I lived in the Southend area until 1964 when I left to go to university and thence to the wider world. This film has brought back so many happy memories of my childhood and of a world that seemed happier and more content than today's. Thank you.
Everyone imagines the era they were kids in was happier - because we're absolutely clueless when we're kids and are completely sheltered from the world. In Southend's case, we know now that there were an awful lot of very bad things going on in that era. There was a massive paedophile ring operating around the amusement arcades and into shoebury. The infamous child killers Sidney Cooke and Lennie Smith were involved. Indeed, Lennie Smith lived in Southend for a while. He and an elderly paedophile jack parsons were grooming kids in the amusement arcades. The award winning local journalist Charles Thomson who worked for the yellow advertiser has put together a brilliant podcast about what was going on in Southend back then.
1984 was when I moved to Southend. I'd have loved to have seen and used the heated pool at Westcliff! Spent so many happy days there since I moved away.
Interesting to see the Kursaal. We went regularly to Southend when I was a child but my father would never allow us to go in there. We only ever went to Peter Pan's. Ditto Dreamland in Margate when we went there. Never did find out why.
Actually, this film footage all dates from the 1950's and was filmed by Andre Smith, of whom I met over 20-years ago through a mutual friend, the late Bill Thorpe who was a retired projectionist from the big 1930's Odeon/Astoria cinema, Southend. Andre was a budding hi-fi man with great technical abilities and a real appreciation of classical music. He used very specialised quadrophonic apparatus at home and built his own large custom-built version of the Wharfedale Airdale loudspeaker system. He also did relief work at the Odeon in the days when it was still a vast theatre; knowing just about everybody worth knowing back in Southend's hey-day. He also had his own record shop, based at the last parade of shops on the London Road in Leigh Highlands. It can be seen in this film at shortly after 13:37 where the Southend Carnival Queen makes a visit to the shops just after rationing ceased in 1954 at Leigh Park and Leigh Highlands; presumably, this is the stretch of shops on the London Road between Hadleigh Road and Walker Drive. From looking at this film, one can only assume that as budding amateur, he further refined this film with the additional 'early stereo' 1950's period 'light-music' as a post-production measure sometime in the late 70's or early 80's using hi-fi stereo video technology; his dialogue being already recorded into the original mono soundtrack. What makes this a most special document is the strong evocation of the 1950's period: the fashions, the post-war escapism to the coast, the cascading seafront night time lights, - for which I remember in my own childhood from the late 60's when leaving my Grandparents on a Sunday evening in 212, Victoria Road and heading along the seafront with Mum and Dad on our way back home again to Leigh. Then there is that rich and lush of-the-period music. So redolent of the 1940's to the 1960's in Pathe and Rank 'pictorial' news reels. The late Andre Smith lived to around 96; passing away some 12 years ago. This film is a fitting tribute to people like him who enjoyed what they did, long before home editing suites existed beyond a mere splicing machine.
Yes it was 53 the year I was born and ten years later the floats were still brilliant ,.I was born in southend and lived there till 2004 those carnivals and lights made the place to be a great film .
I went for a flight in that chipmunk I had whooping cough and was constantly sick for six months the Doc advised a trip as altitude change may help with sickness. It didn't but it was awesome. In the end, it was the bucket in my room that was causing me to chuck up everything I ate as soon as I coughed. My mum removed it one day so I had to go to the toilet to be sick and it stopped within 24hrs it was a Psychosomatic reflex!
We went every year in the fifties and early sixties to see the lights and there were puppet shows along the seafront. Loved it
I lived in the Southend area until 1964 when I left to go to university and thence to the wider world. This film has brought back so many happy memories of my childhood and of a world that seemed happier and more content than today's. Thank you.
Everyone imagines the era they were kids in was happier - because we're absolutely clueless when we're kids and are completely sheltered from the world. In Southend's case, we know now that there were an awful lot of very bad things going on in that era. There was a massive paedophile ring operating around the amusement arcades and into shoebury. The infamous child killers Sidney Cooke and Lennie Smith were involved. Indeed, Lennie Smith lived in Southend for a while. He and an elderly paedophile jack parsons were grooming kids in the amusement arcades. The award winning local journalist Charles Thomson who worked for the yellow advertiser has put together a brilliant podcast about what was going on in Southend back then.
