The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
The Last Load from Kilmersdon
The last working day at the coalface of Kilmersdon Colliery endures a quiet ending.
From the collection of:
Overview
Kilmersdon Colliery in Somerset is closing its mineshafts for good after over one hundred years extracting high-grade coal. The entrance to the mine was in Haydon and so the colliery was also known as Hayden Pit. The pit was established in 1875 as part of the Writhlington group of collieries and located directly above the Somerset coalfield. There has been evidence of coal extraction in the area dating to 1437.
During its life Kilmersdon became one of the deepest mines in Britain reaching over five hundred metres or sixteen hundred feet. The mine was nationalised after World War II becoming part of the National Coal Board and had the last gravity working industrial rope incline in the UK, a double track with an incline of one hundred and sixty yards and had a junction onto a section of Great Western Railways Bristol and North Somerset Railway. The mine was closed in August 1973 and its structures were demolished and its shaft filled and the area was landscaped. Kilmersdon is still home to the estates of Lord Hylton and the Joliffe family. The village said to be the home of the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme.
Related
Watch for free
Going Self-sufficient Going Self-sufficient
Current affairs 1980 4 mins Location: Somerset
The Buxtons decide to live the good life in Somerset.
Watch for free
Just the Job Just the Job
Current affairs 1980 29 mins Location: Devon
If you weren’t a yuppy you were a yoppy on the government Youth Opportunities Programme aimed at placing sixteen to eighteen year-olds in the workplace.
Watch for free
The Wicker Men of Somerset The Wicker Men of Somerset
Current affairs 1962 6 mins Location: Somerset
The process from harvest to basket is highlighted in this report about the willow growers of the Somerset Levels.
Watch for free
Weddings and Holidays Weddings and Holidays
Amateur film 1955 12 mins Silent Location: Devon
There are blizzards of confetti in this wedding montage which also features holidays in the West Country and the Empress Queen
Watch for free
Old England XI Old England XI
Sport 1966 3 mins Location: Somerset
An England team takes on an invitational XI
Watch for free
Punky Night at Hinton St George Punky Night at Hinton St George
Current affairs 1977 1 mins Silent Location: Somerset
Some punky goings on at dusk
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.