White Hall

Summary

A promotional film for the White Hall Outdoor Pursuits Centre near Buxton in Derbyshire.

Year:

1968

Duration:

0:23:05

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Promotional

Master format:

16mm

Description

An introduction explains that White Hall has been in existence as a centre for open country pursuits since 1950 and that the film was made during the wardenship of Eric Langmuir and Kim Meldrum.

We see a car (a Ford Classic) driving up the entrance of the centre which is a former country house near Buxton. Young people are then see trying out various outdoor pursuits in the area. We begin with rock climbing at Brassington led by instructor Gordon Mansell. We then see caving including shots of oil lamps being lit and the students descending into a cavern via a rope ladder (this section was filmed at the Double Shuffle Pools in Yorkshire). Eric Langmuir leads the party which also includes the climber Joe Brown. Inside the (very dark) tunnels the party wades through water before ascending another ladder to the surface. Next the students learn about canoeing. At Darley Bridge they are seen being taught paddle technique and the escape roll before they venture along the River Derwent towards Matlock including negotiating rapids. Kim Meldrum and Joe Brown lead the group. We then see skiing at Thorpe Cloud including slalom and the group attempting a mass 'crocodile'. After a short section showing camping with boys putting up a tent and wild swimming we conclude with a montage of scenes from the film emphasising the activities on offer.


Credits

Filmed and recorded by Kenneth Oldham