The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Pike's Cine-Sound Pictorial Composite Reel No. 5
Another example of a by-election protest vote as David Steel arrives to address the Pickering populace as the Liberals gain a famous victory in the middle of Thatcher’s rule.
From the collection of:
Overview
With a by-election for the constituency of Ryedale in May 1986, local Liberal councillor Keith Snowden was on hand to film the events leading up to the famous Liberal victory of Elizabeth Shields, including Liberal Party leader David Steel speaking to a large crowd in the centre of Pickering, followed by Shields holding a surgery. Two years later Paddy Ashdown arrives on his campaign to become the first leader of the new Social and Liberal Democrat Party.
Through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, local historian and former Mayor of Pickering Keith Snowden produced many films documenting local events, and in particular the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The by-election was the result of the death of the incumbent Conservative MP John Spence in March. 1986 was the lowest year for poll ratings for the Conservatives since the boost they got from the 1982 Falklands War. It isn’t entirely clear why, the economy was growing and although unemployment was over 3 million, it had been for the previous three years. Yet Elizabeth Shields was the recipient of a 20% swing in her favour. The poll ratings rose the following year when the Tories won back the seat at the general election.
Related
Vote for Froglet Vote for Froglet
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Sam Small at Westminster Sam Small at Westminster
Promotional 1935 3 mins
It's the 1935 general election and Stanley Holloway recites a comic monologue promoting the policies of the National Government.
Bristol Fashion Bristol Fashion
Party political broadcast 1959 25 mins Location: Bristol
The Labour Party takes a heartfelt look at Bristol council’s social(ist) housing and education agenda, spinning a 'new story from an old city'.
Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates
Documentary 1957 19 mins Location: Slough
Slough gets a resounding thumbs-up from a reluctant ratepayer in a surprising 1950s government film.
Socialist Car of State Socialist Car of State
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1930 9 mins Silent
Party-political hyperbole meets Wacky Races in this spirited cartoon produced for the Conservative Party.
Children and Politics Children and Politics
News 1964 3 mins
Some remarkably well informed (well, for the most part) children interviewed prior to the 1964 General Election.
Pub Crawl Pub Crawl
Lifestyle show 1983 26 mins Location: York
Naturalist Michael Clegg indulges in the food, drink, and local legends of some of Yorkshire’s most famous public houses.
Fishing Fishing
Documentary 1985 23 mins Location: Pickering
The age old battle with poachers, this time for the noble aim of protecting fish stocks in our rivers, rather than game for landowners’ hunting.
Pick up to Pickering Pick up to Pickering
Amateur film 1966 8 mins Location: Hungate
The railway tracks are ready for scrap as the last train and its crew to pass from Pickering to Rillington Junction makes its forlorn journey.
NYMR News No. 4 NYMR News No. 4
Non-Fiction 1976 14 mins Location: Grosmont
Beeching may have had his way in devastating the railway network, but thankfully many railway enthusiasts were on hand to save at least some lines, as here on the North York Moors.
Preserved Iron Horses Preserved Iron Horses
Non-Fiction 1972 27 mins Silent Location: Goathland
All aboard for the ‘Scarborough Spa Express’ as it joins the many refurbished steam locos ferrying railway enthusiasts back and forth over Heartbeat country.
NYMR News No. 5 NYMR News No. 5
Non-Fiction 1977 10 mins Location: Pickering
All aboard the Silver Jubilee special in the company of Leon Brittan as it wends its way across the North York Moors pulled by a steam loco with the famous name of George Stephenson.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.