Spotlight at the Fair

Documentary featuring a cavalcade of Northern comedy stars including the great Frank Randle, George Formby, Arthur Askey, Norman Evans and many more. The North of England has always enjoyed its own very particular brand of comedy, best seen today in Coronation Street. 80 years ago however Mancunian Studios produced feature films for the northern masses. Funny Up North tells the story of the Mancunian Studios, its eccentric owner John E Blakeley and its cavalcade of stars including such household names as Arthur Askey, Jimmy Jewell, George Formby and the legendary Frank Randle. Hosted by Professor Chris Lee, the authority on northern cinema, Funny Up North takes you on a journey from its humble beginnings to its sad demise in the 1960s.

This Traveltalk series short visits several points of interest in England, including the port of Liverpool, war destruction at Coventry, the historic Warwick Castle, and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

The family enjoys a sunny but windy day on the pier in Clacton-On-Sea.

Carousels, doubling up on the helter skelter and an enormous key feature in the annual funfair on Mitcham Green.

A colourful miscellany of footage from both sides of the Pennines.

This captivating early film - by an unknown filmmaker - offers a glimpse of glorious Blackpool and the many delights it offers holidaymakers.

Sweetest Tooth is a documentary covering the story of chocolate from beans and beginnings to product and palette. With this farm-to-table storytelling, the characters of Sweetest Tooth will help support the story with firsthand accounts and personal experiences of the magic of chocolate and what it has meant for them. This is the story of Chocolate's journey and how it brings people together.

The annual mop fair in Stratford-Upon-Avon, including the roasting of an ox.

An actuallity film of a fairground carousel in action. Filmmaker unknown but it has been suggested it is R.W. Paul. The film was made on Hampstead heath, London, UK.

Short documentary film about Maryland, a corner of Stratford neglected by the Olympic ‘regeneration’. Seen through the eyes of veteran grime emcee Chronik.

The best of the action from over 30 years of FA Cup finals at Wembley Stadium.