Newsreels Preview


Below are a few samples taken from over 250 items covering The New Forest and its surrounding area. Listed by date, newer items appear towards the bottom of the page.		Register with NFG to access the searchable database of New Forest related newsreels. I WANT TO REGISTER Items courtesy of British Pathe & ITN Source

31/07/1924

LADY BADEN POWELL

Lyndhurst, Hampshire.
Girl Guides from every nation meet on a camp in the New Forest.

Title: "LADY BADEN POWELL. Visits Girl Guides of all nations in camp in the New Forest".

M/S of Lady B-P walking between two lines of Guides of different nationalities. C/U of Lady B-P standing surrounded by Guides - on one arm stands an Indian Guide on the other is a Guide from an Islamic country. C/U of two Caucasian Guides from different countries. C/U of two more Guides, one has a tiny Danish flag tied to her woggle. C/U of the Guide from an Islamic country wearing a veil. C/U of Lady B/P standing next to a Guide from an Far Eastern country.

M/S of a Guide using bellows to encourage a camp fire beneath a cooking pot, pan to two Guides sitting on the ground peeling potatoes. M/S of two Guides posting letters in a mail box (their embroidered bonnets suggest they may be Scandinavian!). M/S of a group of Guides sitting around their Guide Leader - they appear to be breaking up a tree branch to make a camp fire.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP31072434825
Duration: 01 mins 54 secs
Black & White, Silent
copyright British Pathe

Unknown - Early 20th

EVE AND THE HOLLY HARVEST

Harvesting holly in the New Forest.

"What a poor old festive season it would be without a touch of holly!" Deep in the New Forest we found the holly harvesters."

Various shots of girls harvesting holly in the New Forest in Hampshire. They pull down holly trees by hauling on ropes and cut down single branches. They tie the holly into bunches. Finished holly bunches are loaded on to horse and cart with pitchforks. Horse and cart move off through forest with girls walking alongside. Cute end shot of two young children carrying holly bunches walking towards camera. This is presumably shot around Christmas time.

No C/Us of the girls but nice pictorial quality to the shots.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP00000075001
Duration: 02 mins 59 secs
Black & White, Mute
copyright British Pathe

Unknown - Mid 20th

BROCKHURST (BROCKENHURST) MATERIAL

Dignitary inspects troops of British soldiers outside their barracks.

Unused / unissued material - dates and locations unclear or unknown.

Various shots civilian man (looks like Lord or politician?) inspecting troop of British soldiers outside barracks, he pauses to chat with some. Various C/Us of the soldiers. Various shots service women (ATS - Women's Auxiliary Service) outside bunker, they show the man a special telescope.

NB: not sure if Brockhurst is place or name of man! Could it be Brockenhurst in Hampshire?

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP000000184608
Duration: 02 mins 02 secs
Black & White, Mute
copyright British Pathe

11/05/1931

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Brockenhurst.
Members of the British Ryder Cup golf team practice their swings at Brockenhurst.

Full title reads: "Brockenhurst. Practice makes Perfect! Our Ryder Cup team show fine form with the American ball, with which they will have to play in great golf 'Test'."

Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

Members of the British Ryder Cup golf team practice their swings. Various shots of golfers driving off and playing out on the course. One player puts in a long distance putt.

N.B. Unable to identify players - any information gratefully received.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP11053177107
Duration: 59 secs
Black & White, Mute
copyright British Pathe

31/08/1933

ARMY OF PEACE

New Forest, Hampshire.
Young unemployed men live and work at the Grith Fyrd camp in the New Forest.

Titles read: "The army of peace. Grith Fyrd, it is called, and the camp consists of many who are unemployed, but by no means unoccupied."

On the bank of the River Avon near Fordingbridge we see various shots of the Grith Fyrd or Peace Army Camp, where "young men of all classes can develop themselves both physically and mentally".

Bare chested young men cut down a tree and carry it back to the camp. Several shots of the men working in the camp, making concrete buildings, weaving rushes for shelter mats, weaving cloth for their clothes, doing woodwork and making sandals, milking goats, taking classes from other camp members, cooking, bathing in the river, drying themselves and running back for dinner.

