Introduction to Northampton

Summary

A tour of Northampton intended for people planning to move to the town.

Year:

1963

Duration:

0:17:00

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Industrial

Master format:

16mm

Description

The film opens with views of a map of Northampton. We see a diesel train passing the camera and work to install overhead electric railway lines (West Coast Main line) followed by a point of view shot of a car travelling on the M1 motorway. We then see views of Northampton town centre with a distant view of the Adnitt department store and a shot of the Guildhall. This is followed by tracking shots from a car driving through the town followed by shots of the market square on market day and another drive, this time along Abington Street. Establishing shots of local hotels follow: the Westone at Weston Favell; Grand Hotel in the town centre; and the Plough and Angel hotels. Next we see establishing shots of various types of housing in the area including council houses and flats. We see the clearance of old housing and new developments at Wootton and Duston. Schools follow with exterior views of Booth County Primary school followed by other unnamed schools and then a school on the Cherry Orchard estate, Trinity High School, Northampton Grammar School and the college of further education. Shots of the outside of local businesses follow: Barclays bank; British Timkin; Manfield; John Waddington Ltd; and Barratt House. Shots of churches follow: All Saints; Abington church and others unnamed. We then see places of entertainment with establishing shots of the Gaumont, ABC and Regal cinemas and Northampton Rep followed by outdoor activities in and around the town: a dog racing track, outdoor bathing pool, the racecourse park, Pitsford Reservoir, a golf course, views of Billing Aquadrome, Overstone Solarium with its outdoor swimming pool and motor racing at Silverstone.


Credits

No credits specified


Notes

No credits on film. A letter supplied with the film says it was donated to Northampton Town Council by an industrial company of international repute and was made by an executive officer of the company investigating Northampton as a likely site for their headquarters. They eventually stayed in London.