The East Anglian Film Archive, the UK's first regional film archive, offers a unique record of the East of England's social and cultural history. As part of the University of East Anglia, we continue to lead moving image heritage research and inspire audience participation through community projects and events. Our collections represent a broad range of amateur and professional creativity, from 1896 to the present day.
Women Set Sky Diving World Record
(About Anglia)
Twenty women link up in a record-breaking free fall.
At Pampisford in Cambridgeshire, a large team of female skydivers have gathered to attempt to set a new record. While they wait for the weather to improve, they practise by 'dirt diving'. The organiser and instructor is Jackie Smith, whose skydiving career began in the Women's Royal Army Corps and led to repeated World Championships. From the plane we see the successful link up to set the women's European record.
The reporter was Greg Barnes for this video, made to be shown in a news story on Anglia Television's early evening news / magazine programme About Anglia.
The camera dramatically changed the ways we interact with sport.
Watching sports on the screen allows us access that would be impossible for the ordinary spectator, whether it’s running with footballers, floating above the clouds with skydivers or drifting so close to surfers we're getting splashed. Sports broadcasting brought these elite athletes into our homes. On-pitch dramas and post-match interviews transformed athletes from sporting heroes into celebrities, flogging everything from training tips to new fashions to crisps.
Nowadays there are screens in every stadium – enhancing the in-person experience and assisting the umpire. Wherever you are, you are in the best seat, enjoying extraordinary access to the energy, excitement and agility of sporting action.
29 videos in this collection
Splashdance
Fistral Beach
1983
Watch in libraries only
WBO World Championship: Duke McKenzie V Gaby Canizales
1991
Watch in libraries only
London 2012: Imagine
2004
Watch in libraries only
New Era
1992
George Best
1969
Watch in libraries only
Skiing with Gina [15/09/74]
1974
Watch in libraries only
Swimming - David Wilkie
1979
Watch in libraries only
Tennis Doubles Match
1940
Watch in libraries only
Barry McGuigan Fight Preview
Belfast
1984
Watch in libraries only
Play the Game Table Tennis
1974
Ian and Viv at Somerset CCC
Taunton
1981
The Day Pele Came to Town
Plymouth
1973
Watch in libraries only
Swimming: The First European Community Championships