1984 was when I moved to Southend. I'd have loved to have seen and used the heated pool at Westcliff! Spent so many happy days there since I moved away.
Interesting to see the Kursaal. We went regularly to Southend when I was a child but my father would never allow us to go in there. We only ever went to Peter Pan's. Ditto Dreamland in Margate when we went there. Never did find out why.
What a lovely film and i love the music... Thank you.
I used to enjoy and spent many a happy fun family times at the Kursaal, good old days and fond memories too.
Actually, this film footage all dates from the 1950's and was filmed by Andre Smith, of whom I met over 20-years ago through a mutual friend, the late Bill Thorpe who was a retired projectionist from the big 1930's Odeon/Astoria cinema, Southend. Andre was a budding hi-fi man with great technical abilities and a real appreciation of classical music. He used very specialised quadrophonic apparatus at home and built his own large custom-built version of the Wharfedale Airdale loudspeaker system. He also did relief work at the Odeon in the days when it was still a vast theatre; knowing just about everybody worth knowing back in Southend's hey-day. He also had his own record shop, based at the last parade of shops on the London Road in Leigh Highlands. It can be seen in this film at shortly after 13:37 where the Southend Carnival Queen makes a visit to the shops just after rationing ceased in 1954 at Leigh Park and Leigh Highlands; presumably, this is the stretch of shops on the London Road between Hadleigh Road and Walker Drive. From looking at this film, one can only assume that as budding amateur, he further refined this film with the additional 'early stereo' 1950's period 'light-music' as a post-production measure sometime in the late 70's or early 80's using hi-fi stereo video technology; his dialogue being already recorded into the original mono soundtrack. What makes this a most special document is the strong evocation of the 1950's period: the fashions, the post-war escapism to the coast, the cascading seafront night time lights, - for which I remember in my own childhood from the late 60's when leaving my Grandparents on a Sunday evening in 212, Victoria Road and heading along the seafront with Mum and Dad on our way back home again to Leigh. Then there is that rich and lush of-the-period music. So redolent of the 1940's to the 1960's in Pathe and Rank 'pictorial' news reels. The late Andre Smith lived to around 96; passing away some 12 years ago. This film is a fitting tribute to people like him who enjoyed what they did, long before home editing suites existed beyond a mere splicing machine.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏
Yes it was 53 the year I was born and ten years later the floats were still brilliant ,.I was born in southend and lived there till 2004 those carnivals and lights made the place to be a great film .
Would like to see it in Summer 2021, not as 2020 in lockdown, have fond memories of the early 60’s.
Everything seemed so much cleaner & far more interest taken in presenting the town, shame the council cant be bothered any more.
The music is drowning out the narration
I have been there. Lovely memories to last a life time😗😘💐🌺🍕🎄🎉
What bright spark thought of putting loud music over the narration!
The music is too loud on this video 🙂
5:32 first roller coaster I ever went on. God it makes me feel old
I remember that one two, I think it was the called the Wendy Glide
It's not the '60s as the narrator says these scenes are of the carnival of 1953.
THV Patricia. My first ship
Into my heart an air that kills from yon far country blows.......
I went for a flight in that chipmunk I had whooping cough and was constantly sick for six months the Doc advised a trip as altitude change may help with sickness. It didn't but it was awesome. In the end, it was the bucket in my room that was causing me to chuck up everything I ate as soon as I coughed. My mum removed it one day so I had to go to the toilet to be sick and it stopped within 24hrs it was a Psychosomatic reflex!
I was on the kursaal flyer dressed as a cowboy with mum
My father painted the Kursaal Flyer and along with my Brother David kept it looking so good
Hi May you tell me whre did you find this footage please? We would like to use it in a TV documentary. Thanks a lot for your help. Emma
Hi. It is from an old VHS tape I was given many many years ago by the film maker (who I believe has is now deceased).
Thanks a lot for your answer@@rccgb
@@emmanowak3434 Did you ever manage to source the footage.
Sadly the music covered your voice , such a shame
The floats were amazing . Shame there are no more carnivals due to the killjoys of this country .
Isentyou tube many Southend phhotos yesterday plz makegilm if u wish .....irenewilliams,