• Short Summary

    The Reverend Bertram Peake supports ex-convicts and helps them to start a new life.

  • Description

    M/S of exterior of Wormwood Scrubs from the road opposite; M/Ss of one of the front towers, and a small door opening at the entrance. A man called Sammy comes out carrying a small suitcase; he turns and shakes hands with a warder and walks off through the gates, gazing around in wonder.

    Fade into C/U of Sammy paying for some fruit at a market stall; people passing by in the background stare at the camera. He walks slowly on past the market. M/S of a church as we see Sammy walking past and looking up at it. M/Ss inside the church; people seated in the pews are listening to the Reverend Bertram Peake in the pulpit; a line of washing hangs above his head. Commentator talks of how this West London clergyman has worked to help more than 1400 ex-convicts. M/S of Sammy ringing the bell on the church door; commentator says "Here, he will be helped by men like himself until he has found a job and can afford lodgings".

    A man opens the door to Sammy; they talk and the man takes his suitcase, shakes his hand and Sammy goes inside. High angle M/S of the Reverend in the church, closing the Bible on the pulpit stand; pan left to show the congregation as Sammy and the other man sit down in the front row. The rest of the congregation get up and walk out. Sammy is introduced to the Reverend; they shake hands and chat.

    M/Ss of the Reverend showing Sammy a room where he can stay and introducing him to his new roommate. Commentator says "Daily life within the church is carried on with a housewife's enthusiasm for apple-pie order. Clothes are washed and ironed, beds are made and floors are swept by the few who have still to find satisfactory employment". M/Ss of a man ironing a stripy shirt or pyjama top; two men playing pool; a young man taking some steaming laundry out of a spinner machine; another man hanging washing to dry on the line above the pulpit.

    Cuts exist - see separate record.

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    131.16
    Media URN:
    1663
    Group:
    Colour pictorials
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    06/03/1961
    Sound:
    Sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Colour
    Duration:
    00:03:00:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:52:01:00 / 01:55:01:00
    Canister:
    CP 323

Comments (2)

  1. Unknown user says

    "M/S of a church" - it's the Golborne Road Free Congregational Church, Kensington.

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  2. Unknown user says

    I lived in the Church in 1964 for a few months when i lived and worked in London as the Flats and housing were to expensive to rent......I worked in the Cumberland Hotel Marble Arch as a Chef Server and was very grateful to Rev Peake for letting me live in the Church along with the ex prisoners.....We received our meals and always had a warm bed to sleep in and Rev Peake was very kind to us as regards understanding and encouraging us in our search for a better life and to appreciate the power of the Holy Spirit..I really enjoyed my time spent in the Golborne Centre...

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