“Far from the noise and smell of traffic, theirs for a day, the freedom of mountains, moor or open road. Whether one hikes or bikes, pedals or paddles, the end of the day will bring a common need: the need for rest, food and shelter.”
So opens the narration of a film about YHA discovered in the Yorkshire Film Archive. The two organisations have been working on a series of films featuring a treasure trove of footage held in the Yorkshire Film Archive. The earliest films date back to 1931 and document the freedom afforded to young people by the newly founded YHA.
YHA’s paper archive is held at the Cadbury Research Library, Birmingham. The full catalogue can be found at calmview.bham.ac.uk, and you can arrange an appointment to view the materials.
You’ll also find an online photo story of the Welcome Trust-funded project to catalogue the YHA collection, alongside that of the YMCA.
Keep your eyes peeled for further releases, but you can see the first launch film on our YouTube channel!
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