Day Out: Archive Films

Filmed in 1980 this charming half-hour television programme took a leisurely look round the town of Painswick - the 'Queen of the Cotswolds'.

As part of the BBC West 'Day Out' series - which visited a different Gloucestershire and West Country locale every week - presenter Derek Jones is shown exploring the area.

Painswick Churchyard

He starts his journey in one of the town's quiet roads before moving on to Painswick Churchyard. There he talks about a local legend - that of the 99 ancient yew trees. Then follows an interview with the vicar, Rev. Henry McKinley, about the traditional 'clipping' ceremony.

Derek then finds himself locked in the town's stocks where he explains why they were located next to the churchyard. He then explores the churchyard's magnificent collection of altar tombs, and speaks to Jack Chant from Blockley, a local stone mason who's been busy restoring some of the tombs.

Weavers' cottages in Painswick

He then talks about the history of Painswick's mills and the cloth trade, and visits one of the mills now in use as a private residence, and visits Vicarage Street with its row of tiny weavers' cottages.

George Brotherton then explains to Derek Jones about the 'Guild of Gloucestershire Craftsmen' - an organisation set up for local potters, furniture makers, printers, leather workers, bookbinders and the like.

Painswick House

A stroll along Bisley Street then leads to an explanation of the unusual Medieval 'donkey doors' - wide entrance ways leading to the back courtyards of the old cottages. Then it's on to Stepping Stone Lane and other streets and gardens.

Painswick House is next on the tour as Derek takes a guided tour of its architecture and decor. Then it's back to St. Mary's Church where he meets a team of world record holding bell ringers - the 'Painswick Youths'.

Derek Jones meets Father Fabian

Penultimate stop on Derek's day out is at nearby Prinknash Abbey where he meets the monks who show him round their pottery, and Father Fabian talks about the manufacture of incense - complete with its secret ingredient - on the site.

Finally it's a climb to the top of Painswick Beacon to take in the stunning views, and a reading of a poem by Gloucestershire poet Frederick William Harvey. A fitting end to a perfect Day Out.

Check out the other fascinating films from the 'Day Out' series which were filmed in Gloucestershire by clicking on the links at the top right of this page.