Commentator says this is neither a vocational training centre nor a holiday camp and adds "One of the main objects is to make constructive use of leisure, whether enforced or otherwise".

Good footage of camp for unemployed young men during the Depression.

Note: there is a letter on file from the Organising Secretary of the Camps.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP310833161408
Duration: 02 mins 08 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

15/06/1936

OS-KE-NON-TON

Langdown Lawn, Hythe.
Os-Ke-Non-Ton, hereditary chief of the Mohawk tribe, and now radio star, pitches his wigwam in the New Forest and entertains by singing a love song.

Item title reads - The New Empire Review now has pleasure in presenting the famous North American Red Indian Chief Os-Ke-Non-Ton famous on concert platform and radio.

L/S's of pine woods of Langdown Lawn at Hythe in the New Forest. M/S of a wigwam pitched in the middle of the woods. M/S as Os-Ke-Non-Ton, hereditary chief of the Mohawk tribe, emerges in traditional native American dress. He kneels, then starts to make a fire by rubbing wood together, M/S as he holds up burning cloth and puts it under a pile of wood. M/S as he lights his long pipe from the fire.

M/S as he puts on his magnificent Indian head-dress. M/S as he cups his hands to his mouth and calls. He then announces he is going to sing a Red Indian love song and introduces it. He bangs a drum as he sings. M/S after the song has finished he picks up a blanket and walks away into the woods.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP150636113414
Duration: 03 mins 15 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

08/10/1936

MINIATURE RAILWAY

Beaulieu, Hampshire.
A small scale railway carries passengers around the grounds of a large house.

Shots of a steam engine starting off along the track. It looks real but as the shot widens we see that it is a scale model and is being driven by a young child sitting in the cab. The miniature railway was started by the brothers Holder in the 1890s.

Various shots around the mini railway - there are several engines, engine sheds. lots of track etc. The carriages are big enough to carry adults.

Shots of two men in a workshop doing repairs to the wheels of a train.

Various shots of the trains on their 10 1/4 inch gauge tracks. We see a young Miss Mary Cook feeding coal to the boiler before she drives the train off along the tracks from the engine shed. Various nice shots from on board the train as it travels around the extensive grounds of the house.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP081036122225
Duration: 01 mins 04 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

09/09/1937

BEAULIEU (issue title - SAXON TO NORMAN)

Beaulieu, Hampshire.
Scenic views of the Hampshire village of Beaulieu and the countryside around it.

Story featuring scenes around Beaulieu. Part of the SAXON TO NORMAN issue.

Various shots of this pretty Saxon New Forest village. A horse and carriage goes along a street.

Various shots of the scenic countryside around the village, including Beaulieu Heath. Shots of the nearby river.

Shots of Beaulieu abbey. Shots of the remains of the Cloister gardens.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP090937124233
Duration: 01 mins 57 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

02/11/1942

BROCKENHURST

Brockenhurst.
Picturesque Brockenhurst and surrounding areas in New Forest, Hampshire.

New Forest, Hampshire.

L/S's forest and ponies. M/S of the village of Brockenhurst with a water splash. M/S lanes with old houses, C/U old oak tree, M/S thatched house. M/S of churchyard at St. Nicholas. Various shots of the gravedigger calling birds and taming them. M/S of Beaulieu Village. M/S old abbey and cloisters with magnolia tree. M/S of a small hamlet which was once a shipbuilding centre. M/S of a street. A woman rides her horse down a lane.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP021142155409
Duration: 01 mins 39 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

24/05/1948

NEW FOREST GYPSIES

New Forest, Hampshire.
Gypsies live in primitive huts in squalid conditions in New Forest.

General view, pan down country road. General shot of forest clearing, washing hangs on line. General view of gypsy encampment. Various shots of gypsy huts made from wood, tin and canvas - very primitive. C/U of stew pot boiling over open fire. C/U of chimney, pan down to man and dog going into hut. General view of camp. M/S of woman sitting in doorway of tent. C/U of interior, woman cooking over open fire.

C/U of kettle boiling over open fire. M/S of woman sitting outside hut. C/U of woman making straw ropes. C/U of woman doing weekly wash outside hut. M/S of children and chickens playing outside hut. M/S of woman hanging out washing. M/S of 2 dogs lying asleep. C/U of cat. C/U of 3 puppies playing together. Back view, old woman and two children walking in woods.

