Sevenoaks Scrapbook

A compilation of films beginning with the Coronation procession of King George VI, followed by wartime parades in Sevenoaks.

[Boys' Brigade Camp at Camber Sands]

This amateur film shows the 66th Kentish Town Company Boys' Brigade camp to Camber Sands, near Rye. The film contains shots of the boys leaving London and at camp at Camber Sands. They are seen enjoying a range of activities such as sports, horse riding and playing on the beach. At the end of the film the boys can be seen at Rye station waiting for the train back to London.

[Scout Camp Performances]

This film shows a series of variety style indoor performances by several groups of Scouts and Scouting leaders including mixed division choirs, several variety theatrical performances, hand bell ringers, a pantomime and a group of men/ Scout leaders dressed in ballet dancing outfits dancing a Greek narrative dance and a Can-Can style dance. The film closes with scenes from a comedy based sketch performance. Some shots are dark.

Fellowship of St. Nicholas Homes for Children, Christ Church, St. Leonards-on-Sea

This film depicts many of the activities being undertaken by The Fellowship of St. Nicholas, a local charity founded to counteract, "the effects of poverty, disadvantage, neglect and abuse suffered by children and young people." It is highly probable that the film was used as an awareness-raising, and hence a fundraising, tool.

[Forest Hill Visit to London; Scout Parade; Summer Camp]

This film shows recently honoured service men and women emerging through the gates outside Buckingham Palace following an investiture. This is followed by Cubs, Scouts and Guides parading in a bombed out street, with views inside their club room, undertaking training exercises. The film closes with views of Scouts at a camp in Croydon.

Baby Scenes; Family Visit Newcastle

An amateur film following family life after the birth of the family's baby named David in North Cheam, Surrey 1941/1942. The family introduce baby David to their relatives in Newcastle, travelling by train.

[Air Training Corps; Empire Day; Cricket; Memorial Days]

Banstead Air Training Corps, Civil Defence Groups, the British Legion, volunteers and youth groups are seen parading and attending memorial services in Banstead. Mostly in black and white film with some colour footage.

[Parades; Games; Camp]

An edited film of St George's Day parades by West Sussex district Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides through the Haywayds Heath, Balcombe, Slaugham areas, on route to or following church services. Other scenes include several Guiding or Scout camp events, sporting activities using local school grounds and parades with company standards, flags and marching bands.

[Weddings; Christening]

A film with various colour and black and white scenes that include a group of children on a residential street with workmen behind them; portraits of two wedding groups - the first in a garden [several members in forces uniforms) and the other outside a church; scenes of a wedding reception for a second pair of newlyweds; a christening gathering in a garden; colour scenes of several children playing with bubble pots outdoors and playing a game.

[Navy in Egypt]

This film features a series of of street scenes in Egypt that includes a visit to the Italian monument to Khedive Ismail in Alexandria (now memorial to the unknown soldier). This is followed by wide shots showing a series of naval ships at sea and on the Suez Canal. The final part of the film shows mixed views of the Suez Canal that includes the 1914-1918 War Memorial on West Bank, near Ismailia.

[Navy in Ceylon]

This film shows scenes of the Royal Naval land base at "RMS Mayina", near Colombo, Ceylon [Sri Lanka] with views of camp life that includes men at the camp entrance, the inside of a hut, and short scenes aboard several vessels. The film also includes a mix of everyday street scenes with: oxen, cats, local markets, children waving at the camera, a visit to the "Lomond Rubber Creping Mill, Kelaniya", local Sir Lankan men in portrait, and naval vessels on a lake or river.

[Haywards Heath Rovers Camp; Building Rover Scout Hut]

This colour film features views of the 1st Haywards Heath Rover Scout campsite with additional shots of the rural landscape and chalk cliffs around the camp. Scenes show the scouts working together to build a camp; scenes of a badge award ceremony, a formal dinner and portrait shots of several Boy Scouts. The film ends with a group of men building a new Rover Scout Hut.

[Church Parade; Ashenground Camp]

This black and white Girl Guiding film shows various companies from the Mid-Sussex districts of Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Hassocks, and Hurstpierpoint exiting a Church on a parade, accompanied by a group of Cub and Boy Scouts. The groups then join together for a getharring on the Ashenground campsite where they sing songs and dance together around a campfire.

[Riverside Scouting Camp]

This colour film opens with mixed views of a Scout camp near a river (Southwood?) with highlights of camp life and activities such as sports races, Sea Scouts rowing to practice a water rescue in a capsized boat, portraits shots of Scouts in family groups, and brief shots of hand crafted wooden camp items being moved around camp.