The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
End of the Saltash Ferry
The ferry across the Saltash passage finally ends its run after over six hundred years.
From the collection of:
Overview
A reporter takes to the Saltash Ferry before it disappears and interviews a local alderman, Mr Downe. The last ferry is to be at 11.15pm on 23 October 1961. The new Tamar Bridge will open to road traffic on the following day. Records show that the Saltash Passage existed as a crossing as early as the thirteenth century and the town developed and prospered from income generated by it. The child featured is Stephen Michael Snowden and he would have been born around 20 May 1956.
The de Valletort family owned the rights of ferry at Saltash from the Norman Conquest until 1270 when Trematon Castle and estate were sold to Richard Earl of Cornwall. The Duchy of Cornwall then leased the ferry and Queen Elizabeth I granted a royal charter to Saltash in 1585 which also guaranteed the passage. The Tamar Bridge is run owned and run jointly by a Committee on behalf of Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council. The ferry was revived in 1832 and again by the Saltash Corporation in 1850 and by 1933 the ferry could carry up to twenty-four cars. Three car and passenger chain ferries, the Tamar, the Lynher and the Plym still run between Plymouth's Devonport and Torpoint, a crossing established in 1790.
Related
Scenes on the Cornish Riviera Scenes on the Cornish Riviera
Advert 1912 19 mins Silent Location: Plymouth
From Saltash to St Ives, a whirlwind tour of Edwardian Cornwall.
Saltash Festival Saltash Festival
News 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Saltash
A raft race and water fun enables visitors to keep up with the Saltashians.
Railways - Derelict and Preserved Railways - Derelict and Preserved
Amateur film 1975 33 mins Silent Location: Rainhill
Come and see Rocket 150, and visit a selection of railway locations, past and preserved.
Clock Change for British Summer Time Clock Change for British Summer Time
Current affairs 1979 2 mins Location: Saltash
Where does the time go? British Summer Time, do the clocks go backwards or forwards?
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.