Scenes at the Ripon Highland Sports

On a chilly St George’s Day in April 1916, troops stationed at Ripon Army Camp came together with the people of Ripon for a huge military tournament on Ripon Racecourse. It was a joyous occasion - with competitions, races, a cross country run, horse trials, highland dancing and a chance to put to one side the darkening clouds of the First World War, just for one day.

But life would soon change, and those very regiments would be en route to the Somme just weeks later. Some would survive, but countless numbers would lose their lives on the fields of Flanders.

Astonishingly, what has survived is a film made on that day to record the events. This mini DVD production, tells the story of the film and some of the people featured in it.

Also included is the story of YFA's Filmed and Not Forgotten project, which brought together a small but important collection of films housed in our vaults, made in communities across Yorkshire just before, during and after the First World War.

They were not made to document the War itself, but to record local people, places and events to show in local cinemas. Our research into the films and the people who made them, or are pictured in them, connects the lives of Yorkshire people to world events.

The DVD is priced at £5 plus £1 postage and packing. To buy your copy using PayPal or credit/debit card, click on 'Add to Cart' and follow the instructions.