur filmmakers descend upon Hull to film many of the features now gone, such as the ferry and St Andrew’s fish docks.
From the collection of:
Overview
A film of the Wakefield Cine Club out on a day trip to, of all places, Hull, back in 1972. This was before the Humber Bridge was built, and so they take a trip across the Humber on the New Holland ferry, before touring Hull docks, showing a line of tugs belonging to United Towing, then to trawlers at St Andrew’s fish docks, and on to the Ross factory. All given a light touch by Doug Brear’s thick West Yorkshire accent providing a whimsical running commentary.
This outing of Wakefield Cine Club was filmed by two of its most notable members, Doug and Norah Brear, who made over 60 films between 1960 and 1985, many shown at film shows across Yorkshire up until the 2000s by their friend and fellow filmmaker Roger Spence. Wakefield Cine Club didn’t form until 1961, on February 13th, with 30 people in attendance. In 1968 they moved into their present location on Clarendon Street and later changed their name to Wakefield Movie Makers. St Andrew’s fish docks closed in 1975 while the ferry stopped running in June 1981, the same year that Ross Foods on Brighton Street closed. In the late 1980s the United Towing Company was bought by Howard Smith Ltd of Australia.
Related
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Trip to Wembley Trip to Wembley
Amateur film 1982 3 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Fans celebrate as Hull FC take home the Rugby Challenge Cup trophy after the rematch declares their victory.
Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers Preston Ladies Football and T.A. Volunteers
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Preston
Playing the beautiful game - the ladies from Lancashire demonstrate their skills.
To Hull and Back To Hull and Back
Documentary 1983 26 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
So much to see of Hull, with its great port, fishing history, historic showdown with Charles I, and two highly impressive public loos.
The Port of Hull The Port of Hull
Documentary 1963 29 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Dry facts meet aesthetic beauty in this industrial film showcasing Hull’s status as a thriving international port.
Miraclean Miraclean
Promotional 1980 13 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull
Everything from Marmite jars to vinegar bottles, they all need to be cleaned, and here is how it’s done, without a rubber glove in sight.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.