Blackburn Catholics assemble to mark Whitsun weekend.

St. Joseph's Catholic Whit Procession, Blackburn (1911)








Facts
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Titles |
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 274 St Joseph's Catholic, Blackburn
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 275 St Joseph's 2, Blackburn
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 276 St Joseph's No 3, Blackburn
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 274 St Joseph's Catholic Whit Procession Blackburn
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 275 St Joseph's Catholic Whit Procession Blackburn
(Alternative)
Mitchell and Kenyon 276 St Joseph's Catholic Whit Procession Blackburn
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Production | |
Distribution |
Categories
Actuality Film Black and White Catholic Church Church Documentary Parade People Procession Short Silent Film St. Joseph DocumentaryShortActuality Film, Black and White, Catholic Church, Church, Parade, People, Procession, Silent Film, St. JosephDescriptions
A bright, windy day greeted this Blackburn procession. Ranks of children in white lead the parade bearing flowered garlands and crosses, followed by young women struggling to hold on to their large hats. An elderly woman in a tartan shawl suddenly rushes from the crowd and seems to attack one of the women - or perhaps she has recognised her and is thrusting a coin in her hand, as was the custom.
Usually taking place on a Friday or Monday in June and very much a tradition of the North West of England, 'Whit Walks' were an important community celebration. Every child would be wearing new white clothes made or bought especially for the event, a considerable financial pressure on poorer families. Catholics, protestant and non-conformist churches would all walk but from different points in the town.
Source: BFI
M&K 274: Main title (replacement) (00.06) A smartly dressed crowd, leaving through a gate onto the street. The men wear bowler hats, the women and girls have bonnets and the boys wear caps (01.50) The camera pans left to show a cobbled street, the wall of the church on the right and houses in the background. (02.10min) NB Although the people are clearly leaving church, the church cannot be seen. (Shotlist) M&K 275: Main title (replacement) (00.08) A procession. Buildings can be seen to the left and the street is cobbled. First boys in straw boaters march past. A few are wearing sailor suits (00.34). Two men carry a banner. Young girls dressed in white, with bonnets hold ribbons coming from the crosses at the top of the banner. It is not clear what is represented on the banner (01.00) They are followed by similarly dressed young girls marching in an orderly row (01.15) They are then followed by several more banners accompanied by older girls also dressed in white, wearing large bonnets, carrying flowers and holding ribbons coming from the tops of the banners. One banner appears to contain heraldic symbols, possibly a lion. The rest have images of saints (02.18min). (Shotlist) M&K 276: Main title (replacement) (00.08) The same shot as MK 275. Women and girls march past wearing white, with large hats. Large banners are carried (00.50). The women passing are now dressed in black or black and white. Some wear sashes. More banners are carried past. A brass band can be seen in the background (01.39). The film cuts to some older people marching. They are mainly women dressed in black (02.25min) (Shotlist)
Source: BFI