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
Young World: 29 October 1964: Day in the Life of a River Pilot
A novice in winklepickers learns the ropes as a Tyne river pilot apprentice in the 1960s.
From the collection of:
Overview
A young apprentice learns his craft as an understudy pilot on the River Tyne in the 1960s. Keeping the cutter shipshape, crewing pilot launches, negotiating the tides, channels and currents of a troublesome river, and attending the South Shields Marine College (the first in the world) to learn age-old navigational skills (pre-GPS) are all part of a maritime vocation, traditionally passed down from father to son amongst Shields clans.
Tyne Tees TV's Young World was a magazine addition to the North East Newsview, which broadcast stories on inspirational young people. This episode (the sound track unfortunately missing) focuses on a trainee river pilot who has dressed up for his TV debut in rocker wear of drainpipe jeans and winklepicker shoes, favoured by The Beatles in the early days. It's a plus that the crew member at the wheel is also a dead ringer for Hank Marvin of instrumental beat group The Shadows. Bygone generations of Shields pilots, aristocracy of the river workers, were also dandy dressers, favouring distinctive stove pipe hats and frock coats when afloat.
Related
Watch for free
South Shields Silver Jubilee Celebrations South Shields Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Amateur film 1977 6 mins Silent Location: South Shields
One big happy family on the streets of South Shields for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee visit.
Watch for free
Moving On Moving On
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1976 4 mins Location: South Shields
Getting there: enjoy a racy history of transport and travel by land, sea and air.
Watch for free
Marking Time Marking Time
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1978 3 mins Location: South Shields
An uptempo look at man’s passionate obsession with time from first light to the dawn of the digital age.
Watch for free
Evolution Evolution
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1980 4 mins Location: South Shields
Staying alive, from a single cell to a big bang. Blink and you’ll miss the end.
Watch for free
Tyne and Tide Tyne and Tide
Amateur film 1980 8 mins Silent Location: South Shields
Going with the flow on the River Tyne at South Shields.
Watch for free
How the Whale Got his Throat How the Whale Got his Throat
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1981 10 mins Location: South Shields
Travel into the belly of whale lore with Rudyard Kipling’s whimsical tale for little children.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
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.