Dr Moss Family Film 1946-1949

Collection of films showing a family's outings and on holiday, plus some sports events.

The first section of the film was shot at Whipsnade Zoo. There are several shots of animals including lions, camels, emus, a stag and yak. We then see the filmmaker’s family eating a picnic. The next clip shows the family in a rowing boat. After this is footage of various races taking place at Ratcliffe College, a private school in Leicestershire, then a brief shot of a boy swimming in a river. The next section shows different sports taking place in the water at Ely, boys swimming, trying to get into canoes and playing water polo. The largest section of the film mostly features alternate shots from the family’s boat Plover and their rowing boat. A girl and boy sit in the rowing boat with their mother. Then the family pose for the camera on a sail boat with their dog. The family dog plays on the grass then there is a shot showing Ely Cathedral in the distance. The family sit outside their tent drinking tea, then three of the children sit in the rowing boat as it is pulled along by the bigger boat. A boy drags his brother out of the tent by his leg. A shot shows the family preparing the sail on Plover then the boats journeying along the river. We can see other boats moored along the riverside then the boat passing under a bridge and quayside. There is a brief clip of a race then a shot of the children swimming and playing in the sea. Two boys row a woman in a punt boat. The family swim in the sea. People feed a group of geese. A girl cooks in a frying pan and serves food to the family. The group swim in the river and then are followed by a swan and group of cygnets. Next two men ride on a motorcycle then the group eat another meal. Finally, the family relaxes in the garden. The last clip is of a baby being held.

Other Places

Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire; Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicester; Ely, Cambridgeshire