[The Canterbury Tour]

A titled film showing a series of Canterbury street scenes filmed from a moving vehicle in this professional film, starting at West Gate and travelling eastwards along the High Street, passing the cattle market on Upper Bridge Street.

People and Places

An amateur film showing scenes of family and friends at leisure in locations around the South of England with intertitles throughout.

[Seaside at Westgate; Wedding]

This film shows a group of friends on a visit to the beach, sitting on the sand and playing ball. The film then shows the wedding of Monica and Jim, with the guests arriving, the bride and her father and the bride and groom leaving the church after the wedding.

Canterbury 1936 Part 2

This is part 2 of Sydney Bligh's newsreel, filmed in June, July and August 1936. The film shows various religious and military parades through the Cathedral grounds, the costumed cast from the play 'Cranmer of Canterbury', the burial service of Lady Davidson of Lambeth in the Cloisters, the Kent County Agricultural Show, a children's carnival and a male gymnastic display. Note: only Kent Agricultural Show clip is online.

Canterbury 1937 Part 3

Part 3 of a newsreel made by Sydney Bligh showing the key occasions and ceremonies in Canterbury and the surrounding area during July 1937. The film includes Presentation of Colours to the Kent Branch of the British Red Cross, Conservative Garden Meeting, Pageant in Deanery Garden, Roman Catholic Pilgrimage to Canterbury, Opening of the new Hospital and a visit to the Kent County Agricultural Show (only clip of the Show online).

With the Gypsies in Kent

The nomadic lifestyle of a Roma family is documented in this film as they travel in and around Canterbury during the harvesting season.

[Canterbury 1939 Part 3]

This is a newsreel made by Sydney Bligh capturing the key occasions, festivals and ceremonies in Canterbury and the surrounding area in July 1939. The film shows: a trip on the River Medway, A memorial service parade through Burgate, the Naval Cadets gym display, a fire brigade demonstration, and children dancing at the St. Bede's school.

[Joan Mary]

Sidney Bligh's film records a few moments of 'Cousin Peter' as a toddler, then focuses on the early years of his daughter, Joan Mary - from a newly born baby to toddler, in this collection of small snippets from 1939 to 1942.

Incendiary Bomb Practice

This short colour film shows a wartime training session for civilians, demonstrating rescue techniques, and dealing with incendiary devices.

Lefevre's Funeral and Montgomery's Visit

This short film takes place over two days, 19th and 20th October 1945. On the 19th the funeral of Canterbury's Lord Mayor - Alderman Charles Lefevre. On the 20th, the visit by Field Marshal Montgomery to the city is filmed.

Montgomery's Visit

This film show Field Marshall Sir Bernard Montgomery coming to Canterbury to receive the Freedom of the City. He inspects the troops and gives a speech at the Guildhall.

Cricket Scenes; Don Bradman [part 1]

Australian Cricketer Don Bradman appears in this short film being escorted onto the pitch at St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, with police to control the crowds of fans, many of whom are school boys. Bradman is then seen batting until he is bowled out in the match against Kent County Cricket Club.