"Christian charity the Band of Hope was formed in Leeds in 1845 and encouraged people to sign 'the pledge' to abstain from alcohol. It was particularly concerned about the number of children frequenting alehouses, which is no doubt why there are so many taking part in this procession. Its slow progress gives us a nice opportunity to admire everyone in their Sunday best."

Source: BFI

Procession of people carrying religious banners. Note: B.H. in title stands for Band of Hope. A temperance procession meant to promote a healthy and enjoyable life. See Andrew Prescott's article "'We had fine banners': Street Processions in the Mitchell and Kenyon Films" in "The Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon:Edwardian Britain on Film" (2004), bfi Publishing. (Synopsis) M&K 441: Religious/temperance parade in Manchester. (Synopsis) M&K 173: Replacement title (0.07) Boys in procession marching towards camera carrying banners, the first saying, "Success to our school" and the second, "Parents, consider your example". Horses drawing a bus and a carriage follow (0.17) A marching band of men in bowler hats playing brass instruments follows with a banner behind, "Ragged School 1889". Procession continues with little girls in white dresses, women then boys and a bus, behind the crowds, goes in the opposite direction, with an advert for "Reckitts Blue" on the back. Well dressed women and more banners follow in the procession. (1.28) Procession continues with more banners, "Buy bread instead of beer", "Eschew evil and do good", "Our Lord is on our side", "Pledged in a noble cause - lead us not into temptation" (2.16) Another marching band wearing peaked caps and more of the procession (2.25) (Shotlist) M&K 441: Replacement title (0.07). Procession down crowd-lined street led by band (right to left past camera). Many banners in evidence - a barrel with sign `To Let', `No No' surrounding a cross, `God is Love', `The Bible our guide', ` Feed my lambs', `Parents consider your example', `Success to our school' (1.21mins). (Shotlist) M&K 442: Replacement title (0.07). Procession down crowd-lined street (right to left past camera). Children in parade are followed by huge banner and other smaller banners, marching brass band with banner - with the sign `Drink no Wine', more children and banners, including one reading `Success to our Band of Hope,' others with `Union is strength', `Why not Abstain', `Resist temptation resolutely', `No beer in this child's home'. A horse-dawn bus with the destination Ashton moves alongside the parade. Another large banner, `Sign for the sake of the children; For God and home and native land'; girls, dressed in white, skipping, followed by more children and banners (3.02). (Shotlist)

Features on the bfi DVD release of 2005 'Electric Edwardians:The Films of Mitchell & Kenyon. Running order: 173, 441, 442.

Source: BFI