The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Punky Night at Hinton St George
Some punky goings on at dusk
From the collection of:
Overview
Children parade through the streets of Hinton St George in Somerset on the last Thursday of October. Children have hollowed out pumpkins or mangelwurzels, a type of animal fodder turnip to make lanterns following a tradition in this part of West Somerset that coincides with Halloween. Punky or Punkie Night is thought to date from the turn of the 20th century or perhaps medieval times chanting rhymes and following a Punkie King and Queen.
The villagers and children march dressed as witches and warlocks in homemade masks. The first lanterns were made by village wives who went out in search of their husbands to bring them home from the local Chiselborough Fair. They needed the lights to see where they were going on a stormy night and hollowed out the mangelwurzels and placed a lit candle inside.
Related
Watch for free
Going Self-sufficient Going Self-sufficient
Current affairs 1980 4 mins Location: Somerset
The Buxtons decide to live the good life in Somerset.
Watch for free
Just the Job Just the Job
Current affairs 1980 29 mins Location: Devon
If you weren’t a yuppy you were a yoppy on the government Youth Opportunities Programme aimed at placing sixteen to eighteen year-olds in the workplace.
Watch for free
The Last Load from Kilmersdon The Last Load from Kilmersdon
Amateur film 1973 9 mins Silent Location: Somerset
The last working day at the coalface of Kilmersdon Colliery endures a quiet ending.
Watch for free
The Wicker Men of Somerset The Wicker Men of Somerset
Current affairs 1962 6 mins Location: Somerset
The process from harvest to basket is highlighted in this report about the willow growers of the Somerset Levels.
Watch for free
Weddings and Holidays Weddings and Holidays
Amateur film 1955 12 mins Silent Location: Devon
There are blizzards of confetti in this wedding montage which also features holidays in the West Country and the Empress Queen
Watch for free
Old England XI Old England XI
News 1966 3 mins Location: Somerset
An England team takes on an invitational XI
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.