Kent Hop Farming - Making Charcoal

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Kent Hop Farming - Making Charcoal


The cultivation of hops and the manufacture of charcoal, using ancient and modern methods, feature in this fascinating film from the 1930s

This film starts by showing the overhead lattice required for hops to grow. As the bines grow upwards, men spray them with chemicals, while tractors and horses work alongside. We then see a forest kiln being constructed from wooden poles arranged into a dome. This is covered in straw and earth after which a man drops hot embers into the top of the kiln, thus beginning the slow process of pyrolysis. Raking the kiln reveals the charcoal, which fuels the furnaces of the oast-house.

This film starts by showing the overhead lattice required for hops to grow. As the bines grow upwards, men spray them with chemicals, while tractors and horses work alongside. We then see a forest kiln being constructed from wooden poles arranged into a dome. This is covered in straw and earth after which a man drops hot embers into the top of the kiln, thus beginning the slow process of pyrolysis. Raking the kiln reveals the charcoal, which fuels the furnaces of the oast-house.


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