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Going to the cinema for local news

19th & 20th Century | Collection | Egham | Egham Hythe | Englefield Green | I remember... | Museum Blog | Thorpe | Virginia Water
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Before television, and indeed the internet, people went to the cinema to watch the news. Silent newsreels were provided by: Société Pathé Frères 1896-1910, British Movietone 1895-1929; Pathé Gazette 1910-45 (adding sound from 1930); Topical Budget 1911-1931; Gaumont Graphic 1910-1932; Empire News Bulletin 1926-1930.

With the advent of sound, new services were developed: British Movietone News 1929-1986; British Paramount 1931-1957; Gaumont Sound News 1932-34; Gaumont British News 1934-1959; Pathé News 1945-1970; Visnews 1957-1984. The news coverage frequently overlapped.

Many of these newsreels are still available: over 40 featuring Egham, Egham Hythe, Englefield Green, Thorpe or Virginia Water are listed below. Click on the link to watch the original footage.

Runnymede

Cameraman’s Derby AKA The Movie Cameraman’s ‘Derby’ (1922)
Early cameras and cameramen in Cameramen’s Derby competition, Runnymede
British Pathé

The Birth Place AKA Birthplace of Our Freedom (1925)
The 710th anniversary of the signing (sic) of Magna Carta
British Pathé

England: Magna Carta Celebrations at Runnymede (1930)
Empire News Newsreel

“The Birthplace of Our Freedom” (1933)
Politician Leo Amery makes speech about the signing (sic) of the Magna Carta at Runnymede.
British Pathé

Historical Pageant (1934)
Signing (sic) of Magna Carta is re-enacted in Runnymede
British Pathé

Floodwaters Submerge English Countryside (1937)
Flooding in Windsor, Egham, and Runnymede
Gaumont British Newsreel

Windsor And Runnymede Issue Title is on The Spot (1940)
Travelogue item about towns with a royal connection
British Pathé

Spending the Summer Holiday Near Home During Wartime (1942)
Civilians enjoying vacations close to home, including Runnymede
Gaumont British Newsreel

Queen Honours Air Force Dead (1953)
The Queen unveils a memorial at Runnymede to Commonwealth Airmen.
British Pathé

Her Majesty at Runnymede Unveiling Air Forces Memorial (1953)
British Movietone News

Air Forces Memorial to Those Who Have No Known Grave… (1953)
Her Majesty unveils a noble monument overlooking Runnymede.
In Reuters historical collection
American Bar Association Unveil Memorial to The Magna Carta at Runnymede (1957)
Gaumont British Newsreel

Magna Carta Memorial (1957)
Unveiling of the American Bar Association Memorial.
British Movietone News

UK: Remembrance Service for Commonwealth’s Air Force War Dead. (1959)
In Reuters historical collection

U.K.: National Trust Acquires More of Runnymede Site (1963)
The National Trust has now acquired a further part of Runnymede – the historic site where King John signed (sic) the Magna Carta.
In Reuters historical collection

Commonwealth Air Forces (1965)
Remembrance service at Runnymede memorial for WW2 Commonwealth airmen.
British Pathé

In Honour of President Kennedy (1965)
JFK memorial at Runnymede is inaugurated, Queen and Jackie Kennedy attend.
British Pathé

Memorial to man of peace (1965)
The inauguration, by Her Majesty the Queen, of the new Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede.
British Movietone News

UK: 750th Anniversary of Magna Carta Signing Soon (1965)
Scenes at Runnymede and the President Kennedy Memorial two weeks prior to the 750th anniversary.
In Reuters historical collection

U.K: Violence Erupts at U.S. Embassy During London Demonstration (1968)
Pro-Viet Cong demonstrations in London, includes footage of repair to Kennedy memorial.
In Reuters historical collection

United Kingdom: Britain’s Gift to The United States for Bicentennial Year (1976)
As part of a gift to the United States for its bicentennial year, Britain is loaning one of the two original copies of the Magna Carta, the 13th century charter of King John on which the liberties and rights of Englishmen are based.
In Reuters historical collection

Egham

Magna Charta [Sic] Celebrations (1926) Listing only, no link available
Magna Carta anniversary celebrations and old-time dancing held at Egham.
Topical Budget Issue no 773-2, Film held by the British Film Institute, listed by BUFVC.

