From the Smoke to the Sunshine

Hop to it! East Enders flock to sunny Kent for a hop-picking holiday in this cheery newsreel.

For many Londoners in the early 20th century, a few weeks' work picking hops in the Kentish countryside was the closest to a holiday they'd get. It was hard graft, but these cheery East Enders keep their chins up - even when accidents happen.

This annual migration was a favourite recurring topic for newsreels like Topical Budget. For another glimpse of the hopping season in the 1920s, try ''Oppin' Makes You 'Earty!', also available on BFI Player.