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Barnsley on Film

Latest news in Yorkshire: August 31, 2017 12:07:56 PM

Those who live, work, know and love Barnsley won’t want to miss the premier of Barnsley on Film, taking place at the Parkway Cinema, Eldon Street, on Tuesday, 5 September.

From the York and Lancaster regiment (AKA the Barnsley Battalion) and bustling markets to coal mining memories and the popular ITV production ‘It’s No Joke Living in Barnsley’, Barnsley on Film will take people on an amazing journey through the decades.

Over a century of films capturing the sights, sounds, faces, places, changing landscapes and industries, great events and everyday lives of people in Barnsley – will be revealed for the very first time made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

The project has been made possible by the hard work of the Yorkshire Film Archive, who will be presenting the screenings and sharing this remarkable collection of footage.

Barnsley on Film will reveal the boroughs lost industries. From 1930s footage of the CEAG Lightbulb factory, to the new production methods of the Brook Motors works in the 1950s. Coal mining will be strong theme throughout, with early footage of the Manvers May Day Parade in 1919, a mining review, courtesy of the BFI National Archive, featuring the last of the pit ponies, celebrations to mark the millionth ton of coal mined at the Woolley Colliery. Other footage includes celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Mapplewell and Staincross Hospital and Comfort Fund Sing, the last surviving mining village choir event of its kind, presented by local lad Brian Blessed, who explores the history and ubiquity of singing in Yorkshire mining villages.

But there is much more than coal. The film will also reflect on life in Barnsley over ground as well as underground. With snippets from Lord Mayor’s Parades, 1960s Birdwell May Queens, a visit by the real Queen and the 1937 Coronation celebration on the hallowed turf of Oakwell, there is much to see.

Also in the film Brian Glover fulfils his dream of playing on the Barnsley FC pitch as well as meeting local heroes and characters in his award-winning 1976 production ‘It’s No Joke Living in Barnsley’.

From brass bands to black pudding – there is guaranteed to be something for everyone who loves Barnsley!

Graham Relton, Yorkshire Film Archive Manager said: “This one-off Barnsley on Film screening is a great chance for the people of Barnsley to see themselves and their town reflected on film – the great coal mining heritage of the area, the bustling market and local events and industries filmed by amateurs and professionals alike. The film show is a real window onto Barnsley over the last 100 years – and who knows, people might even spot a familiar face.”

Paul Stebbing, Archives and Local Studies Officer, said “Barnsley Archives are delighted to team up with the Yorkshire Film Archive, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring Barnsley on Film to the big screen. It’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate the film heritage of the town. What is so fantastic about screenings like this is the opportunity to connect local people to film collections made in or around the places where they grew up, live and work in today. The Barnsley on Film Trailer is already on our Experience Barnsley Facebook page and proving hugely popular – we’re sure it will be a great event at the Barnsley Parkway Cinema on the 5 September.”

David Renwick, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Barnsley is a vibrant community with a proud heritage, Barnsley on Film will bring these stories to life and thanks to National Lottery funding.”

Councillor Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place said: “It is wonderful that so much of our boroughs rich history has been captured on film. These wonderful events which brought our community together and created happy memories for many people will thankfully be preserved for future generations. The premier of the film will be a very special occasion and highlight the very best of Barnsley.”

Through the kind support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Barnsley Arts, Museums and Archives Service have been able to work on their sound and film collections over the last year. By teaming up with the Yorkshire Film Archive they have unlocked even more of the borough’s film heritage which they will preserve in the two collections.

The film show is just one of the public events that form part of ‘The Joy of Sound and Vision: uncovering over one hundred years of Barnsley’s memories’ project and supported by the Friends of Barnsley Archives.

Barnsley on Film will take place on Tuesday, 5 September at 10:30am Parkway Cinema, 62-68 Eldon Street, Barnsley. Book now at barnsley.parkwaycinemas.co.uk/ or call (01226) 248 218.

Watch the ‘Barnsley on Film’ trailer on the Experience Barnsley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ExperienceBarnsley/

Yorkshire Photography