1940 1 mins 32 secs Black & White Silent 16mm

This amateur film records events in and around the Hickling family home in Wombwell, near Barnsley, during the early years of the Second World War.  The film also includes unique footage of children with their gas masks as well as air-raid shelters in Wombwell in addition to holiday trips to Blackpool.

1940s 4 mins 36 secs Black & White Silent 16mm

During the Second World War, women were called upon to aid in the war effort.  This film contains unique footage of women workers in a munitions factory during World War II and highlights the industrial process of making the 84 Pounder Shell.

1944 05 mins 29 secs Black & White Silent Standard 8

Made by Kenneth Raynor, this is a film which features the people and places in the South Yorkshire village of Swallownest.  It includes scenes of the surrounding countryside as well as provides a good example of wartime Christmas celebrations.

1945 4 mins 0 secs Black & White Silent 16mm

Made by Debenham & Co. of Beverley, this Pathe newsreel documents a children’s pageant in Hull.  It includes scenes of the large procession celebrating the day as well as the Mayor and Mayoress who visit the children’s ward at the City Hospital.

1945 3 mins 54 secs B&W/Colour Silent 16mm

This is a film from the Ibberson Collection which provides a good example of colour footage at the end of World War II.  The film documents the family during their leisure time at different Yorkshire beaches including Filey and Bridlington.

1947 3 mins 15 secs Black & White Silent 16mm

This film is a compilation of Christmas footage taken from two different collections:  The Meredith Collection and The Chislett Collection.  The film provides a good example Christmas celebrations at home as well as documents how families spent their leisure time during the winter holiday. 

1947 5 mins 19 secs Colour Silent 16mm

This film is a record of activities of the students and facility at the Joseph Rowntree Senior School in New Earswick, located just outside of York.  The film was made by the head master of the school, Edward Lightowler, and highlights the various aspects of this Secondary Modern School.

1949 2 mins 16 secs Black & White Combined Optical 16mm

A documentary made by Encyclopaedia Britannica, this film follows a “typical” English family who live in York.  The film explores different aspects of the family’s life including work, school, home life, and leisure activities.

1958 2 mins 36 secs Kodachrome Combined Magnetic 16mm

This is a whimsical short film which uses stop motion animation to create a winter wonderland fantasy using miniature figurines on a snowy model landscape.  The famous Christmas song, Winter Wonderland, accompanies the film.

1959 3 mins 13 secs Colour Silent Standard 8

In 1959, the Vespa Club of Britain’s National Rally was held in Leeds.  This film documents some of the events from that day and includes very well shot scenes of Vespa scooters as well as good examples women’s fashions.