Brighton on Film: short videos of the city by British Pathé

This week as we celebrate ‘Hidden Nature’ in heritage as part of Heritage Open Days 2020, take a look at how nature has inspired Brighton residents in the past and the role that the Royal Pavilion Estate has played in bringing people together to enjoy nature, in these short films by British Pathé.

This first film from 1954 shows crowds gathered in the Royal Pavilion Gardens to participate in a special mass to bless the city’s pets and discourage cruelty to animals.

‘Brighton - Animal Sunday 1954’ at the Royal Pavilion

The Bishop of Lewes blesses pets and animals brought to a service, to ‘prevent cruelty to creatures and encourage children to look after their pets’.

The second, from 1931, celebrates the beauty of Brighton’s gardens and contains some gardening advice from the man responsible for them, Capt. B.H. MacLaren, F.R.H.S.

‘Garden Lovers 1931’ (Brighton’s Gardens narrated by Capt. B.H. Maclaren F.R.H.S.)

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