This film is part of Free
Chesterfield May Day 1978
Politics, partying, and a penalty shoot-out at the Derbyshire town's inaugural May Day bank holiday funfair
Overview
Chesterfield's first ever early May bank holiday might have been a soggy one, but punters and political activists alike don't seem to care here. Members of the labour movement march through the town, before this amateur film turns its attention to the funfair on Stand Road Park. Look out for the master of ceremonies sheltering from the elements in his van - as well as a magnificently muddy football match.
The Government's granting of an early May bank holiday was thought likely to stir up passionate left-wing sentiment given its proximity to (and occasional overlap with) International Workers' Day on the first of the month. The Chesterfield celebrations were especially renowned for a strong socialist presence, and the intertitles here claim thousands of attendees on the day. The "jobs crisis" banners now have an extra poignancy given that many of the Derbyshire collieries - seen in the background of several shots - would close over the next decade.
Related
Great Central Railway Great Central Railway
News 1962 5 mins Location: Chesterfield
Doctor Beeching sounds the death knell for the Great Central main line.
Heywood, Lancs. and Chesterfield Celebrations Heywood, Lancs. and Chesterfield Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1948 1 mins Location: Heywood
A centenary commemoration of George Stephenson - the father of the railway.
Evidence Evidence
Government sponsored film 1935 14 mins Silent Location: Chesterfield
The earliest known police surveillance film to be used as evidence captures some illicit activities - and circus animals - in Chesterfield marketplace.
Standing in a By-election Standing in a By-election
Current affairs 1984 7 mins Location: Chesterfield
Ј150 and ten signatures is all you need to stand in a British election. Can it really be that simple?
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.