London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
School May Day
May Day pageantry at Hobbayne School
From the collection of:
Overview
Pagan pageantry as boys and girls of a school in Hanwell crown the Queen of May and dance around the maypole.
The 16mm stock provides lushness to this celebration of spring at Hobbayne School, which was named after William Hobbayne, a prominent philanthropist in the 15th century. Students can be seen caught up in the gaiety of the day, performing traditional maypole and Morris dancing, while on the less conventional side there's scenes from a production of Robin Hood.
Related
London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios
Amateur film 1989 6 mins Location: Barnet
Relive over 70 years of film making as the BBC throws open its doors at Ealing Studios for a nostalgic exhibition which features cameras, actors, jazzy wigs and a Dalek
Hanwell Carnival Hanwell Carnival
Amateur film 1969 8 mins Location: Ealing
See and hear one of the capital's most historic carnivals in this colourful record of the Hanwell Carnival.
Work of an Infant Welfare Centre Work of an Infant Welfare Centre
Charity appeal 1924 7 mins Silent Location: Ealing
It's National Baby Week and infants in varied moods are wheeled into a welfare centre in Ealing for examination.
The Lure of Drink The Lure of Drink
Drama 1915 37 mins Silent Location: Ealing
A lurid temperance tale warning of the evils of wicked women and the demon drink.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.