An amateur film recording residents from the village of Skinningrove working to prepare for and hold their annual Bonfire Night celebrations in 1984. Produced during October and November of that year, the film features both old and young working to make masks, bamboo-framed puppets as well as write poetry and sings songs based on that year’s theme of the ‘Mermen of Skinningrove.’ The film also captures locals working to build a large bonfire structure known as Richard’s Castle built along the...

An amateur film recording residents from the village of Skinningrove working to prepare for and hold their annual Bonfire Night celebrations in 1984. Produced during October and November of that year, the film features both old and young working to make masks, bamboo-framed puppets as well as write poetry and sings songs based on that year’s theme of the ‘Mermen of Skinningrove.’ The film also captures locals working to build a large bonfire structure known as Richard’s Castle built along the Skinningrove Beck. In the final part of the film on Bonfire Night itself and a procession of the Merman structure to the beach and the burning of the castle. The fast-flowing Skinningrove Beck making its way into the sea passing people at work constructing a bonfire identified by the film’s narrator as Richard’s Castle on the nearby bank. The Skinningrove Merman testcard changes to the Skinningrove Working Men’s Club where several people are at work making several large bamboo-framed puppets that would be seen in a procession. Around the room other people at work on different things such as a series of face masks and a giant fish build around the frame of a bicycle. Outside views of several building in the village near to the club while back inside work continues on the Merman. Back outside again along the nearby hillside several pigeon crees with a flock of pigeons flying around being called back to their cree by their owner. Work continuing Richard Castle along Skinningrove Beck with waves from a rough sea crashing onto the nearby shore. Title: Poetry Written and Read by Mrs Jean Forrest The Skinningrove Merman The words for Mrs’s Forrest’s poem appear on screen after which she reads it herself from the comfort of her couch. As explained by the narrator the film returns to Richard’s Castle at an earlier stage of construction. Back in a workroom a group of teenage boys work to create clay mask with one of the boys playing up for the camera. The boys help a woman with another mask before trying some of them on and dancing around. Another young man comes into the room and begins to put together a bamboo frame that is explained by the narrator will be used to carry the merman during the procession. Around him children and young people working making more masks with the assistance of several adults and teachers. A young girl sits at a table doing needlework. At night moonlight illuminating Richard’s Castle part way through construction. Several days later people still at work on the structure including a young boy using a hammer to nail in a plank. Doff Pollard standing beside a tractor change to two other women inside working at a table. More views of people making clay masks while outside a young man works on the bamboo frame for the merman’s head. In a classrooms mothers and teachers help their children make more masks. On a table a bamboo framed shrimp model. In another room a choir rehearse a song about the merman. [Blank] On Bonfire Night the Skinningrove Merman being paraded through the village down onto the beach. A large crowd follows along with what appears to be another puppet in the shape of a ship. On the beach Richards Castle is set alight and burns brightly after which a firework display. Title: The End Our thanks to all those people who helped to make Skinningrove Merman a success not forgetting End title: The Methodist Chapel and School, Richard Baker, Ken Briggs, David Mason, Nenagh Watson, Tom Spencer, Lesley Withers, Loftus Town Council, Boatman Association, the primary school, the pigeon club, Timm’s Coffee House Joanna Morland, Langbaurgh Borough Council