Motorists make merry (1929)
Marvel at the daring stunts performed by motorcyclists at their grand gymkhana in Egham in 1929.
Topical Budget

Marvels in Miniature (1936)
Tiny paintings by Egham miniature artist Charles Gunner.
British Pathé

Miniature Handwriting Expert Issue Title – Sign Please! (1937)
Egham artist Charles Gunner writes in miniature.
British Pathé

Health Minister Visits Evacuees (1940)
Walter Elliot, Minister of Health, visits children evacuated to Egham.
Gaumont British Newsreel

100 Caravans Must Quit AKA Hundred Caravans Must Quit (1958)
Police have to intervene to move on people living in caravans in Egham.
British Pathé

UK: Caravan Families Chase Bailiffs (1958)
On October 15, caravan families, refusing to be evicted from an illegal site, at Egham, chased bailiffs trying to enforce the law, then barred entrance to the site with an overturned car.
In Reuters historical collection

UK: Caravan (1959)
There’s another row at Egham over people living in caravans. To ease the traffic congestion in Staines, the Ministry of Transport wants to take over land to build the new Staines by-pass. Part of the land they want is this licensed caravan site near Runnymede. The caravan owners are being offered alternative sites: some object to the move.
In Reuters historical collection

Egham Hythe

Twins (1954)
A look at the 7 sets of twins who attend Egham Hythe Primary School.
British Pathé

Englefield Green

Prince at Egham (1926) Listing only, no link available
Prince of Wales visits disabled ex-servicemen at Egham.
Empire News Bulletin Issue no.18, listed by BUFVC.

Flights of Learning (1927)
Beaumont College schoolboys rush to see an aircraft land in their playing fields.
British Pathé

News Flashes from Everywhere (1937) Listing only, no link available
Lady Oxford rehearses for coronation ball. (George VI was crowned 12 May 1937).
British Paramount News Issue no. 645, listed by BUFVC.

Queen Mary Visits Girls’ College AKA Egham (1937)
Queen Mary visits Royal Holloway College on their jubilee. Queen Mary is greeted by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, who as chairman of the governing body is wearing mortarboard and gown. Women students watch Queen Mary planting a commemorative sapling. Queen Mary and Princess Alice tour the college grounds.
British Pathé

The Statue of Eros Returns to Piccadilly (1946)
The statue of Eros travels from Coopersville (sic), Egham.
Gaumont British Newsreel

Return to Action (1947)
Bricklayers, lawyers, teachers – disabled men and women are encouraged to retrain for new jobs, includes footage at Wood Lee.
Central Office of Information film for Ministry of Labour.

John Bull’s Dogs (1950)
Footage of Mr Dick Cape’s dog farm, Englefield Green.
British Pathé

Virginia Water

Canadian Lumbermen at Virginia Water Surrey (1916) Listing only, no link available
Tree felling, sawing.
Gaumont Graphic Issue no. 563, listed by BUFVC.

Sports: Tree Felling Competition in Windsor Great Park (1918)
Canadian Lumbermen’s sports. Tree felling and sawing competition.
Gaumont Graphic Newsreel

King at Canadian Sports (1918)
King George V and Queen Mary visit Canadian Lumbermen’s sports
Gaumont Graphic Newsreel

Men Use Fishing to Generate Red Cross Funds During World War I (1918)
Nets are used at Virginia Water to catch fish, which will then be sold to help generate money for the medical costs of WWI. Shows fishermen with nets, putting haul into baskets.
Gaumont Graphic

Sandhurst for Henley. The Crew at Virginia Water. Sandhurst Have Not Had a Rowing Club Since 1812 (1919) Listing only, no link available
Crew carry boat down road. Pull off down river.
Gaumont Graphic Issue no. 849, listed by BUFVC.

Anglo-Hungarian Wedding (1934)
Lord Martin Cecil marries Hungarian, Miss Csanady de Telegud at Christ Church.
British Pathé

The Railwaymen (1946)
One of a series of films about jobs. Describing jobs available on the railways, includes footage at Virginia Water station.
Central Office of Information film for Ministry of Transport.

Home Turkish Bath (1956)
A new bathroom device – a Turkish bath that can be used in the home.
British Pathé

House Amongst the Trees (1958)
In thickly wooded Virginia Water, Surrey, is a delightful modern house which completely harmonises with its setting; it is the brainchild of an imaginative architect and is built from wood and stone to fit in with its natural surroundings.
British Pathé

Ryder Cup Form (1961)
It’s the Wentworth Club, background to the Ballantine’s Golf Tournament. Special interest attached to the contest, because it was being played on the eve of the Ryder Cup.
British Movietone News

compiled by Margaret C Stewart

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