Description: Information/Travelogue film about Rotherhithe, titled 'Our Town' (or possibly 'Our Town – Bermondsey Snapshot'). Scenes in Rotherhithe, the Thames, Bermondsey Wall, Cherry Garden Pier, Chambers Wharf and Cold Stores, the Norwegian church, St Mary Free School. Film is incomplete with some intertitles out of order, and a large group of titles also belong to a different film (International Patrol Camp 1955). There may be some link to the Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Boy Scouts or Bermondsey Borough Council, as new council housing and the new 'Scout House' building (opened May 1951) are featured.
Begins with various intertitles as follows:
OUR TOWN; The historic district of Rotherhithe lies on the edge of the Thames near [pool] of London;
Two celebrities – Quartermaster and Camp Warden (Pat & Nac); A true League of Nations; Visiting Day (D.C. and parents); Arena Displays; 'Our Bill' – We called him TINY; Presentation plaques are admired; Some of the Bermondsey Lads; Norway says thankyou with a gift; Camp Fire [symbol of fire]; A favourite pastime; The end is in sight as final Camp Fire take shape; What again!!!; International relations are so easy in scouting; Is it worthwile having a Birthday?; National dress parade; And so, by torchlight our record closes; I.P.C. 1955; Ann to Rodney 19.5.60; BERMONDSEY SNAPSHOT.
N.B. Some of the titles [in Italics to clarify] probably belong to another film in the collection – International Patrol Camp 1955.
[Footage begins at 01:28]:
Snippet of footage being projected on a wall/screen.
Ship pulling into harbour (Surrey Docks/pool of London?), various dock warehouses alongside.
Doorway, name above door: Svenska Sjomanskyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church, 120 Lower Road)
View of a church building (think Norwegian church); children in the park;
Boat moves down the Thames, view from beach;
View of a collapsed wharf/warehouse building (bomb damage);
Various of beach and boats on Thames; Tower Bridge in background;
Bermondsey Wall East / Port of London Authority Cherry Garden Pier;
Building: Chambers Wharf & Cold Stores Ltd.
View of a new council housing block; Bermondsey Borough sign close up on wall;
View of Scout House, boy scouts leaving with back packs; [opened May 1951]
St Mary Rotherhithe Free School building with charity scholars statues (children in blue coats);
St Marys Rotherhithe church;
Title: ...entrance by the Norwegian church and... never ending stream of traffic.
Title: Spread Eagle & Crown is the only pub in England licensed for the sale of Postage Stamps.
Title: There are many steps with odd names, for instance Pickle Herring Stairs.
Title: [illeg] abound, the most modern being Scout House in this 'OUR TOWN'.
View of the Norwegian church; policeman directing traffic entering Rotherhithe tunnel (including George Barker truck).
Title: From Rotherhithe Street to the river are many steps with odd names such as Pickle Herring Stairs.
Title: Rotherhithe Tunnel has an entrance by the Norwegian Church and carries a never ending stream of traffic.
Title: This pier is pleasantly named Cherry Garden for [in] the days of Pepys here grew such an orchard.
Title: Another Seaman's Club and Church, this one by the side of the 69 acre park, is for Swedish Nationals.
Title: Over one third of the district is docks and ships from all over the world come to the Surrey Docks.
Title: Historic Churches are numerous and St Mary's here is a good example.
Title: During the 1939-1945 war great destruction was wrought by bombs...
Title: ...but now new homes spring into being.
Title: The real wealth of the district lies in the wharves which flank the riverside.
Title: The 'Spread Eagle & Crown' - the only pub in England licensed for the sale of postage stamps.
View of the pub, and postage stamps sign.
Transfer ends with a short snippet of a ?different film:
A Photograph Album opens to show first page: 'AB presents'. Then: 'Noodles in Switzerland 1958'. 'THE END (Luzern)' Album closes.
Title: Lady Baden Powell pays a visit and inspects the Guard of Honour.
Title: GILWELL PARK, 27 Jul – 5 Aug [this is the location/dates for 'London's Second International Patrol Camp' – as per the other film].
Title: His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury officially opens the camp.
Title: ...Closing Ceremony Camp Fire.
Last shot is of a British passport with visa stamps inside. Name on front is 'Bermerhithe Rovers' [Bermondsey & Rotherhithe, could be scouts, cine club, amateur football?] and stamps within show trip to Holland from 8 Sep to 19 Sep 1953.
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