The War is over, and celebrations are underway in the village of Preston a few miles east of Hull.  Several have gone for fancy dress, as the villagers demonstrate how country dance become a favourite at parties, with the Hokey Cokey being the prime example.  With the restraint typical of the time, the revellers troupe around the dance hall, arms over each other’s shoulder – very useful for being held up for those a little worse for drink.   This is one of a small collection of films made by...

The War is over, and celebrations are underway in the village of Preston a few miles east of Hull.  Several have gone for fancy dress, as the villagers demonstrate how country dance become a favourite at parties, with the Hokey Cokey being the prime example.  With the restraint typical of the time, the revellers troupe around the dance hall, arms over each other’s shoulder – very useful for being held up for those a little worse for drink.  

This is one of a small collection of films made by William Vaughan who ran a business supplying loudspeakers for outside events in the Holderness area of the East Riding just after the end of the war.  As well as Preston, he filmed events, such as agricultural shows and village fairs, in Welwick, Hedon, Thorngumbald, Ottringham and Ryehill, including celebrations of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.  He would then publicly show the films in the villages. Around that time, he also filmed sports days at St Philomena’s Convent School for Girls in Rise Hall, in East Yorkshire, where his daughter Maureen was a pupil.   It’s now owned by property guru and TV personality, Sara Beeny.

This film is available to be licensed for non-commercial creative reuse.  For more information please contact yfa@yorksj.ac.uk