Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Crawley & District Bowling and Lawn Tennis club
Percy Nightingale captures pipe-puffing old codgers on the bowling green while stout ladies do battle on the tennis courts of 1920s Crawley.
From the collection of:
Overview
Percy Nightingale's remarkable film opens with elderly and portly members of Crawley's Bowling Club playing on a municipal green, whilst constantly puffing on pipes and cigarettes. Occasionally, they lark about for the camera. Meanwhile, the adjacent tennis courts are busy with women of all ages, playing singles and doubles matches while dressed in the tennis fashions of the time. Percy returns to filming the antics of his bowling mates for the remainder of the film.
Amateur filmmaker Percy Nightingale made numerous films featuring his family throughout the 1920s and 1930s, often showing them enjoying outdoor sports and pastimes like bowls, croquet, golf and tennis – activities that were becoming increasingly popular during the inter-war years. This unique snapshot captures family and friends at the Crawley & District Bowling and Lawn Tennis club, playing at a purpose built municipal recreation ground, created in the 1920s, in the town's Memorial Gardens. Located near the Three Bridges Road, the actual location of the green, clubhouse and tennis courts is difficult to find today. This is almost certainly due to the extensive post-war redevelopment of Crawley.
Related
Watch for free
Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong
Sport 1971 9 mins Location: Torquay
A young pretender takes on the Wimbledon Champion
Watch for free
Festival Wimbledon Festival Wimbledon
Sport 1951 22 mins
Extended highlights from the 1951 Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Watch for free
Centred on Wimbledon Centred on Wimbledon
Sport 1947 23 mins Location: Wimbledon
An account of the 1947 Wimbledon tennis championship
Watch for free
Colourful Wimbledon Colourful Wimbledon
Sport 1954 47 mins Location: Hampton
Wimbledon 1954, from the meticulous preparation of the 16 tennis courts to the finals and the glory on Centre Court.
Watch for free
Duke Beaten at Wimbledon Duke Beaten at Wimbledon
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent
The future King George VI takes to the court at Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Watch for free
Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup
News 1977 5 mins Location: Paignton
It's a question of Sue: tennis player Sue Barker competes against an American opponent in the Ladies Indoor Tennis BP Cup.
Watch for free
Green Line Green Line
Amateur film 1980 6 mins Location: Crawley
Crawley is the venue for a great gathering of buses and coaches to celebrate a half-century of Green Line services in this memorable film from Beryl Armstrong
Watch for free
Royal visit to Crawley Royal visit to Crawley
Amateur film 1950 8 mins Silent Location: Crawley
Crawley is about to receive a very special visitor in this film from 1950 and decks itself accordingly with flags and bunting for this special Royal occasion.
Watch for free
New Town Story New Town Story
Amateur film 1955 16 mins Silent Location: Crawley
A fascinating narrative film about the development of Crawley, from early days to its post-war transformation into a New Town.
Watch for free
A Milestone for Crawley A Milestone for Crawley
Amateur film 1989 44 mins Location: Crawley
Follow the construction of Crawley's new arts centre, from building site to opening night, in this remarkable and colourful documentary film from 1989.
Watch for free
Crawley celebrates a Jubilee and a Coronation. Crawley celebrates a Jubilee and a Coronation.
Amateur film 1935 32 mins Silent Location: Crawley
The citizens of Crawley pull out all the stops to celebrate George V's Jubilee and two years later they do it all again for the Coronation of George IV.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.