The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouthβs city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Truro Carnival Week
Trurorians enjoy street carnival celebrations
From the collection of:
Overview
Truro Carnival Week would have traditionally been a fair for trading goods and a celebration would follow. Fairs were originally granted by Royal Charter and Cornwall is one of two royal duchies, the other being Lancaster. Truro holds its traditional fair at harvest time. From the late nineteenth century to this time before the Second World War carnivals are big affairs with many travelling circus acts and freak shows adding to the entertainment.
Bedheugh Benytha Kernewek or Remain forever Cornish writes Major Arthur W Gill of Truro, amateur film maker and local draper taking up the Cornish Revivalistβs banner. This film is part of the Royal Cornwall Museum collection. Major Gill gave amateur film shows and talks and accompanied his films with records played out from a gramophone. Major Gillβs old records dating from this time are also stored at the museum.
Related
Watch for free
Exotic Pet Shop Exotic Pet Shop
Current affairs 1981 4 mins Location: Truro
A shop owner in Truro sells unusual pets.
Watch for free
Scenes on the Cornish Riviera Scenes on the Cornish Riviera
Advert 1912 19 mins Silent Location: Plymouth
From Saltash to St Ives, a whirlwind tour of Edwardian Cornwall.
Watch for free
Compton Castle of Truro Compton Castle of Truro
News 1982 3 mins Location: Compton Castle
The old paddle steamer still has legs.
Watch for free
Burn Your Bra! Burn Your Bra!
Current affairs 1968 2 mins Location: Truro
The Womenβs Liberation movementβs burn your bra campaign hits Truro.
Watch for free
Carlyon Farm Carlyon Farm
Current affairs 1965 6 mins Location: Truro
Clive Gunnell reports from Carlyon Farm
Watch for free
Truro to Falmouth on the Maritime Line Truro to Falmouth on the Maritime Line
Current affairs 1976 8 mins Location: Truro
Journey on the Great Scenic Railway from Truro to Falmouth
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
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
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
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 childrenβs palliative care.