Freedom Train

From the collection of

Media Archive for Central England

MACE is the strategic lead organisation for screen heritage for the East and West Midlands regions. An independent charity based at University of Lincoln, MACE preserves and makes accessible a collection of more than 100,000 historic moving images representative of the diverse cultures and histories of communities throughout the heart of England from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh border.

Freedom Train (England Their England)

A profile of Derrick Anderson, who brings sport, music and the arts together to benefit the people of Birmingham.

Derrick Anderson has a busy life - not only is he the deputy director of the Action Sport programme with West Midlands Sport but he is also a skilled musician, dancer and a poet.

We first meet Derrick jogging through the streets of his home city of Birmingham. One of his many passions is the dance troupe Kokuma; he not only performs with them but, as we learn, he has ambitious plans to use systems analysis techniques to take the group forward to incorporate poetry, drama and music to evolve into Kokuma Performing Arts.

We then join Anderson as he makes a presentation in his role as deputy director of Action Sport, a Sports Council-funded organisation that aims to get more involvement from young people in sport. At Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr he trains hard, and in his poetry we learn the meaning of the title. For Anderson, the Freedom Train is the route out of years of racial oppression, with sport being one such train. It is the great leveller, where competitors are judged on their athletic abilities alone. Another route to freedom is through Delkass studios, where Anderson and other musicians offers low rates for aspiring musicians, and through collaboration everything from dub to rock flows out into the world.

Derrick Anderson was later chief executive of both the City of Wolverhampton and Lambeth councils. He was awarded a CBE in 2003 for services to local government.

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From the collection

Performing Arts: Music

Celebrating the joy and expression of music beyond the mainstream

In this latest addition to the performing arts series, we are taking a look at all things music beyond the mainstream; from choir rehearsals and pirate radio coverage, to buskers, festivals and workshops, it's clear that music has remained integral not only to culture and the evolution of arts, but to each of us in our day to day!

Many established music artists have been at the helm of sonic exploration, redefining genres and challenging the familiar ways in which sound can be experienced. But shifting the perspective away from multi-platinum pop stars and established performers, this collection is a celebration of the hobbyists, the amateur & the unrefined love of an art form that builds communities and allows for complete self expression 

26 videos in this collection

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Basement Project: Gospel Singing

  • Tower Hamlets
  • 1970
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Black and White Pirate Show

  • 1987
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Blues Parties

  • 1980
International folk bands and troupes put on an act at Sidmouth

The Sidmouth Folk Festival

  • Sidmouth
  • 1970
A collective dedicated to arts, culture and performance

Steel 'n' Skin

  • Liverpool
  • 1979
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Freedom Train

  • Handsworth
  • 1983
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Hands and Voices

  • York
  • 2000
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Black Voices

  • 1991
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Blind Guitarist

  • St Austell
  • 1989
An afternoon of balloons, song and dance with the Gang Show in Ribchester.

Handicapped Gathering, Salesbury Hall, 22nd Aug

  • Ribchester
  • 1970
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Bandurists and Choirs from Bradford and Keighley

  • Bradford
  • 1998
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Music and More

  • 1987

The Pied Pipers of Harlow

  • Harlow
  • 1965
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Rock Music Venues

  • 1977
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Gay Sweatshop: Edward Carpenter Book Launch

  • 1979
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The Tube [05/11/82]

  • 1982
The musical motorcycles hit London to a Cuban vibe.

Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée)

  • 1961
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Cèilidh nan Gaidheal

  • Inverness
  • 1993
Exploring the hidden depths of the early 60s Mersey beat scene, including a visit to the legendary Cavern Club.

Liverpool a Go-go

  • Liverpool
  • 1965
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Busk Idol 2008

  • Liverpool Bay
  • 2008
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The Folk Music Traditions of South Shropshire

  • Clee Hill
  • 1993
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Shikisha Zulu Dance and Music

  • Gateshead
  • 1991
West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.

Grove Carnival

  • Notting Hill
  • 1981
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Lover's Rock

  • 1981
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Reggae Part 2

  • 1977
Young working class Londoners fight racism with the power of rock and reggae in this anarchic documentary.

Divide and Rule - Never!

  • 1978
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