This is a film made by Chapeltown dentist Willie Thorne documenting two separate Whit Parades at Chapeltown near Sheffield in 1940 and 1941 involving the local congregation. Title - Westbrook production. Title - Whitsun 1940. On a square situated in the heart of Chapletown, spectators have crowded around to watch a brass band, while a shop called 'Storr & Sons' can be seen in the background. Title - Whitsun 1941. The opening shot in this sequence shows a large number of...

This is a film made by Chapeltown dentist Willie Thorne documenting two separate Whit Parades at Chapeltown near Sheffield in 1940 and 1941 involving the local congregation. Title - Westbrook production. Title - Whitsun 1940. On a square situated in the heart of Chapletown, spectators have crowded around to watch a brass band, while a shop called 'Storr & Sons' can be seen in the background. Title - Whitsun 1941. The opening shot in this sequence shows a large number of Chapletonw's residents gathered in formal wear on a stretch of grass, where a brass band play. The band itself is not visible, except for the conductor, who is on a raised platform. The next shot shows the young band members moving through crowd with their instruments at their sides, and there is a canvas banner above, which depicts a biblical scene. The filmmaker then captures several shots of a processions led by a marching band as they travel through different parts of the town; including past a big industrial building. The band has again assembled in the town square outside 'Storr and Sons', where they play for a large crowd. Next, the filmmaker captures on duty police officers and further shots of the crowds, before the processions moves on again. A close up of one of the banners shows a picture of Jesus Christ. The filmmaker then cuts to a woman the laughs at the camera, before the filmmaker shows a brief shot of a clock tower. The next sequence shows the procession moving through fields, and this includes the brass band and a group of women, all of whom wear dresses that have a distinct angelic look. Next, from within the midst of the crowd, the filmmaker captures shots of the crowd; predominantly woman and children, all of whom sing hymns. The following sequence shows the procession stationary beneath what appears to be a railway bridge, and again the conductor leads the band. From an elevated position, the filmmaker then captures an expansive shot of the processions moving away from the railway bridge, before the procession makes it ways up a hill which surmounts Chapeltown. The band have stopped and play on the side of a hill, the filmmaker captures a melange of shots showing the crowds watching and others singing hymns. The crowd disband and people begin to drift away, while others hang around to chat.