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River Highway

1954 , Bedford (Bedfordshire)

Cat no. 1068

The River Ouse near Bedford and in the Ouse Valley. It alludes to the river's past as an important trade link.

Shots of the River Great Ouse at Bedford. There are shots of the town, showing statues to John Howard and John Bunyan. Over scenes of public gardens, the commentary speaks of their colour, although this is lost in a black and white film. Shots of the entrance to the museum on the site of Bedford Castle and of the front of Bedford School. Scenes from the market. A still of a poster reminds the audience of the past importance of the River Great Ouse to Bedford. It reads; The Ouse Transport Co. General Carriers. By water from Lynn to St. Ives, Huntingdon, St. Neots, Bedford & Intermediate places. Through rates quoted from Hamburg, Antwerp and Continental Ports. Also from Newcastle, Hull and East Coast Ports generally. General Offices, Duck Mill Lane, Bedford. Views of the river and of a weir. Shots of Bedford Lock, now derelict and of the lock, at Great Barford, where there are children playing, and Kempsford. Shots of steam trains are used to illustrate the reason for the decline of the river as a transport artery. Shots of the river shot abandoned boats and derelict water mills. There are scenes of a planning meeting of the Great Ouse Restoration Society. A diagram shows the work contemplated and river board engineers are filmed at work on the site. The work will cost £77,000 of which the Ministry of Agriculture may offer a grant of 80%, leaving the local people to find £16,000. There are shots of lockmakers at work on site and in the workshop. There is a shot of a lock keeper's cottage that is now a holiday home. There are scenes showing the river used as a leisure facility. Scenes include rowing, fishing and swimming. A pleasure boat leaves with a party and people use pedalos. Shots of Regatta Day at Bedford. The night time pageant of illuminated boats features. A group takes a motor cruiser along the river. This section shows shots of the Ouse Valley.

Featured Buildings

Bedford School

Other Places

Great Barford; Kempsford

  • Production company : Bedford Film Society

  • Director : John K. Turner

  • Camera : R. McMurtrie

  • Camera : L. Blackman

  • Editor : Stan Draper

  • Editor : Peter Cope

  • Script : R.T. Dellow

  • Narrator : Peter N. Cope

  • Other : John H. Pyne

  • Production company : The Production Unit

Manifestations

River Highway

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