Archive films give amazing insights into how Bradford lives were lived - VIDEO (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Archive films give amazing insights into how Bradford lives were lived - VIDEO

9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

The Telegraph & Argus is sponsoring a series of films to be shown during the Bradford International Film Festival which show times gone by in Bradford in astonishing detail.

The films are from the CH Wood collection, which was acquired by the Yorkshire Film Archive in 2010 and comprises thousands of hours of fascinating footage going back to Victorian times.

The films were shot over eight decades by the CH Wood company, a family photography and film-making firm in Bradford, and comprise a unique moving record of life as it changed and evolved over many years.

Graham Relton, archive manager at the YFA, said: “It’s about the changing life, landscapes and culture of Bradford really. I’m hoping to show films people won’t have seen before.”

In this exclusive excerpt from the archive  you can seeextraordinary colour footage of Winston Churchill visiting Bradford and giving his famous V for Victory sign.

As part of the Film Festival, there will be two 90-minute showings of gems from the archive, sponsored by the T&A, at the National Media Museum on April 17 and Bradford Cathedral on the April 19.

Perry Austin-Clarke, editor of the Telegraph & Argus, said: “This is an absolutely stunning collection of films which give an amazing insight into how life was lived in Bradford down the years. Some films show major events that many people will remember while others provide a record of life that is lost to living memory – including rare images of what was Town Hall Square in 1897, when Bradford became a city.

“The Telegraph & Argus, as the chronicler of life in Bradford and district for almost 145 years, is proud to sponsor these showings of films that bring alive history in such an exciting way.”

Delights at the two showings also include footage of Bradford City Football Club in the 1940s, local people on coach trips to the seaside, drag racing and speedway at Odsal stadium, and the changing face of the city centre.

For more details about the showings visit www.bradfordfilmfestival.org.uk