Family Footage

Collection of films including steeplechases, King George V's silver jubilee celebrations and Charterhouse School

The film begins with footage taken at one of the Norfolk broads. A man cuts reeds with a scythe, ties and arranges them in bundles. The next section shows the West Norfolk Hunt Steeplechases at Fakenham. There is a shot of the starting line and start of the race then of several horses falling. There are shots of the riders jumping various obstacles. The segment concludes with polo players preparing for a game. This is followed by a sequence of different types of fireworks going off. The next section of film shows a man taking a bi-plane out of a hangar, the aircraft in flight, the man starting the propeller and several close ups of the plane’s features. After this is a film of a hunt, showing the Bure Valley otterhounds running through woodland and tearing an animal apart, an animal being cut up by a man and fed to the dogs. This is followed by more footage of a steeplechase race. Christopher Blaxland’s next film was shot during King George V’s silver jubilee celebrations. It begins with a panoramic shot showing vast crowds gathered. There is a shot of a flagpole and Union Jack being unravelled. Servicemen perform some manoeuvres with artillery. Then we see soldiers marching, a military band, a procession of men in suits then boys marching, likely Navy cadets. The next segment shows a man in military uniform filling in soil around a sapling then there is footage of a decorated march. A procession of men on horseback wearing in various military or civic attire moves along a street lined with people. Three women in a carriage wave at the crowds as they pass followed by a marching band then floats of children and walkers wearing fancy dress. We see a float decorated as H.M.S. King George V that has won first prize and various other designs pass by. Next we see London Street in Norwich, lined with people and decorated with bunting. Christopher follows the procession as it moves through the city streets, along Red Lion Street. The final film in the collection appears to be an attempt at narrative filmmaking. It begins with a shot down a lane which pans to reveal a sign for the entrance to Charterhouse. There is a shot of the school’s exterior then several shots of young men playing cricket. Some boys watch from afar. There is a shot of Christopher’s brother, Stephen, reading on the grass. The scoreboard is shown then a close up of Stephen’s book. A panoramic shot shows the school grounds and cricketers then there is a sequence showing a flagpole, an interior shot, the cricket match, boys getting and eating snacks, people playing tennis, a boy at a desk. There is a repeated shot of the scoreboard and page being turned in the book, then of boys watching the match, a game of football being played and a race. The final shots show the school buildings exteriors and houses built around the grounds, and a dormitory.

Featured Buildings

Charterhouse School, Surrey

Featured Events

West Norfolk Hunt Steeplechases

Intertitles

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT NORWICH (shown backwards) A JCB ProductioN. 10 a.m. Review of Troops. 12.45. p.m, Tree Planting, Earlham. 2.45 p.m. Decorated Parade. CHARTERHOUSE A J.C.B. PRODUCTION

Other Places

Fakenham, Norfolk; Norwich, Norfolk; Godalming, Surrey

Background Information

Charterhouse School was founded in 1611 and is one of the original seven English public schools defined by the Public Schools Act 1868.