An amateur film produced by Dennis Wompra about the residents of Marske Hall in the village of Markse-by-the-sea. Marske Hall, at the time of this production, was part of the Cheshire Foundation Home for the Sick providing residential care for the disabled. The film followed many of these residents as they work to produce various craft items and make them available for sale during an open day. Large crowds wonder the grounds of Marske Hall looking over the items for sale and speaking with...

An amateur film produced by Dennis Wompra about the residents of Marske Hall in the village of Markse-by-the-sea. Marske Hall, at the time of this production, was part of the Cheshire Foundation Home for the Sick providing residential care for the disabled. The film followed many of these residents as they work to produce various craft items and make them available for sale during an open day. Large crowds wonder the grounds of Marske Hall looking over the items for sale and speaking with residents. The film ends at the end of the day with one female resident being put to bed by staff. A red double-decker bus drives past the church of St Mark in the village of Marske-by-the-Sea. Next door on Redcar Road is Marske Hall outside which is a large wooden board for ‘Marske Hall The Tees-side Cheshire Home’. A man approaches the front door of Marske Hall and knocks. The door opens and he is greeted by a woman, they both go inside. A montage of photographs follows of people and places related to Cheshire Homes. A collection of small glass ornaments on display in a box. Beside it a woman in a wheelchair working on new ornament from a table laid across her knees. In another room or workshop a man in a wheelchair works on a weaved basket. He uses a pair of pliers to clip the ends of the vine, around him another man and a woman sit around a table weaving their own baskets. In a studio a young woman draws a picture, without the use of her arms she uses her mouth to hold the pencil. Without the pencil in her mouth, she turns and smiles at the camera. A woman walks over and the two of them discuss the picture. In a workshop a man works on a type of weave, nearby a woman in a wheelchair is knitting. On the bench beside her a collection of knitted item. Other craft items produced by residents at the hall are on display on the wall behind them. On one of the shelves small decorative pottery items. Around a larger table several residents are working on weaved baskets. On another table a display of two houses and a basket made from lolly-pop sticks. At a table in his room a man in a wheelchair makes a new item using sticks and glue. In another room a couple sit next to each other, she is sowing while he is reading. A young woman in a wheelchair plays a piano. Outside against the wall of Marske Hall residents sits beside tables laid out with their craft items. Visitors to the hall look at their wares, at another table ice-creams are being sold. Many tables are set up in the grounds of the hall with residents sitting next to their works that are for sale. Several chat happily with each other and those interested in their crafts. On another table a game has been set up in which competitors have to move a metal ring around a course without touching the side. If they do a sound goes off and they have to start again. A group of children watch on as a girl attempts to complete the course. Other games and attractions are set up on the lawn of the hall including a large spinning numbered wheel. Another stall sells second-hand books while others bric-a-brac, crowds gather round many of the tables inspecting their wares. Cakes and biscuits of various sizes are on display on another table, several women appear to be judging them as part of a competition. Another table full of various sized bottles. Beside the hall a man gives a speech speaking into a microphone, a crowd of visitors listen to what he has to say. A second man begins to speak, and the crowd applaud. A small girl hands a bouquet to a women in a red dress. Crowds continue to wonder the grounds of Marske Hall looking at various table displays and chatting with residents. A man conducts a brass band performing for the crowds. In anther part of the grounds smaller children are given pony rides while older one cany buy balls to throw at a coconut shy made up of metal tins. At another table a woman pours cups of tea from a large teapot, a queue forms beside the table on which are also cakes. As the day draws to a close trestle tables are cleared away with unsold items put in boxes. Two women sit beside a small green tent with a sign beside it that reads ‘Madam Sarah, Palmist – 10p’. Inside Madam Sarah reads someone’s palm. The final part of the day is a raffle taking place outside the hall with a man drawing numbers from a tombola. In the kitchen staff put together a trolly of cups and saucers. In a living room a record player and a display of records laid out on the floor. Empty cups of tea are taken away by staff as residents sit looking tired after a busy day. A man puts on one of the record and residents sitting around a table listen. A member of staff comes over and wheels away one of the women, she waves goodnight to her friends, one-man waves back. In her room a member of staff prepares a drink containing medicine locked in cabinet on the wall. Two women lift her into bed and make sure she is comfortable. One of them gives her the drink to consume. Three other women lay in their beds in the same room and the film ends on the staff making them comfortable.