Squalor of gypsies' living conditions highlighted in commentary.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP240548124317
Duration: 01 mins 44 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

21/04/1963

GOGGLE DOG

Ringwood, Hampshire.
Quirky item about a vintage car enthusiast that takes his dog motoring wearing goggles.

William Nicholson is a vintage car enthusiast that likes to take his dog motoring with him.
Various shots of Mr. N. polishing an old Bentley, one of a row of vintage cars. Mr. N. opens a bonnet to clean the motor of a Hispano Sura. C/U of a "hand carved stalk" on top of a radiator.

M/S of vintage car, pan to Mrs. N sitting nearby, sewing a hat. She places the hat on her dog. Mrs. N leads the dog to the car, a 1928 Bentley. Mr. N. is sitting in the driving seat. Mrs. N places some goggles over the dog's head. Mrs. N waves to her husband and dog as they drive off. Various shots of Mr N. and his dog speeding down country lane. C/U of the dog in goggles and a hat (he wears them to so he doesn't get cold ears and runny eyes). The dog is a Keeshund, otherwise known as a Dutch barge dog (looks a bit like Lassie).

Other cars featured are - a 1947 Silver Wraith Rolls Royce, 1930 Speed 6 Bentley and a 1927 A.C.G. (sp?).

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP21046322706
Duration: 01 mins 25 secs
Colour with Sound
copyright British Pathe

27/10/1963

HAMPSHIRE HOMBRES

Burley, Hampshire.
Ordinary mortals get the chance to be cowboys and cowgirls in Hampshire.

Story about the Flying G Ranch where friends and holidaymakers can enjoy "life on the range" and pretend to be cowboys. The ranch is owned by the transatlantic airline pilot Captain Leslie Gosling.

C/U of a gun being loaded with bullets, cut to show man in cowboy hat and glasses (looks a bit incongruous) who is holding the gun. Horses are saddled up for a ride.

Various footage of the holidaymakers riding their steeds around the ranch and out in open fields. They run into the local hunt which again looks strange - worlds colliding.

Nice majestic western music accompanies shots of the riders. C/U of hamburgers being barbecued as the ramblers return for an outdoor feast. Good shots of the food being distributed and the riders enjoying their meals. A young cowboy and cowgirl polish their saddles.

"We've never seen a sharpshooter in horn rimmed glasses before" quips the narrator as our friend from earlier shoots a few rounds and knocks down a few cans. The cowboys and cowgirls sit around on blankets listening to one of their group playing the guitar. I want to go.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP27106324511
Duration: 03 mins 13 secs
Colour with Sound
copyright British Pathe

26/10/1964

PONIES BY AUCTION

Ponies by Auction. New Forest, Hampshire.
Footage of New Forest ponies being rounded up and branded.

L/S Pan foresters move away on their horses. M/S Notice "Caution animal roundup". L/S Pan Ponies galloping across moors. L/S Pan forester chasing ponies. L/S Pan another forester chasing more ponies. L/S Pan. As the ponies are herded towards farm enclosure. L/S Pan as one stray pony is chased around to the enclosure. L/S Group of ponies in enclosure.

M/S Forester grabs ponies tail to cut it. C/U As he cuts pony's tail. C/U One of the ponies. M/S Another forester cuts pony's tail. L/S Pan the pens and sales ring. M/S Ponies coming into sale ring. L/S Group of ponies in ring. M/S Auctioneer. M/S Pony in the ring. C/U Man watching. L/S Pony and foal in ring. M/S Auctioneer makes sale. L/S The pens and sale ring.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP261064177702
Duration: 01 mins 24 secs
Black & White with Sound
copyright British Pathe

17/11/1966

AVENGERS ON LOCATION

Beaulieu, Hampshire.
Fabulous item shows the filming of several veteran car tag pieces for TV series 'The Avengers'.

At Lord Montagu's Motor Museum we see the filming of the 'tag' pieces for episodes of The Avengers television series, where Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee drive off in a vintage car - a different one each time.

