Films of Beverley’s History on Show

Ernest Symmons

Monthly film shows chronicling the history of look set to start at the Treasure House in September.

The shows in the Film and Sound Archive Presents series will kick off next month with Black and White Beverley which will show footage shot in the town by prolific local film-maker Ernest Symmons.

Mr Symmons was also the co-founder of the Beverley Picture Playhouse, which opened on Monday, 20 February, 1911.

Over the course of his career, he produced countless local films and newsreels, which were screened at the Playhouse and elsewhere.

At the time, the Playhouse was the only venue in the country to produce its own newsreel.

After Ernest’s death in 1957, a vast quantity of film, around 33,000 feet, was removed from the Playhouse and destroyed as a fire hazard.

Like most other footage from the early to mid twentieth century, it had been produced on highly volatile nitrate film, which is prone to spontaneous combustion.

Some of Mr Symmons’ finest works were transferred to more stable film and now survive under the care of ’s archives and local studies service.

Collections officer, Sam Bartle, said:  “It’s a real privilege that we’re able to put on a show of these films to the Beverley public.  This will be a treat for any Beverlonian who lived in the town during the 1930s and 40s, and went to the Picture Playhouse.”

The show will include the 1937 films ‘Beverley Through The Ages’, and ‘The Romance Of Leather’, covering a historical pageant procession in the town, and the works of Hodgson’s Tannery respectively.

Also featured are the 1945 road safety film ‘The Man With The Notebook’, and newsreel footage of Beverley fundraising events during the second world war.

Black and White Beverley will be screened on Thursday, 23 September, at 6.30pm, in the Treasure House’s education room.

Admission is free, though booking is essential as places are limited.

To book tickets, call (01482) 392790, or visit the archives and local studies service at the Treasure House, in Champney Road, Beverley.



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This article has 1 Comment

  1. A screening of old film footage showing Beverley and other parts of East Yorkshire has proved so popular, organisers have decided to put on an extra show.

    The footage was taken by a local film maker in the 1930s and 40s. The extra screening will take place this evening 28 September

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