VE Day at Manston Grove and potato planting

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.

VE Day at Manston Grove and potato planting


There's Victory jollity aplenty and a sumptuous banquet, despite rationing, for the children of Manston, Kent. We also see potato-girls in action and a mini-baby boom.

This touching film shows Manston Grove celebrating VE Day, starting with a bizarre cross-dressing race and a marquee full of food being readied for a children's party, despite rationing. Watch for the string of doughnuts suspended under the tent. Then we see a tractor pull a potato planter while five women sit and work precariously onboard. Scenes follow showing a large well-to-do family posing for photos in 1946, while a mini baby-boom seems to have occurred.

This touching film shows Manston Grove celebrating VE Day, starting with a bizarre cross-dressing race and a marquee full of food being readied for a children's party, despite rationing. Watch for the string of doughnuts suspended under the tent. Then we see a tractor pull a potato planter while five women sit and work precariously onboard. Scenes follow showing a large well-to-do family posing for photos in 1946, while a mini baby-boom seems to have occurred.


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