Summary: I. "Band adds fuel to miners' efforts." People in the Yorkshire village of Askern enjoy themselves at a dance organised by the local Miners' Welfare Institute, which has engaged Jack Jackson and his orchestra from London. A few girls dance in pairs in the absence of male partners. Commentary remarks approvingly that there were no absentees the next morning. Jack Jackson descends the mine the following day.
II. "Big flax harvest aids war effort." Harvesting scene in Aberdeenshire introduces this item on flax which shows the process whereby it is turned into linen or canvas and the many uses to which it is then put: tarpaulins for railway trucks and sea cargos, gun-barrel covers, tents (including a hospital marquee presented to the Red Army "which in defending Stalingrad is defending civilisation itself"), hose-pipes as used in the Blitz and parachute harnesses to be used in the coming victory offensive.
Production Details: Ministry of Supply (Production sponsor)
British Paramount News (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Jackson, Jack (person)
Askern Miners' Welfare Institute (?) (regiment/service)
Keywords: industry, British - primary: coal mining (object name)
recreation, British civilian - music: Jack Jackson and his orchestra (object name)
recreation, British civilian - social: miners dance (object name)
agriculture, British - arable: flax (object name)
industry, British - general (object name)
Askern, Yorkshire, England, UK (geography)
GB, Scotland & Aberdeen (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 881 ft; Running time: 9 mins