Several shots of the cast and crew in the grounds of Beaulieu; Patrick Macnee chats to Lord Montagu. Patrick and Diana get into a veteran car; Diana puts on a groovy kind of face/eye shield and they drive off; they stop and the director gives instructions to Diana; as they start off again funny business ensues as Diana puts her feet up, then jumps from the car, leaps back in, clutches her head and so on.

Diana, in an evening outfit of a chiffon over harem pants, has her make-up touched up. Another sequence is shot with a different vintage car; when it doesn't start, Diana gets from the back seat into the front and prepares to drive while Patrick goes to the rear to push, and ends up with a blackened face from the exhaust. He gets in; Diana drives off.

Commentator says the crew are trying to complete all these end sequences in one day's shooting. Diana, in a blue cat suit, chews gum while receiving direction. In this sequence, Diana and Patrick start to push the veteran car which zooms off without them as they chase after it.

Note: according to a press release on file, this series was the first in Colour. More details in notes on the clothes worn and the filming of these tag pieces; Diana's costumes were designed by Alan Hughes; Patrick wore his own suits!

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP17116638703
Duration: 02 mins 22 secs
Colour with Sound
copyright British Pathe

16/11/1967

NURDLING

Cadnam, Hampshire (NOT LINCOLNSHIRE).
People dressed country-bumpkin style play silly games in a field, including Michael Bentine's 'Nurdling'.

Various shots show assorted batty people in yokel / country bumpkin costume of smocks and wellies taking part in some kind of obstacle course in a field before a crowd. A token blonde girl is seen competing in a short smock and wellies. Every so often a contestant goes into a special 'Nurdling' tent - a sign on it reads 'Keep Clear / Nurdling is Dangerous'. We do not get to see exactly what goes on; two men who go inside seem to be fighting. Some onlookers are also dressed in yokel costume, complete with face whiskers. A man sitting on top of the tent rings a bell; a bra is hoisted above the tent on a pole.

Nurdling was apparently one of Michael Bentine's Square Games - possibly from his TV show 'It's A Square World'? Commentator says "All you need is a decent throstle, several gules and a knack of knowing a good drat when you see one".

Note: Although the commentator says we are in Lincolnshire, details on file say the story was shot at Cadnam. On file is a programme for the New Forest (and National) Nurdling Championships at Cadnam; it says 'Read the ONLY authoritive [sic] account of the game in Michael Bentine's Book of Square Games'.

Added to NFG : 19/02/07

REF: BP16116743110
Duration: 57 secs
Colour with Sound
copyright British Pathe

01/01/1967

OUT TAKES / BODY PAINT,
THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND,
NURDLING

Hyde Park, London
Cuts for story BODY PAINT in CP 673. Similar footage to cut story about a bikini-clad girl coming out of the Serpentine and having her body painted by a young man. A different shot shows the man pretending to paint over the camera with a little paint roller; he is also seen walking through Hyde Park with two tins of paint. The girl goes for a swim in the Serpentine after her body painting session (we don't get to see the effect of water on her paint).

Cuts for story THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND (Music for Head Ballet) in CP 673. Similar footage to cut story of the band moving their heads left and right. Two shots with the clapperboard. A few funny shots where one or other of the band goes slightly wrong. From a different angle we see the end 'movement' when they all look one by one to the right; the head of the dummy falls off, assisted by Roger Ruskin Spear.

Cadnam, Hampshire
Cuts for story NURDLING in CP 673. Similar footage to cut story about people dressed as yokels, taking part in silly races and doing some mysterious 'Nurdling' in a tent. Various shots of competitors and spectators in costumes.

Cuts for story THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND (Equestrian Statue) in CP 673. Similar footage to cut story of the whole band performing this number in London's Speakeasy club. Lengthy shot of Rodney Slater playing the trombone and Legs Larry Smith on drums, with Roger Ruskin Spear and Sam Spoons in the background on trumpet and trombone. Also a few shots of Legs Larry Smith 'painting' Neil Innes as the statue; Neil looks like he's trying not to laugh.

Added to NFG : 21/02/07

REF: BP01016744901
Duration: 11 mins 04 secs
Colour, Mute
copyright British Pathe