The archive items for this topic have been supplied by the Media Archive for Central England, the public sector film archive for the midlands. MACE is based at the University of Leicester.

Clicking on the still images you see on this page will allow you to view more details about the film; by visiting the MACE archive, as well as viewing the films used in this topic, you will also be able to search MACE's website for more film clips from around the east and west midlands and find out more about the valuable work that MACE does.

Teachers' notes contains the teaching and learning activities for this topic, asking pupils to look carefully at the film archive items and use them to:

• gain knowledge and understanding about people and events in the past
• improve their 'visual' literacy
• develop their skills in historical enquiry and interpretation

This fascinating silent film was acquired by MACE from the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. The film was made as an appeal for money by the Leicester Poor Boys' and Girls' Summer Camp Institute. The Institute helped to send deprived children from Leicester to Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire for a fortnight's holiday. The film follows the children as they enter the Great Northern Railway Station in Leicester and depart on a steam train waving from the carriages. The mayor of Leicester Alderman J Chaplin and President of the Institute Sir Samuel Faire speak at the opening ceremony; their involvement dates the film to 1919 or 1920. Children are seen on the beach, in their living quarters (large huts in the dunes), carrying milk, responding to a fire drill, learning about nature in an open air school as well as a Sunday service on the beach.

The holiday centre still exists and further details can be found at their website.