Southsea's Roller Rink and Seaside fun

From the collection of

Wessex Film and Sound Archive
Wessex Film and Sound Archive is based in Winchester. Providing the opportunity to see and hear history, the archive contains nearly 40,000 film, video and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, ranging from late Victorian times to the present day. It includes both amateur and professional material, local newsreels, military and maritime subjects, as well as footage produced by individuals, businesses and organisations.

Southsea's Roller Rink and Seaside fun


Archie Peskett's remarkable film starts with skaters whizzing round the rink on Southsea Common – later joined by star skaters, Jean Phethean and Ken Byrne who give an exhibition performance. We see holidaymakers packed onto the beach while the family walks about the decorative Rock Gardens and look at a miniature steam train. The entrance to Southsea Pier is also filmed from a passing car. After filming picnickers and speedboats on the Solent we end with Downland views.


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