Papworth Hall, Cambridge

The various events and activities of patients at Papworth Hall.

The opening sequence shows patients arriving at Papworth Hall in an ambulance. Most can walk in to the hospital, although one is carried in on a stretcher. There are shots of patients in bed on the quite crowded wards and outside in their beds soaking up the sun. The wooden cabins, used in the treatment of tuberculosis at the time, are visible behind. Interior shots show patients sitting up in bed making bags, hats, etc. There are further shots of the wooden huts showing patients making their beds in the open air. There are shots of pre-fabricated outbuildings; interior shots show patients taking a meal, playing chess, cards and billiards. One of the patients is smoking a pipe. The sequence on 'Papworth Industries' shows interior scenes from the cabinet-making and upholstery factory and the carpentry and joinery factory. Both of these sequences show good shots of the techniques used. There are also scenes from the drawing shop and the print shop. There are scenes showing building work and bricklaying. A sequence shows the poultry farm, where they raised chickens, ducks and geese. Chickens wander around free range. Chicks are collected into a basket and placed in an incubator. They are filmed at various stages of their development. There are also shots of pigs kept by the colony. Piglets are shown to the camera. A ride through the village shows shots of Papworth Village proper, including a shot of the Church, and the village settlement connected to the hospital. These scenes are shot from a moving car. Papworth Hall. The next sequences appear to have been added to the Gaumont film. They show care of children at Papworth Hall. On Empire Day, they play games and compete in races. They are also filmed receiving medical care. Adult patients are shown playing golf, tennis and cricket. Her Majesty Queen Mary and Princess Mary visit the hospital on a very wet day. They arrive by car. Queen Mary is filmed visiting the wards and talking to the patients in their beds. The Duke and Duchess of York visit Papworth Colony in 1924. They also arrive by car to be greeted by a very large crowd. They meet residents in the village.

Featured Buildings

Papworth Church; Papworth Hall; Papworth Village Settlement

Keywords

Hospitals; Tuberculosis, Royal visits

Intertitles

Patient arrives. Under observation in hospital. Heliotherapy. Social life. THE PAPWORTH INDUSTRIES. Cabinet-making and upholstery. THE PAPWORTH INDUSTRIES. Carpentry and joinery. THE PAPWORTH INDUSTRIES. The Poultry Farm. Pay day. A ride through the village . Empire Day. Recreation. Visit of the Queen and Princess Mary to Papworth Hall. TRH The Duke and Duchess of York visit Papworth Colony July 8th 1924.

Background Information

Is Papworth Hall at Papworth Everard or Papworth St. Agnes?